A/N: Hi again. I'm sorry it's taken me longer to update than usual but the Christmas period gets really busy. The kids finish school for the year, Christmas pageants, dance concerts, Xmas dinners - I'm exhausted already. And I have to confess that I got my Christmas present early; the "Bones" box set - I've been working through each series when I could have been writing. And since I've currently got a huge crush on David Boreanaz, I just can't drag myself away!

Thanks so much to all of you who have reviewed and those who've added me to their alerts and favourites. A special hello to all the new readers.

This chapter is a mixed bag. It contains a heavy sex scene (David inspired, I must admit!) as well as some sadness.

o-o-o-o-o-o

Chapter 19

"I love you," murmured Edward, his lips rubbing against the nape of Bella's neck as they lay in bed, Edward's body pressed up intimately against her back, his arm securely around her waist.

"Love you too," she replied lazily, her voice satiated.

Lost in each other after Edward's proposal, it had taken them a few seconds to notice the clapping and laughing around them at the hospital. There had been a couple of wolf whistles as well as a 'get a room' comment from a wit in their audience.

Dragging their lips apart, they'd turned to their amused audience, Bella's face blushing bright red as she realised that she'd ceased to be aware of anything around her except for Edward. Holding Bella tightly in the circle of his arms, Edward grinned at them.

"Congratulations you two!" cried Sue, engulfing them both in her arms.

"Thanks for your help Sue," said Edward, hugging her back with one arm.

"You knew about this, didn't you?" asked Bella. "No wonder you were acting strange."

"Edward told me what he planned. I had no option but to help Cupid. It was all so romantic," she gushed. Bella just shook her head and laughed.

Others came forward to offer their congratulations and started to wander off.

"Come on love. We're going," said Edward, letting Bella go and taking her hand.

"Going? But I've still got another hour of my shift," said Bella.

"Not today, you don't. I've squared it with your supervisor and you've finished for the day. I have plans for us."

"What plans?"

"Let's get your things and I'll tell you on the way," replied Edward. "Sue, can we have a hand carrying these roses to the car?"

"Sure," said Sue. "I'll ring the cleaning supervisor and see if a couple of cleaners can be spared for a couple of minutes."

Edward had driven her home, the scent of the roses in car nearly overpowering and proceeded to tell her that he'd made a reservation at one of the area's fanciest restaurants to celebrate their engagement.

"We're making one stop on the way, though. Go and get changed while I get the flowers out of the car."

It didn't take Bella long to realise that they were headed to Charlie's house and the butterflies started in earnest. How was Charlie going to react to her engagement?

Walking up the steps to Charlie's door, Bella gripped Edward's hand tightly.

"Relax Bella," smiled Edward, gently squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Charlie will be fine."

"God, I hope so."

Taking a deep breath, Bella opened the door and called out to her father. As per usual, he was in the lounge. His eyes widened knowingly as he took in their finery.

"Popped the question then?" he asked Edward.

Bella's eyes widened in surprise. At Charlie's question and the fact that he seemed to be taking the idea in his stride.

"You know?" she asked her father.

"Bels, I am a cop, you know. It doesn't take much detective work to figure out that you two are headed somewhere special, in all your fancy get up, does it?"

Bella shook her head, waiting for the explosion.

"Now, what would you be celebrating in such style? It's not your birthday and I doubt it's Edward's as you would have mentioned it. It can't be an anniversary, it's too soon. So an engagement seems the obvious answer."

Bella heard Edward chuckle beside her as he put his arm around her shoulder.

Charlie grinned then. "Besides, Edward asked me for your hand when he came around yesterday," he admitted.

"You did?" she asked a grinning Edward.

Edward kissed her forehead tenderly before replying. "Well of course I did. I wanted to get Charlie's approval first. I know how close you are and I wanted to do things properly."

Bella heard him mutter "this time," under his breath.

"And if he hadn't given his approval?" asked Bella curiously.

Edward gave her the sexy half-smile that drove her crazy. "I would have ignored him and asked you to marry me anyway."

