The Twilight Twenty-Five

thetwilight25[dot]com

Prompt: Tent

Pen Name: Mcgt

Pairing/Main Character(s): Bella/Edward

Rating: M

This will be a multi-chaptered story.

Photo prompts can be viewed here: thetwilight25[dot]com/round-six/prompts

A/N

Thanks to LittleRedScientist for helping beta this for me and Jenequilter for her prereader skills. I added a little bit after it was beta'd so any errors are all of my own doing.

Chapter 23 – The Tent – Chasing Cars

"Come on sleepy head. You need to get up," Edward whispered in my ear, pulling me into his chest.

Bleary eyed, I glanced over at the clock only to realize I still had a while before I needed to be at work. "I still have an hour, why are you-"

Edward's mouth covered my annoyed rant all the while pulling me on top of him. He burrowed his face into my neck and mumbled something about morning wood and a repeat of last night, but without coffee buzzing through my veins I lacked the proper caffeine levels to pay attention.

Sliding his hand over my ass, he cupped my cheek allowing his fingertips to graze over my center. "For not being a morning person, you're body seems to disagree with your assessment." He skimmed his hand further between my legs rubbing gently back and forth doing his very best to awaken all of my senses.

While my brain was still foggy, my skin was acutely awake. Every tender caress, every little nip made by his teeth across my neck while his cock, now rubbing slowly through my folds were sending sparks shooting through my body. I let out a groan when he finally slipped his erection inside me not hurried or rushed, just two people making love in the early hours of dawn.

We lazily came together, enjoying each other in the quiet of the morning.

"Mmmm… I might be able to cut down on my morning coffee intake if you wake me like that every day."

Nuzzling behind my ear, Edward's gravely chuckle caught me off guard. "I might be able to arrange that."

We finally got out of bed a few minutes later, Edward offering me his shower but I told him I should probably get home since I didn't have a change of clothes with me.

Leading me to the door he kissed me sensually, thanking me for the previous night and telling me after stopping by Newton's he'd be by to pick me up for our outdoor adventure.

"See you in a bit," I replied. Glancing back over my shoulder, I took in the sight of him leaning against the doorframe. His hair was a bed-headed mess, his eyes squinting against the rising sun, and wearing a rumpled t-shirt and boxers but to me he'd never been more handsome.

After making it back to my apartment in record time I took a quick shower and headed in to work.

The entire time I was getting ready my mind travelled through memories of last night. It had been more than just sex. It felt like we'd both soothed away some of the damage that life had recently dealt us. Lying in Edward's protective embrace I felt cherished and adored.

And loved

I hadn't wanted my mind to go down that road just yet. We'd been dating less than a month and I was afraid letting such weighty feelings out would result in chasing Edward away.

Unlocking the door still lost in thought I didn't even realize that Esme was standing in the café already setting up.

"Morning Bella," she called out, sounding even more chipper than usual.

Rounding the corner I asked suspiciously, "What's going on?"

"Oh, nothing. But Edward did text me a few minutes ago." I didn't even need to look to know she was beaming at me like a proud mother bird. "Sounds like you two have plans this afternoon? I'd be happy to close up for you tonight," her sing song voice chattered away at me.

"Thanks Esme." Pouring a cup of coffee, I returned her smile and wandered back to my office needing a few minutes to collect my thoughts.

Oh, who am I kidding, to reminisce about Edward's hot ass body.

I allowed myself fifteen minutes of daydreaming with my steaming cup of French roast for my brain to fully awaken. We hadn't really talked too much late last night or this morning about what had happened between his parents or about where exactly he was taking me this afternoon. It must have been important or knowing Edward's work ethic, he would have put himself right back in to the hospital's rotation and possibly eliminating his need to work doubles for the next three days.

Esme and I worked around one another for most of the morning but I couldn't help but notice the smug little smirk that would light up her face every now and then when I'd catch her looking at me.

"What?" I huffed, finally getting annoyed with her silent but very clear message of 'I know something you don't' attitude. She might have well been sitting on a playground singing 'nah nah nah nah'.

She looked over, raising her eyebrows if mock innocence, "What, what?"

Fine. If she was going to play it that way I'd go finish some paperwork in my office and leave her to finish stocking the shelves herself.

