So... I dunno, Kels. Should we give it to them?

Teeheee... give it to them teeheehee...

Ohhhh, Kella kels... you would go there :P But hey we have some house keeping, yes?

house keeping... tee- wait that shit doesn't work does it?

No, not at all :P You wanna tell them about the auction or shall I?

you please. cuz otherwise I'll make some comment about what exactly is being auctioned... and that's just inappropriate cuz it's for a good cause.

Tots... so I'm sure most of you have heard of the new thing going on in the fandom called (appropriately) The Fandom Gives Back, and they're raising money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Anddddd, Kels and I have put ourselves up for bid :P

Yea, cuz we're hoes.

Kels! Focus! Details can be found here: http://www (dot) thefandomgivesback (dot) com/ . We're auctioning a oneshot wedding night redo... obvi, our fruit basket will be in full effect :P

I told you I shouldn't be allowed to speak. But yes, despite the good deeds being done no one in fanfic land, no, not even us, owns these characters. They still belong to SMeyer.

Exactly... and a quick HOLA! to LMW... cause she's awesome and she writes fantabulous fic :)

Oh and to rachelcullen77, cuz she may be my new fave reviewer ever. So hi!!!!!!!!! :D

Should we let them read, then? I'm ready if you are :)

Sounds like un-plan. Read on!

EPOV

The car flew through the streets but I kept Bella firmly at my side the entire time. I only let her go once we arrived at the restaurant and Dennis came around to open the door. We said our thank you's and he drove off, leaving us on the curb. I grabbed her had and pressed it to my lips. "I love you."

She grinned back at me, "I love you." She squeezed my hand affectionately. "Ready?"

I sighed, nodding. "I hope so."

Bella laughed a little and pulled me toward the restaurant. We had barely made it into the foyer when I heard someone calling Bella. "Bella?! Is that my Isabella?"

The arm I had wrapped around her waist tightened involuntarily.

"Francois!" She called, smiling. I couldn't help but get jealous of this obviously gay man calling her his Bella. She was mine. I hung back as they greeted each other, not knowing quite what I was supposed to do.

Bella turned to me, a huge grin on her face. "Francois, this is Edward my fiance. Edward, this is my boss Francois."

I smiled politely and leaned in to shake his hand. "Nice to meet you. Bella's told me so much about you."

"Trust, Bella has told me far more about you." He said with a wink. "She's radiant all the time - it's one of the reasons we love her, but she just glows when you come to visit."

I smiled, looking down at Bella. "Well, she seems to always glow for me. It must be her natural charm."

Bella blushed. "Okay... so enough about me. Where's the boy toy?"

Francois waved his hand at the hair as though it smelled. "Oh, the fool had to work late. Some nonesense about the failing economy." He replied with a grin. Bella and I sat side by side across from her boss, and I felt like I was going to pass out from nervousness. I could screw this up so badly. "Speaking of jobs, Edward, Bella tells me you've agreed to move to New York."

"Yeah, soon. We have to figure out the specifics, but I think it'll be good for us in the long run." My hand started to rub careful circles onto Bella's thigh as I spoke.

"I agree. Bella does wonders for New York. And you, well you're just fun to look at."

"Francois!"

"What? If I can't call him one of our little nicknames, you can't expect me to not pay him ONE compliment to his looks."

I laughed nervously, looking down at my lap. She talked about me? She honestly talked about me to people she worked with? The whole thing was blowing my mind.

I felt Bella's hand curl around mine under the table. "Actually, I can and I did." She sighed, "But regardless."

"Yes, regardless. So, Edward... Bella continues to sing your praises as a photographer. You just recently had a shoot with Vanity Fair I hear?"

"Uh, yeah. Back in Seattle. It was for a story they did on the inventor of the coffee cozy. It was a lot of fun."

Francois took a sip of his wine and leaned back in his chair. "It's important to not only enjoy but be a genius at what you love to do. Bella says you fit that criteria as a photographer." He said with a grin.

I took a deep breath, raising my eyebrows. "Well, I'm not sure how good I am, but I haven't had to take a real job yet. I must be doing something right." I laughed again, running a hand through my hair.

Bella turned to me with her brow creased. "What are you talking about? You have a real job."

I shrugged, "You know... like a real job. With a regular paycheck and I dunno... and office, I guess."

Bella laughed, "Oh, well... I guess. But you're too talented to be cooped up in an office like Francois and I."

Bella gave my hand a gentle squeeze and I raised an eyebrow, "I am?"

She smiled at me as she nodded, "Yeah, of course. I saw you at the shoot that day. You're amazing behind the lens."

I smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Thanks, love."

"Awww! You two need to be nominated for some kind of sweet-cute-sexy-couple award. Because really... too cute."

"Shut up Francois." Bella requested, as she rolled her eyes.

"What?" He asked, feigning innocence. "You two are. I'm just glad you decided to get married here. I think it's so romantic. And Edward, you surprising her with the flight last trip? Miss Shy Swan over here didn't shut up about it the rest of her trip. You really swept her off her feet from the get go, huh?"