Charlie burst out laughing and held his arms out for his daughter. Bella hugged her father tightly, tears threatening. He had never been a demonstrative person, so this meant even more to her.

"Thanks Dad," she whispered.

"I love you Bels. I want you to be happy."

"I love you too, Dad. And I am happy. Happier than I've ever been."

After sharing a beer with Charlie, Edward had ushered her back out to the car in order to make their dinner reservation. The restaurant had an illustrious reputation for their food and service but it was sadly wasted on them. Edward and Bella barely noticed anyone or anything other than each other. As soon they'd finished, Edward had almost bundled her into the car, both anxious to be alone, on fire for each other. They'd literally stumbled back into the apartment, celebrating their engagement by making hot, passionate love.

Edward picked up Bella's hand, his finger tracing over the diamond that now adorned her left hand. He couldn't describe how he felt to see it on her finger. He felt absurdly possessive, this ring signifying to everyone that she was his. Especially to any other males who got any ideas. Of course he didn't say any of this to Bella.

"It's a beautiful ring," she said as she rolled onto her back and looked at the sparkling pink diamond. "You've got good taste."

Edward lifted her hand and kissed her ring finger. "It was my grandmother's ring."

"Your grandmother's! Shouldn't Esme have this?"

"No. She left it to me to give to someone special. She was Carlisle's mother and we were close. She told me my grandfather saved up all his pay from the army in order to buy it. When he got back from the war, he asked her to marry him the first time he saw her again. She treasured it all her life. When she was dying, she gave it to me and told me to only give it to someone who would make me as happy as my grandfather had made her. Mom took care of it for all these years. I picked it up yesterday before I went and saw Charlie."

Bella giggled. "I still can't believe you actually asked Charlie for my hand in marriage."

"It was daunting, believe me," he chuckled. "I was hoping that he'd put away his gun, that's for sure! After his initial shock, he thanked me for going to the trouble to get his approval." He looked down at Bella's amused face.

"Why did you ask me in such a public place?"

"After the mess I made of my first, impulsive proposal, I was determined to show you that I really meant what I said. I figured that having witnesses would prove I really want to marry you." He grinned slyly at her. "Plus, it would be harder for you to say no, with all those expectant faces around."

Bella just shook her head at him. "And I suppose Sue was eager to help?"

"She couldn't wait to help when I told her what I'd planned. I don't know who was more excited, me or her."

Their laughter died as they looked into each other's eyes.

Edward leaned down and slowly ran the tip of his tongue over her parted lips, inhaling her scent which drove him wild every time. "I love you so much," he murmured against her mouth. "You taste so good, I could devour you," he said, deepening the kiss.

"Mmm, I love you too," she managed before her mouth was too busy for words.

Bella moaned softly as Edward's tongue sought out all the secrets of her mouth while his hand skimmed over her sensitive skin, the bare contact making her nerve endings tingle in response. Her pulse began to race and her breathing got more and more laboured as his hand lightly teased her skin.

His mouth left hers and travelled down to her throat, his tongue sending shivers down her spine. She gasped softly when his mouth suckled the skin below her ear. Bella could feel her body get more and more aroused as he nibbled and licked her throat and shoulders. She moaned in protest when he took his mouth away only to shudder with desire as his fingers began tracing around her breast, moving in circles towards her nipple. It tightened further as his finger rolled it around and around.

Edward looked at her briefly before licking his lips in anticipation. "God, I adore your breasts. I could happily drown in them," he murmured before licking from the base of her breast up to the peak. Bella squirmed underneath him as her nipples tightened painfully in response. Over and over, he licked all around her breast, first one then the other but never taking its peak in his mouth.

"Please Edward," she moaned, her hands tangling his hair as she tried to get his mouth where she needed it.

"Do you want me to suck them? Bite them?" he asked huskily, blowing on one peak.

"God yes!"

Obeying her request, Edward's mouth engulfed her nipple and began suckling on it, alternately nibbling then soothing it with his tongue. A whimper escaped Bella's throat when he moved to its twin.

