Here is Chapter 6. It's the longest chapter in this story so far. You'll find some sadness, comfort and a juicy lemon at the end. There's your warning! Enjoy...
Present Day…Suburbs of Forks, WA
Edward's POV
I was spending the day in the city with Mom, looking at tile and paint for Dad's office renovation. I took her out to lunch and then stopped by a home improvement store so she could get some ideas and samples. She was undecided about a particular type of flooring and the sales person offered to get a manager to help answer her questions.
As I stood next to her and looked through a book of swatches the department manager walked up in his apron to help mom. "Hello, Ma'am. My name is Michael. How can I help you?" He inquired.
Mom was showing him the various tiles she was interested in and asking questions while I casually browsed through the book of swatches, trying to see if I could get any ideas for 'Nes and Jake's kitchen.
"Excuse me, but I think I know you," he tipped his head sideways and looked at me. "I'm Michael Newton. We graduated from Forks High together, I think. You're Edward Cullen right?"
I observed him while he was speaking. His hair was darker than it used to be, with a little gray around the hairline. What hairline there was … he was actually very nearly bald on the top of his head. He had a paunch that hung over his beltline which was obvious, even with the apron he wore.
I smiled and extended my hand to him, "Yes. You're right. How have you been?" I asked politely.
He smiled back at me as he shook my hand. "Good, I've been working here for about a year now. I was in the Army for twenty years before I retired. Do you live nearby?" He was friendlier than I would have expected. Not at all the arrogant kid I remembered.
"Yes, we have a home in Renton…" I trailed off, not wanting to explain the recent change in events in my relationship. He, however, didn't stop questioning.
"You married Bella Swan, didn't you?"
I nodded. "Yes, we've been married twenty-three years now."
"If I remember correctly… you had a baby. Right after graduation …?" I was beginning to realize that even though he seemed polite his questions were taking a very pointed direction.
My mom finally spoke up. "Yes, my granddaughter, Renesmee." She took a picture out of her wallet to show him.
"Oh, she's beautiful. Congratulations, you must be very proud."
"Do you have children?" I asked.
"Yes, I have a son who is seventeen and a twelve-year-old daughter. They live in Germany with their mother. I got a divorce a few years back." He explained. "I get to spend summers with my kids every year, which is great. I miss them when they're not here though."
He continued to show mom the various products she was interested in and finally handed her his business card. "I do some home improvement work as a side business, so if you have other questions, I'd be happy to help." He handed another business card to me. "If you are ever interested, I'd love to catch up with you … and Bella. It was nice catching up with you."
We thanked him for his help and left the store. Mom was not-so-subtly rolling her eyes at my avoidance of my separation with Bella. I felt her looking at me but didn't take the bait. I was not interested in talking to her about that particular wound. It was too fresh.
When Mom and I arrived back at the house, she began using her laptop to research prices for paint, tiles and fabrics at several stores. I politely looked over her shoulder and gave her my input before excusing myself to look over some blueprints for work. I sat at my desk and began working.
It was almost a half hour later when I heard Mom's voice in the hall outside my room. "Edward, dear?"
"Yeah, Mom?"
She cleared her throat and looked at me from the doorway. "You need to come out, someone is here for you."
I looked up at her and saw her shocked expression. I realized immediately that someone must be here with the divorce papers. Without another word I walked out of my room, leaving the door open and my mother standing there.
Sure enough, there was a uniformed officer standing in the foyer. I approached with some trepidation and furrowed my brows waiting for him to speak. "Edward Cullen?"
"Yes," I answered, my voice was unsteady.
"I'm here to deliver official documents, sir." He handed them to me and nodded agreeably before turning and walking out the front door. I glared at the envelope and clenched my jaw together in resentment.
Bella had actually done it.
She filed for divorce and the papers to prove it were in this ordinary white envelope in my hand. Even though I shouldn't have been surprised, it still seemed surreal to me. Mom approached me carefully before placing her hand on my shoulder. I stiffened away from her touch and heard her begin to apologize before retreating to my room and closing the door soundly.