I laughed, running my finger tips over Bella's shoulders. "Unintentionally, I assure you. And it wasn't so much a surprise as... a necessity."

"A necessity? How so?"

Um, none of your fucking business. No, Bella's boss. Be nice. "Well, when you love someone, you do whatever they need. She needed me, so I was there."

Bella took a deep breath, "Can we either order or call it a night soon? Francois, I know you're enjoying this interrogation and embarrassment hour, but really... can you cease and desist?" She gave him a pointed look that I had never seen before. Honestly, I was glad about that.

"Fine, fine." He said, shooing us. "Scurry along. We can do dinner some other time when it can be the four of us. I won't hold you up."

Bella paused, "Oh, one thing then. I wanted to maybe, take a day this weekend to look at real estate in the area. And I know this is completely inappropriate to do, but would you happen to know the new position it's.. um..."

"Salary?" He asked with a grin. Bella nodded shyly as he pulled out a pen and wrote something on a napkin and passed it to her.

Bella's eyes went wide as she looked at whatever the fuck it was. "This is... starting?"

Francois nodded, "Though I'm sure you could negotiated at least 15-20k more based on your track record, especially after this Macy's business blows over."

Bella looked at me, still wide eyed then back to her boss. "Francois this is over double what I make now."

Francois stood, putting his napkin down on the table. "Yes, but you're in New York now. Trust me that will get you only marginally further than your current salary in Seattle." He paused and tapped the table with one finger. "Well I'm going to go and surprise Nathan at work. You two have a lovely evening. Edward, a pleasure to see you again and congratulations."

I had no idea what just happened, but I shook his hand anyway. This was really happening, and not gonna lie I was beginning to feel a little bit homesick.

Bella turned to look at me, worry etched in her features. "Was that terrible?"

I shook my head, still in a daze. "No. Not bad at all."

Her hand came up to cup my jaw as she searched my face. "You sure? You look like you almost got hit by a car." She paused, gathering more data. "Is it the move? You give me the word and I'll retract the acceptance with Chanel tomorrow and we can focus on Seattle and going home and building our life there."

I couldn't do that to her; I couldn't let her give up her dream. She'd hate me for it in the end. "No, love. I'm fine. Do you want to eat, or should I take you home?"

She kept her eyes trained on me, but I couldn't let her know. "Why don't we pick up some take out and head home. Is that okay?"

I smiled softly at her, then leaned in to kiss her forehead. "That's more than okay, love."

A little while later, we had changed and were parked on the couch, watching really bad reality TV. "So is this what being married is going to be like?" I asked, looking at Bella out of the corner of my eye.

Bella nodded, picking at her pizza. "Probably, only we'll have HBO." She smirked.

I laughed, "You think?" My heart got sore when I realized I hardly knew anything about her new job. "What are you going to be doing out here?"

"Hm?" She turned to look at me before it clicked. "Oh, pretty much exactly what I do now... only exclusively with Chanel and managing a handful of people."

I played with the crust on my plate, "You won't be... gone very often, then?"

She smiled as she ripped off a piece of my crust and started munching on it. "Not at all, hopefully. And if I am it'll be sparingly, and with plenty of notice so we could plan vacations around them if we wanted."

I nodded, still focused on my plate. I shook my head trying to snap myself out of it. Bella wasn't Tanya; Bella didn't love me like that. "I'm so happy for you, love."

She furrowed her brow, then pulled my plate from me and crawled into my lap, taking my face in her hands. "Hey, you okay? I mean, really. Because if this... any of it, isn't what you want, tell me."

I pulled her into my lap, putting my cheek on her shoulder and looking at the wall. "I want you to be happy," I whispered, "Are you happy?"

"Only if I'm with you and you are." She pulled back to look at me. "Seriously Edward, this job... I can take it or leave it. All I want is you, I don't care if I'm working in New York, or Seattle or Timbuktu... as long as you're there with me, happy."

I pushed my lips to hers. Was I happy? I was happy that she was going to be my wife, and that I would be spending the rest of my life with her. But I wasn't so thrilled about moving across the country and leaving behind everything I've known and loved. The former out weighed the latter, though. "I know, Love."

She sighed against me. "And you promise to tell me if you're ever unhappy? Because I don't want us to... not be able to talk. About anything."

But I can't hurt you. "I promise."

She sighed, her eyes once again searching mine "Okay." She said as her teeth took hold of her lip. "But, how about we scrap my idea of looking at places here for awhile. That seemed to freak you out earlier."

I couldn't let this get to me. She wanted this. Bella deserved to be happy. "No, we can. Where did you want to look?" I thought of my studio in Seattle, and of leaving it for good, as I knew I'd have to. I thought of my mother and Max and the new baby... Could I really leave them all behind? Could I miss milestones and birthdays and random lunches?

She laughed a little. "I'm not even sure. But Edward, I wasn't kidding when I said you looked like you almost got hit by a car after my discussion with Francois. This is... a lot. I get that; it is for me too." She pushed her hand through my hair, "Hell I'm not even sure I want to move 3000 miles away from my dad and brother." She shook her head, then slid off of my lap and stood. "Maybe I'm just projecting that you're feeling weird about it, because I don't want to be the only one freaking out over this." She took a deep breath, then looked at me. "See - this? This neurotic one right here?"She pointed to herself. "This is who you're marrying."

