Good evening! Or, early morning? Anyway, I'm not sure if anyone's still around? I know it's been awhile, like 4 weeks or something, but I still really want to finish this!

This chapters pretty long, but I hope you enjoy it =]

Thanks again for reading and to those of you that take the time to comment :) *sending cyber hugs your way*

Chapter 28:

I felt a draft on my back as I began to stir. I was laid on my front, my arms up beside my head, cushioned beneath the fluffy pillow. As my eyes reluctantly opened, forcing myself out of my slumber, I saw two brilliant blue eyes gazing right back at me. It was then that it all came flooding back, the argument, the kiss, the movie watching, the storm, his hands on my waist, his lips on my neck, his body pressed flush against mine… I'd spent so many mornings lying in bed, imagining what it would be like to be with him, to spend an entire night in Edward's arms, and to wake up the following morning feeling spent but satisfied, as I'd look deep into the ocean blue globes of his eyes. Today would've been undoubtedly similar, he could've quite easily been a figment of my imagination, a beautiful mirage of some kind, but as he leant towards me, kissing my temple with a smile, I knew this was no longer a dream nor a desired delusion, but reality.

"Hey you" he hushed in the deepest but softest tone, prompting my cheeks to turn quickly ablaze.

"Hi" I greeted him sheepishly; feeling mildly embarrassed, as reminders of our earlier act flashed through my mind like a movie reel. I didn't regret it, not a thing. But I'd lost control, something I'd never done in my whole entire life. I'd always been the careful one of the group, but being alone with him and swept up in so much emotion, it wasn't a surprise a small step had turned into a very big stride.

I moved my arms down beside my body, finding the duvet cover lay resting just below my hip, my entire upper body on show for the world (well, Edward really) to see.

I cringed internally at what I imagined was on display, and made a conscious effort not to move. I remained in the same position, my head craned to my left, my neck feeling stiff at the lack of movement, while my body was face down. I'd never before had a person be a witness to my naked body, especially in broad daylight, and certainly not by a man who I considered to be the definition of perfection.

I only hoped it wasn't too obvious that I was trying to conceal myself, the last thing I wanted to do was offend him. Because it's not that I wasn't comfortable. I was, with him, just not with my body.

"How'd you sleep?" he asked me; his elbow resting on his pillow, his head in his hand.

"Good thanks. I was out like a light" I smiled sheepishly. He nodded back, his eyes trailing my face. "How about you? Did you sleep ok?"

"Like a log" he told me. "Best nights sleep I've had in here since… well, ever actually" his face lit up, and I had a feeling mine did too.

Feeling my neck starting to ache I shuffled up, head facing forward. My expression couldn't help but contort at the tightness of my muscles. Unfortunately I hadn't been discreet with my discomfort; well, it was either that or the fact that he was watching me like a hawk.

"Are you ok?" I could hear the confusion and uncertainty in his voice.

"Yeah, of course, I just slept funny that's all" I lied and then retreated back to my earlier position, having my head strained towards the left.

His brow twitched thoughtfully, "Bella, you don't have to be embarrassed you know. You don't have to… hide yourself from me".

Damn. He had noticed.

"I'm not hiding, exactly. I just…well, you know…" I went to justify in the awkwardest way possible, but I ended up sighing, offering him the feeblest of smiles as an apology. "Sorry, I can't help it. Truth is, I've never been in a position, where someone else could see me like this" I confessed through my shyness. "I just, don't want to disappoint you".

"How could you think that?" he asked, and the sadness poured from his tone, his hand reached over to move the hair from my face, and I felt so much warmth and comfort beneath his touch.

"I don't know" I answered pathetically.

"Bella, did you not hear what I said last night? Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. You're a million times more beautiful than any other girl, I assure you" he declared as he focused in on my eyes. He smiled lightly after that, reaching down for the duvet cover which he placed at my shoulders, covering me up.

"I just want you to be comfortable" he told me. And my heart swelled at that.

"I am with you" I admitted in all honesty; finding emotion bubbling up inside of me.

Similarly to last night, we mirrored each others motives, simultaneously leaning forward in a sweet and tender kiss. We never missed once.

He pulled away after a second, just looking into my eyes before capturing my lips once again. My hands automatically fell away from my front then, wrapping around him to deepen our embrace. While his hands started at my face, trailing down my neck and shoulders until he cupped the sides of my breasts, gently kneading them like a sculpture in the making.

His boxers had returned as my body discovered. A smart move on his part. There'd be no stopping us if we suddenly became lost in the action, and it was best to remove temptation while we still could.

Getting carried away seemed inevitable. And it wasn't until he pulled me on top of him, and my legs spread apart, that I felt a twinge of discomfort down below. I retracted from the kiss, passion immediately fading away as my femininity felt understandably sore.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, concerned once again.