Bella's POV
I had just finished tutoring a student and was filling out paperwork for the scheduling office when there was a knock on the door of my cubicle. I opened it to find one of the math tutors, Lee Stephens waiting.
"Good afternoon, Isabella. I came to drop off these parent surveys for Professor Mallory. She seemed to indicate the results were outstanding. He smiled as he handed me the manila folder.
"Thank you for bringing them by, Lee. I received so many of the surveys back from my students, but Professor Mallory told me that that type of response could mean people either really liked my teaching style, or just the opposite. I'm thankful she said they were positive."
My cell phone rang in my handbag and I smiled hesitantly at Lee. "See you later." He went out and I rummaged through my bag, not finding my phone until it had stopped ringing. I sighed deeply, deciding I'd wait to see if there would be a voice message.
In the meantime I went back to the paperwork in front of me. Once I had completed my work, I gathered everything together and dropped it by the receptionist's desk on my way out the door for the day. I arrived home and put my bags down by the door, like usual. The house was chilly; I shivered and walked to the thermostat, turning it up a few notches. The stairs seemed oddly steep tonight as I made my way up to change into something more comfortable.
Afterwards I walked into my office and looked at my appointment calendar to plan out the rest of my week. Suddenly my head turned in surprise. Today was marked in red. I gasped out loud when I remembered the significance of that red writing. How could I have forgotten what was happening today? My memory turned to the phone call I received an hour ago. Could it have been Edward?
As fast as my feet could carry me, I ran down the stairs to retrieve my bag. I pulled out my phone … four missed calls. I flipped the phone opened, all four were from Renesmee. With shaking hands I called her back.
"Hi, Mom." She answered quickly.
"'Nes, are you alright?" I blurted out.
"Of course I'm alright. Didn't you get my messages?"
I felt myself flush in embarrassment. "Uh, no I didn't even listen to them. When I saw there were four calls from you, I called you back right away."
"Well I'm fine, I was only calling to see if you were okay…I talked to Grandma earlier and she told me that Daddy got the …" I heard her swallow through the receiver. "… Divorce papers today. I was worried about both of you." I heard concern in her voice and longed to ease her mind.
"Renesmee, I am fine. You know it was me who filed for divorce in the first place. Why would you worry about me…?" Keep talking Bella; maybe you'll be able to convince yourself you're okay!
"Mom I know it had to be difficult for you. I just want you to know I love you, no matter what."
"I love you too, baby. Thank you for your kind words, but I'm fine." I hesitated, not wanting to seem overly anxious. "What exactly did Grandma say when she called, by the way?"
"Uhm, she said that Daddy had gotten the papers today and he went in his room and hadn't come out since."
I gasped quietly, but knew my daughter could hear me. "That's to be expected, honey. He didn't want this. Grandma didn't say anything else?" I prompted.
I heard her huff impatiently. "Listen, Mom, why don't you call Grandma and ask yourself? Or better yet…why not call Dad?"
"You know I can't do that Renesmee," I announced firmly.
"Well there's always hope. I'm going to call Daddy and then head to bed. I have an early class in the morning. I love you, Mom."
I bade my daughter goodnight and walked out to turn the oven off. There was no point in cooking now. I would never be able to eat with my stomach tied into knots like it was. I had to admit that Renesmee was onto something when she suggested I call Esme, or I shuddered to think…Edward. I really was worried about him. I looked at the clock. 8 p.m. It wasn't too late to call. Maybe I should just make a quick call, out of courtesy.
I dialed my in-law's home phone and waited anxiously as it rang three times. "Hello." I heard my father-in-law say.
"Hello, Carlisle. It's me… Bella. How are you this evening?" My voice was shaky and I took a deep breath to steady it before he responded.
"Hello, Isabella." He sounded so formal, and he almost never called me Isabella.
"I wanted to check in, and make sure…everyone… was alright there tonight. I was concerned."
"I'm not sure why you'd be concerned." His voice dripped with sarcasm. I readied myself for an earful. "Esme and I are simply trying to put the pieces of our son back together after the devastation of this afternoon. Please don't concern yourself while our family falls apart!"