I took a deep breath and pulled her back into me, "No. You were right, I am freaking out. But you seemed to want this, and I didn't want to discourage you. I don't want you to give up the things you're excited about because of me. Bella you shouldn't change your life because I happened."

Her arms wrapped tightly around me, and she pushed her face into my neck, panting heavily. "When are you going to realize it? Edward, you did change my life. You made me want forever with someone, a home, a life, a family of our own. I hadn't ever really thought about those things beyond a superficial layer of 'yeah someday'. Edward you... you make me want all of those things in the tangible future. And there will always be things I'm excited about, and taking one of those opportunities doesn't mean it's the best decision for us. And that's what this is now..." She pulled away to look up at me. "We're an us. And if something doesn't work for you, then it doesn't work for me."

I sighed, kissing her shoulder. "I can't ask you not to do something just because I'm apprehensive. That's not fair to you."

"You can; doesn't mean we won't fight about it until one of us caves. But I always want to know how you feel about things, even if we disagree. But for big things like moving across the country, I want to know. Because it's not just my life that's changing; it's yours too. And you don't need to follow me to New York if it's not what you want, but I want to know if it's not what you want."

I felt myself start to hyperventilate at the thought of being away from her. "Bella, we can't do that. I can't... I can't be away from you. If you come out here, then I will too."

She leaned in to kiss me softly. "I didn't mean we'd be apart." She laughed, running her thumb over my bottom lip. "We tried that once, and neither one of us could take it; so what makes you think I'd consider it again?" (rubs her nose against his) "I just meant, if you don't want to be out here, you need to tell me and we'll figure it out. If it means that I don't take this job then so be it. At the end of the day all that matters to me is being with you and making you happy. If us staying in Seattle makes you happier than the idea of us moving here does, then we'll stay in Seattle."

"But it has to be what you want, Love. That's a lot of money they're offering. If you want that and you want this job, then you should have it. I told you... I can do what I do anywhere. It... it doesn't matter to me."

"Money can be made wherever, that doesn't matter half as much as you do to me. I want the job sure, but I'm sure if I let my current boss know about their offer he'd be more likely to counter. But it doesn't matter. Do you want to move here Edward, if my feelings... if none of it mattered. Would you want to?"

I shook my head sighing against her skin. "But you do matter. What you want makes a difference to me. That's what I'd make my decision around."

"Edward, listen to me. What I want, the only thing I want, is you. I want to marry you and have a family with you and spend the rest of my life being with you. That's all, everything else is secondary."

I sat up, looking her in the eye. "You're telling me that if you walked away from this right now, you wouldn't think twice?"

She nodded, giving me a small smile. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

I tried to tell if she was lying, but I couldn't. "Not even if it meant giving up Dennis and whatshisface and fancy dinners and shopping and cool apartments and--"

She put her finger to my lips. "I don't need any of it... I would drop it in a nanosecond for our future."

I kissed her finger tip as she pulled it away. "We have a future regardless."

"Edward, I don't need New York. New York won't ever make me happy the way you do. New York and everything in it, the restaurants, the job, the salary... it doesn't matter to me. All that matters is that you're with me and happy."

I pulled away, leaning back against the sofa. "I just don't want to push you into something you don't want only to make me happy."

Bella sighed and buried her face in my neck. "I love you. I will love you no matter if we're in Seattle or New York. I will be happy with you whether we're in Seattle or New York. You're not pushing me to do anything I don't want to do. I'm really okay with either decision."

I leaned my cheek to her head as I whispered, "I wanna go home." And I felt terrible for it.

She nodded, and smile up at me. "Then that's what we'll do. We'll go back to Seattle and plan our wedding and Alice will be so relieved we didn't elope while we were here. And we'll figure out the living situation. And we'll be happy at home."

I cupped her face in my hands trying to find any shred of doubt. There was none. "I love you, Baby." I kissed her gently. "I love you."

"I love you too." And she kissed me to prove it.

As long as that was true, that would be all I needed.

BPOV

We spent the rest of the night laying on the couch, curled up together watching TV. I'm not sure what time I fell asleep in Edward's arms, but when I woke up the sun was just beginning to peek through the curtains and he and I were still tangled in one another. I groaned, rolling away from Edward's body as I stretched. He made a non-committal grunting noise and pulled me back towards him, burying his face in my shoulder. "No."

I laughed quietly. "No what?"

"You're not leaving."

"Baby, I have to go to work."

"No, ten more minutes." He argued like a petulant child. I smirked into his skin, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling my body tightly against his.

Almost two hours later, I was strolling into the office with a Laissez-faire attitude and gracefully sank into my chair. I immediately hunkered down and sped through my workload, breezing past the lunch hour without a second glance, determined to get back to Edward asap.

"Bella?" I heard Francois' thick accent asked as he tapped my shoulder. I spun around grinning. He was beaming himself. "Do you have a moment?" He asked motioning to his office. I nodded and stood, following him as we walked back to the fall corner office.