Meanwhile his hand began tracing patterns over her stomach before moving down. As his fingers tangled in the curls between her legs, Bella opened them wide to allow him access. Slowly, Edward rubbed his finger over her folds before massaging her nub.

"Ahhh!" cried Bella, her hips lifting, seeking further contact. Edward plunged a couple of fingers into her heat, pumping them slowly into her.

"You're so ready for me, aren't you? Do you know how much it turns me on to know that you want me so much?"

Bella couldn't speak so she took his penis in her hand, squeezing and stroking. He was so hard he felt like velvet steel. She smiled as she heard his gasp against her breast.

Edward began pumping his fingers into her faster and faster, Bella's whimpers spurring him on. The feel of her in his mouth and around his fingers made him twitch and he had to force himself not come in her hand.

When he bit down on her nipple at the same time as his thumb massaged her swollen clit, Bella arched her back off the bed as she climaxed, moaning his name. Her hand unconsciously tightened on his penis and Edward had to summon all his self control. He gently pried her fingers off him, knowing he was hanging on by a thread.

Bella's laboured breathing hitched as he removed his fingers before taking them in his mouth. "You taste like the sweetest honey," he said as he savoured her taste.

Without warning, Bella sat up and pushed him back down on the bed before straddling him. She could feel his hardness pressed up against her backside and she was sorely tempted to just impale herself on him and ride him to completion but she wanted to taste him too.

"I want to taste you too," she said huskily. "I want to suck on you like a lollipop. I want to lick you and take you into my mouth as far as I can take you. I want to drive you wild."

"God, you already are!" groaned Edward as her words made him painfully hard. "I love your mouth on me. Your red lips moving up and down on me."

Kissing him hungrily, she nibbled her way down his body, smiling as he groaned loudly when his penis rubbed along her wetness as she moved. She traced her tongue over each muscled ridge of his abdomen. Bella loved the defined ridge of his hips, nibbling on each one as she neared her destination. She breathed deeply of his musky scent as she brushed his manhood with her cheek, Edward's sharply indrawn breath ringing in her ear.

Settling herself between his legs, she took him in her hands and gently stroked him up and down. Her fingertip rubbed along the tip, smearing the liquid there before touching the tip of her tongue to it and swirling it around. Edward moaned as his hips moved. From his base to the tip, Bella licked along his entire penis as it twitched.

"Bella! God, I'm gonna come if you don't stop!" he cried, his hips moving up and down.

Bella was enjoying herself too much to stop, her only response was to take his length into her mouth. Edward grabbed fistfuls of her hair as she began moving up and down, alternately blowing and sucking.

"Aaahhh! Fuck, I'm going to come!" he cried.

Bella would have laughed if she could. She'd learned that Edward only swore when she was going down on him. It was a little secret that she treasured.

She felt him get harder and lengthen in her mouth and she knew his release was imminent. Bobbing up and down, she squeezed and stroked the base of his penis with hands, her movements faster and faster as his hands guided her head.

With one violent twitch, accompanied by Edward's loud moan, Bella felt his warm essence trickle down her throat. Slowing her movements, she kept sucking on him as she brought him down from his high. His hands released her hair and flopped onto the bed beside him.

Edward's eyes were shut as he tried to regain his equilibrium, and his breath. Christ, that woman was going to kill him! Reaching down, he pulled her up over his body and gave her a long, languorous kiss.

She was lying full length over him and she wriggled her hips over his, rubbing herself over his manhood as they kissed. Edward's hands gripped her hips before rubbing and squeezing her bottom, his finger dipping between her legs as he teased her.

"Did you know you swear when I give you head?" she asked him breathlessly, arching her back as his finger teased her folds.

"I do?"

"Ohhh! Yes, you do," she moaned gently as his fingers worked their magic.

"Sorry," grinned Edward unrepentantly.

"Don't be. I like it."

"Interesting," he mused. Rolling her over, he kissed his way down her body, swirling his tongue around her navel before lying between her legs, licking his lips in anticipation. His hands moved under her bottom as he lifted her up to his mouth.