I'd managed to storm about half way across the shop when she finally called out to me, "Bella, come on. I was only teasing. Besides, Edward asked me not to say." She grasped my shoulders gently, spinning me around to face her and adding, "He wants it to be romantic. Let the poor guy try to woo you, okay?"

My heart melted at her words. She was right. Just because I'd never been big on surprises didn't mean I'd spoil this for him.

"Okay, okay." I surrendered and walked back across the shop to finish helping her.

A little bit after the lunch rush Edward wandered in, sneaking up behind me as I was putting the gallon of milk back in the cooler.

"Hi sexy."

Jumping out of my skin my head banged against the bottom of the counter. I lost my balance and if Edward hadn't caught me I would have looked like one of those cartoon characters, flat on their back with birds circling around their head.

"Oh God! Are you okay?" Lifting me up he carried me over to one of the overstuffed chairs by the window to assess the damage.

Thankfully it had been to the opposite side as my previous injury, otherwise I probably would have passed out from the pain. Even after over a month I had to be careful when I brushed my hair over the still tender spot.

"I'm fine. Stop fussing. It was just a little knock." Running my fingers through my hair I told Edward to stop worrying. "There's not even a bump."

Sighing relieved that I was okay, Edward held me to his chest mumbling about how stupid he was.

It bothered me to hear him beating himself up over what was supposed to be a sweet little hello but instead of chiding him about it, I shut him up. Pulling him closer I fingered the hair at the base of his neck and kissed him with as much passion and enthusiasm as was appropriate for my shop.

Pulling away I told him I was fine and suggested I grab my purse so we could go.

He followed me into the office asking me again, "You're sure? We don't have to go. I can take you in and have you checked out—"

I spun on my heel and told him none to gently that if he was going to ask me every five minute if I was okay I was staying home.

"You just got out of a coma-"

"Ah…, what did I say?"

"I just want to make—"

"Last warning Edward."

"Fine, I won't ask again," he grumbled, grabbing my hand to bring it up to his lips. "But if you start feeling dizzy or nauseated you need to tell me."

Hearing his stern warning I softened my stance, flipping the hand over that was holding mine and kissing his knuckles. "I promise. Now can we go?"

After saying goodbye to Esme we went back to my place so I could pack.

I sat on the bed watching Edward rummage through the shoes at the bottom of my closet trying to determine which was the most appropriate for hiking.

"Can't I just wear my sneakers? I haven't owned a pair of hiking books since I was like twelve or something."

Sticking his head out from beneath a rack of shirts he rolled his eyes asking me why I didn't tell him before since he'd already been by the sporting goods store.

Men, what they don't know about shoes would fill the universe.

"I can't wear brand new shoes hiking. I'd just get blisters and be miserable. Now can you just grab the grey and turquoise New Balance sneaks so we can get out of here?"

Crawling out of my closet, he kneeled on the floor and put each shoe on lacing it up as if I was a four year old who didn't know how.

It was cuter than anything I think I'd ever witnessed.

Proud of his work, he sat back on his heels copping a quick feel of my calf before standing up.

"Are you a leg man, Dr. Masen?" I teased, grabbing my now filled back pack from beside me.

Leaning down he kissed my cheek and replied, "I am a connoisseur of all parts of your body, Miss Swan."

~~OO~~

I'd been clinging to the 'oh shit' bar in Edward's car for the last ten minutes as we weaved our way up to the top of one of the mountains in the Olympic range. All I knew was that I probably should have brought along some Dramamine if I'd known how winding the road was to get up here.

"You okay? We're almost there," Edward asked, loosening my grip from the edge of my seat and taking it in his.

Nodding yes, I tried to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views. Every now and then I'd get a peek of the water far down below when we'd make a sharp turn. The road had turned from paved to dirt a while back, Edward telling me the forest service maintained the emergency road as a precaution for any kind of sudden evacuation.

He pulled off into a dirt turnout and said we were here. Looking out the window it appeared like we were sitting in a bank of clouds. You could barely see the tall pines scattered through the forest.

"We need to hike a little bit but since the forest service created this road, it's a lot easier to get to."

Climbing out of his car we both put on our backpacks, although Edward's was much larger and I could see the tent and both of our sleeping bags strapped to his. He pulled a rolling cooler out of the trunk and I had to laugh at the image of us hiking and dragging this cooler behind us.