"Carlisle, please! I'm sorry my actions have caused you and Esme pain. This is between me and Edward. I don't want either of you to have anxiety over it. I love you both …"
"You're sorry to have caused Esme and me pain? What does that mean for Edward's feelings, Isabella? Are you not sorry for what he's going through as well? You've been part of this family for long enough that you should know we share in joys and sorrows. If you were so concerned for our feelings you wouldn't be doing this to our son!" He was not shouting but he may as well have been.
I felt like a child who had just been scolded by her parent. Tears came to my eyes as I spoke to the man who had for years been a second father to me. "I do care, and I love … all of you. Please forgive me and know you can call me anytime. I'm so sorry…" My voice trailed off to a whisper.
"Good night Isabella." He answered curtly.
Our call ended abruptly and I cried for a long time afterwards. The hurt I felt all those nights when I used to wait up for Edward seemed minor compared to the pain I had felt since our separation. I wondered if I was making the wrong decision.
I was going to have to to pull myself together if I was going to pull through this. Alice would help put this into perspective for me, I decided. I would call her tomorrow; maybe we could meet for coffee. I curled up on the couch and turned the TV to the news. I pulled the cotton throw up under my chin and before I knew it, my eyelids were getting heavy. I was too exhausted to move as I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
Edward's POV
Something inside of me was heavy, cumbersome, and immovable. I tried to lift my head from the pillow but it was a struggle. I realized this burden inside of my chest was my heart, heavy with pain of losing Bella. My eyes felt swollen from the tears I had shed last night. I ran my hand along my face and finally was able to sit up in bed. My feet moved slowly along the carpet as I made my way into the bathroom.
I started the shower and climbed in, letting the stream of water run over my face, soothing my aching eyes. I scrubbed shampoo through my hair and washed my body vigorously, trying to rid myself of this unhappiness. I considered the choices in front of me: I could allow this hole of depression to engulf me or I could try to stay strong and move on with my life. Even though it would have been easy to stay in bed all day long, I realized I couldn't do that.
I would always love Bella, of course. But my life did exist outside of our marriage. She would haunt my thoughts and be a constant presence in my heart, but that didn't change who I was. I was still an intelligent man with a promising career, a beautiful and kind hearted daughter, and two parents who loved and supported me unconditionally.
I stepped out of the shower with a new resolve in place. No matter how worthless it seemed at first, I had to move on with my life without Bella by my side. She wasn't going to change her mind, and that was okay. I would accept her decision and my life would go on … without her.
Looking into the mirror, I debated the form in front of me. I was in terrific shape for my age. I worked out faithfully; I ate right, didn't smoke, and only drank occasionally. I had always prided myself on my active, healthy lifestyle. The full gym in my parents' basement hadn't been used often since I married Bella but it was still there. I made a mental note to update the equipment and begin utilizing that space. There had always been a gym at the office and now that I had changed jobs, I definitely needed to get back into a workout routine.
As I walked into the bedroom I evaluated the clothes in my closet. I had more than what I would ever need, but felt like updating my wardrobe nonetheless. I dressed in a pair of jeans and dark sweater before picking up the phone to call my daughter.
Realizing she was in class at the moment, I left her a message. "Hi 'Nes. How'd you like to come with me to do some shopping today? I need some new clothes. Call me when you get this, I love you."
I hung up and walked down the hall to breakfast, wanting to discuss my newfound determination with my parents.
Bella's POV
By morning I was still emotional and confused. After my coffee date with Alice, that hadn't changed. I shared my feelings with my dearest friend in hopes of some her providing me with usable advice. That didn't work out as I had hoped.
She shook her head in confusion, "Bella, it sounds to me like you still love Edward."
"I do, Alice. That's what makes this so hard. I feel like he didn't care enough to put 'Nes and me before his work and I simply couldn't live with that anymore. That's why I'm divorcing him. I can't take the fact that he didn't care enough to put us first. I can't forget that I've lived through years of that!"