"I'm going to lick your pussy until you cry for mercy." He licked along her folds in one move, drawing a long moan from Bella. "I'm going to swallow every drop." His tongue tip circled her clit. "I want to eat you until you're trembling with pleasure. I'm going to fuck you with my tongue, and when you've come I'm going to fuck you so hard that you're going to come apart in my arms."

Edward's words got Bella so hot that she could feel the gush of liquid between her legs which he proceeded to lick up. "Oh god, yes!"

Keeping his promise, he began matching his actions to his words, pushing his tongue into her, her whimpers of pleasure driving him wild. He was so hard and ready for her again, he surprised even himself. He alternated between nibbling and sucking on her nub and teasing her entrance. He reached up with one hand and began squeezing her breast and nipples.

"Yes! Oh god, yes!" cried Bella, a sheen of sweat covering her body. Her hips were bucking into his mouth, her head thrashing from side to side.

Edward felt like he was drowning in her scent; in her taste. His own hips were bucking into the mattress as he tried to ease the ache. His lips, mouth and tongue were devouring her, making her wild.

"Edward!" she screamed as her orgasm hit, her body shaking from the pleasure, her lungs gasping for breath. "Oh god!"

Edward couldn't take anymore. Before Bella's body had recovered fully, he moved up and entered her in one swift movement, causing her to gasp aloud. The feel of him stretching her was enough for her to have another, smaller orgasm.

He pulled her legs up over his shoulders which allowed him to be buried even deeper in her body.

"Oh god, you feel so good. So good!" he groaned breathlessly as his hips began to move in and out.

"Yes! Fuck me hard, Edward," gasped Bella. Her eyes were shut and she didn't see the look of surprise on his face. With a quick grin, he did her bidding.

He started thrusting rhythmically into her, their combined gasps and moans the only sound in the room, apart from the sounds of their bodies crashing together.

Edward leant up on hands in order to pound into her even harder, his mouth slack with pleasure. He watched her head thrash from side to side as her body shook, her breasts bouncing deliciously with each thrust. Before long, he could hear the bed creaking under them.

"Edward! I'm coming! Yes!" Bella cried out, her hands grabbing the bed head behind her as her legs pulled her hips even closer to his. She couldn't help the long, drawn out moan as wave after wave of pleasure exploded through her body.

The feel of her inner walls squeezing his already straining penis was enough to send Edward over the edge. With a cry he poured himself into her, collapsing onto her as his arms lost all their strength. He seemed to come endlessly into her, his body trembling from the intense sensations.

Bella put her legs down and held him in her arms, their sweat-covered bodies trying to recover from their incredible lovemaking. Edward's face was buried in her throat, his harsh, rasping breath loud in her ear.

It was several minutes before either of them had the strength to move or say anything. Edward could feel the aftershocks running through both their bodies as he was still buried inside her. He felt her shudder as he pulled out of her. Reaching around, he grabbed some tissues and handed them silently to her. Bella took them gratefully and cleaned herself up before resting her head on his shoulder, his arms securely around her.

"Wow, that was…."

"Incredible," finished Edward, his heart still pounding.

"Incredible." Bella could feel her eyelids closing. "I love you so much, Edward," she murmured sleepily.

Kissing the top of her head, he gently stroked her back. "Love you too, baby." He looked down at her face and smiled tenderly as he realised she'd fallen asleep. "Goodnight, my love," he whispered as he closed his own eyes. "Goodnight, my Bella."

o-o-o-o-o-o

Alice nearly made Bella deaf when told of their engagement. Her shriek of delight was so loud, Bella winced and held the phone away from her ear. She looked ruefully at a grinning Edward.

"You should have told her!" she complained.

"And have my eardrum burst? No way."

When Alice calmed down enough for Bella to get a word in, she demanded all the details.

"Why didn't Edward tell me he was going to propose? I would have been there."

"And have you spoil the surprise? No way," said Edward. "You couldn't keep a secret like that if your life depended on it."

Alice grumbled for a couple of minutes before she turned to the subject of the wedding.

"We haven't discussed a date yet, Alice," said Bella.

"Why not?"

"We just got engaged yesterday, that's why? Let me enjoy being engaged."