Shrugging me off, he just said the path was pretty clear and it was easier to just pull the cooler than try to carry it all in.

We walked beside one another, relatively silent except for when Edward would point out something of interest like a nest of owls we'd stumbled across. After about ten minutes we strolled into a beautiful clearing and as luck would have it, the clouds had receded leaving us a perfect view of the Strait below surrounded on both sides by majestic mountains.

"Wow." I had no other words. The view was spectacular. Sunlight was billowing through the breaks in the clouds looking as if they were sent from the heavens.

Turning towards me, Edward replied, "I know, right?"

Putting our packs down I helped Edward set up our tent and gather some wood for a fire. I watched as he leaned down placing the logs around into a pit that'd been here already. Actually, now that I looked around this wasn't the first time someone had been here. There was a large log sitting right next to the fire pit and the ground had been smoothed out a while ago.

"Edward is this a campground or something?" I asked, sitting down beside him as he finished getting the fire started.

Leaning over he kissed me and resumed tending to the fire. "This was actually my great- grandfather's property. Carlisle and I used to come up here and camp whenever we could."

His tone was distant as if he was reminiscing about the times he came up here over the last few years.

"Is it now part of the Park System?" I knew I'd seen a sign on the way up indicating the road we were on weaved through the National Forest and I was curious to find out more about the history of where we now sat.

He didn't answer me until he'd lit the fire, blowing on the embers below the teepee style stack of wood.

I almost forgot what I'd asked by the time he answered as I watched him stand up, wiping his hands off on the jeans that hung low on his hips. His t-shirt was heather gray and fit tight across his broad shoulders. I hadn't really noticed it until he took off the lightweight jacket he'd been wearing.

He knelt down beside me and whispered, "It's mine now."

"What do you mean it's yours?"

"It was part of my original inheritance but at the time I lived in New York and had no desire to live in the sticks outside of Seattle." He sighed, wrapping me up into his lap and pointed out towards the water. "If I'd known what a treasure it was, I don't know… I'd like to think I would have done something with it by now."

I stayed silent listening to the hawks screeching and the wind rustling through the trees. It was one of the most peaceful places I'd ever been and told Edward that.

"This is why I wanted to bring you here. It's a place that always helps clear my mind."

"I can see why."

Turning my face toward him Edward kissed me gently, confessing he'd wanted me to see it for one more reason. "I'm thinking about using the money from my trust to build a house up here. I'd have to build another road since the one we came up on is owned by the Forest service and I'd want it paved. I'm sure there are lots of other issues I'd have to deal with but what do you think?"

His face was gleeful, looking more excited than I think I'd ever seen him. Instead of answering his question directly I asked, "Why don't you show me around this dream house of yours?" I stood up and brushed off the dirt from my pants holding out my hand to help him up. The location was beautiful and I was anxious to hear his thoughts about what he wanted. I'd never thought about building my own house and wondered if he was planning on something extravagant and opulent. I'd hoped he was imagining something a bit more rustic that would blend in with the scenery instead of some grand mansion I'd probably get lost in.

Get lost in? Planning on sticking around for a while? I felt my cheeks warm at the thought of playing house out here in the woods.

Edward wandered the perimeter pointing out where he's like a window or a fireplace. The home he envisioned wasn't grand. In fact his dream was a simple A frame with windows overlooking the sea. Four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, with a modern kitchen and a cozy family room that centered on the view and the fireplace he'd wanted placed in between the bank of windows. It sounded amazing and something that would fit in with the wilderness seamlessly.

"I think that sounds lovely, to be honest." I wanted to add more, to tell him that I wanted to be there helping to make his dream come true, but wasn't sure if now was the time for a weighty discussion about our feelings or not. For some reason it still felt premature. Or perhaps it was my trepidation about jumping in with both feet again after my Aro debacle. Even though I knew deep down Edward wasn't anything like that slimy bastard, I still held back.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Edward hugged me and told me about how after losing his trust fund he never thought he'd have another chance at this dream. A dream he never knew he had until Carlisle had brought him up here right after he'd moved across the country. He'd never seen the property but Carlisle having lived here, knew of their ancestor's land and wanted to show Edward how amazing the Pacific Northwest could be. That it wasn't just some backwoods town in the remote edges of the country.