"I don't think you will ever forget that, but my question is, can you forgive him for it?"
"Why on Earth would I forgive him for causing me years of pain and neglect?"
"Because… you love him?"
That wasn't at all what I wanted to hear from Alice! "What if I started dating? I think that might me the answer. You know…get my mind off of the past. What do you think?"
"Honestly?" She asked as I nodded eagerly waiting for her to show some friendly support for my idea. "That would be a mistake. The answer is looking you right in the face, Bells. Your emotions are too raw to see it now, but it's there. You need Edward in your life."
I huffed disgustedly, "He's still in my life, unfortunately." I explained the day three weeks ago when we had dinner at 'Nes and Jakes apartment.
Her bright eyes laughed as I talked. "You really aren't listening to yourself! The way you talk is so obvious. You're crazy about him and you always have been. Listen, I have to get back to the studio. Call me later." She pulled me into a hug and added, "I love you and I'll be here for you no matter what you decide."
As soon as I left the coffee shop I realized I needed to see my daughter. Their apartment was only a few blocks away and I could walk there easily. I picked up my bag, paid the check and strode off up the street. In less than ten minutes I arrived at their building and noticed Jacob climbing the stairs in front of me.
He turned and smiled, "What a nice surprise, Mrs. Cullen. What brings you this way?"
"Bella, please," I gently corrected. "I was in the neighborhood and wanted to see Renesmee."
"She's not home right now but you're welcome to come in." He unlocked and opened the door. "Would you like a cup of coffee? I don't know when she'll be home, let me call her."
I accepted his invitation and sat at their kitchen table while he made a pot of coffee and dialed my daughter. "Hey, Nessie! Are you having fun?" She obviously responded in the affirmative and he laughed into the phone. "Well your mom is here and we wondered how much longer you'd be out." He paused, listening to her answer. "Okay, I'll tell her. I love you. Bye"
"When I talked to her last night she said she had an early class this morning."
He nodded, "she did but after class she had a message from her dad. He invited her to go shopping."
"Edward invited her shopping?" I could hardly believe it.
Jake chuckled, "Yeah apparently he needed her help picking out some new clothes." He shrugged and continued. "Anyway, she's on her way home now. Edward's with her, though. Just in case that makes a difference to you…"
Damn! That was just my luck. "I really want to see 'Nes but I definitely don't think I should be here when Edward is. Maybe I'll just go and come back another time."
"That's up to you." He poured us each coffee and sat to join me at the table.
Edward's POV
Renesmee slid her phone into her pocket and smiled widely. Her eyebrows were raised as she looked at me from the passenger seat. "That was Jake. He called to tell me that Mom stopped by the apartment a few minutes ago." She took a breath and added, "She's still there. You might want to change plans."
I locked my eyes forward and bit back a sarcastic remark. "I see no reason to change our plans, unless you want to, that is."
"I'd love nothing more than to talk about planning Grandpa's birthday party…just the four of us."
I smirked sideways at her. "Don't get your hopes up 'Nes. Are you forgetting that your mother had me served with divorce papers? Just yesterday?" I raised my eyebrows at my grown daughter and hoped she would understand that it was probably way too soon for Bella and me to be in the same room. "Your mom probably won't want to have a chat about a family get-together, honey. But I'll tell you what, if we get there and it's the least bit awkward, I'll leave and call you later to discuss it."
"Thanks Daddy. I know yesterday must have been awful for you…" Tears glistened in her eyes and my heart broke.
I pulled the car over and pulled her into a hug. "Shh. Please don't cry 'Nes." I kissed the top of her head. "I'm doing much better now. It's going to get easier for all of us." I promised.
She sniffled and showed me a watery smile. "I had so many dreams for my future, Daddy. I've always imagined bringing my babies to visit you and Mom … together…at home." Her voice cracked.
"Is that what you're worried about? Someday…long in the future…when you have children?" I teased, wide eyed.
"Kinda," she shrugged.
"That's always going to be home, 'Nes. We're not selling the house."
