PRM ch43

A/n: So, I had planned on ch45 being the last chapter...but, ch44 is running extra long, so I'm going to split it into 2 chapters. Ch46 will be the last chapter of Please Rescue Me;(

BNJWL: You are truly my BETA EXTRAORDINAIRE! I love that you love these characters as much as I do...and I love you for giving me the green light...on well, you know what;)

Twistar Junkie...I love, love, love that you love these 2 as much as I do;) MWAH

Twifey...you complete me.

One week later

EPOV

I woke up nervous and in a cold sweat.

I had another nightmare. I dreamt that Bella and I were in a restaurant as we enjoyed a nice meal, Tanya and her cronies burst into the room. She held a knife to Bella's throat while her friends held me tightly.

I felt helpless and in complete fear that something would happen to her.

My dad rushed into my room when he heard my screams. He held me and comforted me as I cried.

"Shh, son, I've got you. You're safe." He softly spoke to me as he hugged me against his chest. I buried my face in his shoulder. When he pulled me tighter against his chest, I only wanted to cry harder.

"My son, sweet son..." He said into my hair and I knew that he cried as well.

A few minutes later I pulled back, "Thank you Dad." I said as I wiped my face with my hand before he handed me a tissue.

He cupped my face, "I'm just so sorry that I didn't do more to protect you." Carlisle's eyes were wet from his tears and held such sadness. I had to correct his needless worries.

"You were there to save me, in the end, Dad. I couldn't ask for a better father than you." I said and gave him a small smile.

He squeezed my hand before he turned to get a pill from my bedside table along with a bottle of water.

"This will help you sleep." he said as laid the pill in my palm and uncapped the bottle of water for me.

When I first got settled into my parent's house it was a rough transition for me. It was hard to allow them to help me or take care of me. It angered me and I had to finally speak up before I burst into an angry explosion. But now, I see that it is all that I want and it thrills them to be able to provide these small actions to me.

"Thank you." I said before I threw the pill into my mouth and took a sip of the water.

"Just get some rest...don't you have a big date tonight?" He said with a smile as I lay back down against the pillows.

I couldn't fight the smile on my face, "Yes, I believe that I do."

"Edward, you couldn't do better than Bella. She's an amazing young lady." He said with sincerity.

I shook my head in agreement, "Every day she amazes me more and more.."

Carlisle patted my leg then got up, "Get some rest." He said before he walked towards the door and turned back to look at me.

I closed my eyes and drifted into dreams of Bella.

Several hours later the sun on my face woke me up. I stretched and fought to open my eyes as I still felt groggy from the medicine that dad gave me.

After a few minutes, I couldn't help but smile when I remembered that tonight I would take Bella on a date.

Just the two of us.

I didn't have anything too spectacular planned because I still wasn't very comfortable out in public yet. However, I knew that Bella loved Italian food so Esme helped me arrange a reservation for the private dining room at Bella's favorite Italian restaurant. I thought that after dinner we would come back here for coffee and a stroll through the gardens.

My parents had plans to attend a gala and wouldn't be home until late. Alice would be out with Jasper, so we'd have plenty of time alone.

Dr. Mike and I had discussed in depth about a physical relationship with Bella in the future. I knew that I was nowhere near ready for sex at this point, but I had to admit, at least to myself, that it would be nice to know what it felt like to have a healthy sexual relationship.

Tanya and I had always had a lopsided sex life. She took what she wanted when she wanted it and very rarely, even in the beginning, had I ever wanted the physical part of our relationship with her.

At first it had been because I was inexperienced and nervous around her. She quickly realized this fact and realized that she would have to take control. And, she did. Often.

I hated the sexual past that I had and felt a lot of shame at things I'd been forced to do. While my past worried and sickened me, I also knew that it wasn't something that I needed to worry about with Bella. She never pushed for more or even hinted that she was ready for anything of a sexual nature from our relationship. She was happy with the pace that I set. I was thankful for that fact.

However, I truly couldn't wait to kiss her...and I hoped that tonight would be the night to make that wish come true.

Several hours later, I was so nervous that I was sick to my stomach when my mom knocked on my bedroom door.

"Come in." I said as I sat on the edge of my bed.

She smiled at me with a knowing look on her face as she came to stand in front of me. I was struck by her beauty and grace that she displayed in her ball gown.

"Edward, you look good, and, slightly green, are you feeling well?" Her face suddenly clouded with worry.

"I'm fine Mom, just a little nervous about tonight. I haven't been on a date in over five years." I said as she sat down beside me and patted my thigh.

"You'll be fine, son. It's Bella...and you know her quite well." She stood and kissed my forehead as she grabbed both of my hands.