He shut the door behind me. "You look to be in good spirits." He stated, moving to take his seat. I followed and sat across from him. "I had a great night and morning."

"I bet you did, you minx." He replied with a sly wink. "So it has nothing to do with the news then?"

"News?"

"Macy's has agreed to not only the original contract, but the addendum to it that you were pushing." He replied, leaning back in his chair a victoriously smug grin across his lips. "And I just got off the phone with the European head office and they're incredibly impressed with your negotiation skills. In fact," He continued. "They want to give you a percentage of what Chanel will be saving with your handy dandy little addendum you worked with Anthony to put together."

My breathing stopped and my eyes bugged out ever so slightly. However unnoticeable, it didn't escape Francois and he chuckled. "Francois... I--I can't accept that." He waved his hand and shook his head. "Nonsense, of course you can."

"No, really. I can't." I felt like there was a boulder in my throat and I swallowed hard before getting out what I had to say. "I've decided to remain in Seattle and not take the position."

His brows furrowed. "What?" I nodded. "Edward and I talked about it more and we just... we want to be close to everyone we love and none of them are here."

"I see..." He began, flexing his fingers. "Well," he sighed. "I can't say I'm not disappointed. It's been amazing working with you and I know that the rest of the team will miss you terribly." I nodded and smiled faintly, knowing that despite how much it hurt to turn down the job and the new salary and position, the look on Edward's face after our meeting at the restaurant pained me more. "However," he continued, "that's still no reason why you can't take this bonus."

We continued to talk over the next hour and before I knew it, it was nearly 5pm. "So, the launch has been pushed to spring of next year but Chanel didn't lose any other ground?" I confirmed, sifting through the final paperwork with him. "That's right. We launch in early November for spring and hopefully it's smooth sailing from there." I nodded, biting my lip as I looked over the flast page of the new agreement. "Sounds like a fantastic plan." I replied looking up and smiling at him. "Does that mean my work here is done?" I asked hopefully.

He chuckled. "Is that a professionally skewed way of asking if you can leave this weekend?" I couldn't hide my smile and I shrugged. "Kind of." He stood up and opened his arms. "Sure, but be prepared; you'll still be receiving the invite to the launch in the fall." I wrapped my arms around him in a warm hug and nodded. "Duh, like I'd miss the opportunity to wear Chanel for free." I joked. He laughed against me and we spent the next few minutes talking about random gossip before I packed my stuff up and left.

It was bittersweet leaving. I had never enjoyed my job more and a part of me would always wonder how far I could have taken my career; but I couldn't and wouldn't dwell on that when the most important part of my life was waiting for me at home.

I walked into the hotel suite a little after 6, and shuffled into the mini-apartment. "Edward?" I called, hearing complete silence. I walked through the rooms with no sign of Edward. I shot him a quick text asking where he was and went to change. By the time I had changed into jeans, a t-shirt and gotten out of my heels there was still no response.

Weird.

I grabbed my phone off the bed and walked over to the living room area, plopping down in front of the TV. I'd gotten through half an episode of M*A*S*H when the door swung open and in walked a very sweaty and breathless Edward. "Go for a run?" I asked as he smiled and held up a hand and removed the headphones from his ears with the other. "What?"

I laughed and shook my head. "Nothing, rhetorical question." He gave me a playfully inquisitive look before reaching for a bottled water from the mini fridge. "I wasn't expecting you home til later, since you didn't leave til past 9 this morning." He said as he sank into the cushion beside me. "Yeah, I just hustled through lunch." He nodded, taking a swig of the bottled water. "I don't get how people run in this humidity. I don't think I even did 3 miles and I was dying." He said, laughing under his breath as he threw his head back onto the top of the sofa.

"I didn't even know you ran." I teased, scooting closer and sliding my body over his and straddling him.

He nodded. "I ran track in high school."

I slid my hands under his shirt that was drenched with sweat and slid it up and over his head. He grinned up at me as I tossed the shirt behind him and hovered my lips over his. "Do you think you have any energy left?" I murmured.

He looked up at the ceiling, tapping his chin and pretending to mull it over. "Mmm, I might."

My lips curved up into a sly grin as I lowered my mouth against his. Even hot, sweaty and not the freshest smelling Edward felt amazing. Our mouths moved together perfectly when I suddenly remember the events that transpired at work. "OH!" I said jumping back a little on his legs.

"What? What's wrong?"

I smiled broadly, shaking my head. "Nothing. I just remembered we closed the deal at work today."

"And?" He asked impatiently, squeezing his hands on my hips.

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the smile. "And they caved." I pressed my lips against his quickly. "And they're giving me a... pretty significant bonus for getting the other side to agree to some new terms."

He grinned broadly. "I"m so proud of you, love." He stated leaning in to press his lips to mine securely. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?"

I matched his sigh and nodded. "I told Francois I was retracting my decision to stay."

"I'm sorry." He said sadly, looking away.

"For what?"

"For asking to leave. I... I know you wanted this, and I--" He sighed, leaning back into the couch. "I should have done it for you. You would have for me."