"But what if…"
I put my finger to her lips and silenced her. "Enough, let's get you home to your boyfriend," I teased.
I parked on the street across from their apartment and lifted her three bags from my trunk. "Wow, Daddy. You sure bought a lot, the truck is still full."
We walked up the stairs and into the apartment. The smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air as Jake walked around the corner, grabbing 'Nes up into his arms. "Are you hungry? Your mom and I were just thinking about thinking about ordering take out."
"I'm not hungry. Daddy and I stopped at some greasy burger place for lunch."
"You liked it and you know it," I smiled at her and shook Jake's hand in greeting. I handed the bags to him.
"I thought you were shopping for your Dad." He questioned, looking at the bags in his hand.
"I couldn't resist buying a few things for myself. I bought some for you too. " Her face lit up when he looked at her. They both glowed as their eyes met.
My heart felt a pang of guilt…her mother used to look at me like that.
We went into the kitchen where Bella sat, sipping coffee. I hesitated in the doorway, not wanting to move further and make the situation uncomfortable. She turned and smiled at 'Nes, giving her a kiss and hug. "Hi Baby. I should have called first; I didn't know you'd be out." She glanced casually at me over her shoulder, "I'm sorry if I cut your shopping trip short, Edward."
I forced a smile and continued into the kitchen, taking a steaming mug from Jacob's hand. "It's fine, we were finished anyway. 'Nes and I spent most of the day together."
Bella eyed me skeptically. "You took the whole day off to shop?"
"No. I had the whole day off." I corrected, realizing her line of questioning. "I only work when I want to now."
Renesmee changed the subject to avoid any potential conflict. "Daddy and I were talking about planning a big birthday party for Grandpa. Will you help us?"
Bella sucked an awkward breath through her teeth. "I don't think that's a good idea, Nes… "
Our daughter cut her off. "Why not? We do it every year!"
She raised her eyebrows, "Because the last time I spoke to Carlisle, he was very upset with me," She shifted her gaze between Renesmee and me.
I noticed her bite on her lower lip nervously. God, even when she was anxious she was so beautiful! "When did you talk to my dad?" I questioned.
She turned in her seat to look straight in my eyes. "Last night…"
I nodded, not wanting to push the conversation into more awkward territory. "Why don't we talk about it on the phone later, 'Nes. I need to head home. It's going to take me all night to put away all of the clothes we bought today. I'll be here early in the morning to help Jake start sanding the cupboards."
As I hugged our daughter goodbye I felt Bella's eyes on me. I glanced over my shoulder at her. She smiled sadly and I flashed a sideways smile in her direction. "Bye Bella." I swear I felt her stare until I walked out the door.
Later that night as I lay in bed I thought about Bella…the way her hair fell across her shoulders; the way her lips skimmed the coffee cup she drank from; the way her hands rested on the table as we talked. God I missed her so much!
There were so many memories between the two of us but tonight I dwelled on the one night that changed my whole life…
1987 Forks Washington
Edward's POV
It was late fall and an unusually warm night for Forks. Bella and I had been dating for a couple of months and like most weekend evenings, we were spending time together. She had asked to borrow her father's Mustang convertible for the evening. She said he didn't blink an eye when she asked; he simply handed her over the keys.
She picked me up wearing a cute denim mini skirt, jean jacket and a white mesh shirt over the top of a black tube top. She explained that Alice had dressed her again and I thanked my lucky stars that Alice's taste in clothes left little to the imagination.
She drove along, and I gave her directions. "Pull over here," I told her as we approached the end of the dirt road we were on.
She smiled flirtatiously at me. "You want me to drive into that tall grass?" I nodded and she complied. Once we got through the tall grass, the trees opened up to a clearing. We got out of the car and put the top down and sat back in the car.
"Wow, Edward this is beautiful."
"Just like you." I whispered in her ear. The night wind gentle, and the sky was clear and full of stars. The moon shone down on her skin, making it shimmer.
"You're so beautiful, Bella." I slid my fingers along the collar of her jacket, skimming that same sexy shoulder I was nervous to touch on our last date.