"But I can't wait," complained Alice.

"Well, you'll have to, won't you?" cut in Edward. "Leave Bella alone. We'll let you know when we work it out. How about you let us enjoy being engaged for a bit, ok squirt."

"Oh, all right. But don't wait too long. I love weddings."

"We promise you'll be the first to know," promised Bella.

Alice was adamant about throwing a party soon to celebrate their engagement. Bella and Edward reluctantly agreed to let her have her way.

"If it keeps her off our backs for a while, it'll be worth it," sighed Edward, a wry smile on his face.

Jacob invited them out for a drink to celebrate when Bella told him the news. They met up with him at a local bar a couple of nights later after work.

"Congrats to both of you," he toasted, clinking glasses with both of them.

"Thanks Jake."

Edward and Jacob shared a couple of beers as Jacob regaled him with tales of Bella's younger days. Edward laughed heartily as Jacob told him of some of her mishaps.

"Will you cut it out, Jake!"

"Why? I think he deserves to know that he might end up spending more time in the ER than he planned," laughed Jake.

"I'm not nearly so clumsy now, you know."

"That's true," said Edward. "I've actually hardly seen her do anything clumsy."

"Must be your good influence," Jake replied, earning himself a punch from Bella, which he hardly felt anyway.

Word spread quickly around the hospital and both of them received numerous congratulations over the following days. Bella also received a few envious looks from some of the female staff.

"It's not fair," Bella heard Jessica complain to another nurse, unaware she was nearby. "It's not like we get many hot guys move into the area. Then a god like Edward Cullen arrives and a nobody like Bella Swan gets her hooks into him."

"I know. I don't know what he sees in her. I mean, you're so much prettier, Jess," said the other nurse, who's name escaped Bella.

"I know. I mean, she's got no boobs to speak of. Boring brown eyes. No real figure to speak of. He's probably only with her because she gives him head or something."

Bella could feel her temperature rise as she listened to the catty remarks. Normally she would just slink away and ignore it, this time she decided not to. Tapping Jessica on the shoulder, she smirked at Jessica's chagrined face as she realised Bella had heard everything.

"Actually Jessica, Edward does love it when I give him head, but in truth, he prefers to go down on me. And yes, he is built like a Greek god. Everywhere. And he can make me scream in pleasure. Not that you'll ever experience what it's like to make love with Edward, will you? There's nothing better in this world. And he did ask me to marry him, so obviously he likes something about me." Tilting her head close to Jessica's shocked face she continued. "And he could happily drown in my breasts," she whispered. Giving Jessica a sarcastic smile, she walked away, smiling at the sniggers aimed in Jessica's direction by those who'd heard the whole conversation.

As Bella walked back to maternity, she burst out laughing as she remembered the look on Jessica's face. Priceless.

o-o-o-o-o-o

It was a week and half later that Bella's phone rang. She and Edward were just lounging around after a hectic day at work.

"Bella? It's Dad. He's taken a turn for the worse."

"Oh Jake. I'll come over," said Bella.

"What's happened?" asked Edward as he followed her to the bedroom. He watched as she put on her shoes and looked around for her bag.

"It's Billy. He's taken a turn for the worse. Jake needs me."

Billy's condition had deteriorated in the last couple of months. He'd lost a great deal of weight and his memory was failing as the tumour in his brain got larger. It was also affecting his motor functions and was becoming more and more incapable of doing things for himself. Jake had taken over more of his care as Billy got worse.

"Do you want me to come with you?" asked Edward.

Bella shook her head. "No. I don't know how long I'll be and you need to work tomorrow. If it gets too late, I'll stay at Jake's."

Edward reluctantly agreed. "Take care, love," he urged, giving her a kiss. "Give my best to Jacob."

"I will." Bella sighed. "We knew this day was going to come, but I guess we hoped it would take longer. Can you do me a favour?" Edward nodded. "Can you ring Charlie and let him know. Jake may have called him already but just in case…"

"It's ok, love. I'll call him. You go."

"Love you."

"Love you too."