I wasn't sure what to say. I would have for him in a heart beat, but I also knew I would have been just as hesitant. "Like I said Edward, you're more important."

He lifted his hand, tracing my cheek with the back of one finger. "Like I said, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, really." I replied, smiling and brushing my lips against his. "Francois took it well."

He sighed, eyeing me carefully. It looked as if he was trying to tell if I was lying or telling the truth. "yeah?"

"Mhm. He even gave me the next week off, since we closed the deal earlier than expected. So we can either stay or try and get on an earlier flight home."

"It doesn't matter, love. Whatever you want." He said, letting out a heavy exhale and furrowing his eyebrows.

"What's wrong?"

"I feel bad. I saw you hesitate just now. I'm asking you to give up something that you wanted."

"Edward it's fine. We went over this last night. Keeping the job I have isn't the worst thing in the world."

His eyes shot directly into mine and the intensity in them caught me off guard. "But it's bad."

I stared into his eyes, shaking my head. "No, it's not bad. I enjoy what I do. Whether I'm doing that for Mike as a marketing manager consultant or working exclusively with Chanel it's essentially the same thing."

He shook his head, arguing with what I had just said. "But where would you be happy. And don't you dare say with me because that's a cop out." He said, throwing out a disclaimber before leaning in to kiss my nose. "You told me that once."

I laughed softly and nodded, kissing the side of his mouth. "Either one, honestly. I mean, would New York be nice? Sure, it's always good to experience change; it makes you grow as a person. But would I miss my family a ton? Definitely. And that's the appeal of Seattle. I'm close to those I know and love; my friends, my family. Seattle's easy, because it's all I know so it's an easy choice. But Edward, you're my home. Wherever you want to be is where I'll go."

"Oh, Bella. When are you going to see that you have me regardless?" He smirked, rolling his eyes. Bella, say the word and we're here. I'll do it, and I won't say other word. I promise. If this is something that you want, don't let me stand in the way." He took a deep breath, looking directly at me. "Do what you'd do if I wasn't a factor."

"But you are a factor Edward. Yea, okay... if we weren't together I would choose New York. But we are together and there's more to think about now. Do we want to raise kids in New York away from their grandparents, aunts and uncles? I know I don't. And I don't want to have to plan a move back to Seattle once we decide, if we decide to have children. You, me... any unborn children... all of it factors in."

"We can have children if and only if you want them because technically you're the one that has to do the whole birthing thing. So if you don't want to have them with me..." He paused, interrupting himself mid-thought. "No. You know what? I have to ask you for at least one because I really, really love the idea of having a smaller version of you to dote on." He smiled as if picturing our future child in his head. "But even so, she'd be happy wherever we are. And if that's being here, then we'll make it work. I hate that we had this all figured out and now I'm second guessing it. What the fuck is wrong with me?"

I laughed and kissed him quickly. "Nothing, this is a huge decision for us. But no," I replied, shaking my head. "I don't want to raise a child here. I want our child or children to play with Alice's kids and get piggy back rides from my brother and get two Christmases with each of our families. I want a family Edward, with you."

EPOV

I pulled Bella down into me and kissed her gently. "I only ever want you to be happy. You know that right?"

"Mhm I know. And I love you that much more for it."

I smiled back at her, and pushed her over to get up. "I'm gonna hop into the shower. Did you eat yet?"

"Nope. I wasn't sure what we were doing, so I didn't."

I laughed and started into the bathroom. "What do you feel like?"

"Whatever, I'm not really that hungry. Can we just grab dessert and skip the dinner part?"

I turned on the water, laughing. "Order room service, then. But get me some food okay? You might not be hungry, but I am."

Bella followed me into the bathroom, menu in hand. "What do you want?"

I turned back to her, kicking off my socks and sneakers. "Something with chicken. What looks good?"

"Hmm... they have chicken pesto... chicken alfredo.... chicken parmigiana... mini bbq chicken pizzas... your standard chicken sandwich with fries..." (looks up) "evidently it's chicken mania here."

I leaned back, rubbing my stomach. "Fries?" I asked.

She shrugged, "It says 'grilled or fried chicken sandwich with a side of potato wedges.'"

I laughed, shaking my head. "I mean do you feel like fries? Cause it's either that or the pizza."

"I'll steal some of your fries, sure." She looked up at me and smiled. "So the sandwich then?"

I smiled back at her, hooking my thumbs in my shorts. "Go for it."

She raised an eyebrow and I watched her eyes dip down to my shorts before slowly returning to meet my gaze. "Go for it, huh?"

I felt my mouth turn up at one side. "What?"

She took a step closer to me, "Sometimes, I don't think you realize the effect you have on me."

"What effect might that be?"

"That you smile, smirk, hell... look at me for more than two seconds straight and I want to drop my clothes and jump you."

I wrapped my arms around her waist, pushing my face into the crook of her neck. "You do?"

"Mhm. And when we're close like this, no matter how many times we are, my heart beats so loudly I swear it's a beat away from jumping out of my chest."

I held her tighter as I whispered, "Mine too."

She pressed her lips to my forehead. "Should I go order food, or join you?"

I laughed, pulling away to look at her. "Both. I don't mind if you're a little late."