"No" I tried to smile as I clambered my way off him; trying not to be a baby in the process. I hated myself for having stopped, but a peaking orgasm on top of all that throbbing wasn't a good combination. "I'm fine, I just…" I pulled the quilt around me, "I'm a little sore".

His face crumpled with guilt. "Oh right, of course … god I'm sorry, I didn't even think".

"Don't be" I told him. "It was worth it".

He smiled, although half-heartedly. "Can I do anything?"

How could he ask such a thing? Just being in the same air space as him was enough.

Pushing my insecurities and paranoia to one side, I shuffled myself into his chest. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close. "You already are".

…

I don't think I'd ever felt so peaceful in my whole entire life. Nothing could beat this feeling. My head on his chest, the feeling of his warm skin cushioning my cheek, his chest gently rising and falling in a relaxing motion that had me dozing off again, and his soft breath was like sweet music to my ears. If this was what falling in love felt like, then I was happy to keep falling, and falling hard.

"Bella?" Edward's voice spoke out from the silence.

"Hmm?" I mumbled as I drifted away again, his hands stroking my hair.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you… about my past."

My eyes opened wider, and just like that, I was no longer sleepy. "It's ok. It wasn't my business really", I moved an inch, stroking the area between his pecks with my index finger.

"But it is though" his voice hummed to me through his chest, "you're an important part of my life now, and without even realising it, I let what happened in my past affect you. I let it hurt you". I didn't know what to say to that. A part of me silently agreed, and I hated that he'd once felt he couldn't be open with me. But truthfully, we'd both been in the wrong, I'd been intrusive, going behind his back when I should've respected his wishes, but he'd been denying of me.

"I guess I was just so ashamed of it all, you know? I didn't want to have to admit that I'd let myself get into that … Its funny though isn't it, at the time its happening, you're completely blinded by everything. You can't see what others can".

"You were pretty young though" I justified; hoping it was just his past he was ashamed of, and not himself.

"Yeah, I was young and naïve, and she was handed to me on a plate. She was beautiful and charming, and my mom adored her. And at the time, that was enough for me; I didn't need to know anything other than that".

I never anticipated how hard it would be for me to hear him talking about another girl like that. Someone he'd once loved and shared a life with, but I tried to remind myself of everything he'd said. That girls like that were fake, manipulative and selfish; they were at the other end of the spectrum to where I hoped and considered myself to be.

"Can I ask you something?" I questioned him with hesitance. Not wanting to pry but eager to make use of his current sharing mood.

"Of course, you can ask me anything". And for once he made it sound so easy.

"I know that you've always said you don't really get along with your mom anymore, that, since it all happened, your relationships really suffered. Do you… do you blame your mother for it? For what happened?"

He swallowed hard, but his tone didn't suggest I'd offended him. "I never meant too, maybe subconsciously I do … but, I think she feels more shame than I feel resentment now", I gave a small nod, sensing he wasn't far from the truth. There was a look in Esme's eyes last night, as she'd watched her son play; there was longing there, and regret for how she'd let her son slip away. "I think she blames herself for what happened, she was the reason I even met Lizzy. And I think that's why she shies away from me now; she puts a wall between us, probably thinking it'll prevent her from hurting me, but, in the end, all I want is my mom back."

I could've cried right then and there for him; the tears welling up in my eyes at his sadness. But instead I stayed strong, just hugging him tighter. I'd never known what it was like to have a mom, but to have a mother that was in such close proximity to you, but feel completely unconnected to her, was a sadness I couldn't imagine.

It was then that I made a pact with myself, to sort this out once and for all. Ok, so I knew I was about to enter dangerous territory yet again, mixing myself in with the complications of Edwards past and family life. Going behind Edwards back had once before proved consequential, and not necessarily in a good way, but I felt compelled to at least make an attempt at solving what he felt was a lost cause. If having a quiet word with Esme' Cullen meant a bridge could be built between mother and son, then I was willing to risk it.

…

I felt like Bambi learning to walk as we tentatively teetered our way across his back garden, the grass now a mulchy greeny/brown colour, a consequence of the dowsing of thunderous rain we'd had the previous night.

I slid a number of times, my shoes failing to grip onto anything, much to my dismay, but I was thankful for Edwards hand around my waist, steadying my movements and preventing my fall.

"You really are one clumsy lady" he observed, amusement clear in his voice. I chose not to retaliate, truthfully there was no point, he was right anyway. And I was more concerned with finding my footing, than calculating a clever comeback.

"Have you always been this unfortunate?"

"With what? Walking, or life in general?"

"Come on, it's not that bad" he gave me a nudge, which didn't help matters, "so you're not good with uneven surfaces, or, any surfaces" he smirked. "We can't all be good at everything".