"Just be yourself and let things happen naturally. It's nothing more than dinner and the two of you are already so familiar with one another it will be so much easier than you think." She smiled and cupped my chin just as my dad called out for her to hurry up.

"Have fun, Edward." She said and winked at me before she left my room.

Thirty minutes later the limo pulled up in front of Bella's apartment. I had sold my car and wasn't ready to purchase a new car just yet. I hadn't wanted Bella to drive on our date, so I called my dad's car service for the evening. I didn't really like it but it was better than taking a cab everywhere.

I climbed out of the car and surveyed the area around the building. The months of therapy were very helpful but I was still leery of being on my own, as well as being subjected to the stares and murmurs of people that I didn't know. I worked diligently on it but for now, I was still extra cautious.

I walked into the building and pushed the button for the elevator. The ride up was short, it did not give me enough time to calm my nerves and I had to take a few deep breaths before I knocked on the door.

It opened shortly after my first rap on the wood. I was blown away by the fresh faced, stunningly beautiful lady that stood before me.

"Hi Edward." Bella said breathlessly, I smirked at the thought that she was ready to see me so she ran to answer the door.

She caught my smirk and chuckled a little. That small gesture instantly put me at ease. "Hello Bella. You look very pretty tonight."

She ushered me out onto the walk way while she blushed, "Thank you. You look very handsome, as well."

Bella picked up a sweater and her purse, "Are you ready?" I asked as I took in the beautiful knit dress that she wore. Her body looked amazing in her clothing, it surprised me that this was a fact that I hadn't really noticed before.

"Yep, how about you? I'm starved so I can't wait to see where you plan to take me." She said with a smile as she locked the door and we headed toward the elevator. My hand retracted after I pushed the button to call the elevator and felt Bella slip her hand into mine.

We made small talk in the elevator but our hands never left the others.

When I thought back to our first meeting, I realized that our physical connection had been instant. I remembered the first time she touched my hand and then my cheek. I had immediately felt the overwhelming sense of calm and comfort, pass over me.

Now, that connection was even more heightened with the depth of our friendship. I felt like we had entered a new realm as we walked out of the elevator and towards our date.

Once we were seated in the limo, we talked about our day, and it felt so surreal the way we just fit together. The perfection of our relationship took my breath away.

"Edward, are you okay?" I heard Bella's soft voice ask as her hand came up to cup my jaw.

I slowly turned to look at her...this was the moment.

I knew it.

I felt it.

"Bella, I'm in love with you." I whispered. She gasped, as her eyes searched mine. I noticed the tears that welled up in hers. I had no idea what kind of tears her eyes held. I immediately went for an apology just to cover myself

"Oh...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that." I apologized and looked down at my hands suddenly I was ashamed for the way I blurted it out. Never for the way I felt, just for the way I admitted it. Plus I was so scared that she didn't respond.

I felt the humiliation wash over me a few seconds before I felt her hands on my cheeks as she turned my face towards her.

"Edward..." she said as a small smile cracked on her lips, "I am so in love with you that I can't think straight." She whispered so soft I wasn't sure that I had heard her correctly.

"What?" I replied as my breathing picked up.

"I'm in love with you, too, silly boy." She said through a soft laugh.

"Bella..." I gushed as I placed my hands on the sides of her face. Both sets of eyes were wet with tears.

"I love you." I said as my thumb stroked her soft jaw.

"I love you." She said through her own tears.

I slowly leaned in and pressed my lips to hers. They were so soft, so giving and they melded with mine.

My body suddenly came to life as my heart pumped faster and my head felt like I was swimming underwater.

My tongue tentatively poked out and licked along her bottom lip. My heart soared as she opened her mouth for me and gave me full access.

That should have been my first kiss.

It was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced as our tongues gently touched and swirled around the other. The taste of her mouth was unlike anything I had ever known and I quickly pulled my arms around her to bring her closer.

The kiss went on and on before we were both breathless and had to break apart, simply because it was a necessity. "Wow..." I said when I could finally breathe.

"You can say that again." She said with a smile as she pulled her head up to look at me.

"Can I have another one?" I whispered as she giggled at me.

My eyes went wide as she smirked at me, "You can have as many of those as you'd like." Bella's voice was full of sass as I leaned down and captured her lips again.

I was happy.

It was a perfect first date.

A/n: *plugs ears from all the squealing* YAY! They did it...they FINALLY kissed!

*dances a little jig around the room* Wasn't it just...swoon worthy? *sighs*

I have a surprise for you all...after next chapter...involving these 2;)

See ya Thursday or Friday...

Kyla