She tugged off my shirt. "Would you mind terribly, if I joined you first?"

I sighed sarcastically, "But then I'll have to wait."

"Oh, well then... I guess you can wait for both then." She smirked at me, as she turned around and walked out of the bathroom.

I shook my head and dropped my shorts to step into the shower. I felt bad about last night, still, and I felt even worse this afternoon when I saw the disappointment flicker over her eyes. It was only there for the briefest moment, but I still managed to catch it. She wouldn't ever tell me other wise, but I knew she wanted this. I breezed through my shower, then dried off on my way to change. By the time I made it back to the living room, Bella was curled up on the sofa fast asleep. I smiled, pushing back her hair then covering her with a blanket. I decided to go grab dinner at the bar and I left Bella a note before heading down.

I had just ordered when I felt two arms wrap around my chest. "Evidently food is better than having me in the shower." Bella whispered, peppering kisses on my neck.

I laughed lightly, grabbing her thigh behind me. "Evidently the idea of jumping me in the shower puts you to sleep."

"Who says I went straight to bed? Maybe all that teasing got me so worked up I had to take of business myself and I fell asleep afterwards." She suggested, coming around to sit beside me.

I raised an eyebrow, smirking at her. "First of all, what teasing was that? And secondly, do you always drool while you get yourself off? You've never done that for me."

Bella laughed at my suggestion. "the drooling was after I fell asleep, one. Two, you being shirtless was the teasing. You're lucky I'm not trying to get you naked here and now." Bella causally stated as she waved down the bar tender.

I shook my head, twisting my beer bottle on the counter. "If you say so." I put my hand on her knee, running my fingers over it. "You sleep okay?"

Bella ordered a vodka tonic before turning back to me. "You weren't there, so no, not really."

My brow furrowed as I looked at her. "I'm sorry."

She grinned. "To quote you - 'you apologize too much'."

I grinned back at her, "I can't help it. It seems like all I do is fuck up. Hey, can I give you an engagement present?"

Her brow furrowed and she had the most adorable crease in her forehead. "You don't fuck up all the time. And... a present? Isn't that what the ring is supposed to be?"

I leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Thanks for over looking my flaws, Baby. And no. The ring is a symbol of our commitment. The present would be more 'thanks for saying yes' thing."

"Um... but... I get you. And you get me. What's there to say thank you for?" She asked, looking adorably confused.

I laughed as the bartender brought my food. "Thank you for saving my entire fucking life. And you should eat something if you're going to drink."

She grabbed a fry off my plate and showed it to me with a grin. "Better hubby?"

I sighed, "Not quite, my darling wife. I really wish you'd get some food."

She gave me a wide smile. "Say it again."

I furrowed my brow. "I want you to eat?"

Bella laughed, shaking her head. "No, the part before that." She slid off of her stoll, and repositioned herself in between my body and the bar.

Suddenly it clicked and i wrapped my arms around her as i lowered my lips to her neck. "My wife."

She hummed against me and scratched at the back of my neck. "I can't wait."

I kissed her skin again, "Me either. So... will you eat something?"

Bella spun around and ordered a side of fries. "Better?"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Slightly. But I'll take it."

She pushed her lips up for me to kiss, and I happily obliged. "Good." Then she threw down half of her drink. "So how was your day?"

Oh, shit. "Okay. Like I said, I wanted to get you something so I walked around for a little bit. Then I came back and went for a run."

"Edward, you need to stop buying me things." She told me, her face growing serious.

"Why? I love you and you're going to be my wife and give me babies. This is like... thanks for doing that whole child birthing thing."

"Edward, I'm not pregnant yet. Unless... that's an invitation to try?" She smirked.

I laughed, taking a bite of my sandwich. "Do you want to try? We've certainly had a ton of practice."

"I'm ready to stop using condoms whenever you are." She told me seriously.

I looked at her. "Really?" I wasn't sure how I felt. Sure I wanted kids with her, but did I want them now? I wasn't sure.

Her face fell and I felt like shit. "No... I mean it's whatever.." She disentangled herself from me and made her way back to her stool. "Sorry."

I tugged her back to me, "No. C'mere. Talk to me."

She sighed, not looking up at me. "No it's fine. Let's drop it. I seem to be really good at freaking you out this trip so let's just... ignore everything I said 5 seconds ago." She blushed as the waiter brought her her fries and she began picking at them.

I sighed, cupping her cheek in my hand. "Bella, I can't. You said it." I laughed to myself. " And Bella's word is law. So talk to me."

"No. I'm just acting like an excited puppy. Now that I have what I want, I want everything that goes along with it... and it's all freaking you out. First the move, then looking at houses, now this baby thing..." She sighed again, "Let's just drop it."

I shook my head turning back to my plate. I knew I'd hurt her; I knew I should've just kept my mouth shut. Now she thought I was freaked out by everything I've always wanted. God, I was such a mess when it came to this girl. I ate pretty much in silence while Bella downed drink after drink. I just couldn't keep my fucking mouth shut. I paid her tab and mine, before sliding off my stool and turning to her. She was plastered. I put one hand on the small of her back, rubbing in circles. "Baby, you ready?"