"Nope, that is true. So what are you not good at? Tell me so that I can use it to my advantage" I joked in my serious but cutesy voice.

He laughed back, failing to answer my question. "I should take you to the beach one day; see how you fair over the rocks".

I eyed him in a sideways glare. "Oh great. So you can watch me fall on my ass" I said un-amused, rolling my eyes, "make sure you bring your camera wont you".

He snickered under his breath. "I'm only teasing you. When we go there, I'll promise to carry you all the way there" he smiled. And although it seemed strange, like he was already planning our first vacation together, it also felt really good. Comfortable, like we'd been together for longer than a night and a half.

"And back too?" I asked him with wide smiling eyes.

"Back too" he nodded, grinning sweetly.

Finally we reached the steps and made our way onto the safety of the wooden decking. The back door was already unlocked, so we walked straight in, brushing and wiping off our shoes on the mat, before making our way through the kitchen. A quick hello and good morning was said to Alisa, the house cook, before we headed down the hallway and towards the front door.

"Are you sure you don't want some breakfast? I feel bad just letting you go like this," he rubbed my hand as we walked.

"No, I really can't; I've got some major damage control at home to contend with, I should really deal with it now rather than later. But thanks for the offer".

We reached the rather extravagant Christmas Tree at the front of the house, Edward fumbled with the dresser to locate the car keys, while I inspected the decorations. The fairy lights were still bright and twinkly, the ball balls almost the size of my head; one wondered where they stored such a beast.

"Right, got them. You ready to go?" he asked me, and I swung around to meet him.

"A-hem" someone cleared their throat from across the way, halting our near-progress. "Good morning!"

I heard the voice of a well-to-do middle aged man to my right and I immediately felt myself freeze. Secretly I'd hoped we could escape without being seen, but apparently no such luck. It wasn't that I didn't want to see his parents, or that I was ashamed of what we'd done, far from it in fact, I wanted the world to know we were dating, but I would've preferred a wash and some fresh clothes before I'd found myself in a face to face with the head of the Cullen household.

"Great" Edward may as well have cursed under his breath, but he smiled either way, although a little forced. Clearly equally as thrilled as I was to be busted by his parents.

Re-taking my hand he led me into the living room.

"Hey dad, sorry, we didn't think anyone was up" replied Edward as I unwillingly followed in behind him; the tension pouring from Edward's hand into mine. I felt like I was doing the walk of shame as I entered, sheepishly angling myself behind him as my head dipped low, trying to hide my last nights face. "Mom" he gave Esme' a nod.

"Morning Edward" she greeted him politely. Too politely for my liking; like this was a business arrangement or something.

"You haven't met my dad have you?" Edward then turned to me. This was true, I had yet to be introduced to Master Cullen, or, Doctor Cullen as I vaguely remembered Edward saying.

"Oh erm, no, not really".

"Carlisle Cullen" the blonde haired man rose from his seat, presenting a hand for me to shake. "Very nice to meet you Bella".

I was surprised he even knew my name, perhaps I'd been a mention of a previous conversation. "Nice to meet you" I smiled back, finding him a lot less intimidating than his wife used to be.

"I was just going to drive Bella home" Edward clarified.

"Won't you stay for breakfast? Lissa rustled up a treat" grinned Carlisle, showing off his pearly whites.

"Thank you, but I really should get back, my dads probably wondering where I am".

"Yes, I imagine he is" Esme' spoke up, placing her tea down onto the glass coffee table. "You should know that he's been calling, along with your friend, Alice; they're worried about you, apparently both you and your brother didn't go home last night" his mother told me, and I felt the initial stages of some major chastisement. I cursed myself internally, imagining the state my father was in…and he'd roped my best friend in too? Alice was a challenge on an average day, she'd never let this one go now.

And then something hit me. I knew for a fact that I hadn't gone home, but Emmett, where the heck had he gotten too?

As if on cue, I heard laughter, a dainty feminine giggle followed by a loud boom of hysterics, the latter being a sound I was quite familiar with on a day to day basis, coming from the staircase.

Oh no. This so wasn't happening! I nearly died right on the spot; seeing my doofas of a brother, Emmett, walking down the staircase with Rosalie on his arm.

After forcefully closing my gaping jaw, I felt my eyes begin to narrow, I may as well have hissed right then and there. One step to far brother, one step too far!

"Bellie? What are you still doing here?" Bellie? Why did the world hate me so much? I hated that nickname, with a passion, and he'd just used it in front of my boyfriend and prospective in laws!

Emmett had promised some 5 years ago, after I'd threatened to inform his girlfriend of the time, that he kept an action man doll in his bedside drawer, appropriately named Emmett, of course, that he'd never again repeat that word. That was until today it seemed, gee, thanks a bunch Emmett. Love you too.