Bella drove to Jacob's house as quickly as possible. A haggard looking Jacob let her in. Bella took a look at the pain on her friend's face and pulled him into a tight hug. Jacob buried his face in her shoulder and Bella could feel the tremors run through his body. They stood like that for several moments before Jacob stepped back.

"How is he, Jake?"

Jacob ran his hands over his face. "He's lost the use of his arms and legs completely. I called the doctor and he said it could be anytime now." A tear tracked down his face. "A palliative care nurse is on her way now."

Leading her into Billy's room, Bella was shocked at how quickly Billy had gone downhill. A couple of weeks ago, he had been joking with Charlie when she visited her father. Now he was a shell of the robust man she'd known for most of her life. His skin looked like paper, thin and fragile, like a single touch would rip it. His eyes were closed and Bella could hear the rasping breath coming from his mouth.

The nurse arrived and checked Billy. "It won't be long now, Mr Black. A day or two at the most."

"I don't want him to be in pain," said Jacob hoarsely. Bella squeezed his hand in support.

"No, I'll make sure his not in any pain."

A knock on the door heralded Charlie's arrival. Bella let him in and led him to Billy's bedroom.

For the rest of the night, one of them sat with Billy while the other's got some sleep. Charlie left early to go to work. As dawn arrived, she sat with Jacob at Billy's bedside, listening to his faltering breaths.

"I can't imagine him not being here, Bella."

"I know. He's always been part of my life."

"I'll be alone."

"You'll have your sisters."

"They have their own lives away from here. No, I'll have no-one."

Bella put her arm around his shoulders and hugged him. "You have me, Jake. I'll always be your best friend."

"Yeah, but you have Edward now. Your first priority will be him, as it should be. It's not like we can just hang out like we used to. I always had Billy to talk with, joke with. This house will be so empty without him." His shoulders shook with his tears, his hands over his face. Bella ached for him. He was right. He had his friends, he had her, but at night when a person's loneliness was magnified, he would be alone.

Jake leaned on her shoulder as he cried silent tears. They sat like that for hours while the sun rose on another day.

When Billy's condition hadn't changed by mid morning, she convinced Jacob to get some sleep. She rang Edward to let him know how things were going.

"How's Jake holding up?" he asked, not liking the sound of tiredness in Bella's voice.

"He's barely coping. It's the waiting that's killing him."

"Did you get any sleep?"

"A few hours. We've been taking it in turns to sit with Billy. Jake's asleep now."

Edward offered to come over but Bella said no. It wasn't that she didn't want him there but she knew Jacob wanted only those closest to Billy there.

"Look after yourself, love. Do you need anything?"

"Could you bring me a change of clothes? I don't want to leave Jake alone in case Billy passes while I'm not here. I don't want him to be alone."

"Ok love. I'll bring them over after work."

True to his word, Edward brought her some clothes, gave his condolences to Jacob who looked as bad as Bella had said and left, kissing her tenderly as he left.

"I miss you."

"I miss you too, but Jake needs me."

"I know. I'm just being selfish. Love you."

"Love you too."

Charlie came over after work and took his turn sitting with Billy.

At 3.37am, Billy drew his last breath as his spirit was reunited with his beloved wife, surrounded by his son, his best friend and Bella.

o-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: I'm sorry I left it on such a sad note, but it had to be written some time. I hope that Jacob has some happier times in the future.

The next chapter may take a couple of weeks to update. We're starting our summer holidays and the beach beckons. Also, now that the kids are holidays it's even harder to get my hands on the laptop. Combine that with making my way through 4 series of 'Bones' - it's slowed me down a bit. But things will go back to normal in a few weeks.

I want to wish all of you and your families, whether you celebrate it or not, a very Merry Christmas and a terrific New Year. All of you in cold climes, enjoy your white Christmas. Those of us in hot weather, stay cool, wear sunscreen and enjoy your bbqs, picnics, beach or however you spend the day. For those Aussie's reading, let's hope we can avoid destructive bushfires this summer. Stay safe, drive carefully and I look forward to hearing from you in the New Year.

Cecilia xxx