"Hm?" She asked, giving me a huge dopey grin. "Where are we goin?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Back upstairs."

"Oh?" Bella asked. I looped her arm over my shoulder and started out of the bar with her. We got into the elevator without too much stumbling. My poor Bella. Look at what I'd done to her. I leaned over, pressing my lips to her temple. That was when she spoke.

"I've wanted in your pants since the first time I saw you at Dr. Carlisle's office."

I laughed, helping her down the hallway. "Really?"

"Mhm! I remember wondering if it was bad that I wanted to fuck a stranger I'd never seen or talked to before more than my boyfriend." (looks up at him through her eyelashes) "I think maybe I've always loved you."

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I loved you since the first time you smiled at me. I just don't think I knew it at the time."

Bella slumped down against the wall and pulled her knees up to her chest. "let's sit out here."

I cocked my head to the side, looking down at her. "You okay?"

"Mhm. I just don't want to go back in yet."

I sighed, sinking down next to her. "Okay. Any reason in particular?"

"I like being out with you. Not having to hide." She grabbed my hand and started to trace circles in my palm. "even if we're just in a hallway."

I laughed, watching her fingers twist with mine. "Well, if you want we can go sit in the lobby. More people will see us down there."

Bella lifted my hand and tugged my arm over her shoulders so that she could snuggle against me. "Let's stay here."

I pulled her tighter to my chest and kissed the top of her head. "I love you, My Bella."

"Why weren't you sad when we found out we weren't pregnant?" Her voice dropped to a low, sad tone. "When you say you want kids with me... is that just lip service?"

I nuzzled the top of her head with my nose. "I was sad, Bella. But I wanted to take care of you. And making you feel guilty because I feel sad isn't taking care of you." I sighed, "I want children with you, Bella. I want as many as you'll give me. And I mean that. You're going to be my wife and have my children. That's everything that I want in my future."

"Then why'd you get all weird on me?"

Huh? "What do you mean?"

"You want me to be your wife, to build a home with you, to have kids, but you get skiddish when I bring up the idea of getting married here, of settling down, of looking at houses, of not using condoms..." She pulled away from me, and warpped her arms around her knees, then put her head down. Fuck.

I sighed, rubbing the back of her head. "I'm not skiddish, baby, I'm just thinking about it. If you want to get married out here, then we will. We can go tomorrow if you want. I just don't know how I feel about being away from Max and my family if we move out here. As far as our kids go, baby, it'll happen. I want them with you, but I want to make sure we're ready for them. I want a little more time for you to be mine. Only mine. Does that make sense?"

She turned her head to look at me, and I lost my breath because of how sad she looked. "But what if I'm ready? Edward, I didn't know I was ready for babies til I found myself possibly with one inside me. And now... now, I want to start a family with you. Edward, I don't think you get how losing the baby we never had changed me. It was a fucking phantom baby that never existed but it kickstarted something in me."

I looked back at her, trying to absorb the hurt I saw in her eyes. "Bella, I--"

"And I'm sad that you weren't sad with me. Edward, I love that you want to take care of me and protect me, but sometimes... I just need to know we're on the same page. And I needed to know that you were hurting like I was that night and the next day." She took a deep breath. "Do you remember what you said, when I asked how you were feeling that morning?"

I shook my head. I hated that she felt like this. That I had made her feel like this.

"Tired. You said you were tired. Not sad, not crushed... not feeling like a part of you died. And that was everything I was. So when I was there I just... couldn't be. Because you were acting as if I was just being sensitive and you were treating me with kid gloves and I didn't need pity. I needed you to say that it fucking sucked and you were sad too. But... you didn't, cuz you weren't." She turned back away from me and I heard her mumble. "So I guess it's a good thing I wasn't."

I took my hands off of her, and folded them in my lap. "I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't realize that that's how I was making you feel." I mumbled, "But I was sad. It sucked. It felt like I'd lost a part of myself. I felt like I let you down, and I still feel like that. I just keep it to myself."

She turned to look at me again. "Let me down?"

I laughed sadly to myself. "Bella, I came inside you how many times that month? Without a condom. If it was anyone's fault it was mine. I couldn't even... I couldn't even make that happen for you."

She scoffed as though this was the last possible cause. "Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm the problem. That's just as likely."

I sighed, "Not necessarily. It seems I can't ever give you what you want when you want it, so it makes sense that I couldn't give you that either

She sat up, her eyebrows pulled together. "You really think that?"

"Of course. I don't ever do anything right by you. It seems like everything I try and give you back fires and you get unhappy in the end.

She blinked at me a couple times, as if trying to figure out what the fuck I was talking about, then she moved to straddle my lap. "Edward, I've been in an unhappy relationship for 5 years. Trust me, I know what being miserable is. And you being with me, loving me? The COMPLETELY opposite spectrum." She smiled at me and cupped my jaw. I leaned into her touch as she spoke. "I just... don't know how to do this part. I've never seen myself doing what we're doing."