I felt like my cheeks were glowing bright red, like one of those light radars they use at the airports to guide the planes in. I reluctantly glanced a look at their faces, each one of them felt like they were staring at me, and I was reminded of the day that Edward had discovered I'd named my truck, Betsy. And I'd thought that was embarrassing!

"Dad's going to go spare you know!" he went on as they approached, Rose looking coy, while my cheeks felt like they were swelling. "Morning everyone! Great party last night". They nudged each other like they were teenagers. It was sickening really.

I glanced a look at Edward, his face a mixture of amusement and discomfort. Thankfully he got the message however, and promptly broke the silence.

"Right well we best get going, you have much needed punishment to endure" Edward said to me, before encouraging me out. I gave a small (and mortified) wave goodbye to his parents before following him out.

"You know, I can take it from here, I'm driving home anyway" Emmett interrupted; once again finding a way to stick his nose in. "Seems stupid you driving all that way".

So my dream of having Edward drive me home, opening my door for me and kissing me goodbye, was tarnished by my ass of a big brother. Thanks ass.

But I supposed it made sense, I thought with gritted teeth.

I watched then with disgust, as Emmett kissed Rosalie goodbye. And despite my niggling happiness for them amongst all that fury, not meaning to sound like a total brat or anything, but he'd totally stolen my thunder!

So standing at the doorway turned into awkward city, particularly at the moment when we'd gone to say goodbye. Truthfully, I would've kissed him, I wanted too, but the fact that everyone was there, my brother for one, with Edward's sister (how, by the way, had that happened?) well the whole thing was just too weird. So instead we opted for an awkward smile. I told him I'd text him later before I headed towards the truck, by the time I jumped inside, with Emmett sat beside me; I wasn't exactly in the greatest of moods…

…

"What's the big deal anyway?" Emmett called after me as I stomped up our driveway making a scene.

"What's the big deal? Are you actually asking me that?" I asked him as I swivelled around on my ankle; surprising myself in how it failed to buckle. "Emmett, please don't get me wrong when I say this - I love you, but truthfully, more often than not you're like a thorn in my ass".

I kept walking.

"Ouch".

"Yeah, tell me about it" I added as I made my way to the front door, slotting the key into the lock, but prior to opening it, I turned to him. "Don't you dare screw this up for me Emmett! Edward is very important".

"Well I should think so considering you slept with him".

My head almost exploded at that, and I prayed my father wasn't standing on the other side of the door, listening intently through the keyhole.

I didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. He meant no harm, and honestly, he probably really cared for Rosalie, but the entire 24 hours was starting to take its toll. I was tired, wearing last nights clothing, and my fairy tale 'date' with Edward had ended with an intrusion from my brother. No wonder I was grouchy.

And, as predicted, from one argument, I entered another…

"Don't you ever do that to me again young lady!"

"Dad, come on".

"No, I'm serious! It was like the end of the world out there last night. The weather was horrendous, I've never seen rain like it, the electric went down in the storm, you didn't call or tell me where you were staying! I was thinking all sorts! You could've been swept away for all I knew".

"Let's not exaggerate".

"I'm not!" he told me sternly, no hint of humour in his eyes; very uncharacteristic of the dad I'd grown up with. It was then that I realised how unfair I'd been. He was right, if my son or daughter had failed to return one night, I'd be panicking too.

"Ok, I'm sorry. The truth was, I never planned on staying out, it just kind of, happened" I said, trying not to give away too many details. Although Emmett would for sure fill him in later.

"Since when do things just happen with you Bellz? You're supposed to be the careful one, the level headed one, I had enough trouble trying to rein your brother in".

"Well no offence dad, but you kind of failed at that" I spoke back without thinking.

He sighed, "Yeah, fine. But I never thought I'd failed you".

I too sighed, feeling rotten. "You didn't fail anything, I'm sorry. I stayed out one night dad, one time. And I promise, if I ever plan on staying out again, I'll phone you".

He looked at me then, assessing my credibility. "I'd appreciate that" he gave me a small smile. "I want you to have your freedom Bellz, don't get me wrong. I just want to know that you're safe when you do".

I gave him a hug, telling him I was sorry, before I excused myself to my room; retreating to the safety of my bed. Whilst there I checked my phone. Several texts and missed calls had been left by none other than Alice, I skimmed through the messages, each one starting out with concern and ending in a death threat; predictable. Until I found the most recent message was from Edward.

So my sister and your brother huh? Should've seen that one coming. Could be weirder I suppose. We'll just have to make a greater effort in trying to avoid them next time =P

Thanks for an amazing night! Sorry it ended the way it did. We'll make up for it some other time though :) E xxx

I almost squealed as I re-read that last part several times.

And just like that, my mood had lifted…

A/N: Comments? =]