Pulling me onto his lap, he punctuated his words with a searing kiss. "I never realized how much more it was. After working in the hospital and getting to know the people here, how could I leave?"

We were watching the sun set below the horizon sending brilliant salmon and turquoise colors throughout the evening sky. The fire was crackling beside us cooking the steaks and potatoes he'd brought for us to eat for dinner. It seemed like we were both lost in thought. Mine were scattered, trying to figure out a way to tell this amazing man that I was falling in love with him. I wished I was better at communicating, better at filling in the silence that hovered around us. It wasn't uncomfortable, in fact with the sounds of the forest settling in for the night I almost felt bad for interrupting.

"I don't want to go back," Edward suddenly said, shaking me out of my head.

"Go back where?"

"New York. This is my home now. I love working at the hospital and I like being close to Carlisle and Esme. They're basically the only family I have left now…" His voice trailed off wistfully. After a few moments, he let out a cynical snort and continued, "Do you want to know why I gave my parents half my money? Because the amount was a way of paying them back for bailing me out five years ago. We're even. I can move forward. If they want to be in my life, maybe we can rekindle things sometime down the road. But for now, this is my home. This and -"

I stayed silent waiting for him to continue. Glancing over, he was staring at my profile and I wondered if he'd been looking at me the entire time I was admiring the sunset. My skin flushed under his intense scrutiny.

"Actually you're my home now too Bella," he whispered, turning my face and caressing his thumb over my cheeks with sensual strokes. "I know it's too soon. I know you're still dealing with what Aro did to you. I know I'm moving too fast but I can't hold back any longer." His eyes searched mine but if he was looking for fear or a lack of reciprocity, he would find none.

I waited, anxious for him to finish the thought. I knew what I wanted to hear but was fearful of having my hopes dashed if he wasn't going to say the three words I was longing for.

My eyes darted down when he licked his lips, an easy distraction from his piercing stare I couldn't hold any longer.

"I'm in love with you. I don't know when it happened, but it did. I don't want to scare you away but I can't hold it in anymore. I love you."

My smile burst forth and I hugged him tightly, whispering in his ear that I loved him back. All the apprehension I'd held only a while ago over the topic melted with his declaration and I giddily repeated it at his request, over and over again.

"You do? You love me?"

Shoving him slightly, I knew he was teasing but you don't joke about something like that. "Don't sound so shocked. Of course I love you. What's not to love?"

After finishing up dinner and putting our food away to keep out the bears, Edward shyly asked if I was ready for bed.

"Do you mind if we look at the stars for a little bit? I've never seen so many."

Springing in to action, he zipped the two sleeping bags together putting them on the grassy area beside our tent and the fire. "How about we do both?" he suggested, smiling mischievously.

"Just let me go change," I replied, wandering towards the tent to put on the warm pajamas I'd brought.

Grabbing my wrist he leaned in and whispered that perhaps he could keep me warm instead.

Raising my eyebrows in mocked surprised I inquired about his preference for al fresco loving.

"Bella I want to make love to you beneath the moon and stars. For the wind to know of your lovely moans as I make you come right here, right now. In the morning I'll even repeat it in the tent if you want to christen that too."

My fingers lingered on the buttons of the flannel shirt Edward had put around me earlier when I'd been too lazy to dig something out of my bag.

"Let me?" he asked in a voice softer than the breeze.

Standing before this man as he slowly undressed me I knew deep down in my soul that my love wasn't misplaced. The way he tenderly touched my skin melted all my resistance. The way he looked at me, as if I was his most prized possession, filled my heart with everything I'd tried so hard to keep out over the years. His love, his affection, and friendship all overflowed. I hadn't understood when someone said they were blessed to love someone until right now. Lying down beneath the downy fabric we forgot all about everything but our bodies and what they were doing together. There was no trust fund, no shop to worry about, only the way his hand molded to my hip or how his hair felt like the finest silk between my fingertips. There was nothingness and everything all wrapped into one infinite feeling.

Love.

A/N

Okay – only one more real chapter and the epilogue. What are you looking forward to reading about? Leave me a review. The Epilogue isn't written yet… so you never know.

Chapters 24 & 25 will be posted next week, depending on when I actually get them finished.

I'm sad to let these two crazy kids go.