I laughed, pulling her back down into me. "What are we doing? Having a future? Baby, that's the easy part. We just be together, and take it as it comes. I think that's what I like best about you and me. I never feel like we have to do anything, or that we should be doing whatever the fuck. I love just being... us."

"I meant I never saw myself loving someone so much I wanted to spend the rest of my life with them."

Yeah, I'm an ass. "Oh."

Her lips hovered over mine as she spoke. "But for the record, I love just being us too." Then she pressed her lips gently to mine.

I cupped her cheeks in my hands, "I'm sorry. For making you feel that way after the baby. I just didn't want you to hurt more. Bella, you were... are so sad. I can't let you take mine, too."

"It's not taking it, it's going through it together."

I nodded, looking at her carefully. She was finally opening up to me, and I wasn't going to waste it. "Can I ask you something and you promise to tell me the truth?"

She nodded, "Sure."

"Do you want to take the job at Chanel and move out here?"

"Half of me does. The other half wants to go home."

"Then maybe we should try it. At least for a while. See how it goes."

"But, you don't want to."

I shook my head. "I'm afraid to. But I'll do it for you."

Her fingers brushed over my cheek and she smiled a little. "And that's one of the millions of reasons that I love you. But honestly Edward, if you're leaning towards no then let's just go back home." She paused and tapped one finger lightly on my cheek bone. "Are you worried I'll regret not staying?"

Um, Duh. "Yeah. So let's give it a shot. Who knows. You might hate it, and I might love it. We might love it together. We might hate it together." I sighed, running my hands up and down her thighs. "You know what the best thing I've learned from you is? Besides how to love completely?"

She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth. "What?"

"You have to give everything a chance. Even if it doesn't work out, every experience is worth something. I was thinking about it while I was out today, and it's more than just me following you for your job. It's having an experience together. It's making a life together that's uniquely ours."

"I love you for it. For wanting it for us, but I already told Francois no. And really, the more it sinks in, the more I think Seattle is home. We can have our experiences and build our life there, can't we?"

"Of course we can. I'm sorry for being so indecisive. I just... next time, let's talk everything out okay? Let's figure it out together?"

Bella laughed a little. "I thought that's what we did last night?"

"We... skirted around it last night. I don't want to have a conversation like that with you ever again. I don't want to have to keep things from you." Fucking hypocrite.

"Me either. I never want you to feel like you have to keep things from me." She leaned in, burying her face against my neck. "I vow to always be honest with you."

I laughed, "So can we get married tomorrow? I wanna get you to vow a ton of shit."

I could feel her smirking into my skin. "Mhm. Like what?"

"Love me, cherish me... the usual suspects," I said, kissing her nose gently.

"Oh, well then..." She pulled away enough to plant a kiss on my chin, then trailed along my jaw as she spoke. "I promise to love you,cherish you, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love your family and have your children, and to always spend a portion of my Sundays naked in bed with you" She pulled away, then dove in for my lips. " ... for as long as we both shall live."

"Forever, love. You know that I want to love you forever, right?"

"I know that I will love you forever."

I smiled at her, "I promise to be there; to love you, and hold you and give you children, and to spend all of sunday naked with you." I leaned my forehead to her shoulder, "I'll be there for everything, Bella. Promotions, births, recitals, dates, picnics... I'll be there for you and with you. Because there's nothing else I'd rather vow to do than spend the rest of my life with you."

"Let's do it; let's get married tomorrow."

I laughed into her skin. "Didn't I just ask you that?"

"You did and I'm confirming."

"Bella, if you're comfortable with getting married tomorrow, then I'd love it if you'd be my bride."

"If I'm comfortable? I am definitely comfortable being your Mrs. Cullen."

I quirked an eyebrow at her, "My Mrs. Cullen? Who else's would you be?"

"No one's. I'll only ever be yours." She put her head down on my shoulder. "Do you think we could go to bed soon?"

"Sure, Baby. Right now." I shifted her off of my lap and stood. Bella held her arms up to me, and I lifted her up. She clung to me, running her fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck. I didn't bother with the lights as I walked into the bedroom and put Bella on the bed. "Baby, how do you feel about pretending it's sunday?" I asked, unbuttoning her shirt

Bella licked her lips then started fumbling with the catch on my jeans. "I'm all for it."

I brushed her hands away and pulled off her shirt. "You need to sleep. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, a little tired but all sobered up." She looked up at me, "If it's Sunday for me, it's Sunday for you." She said, then went back in for my pants.

I laughed and let her push at my jeans while I pulled off her shoes. She gave up after she couldn't get them past my thighs. I did the rest myself, stripping down to my boxers. Then I crawled into bed with her. Bella pushed herself into my chest and I began playing with her hair. "I cried that night."

"When?"

I sighed, lowering my voice to a whisper. "The night we found out we weren't pregnant. I cried."

She sat up to look at me. "You did?"

I nodded, "I cried myself to sleep."

Her face softened, and she reached out to cup my jaw. "Baby..."

"I just don't want you to think that you were alone. That you were the only one who wanted the baby. I did, too. I was just as sad, Bella. I still am."

She leaned down to kiss me softly, "You're right though. We'll have them one day." She whispered, then kissed me again.

"I know, Bella. I love you."