"That feels so good," She sighed and slid the jacket off and tossed it in the back seat. She turned and kissed me without restraint.
"Mmm, that feels good too! You're making me crazy, Bella." To distract me I clicked the radio on. Eric Carmen's Make Me Lose Control was playing…
"…Jennifer's got her Daddy's car…
…We go cruisin' so close the way they did long ago…"
I leaned over to her in the driver's seat and started kissing her wet mouth. She immediately grabbed my shirt and pulled me closer to her. Before long, my hands were under her shirt, kneading her incredible breasts. I ran my hands over the top of her nipples, making them harden under my touch. She whimpered in response and I hardened in my pants.
"…My Darlin'…
…Turn the radio up for that sweet sound…"
Her hands moved to unzip my jeans and I didn't stop her this time. She pulled my length out and gripped me with her warm hands. I groaned at the feeling she was giving me and gasped in surprise when she reached her hands up and pulled her shirts and bra off. She was sitting there in front of me; topless.
It was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. I bent my neck forward and took one of her tight nipples into my mouth and sucked her gently.
"…Hold me close never let me go…
…Keep this feelin' alive…"
Her whimpers became moans and I boldly slid my hands under her skirt, needing to feel the heat of her. I stroked my fingers up and down the middle of her underwear.
"Edwaaaard!" She screamed just seconds before I slid her underwear aside and dipped my fingers into her wetness.
"Bella, Oh my God you're so hot."
Her hands were stroking my hard-on and I could barely control myself. I had to pull her hand away… "Stop, or I'm gonna come." I gasped in between sucking her hard nipples and kissing her wet lips.
She slid the car seat all the way back and reclined her seat the whole way. "Take your jeans off, Edward." She smirked sideways at me and slid her underwear from underneath her skirt.
I arched my back in the passenger seat, sliding my jeans and underwear off before I noticed the amazing sight beside me…Bella, completely naked. Apparently I missed her removing her skirt while I was concentrating on my own clothes.
"C'mere" she beckoned, bending her index finger. She was leaning back and I could see her whole naked body in the moonlight.
"Baby, Baby! When I look in your eyes, I go crazy…
…Fever's high with the lights down low…"
I wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not. But she was making me forget everything else except her having her gorgeous nakedness next to me. I rested my forearms on the seat beside her head and bent my head to kiss her. Her fingers worked the buttons on my shirt and she slid it off me leaving my bare chest flush with hers.
"Bella, I don't want to take your virginity in a car…"
She smiled wickedly at me. "What if I don't care? What if I want to give you my virginity in a car? What if I want to take your virginity right now?" Her hand ran over my hard-on a few more times making me dizzy with desire.
"We put the top down and park, 'neath the moon in the sky…
…and the wind is so hot in our hair, like the fire in July…"
I reached my fingers down again to touch her inside, staving off the desire to push myself into her. She rolled her hips around and I slipped my finger out and began to rub her sensitive bud until she was screeching my name.
"…Was love always this good, or could this be just the start?...
…Turn the radio up for that sweet sound...
…Hold me close never let me go…"
"I can't take this anymore, Edward. Make love to me? Please?" She was begging...
What could I do now? "Bella, I don't have protection."
"I don't care; I want you inside me now." She bent her knees, placing her feet on the dashboard and spreading herself wide open. What a sight that was!
"I don't want to hurt you…" I countered.
"You could never hurt me." She pushed her lips to mine. I realized there was no point in arguing with her. I wanted her too badly.
I lined my length up with her entrance. I started to push inside a little at a time and felt her body tense. I lifted her hips with my hands to line her up better. "Are you ready?" I breathed.
"Uh huh." She looked directly into my eyes as I pushed firmly and felt her soft skin tearing against me. She gasped and I stroked her face with my hands.
My heart broke seeing her face wince in pain. "I'm sorry, Bella."
"Edward…it still feels good to me. It's unbelievable." I hesitated for a few seconds; waiting for her signal she was ready for more. When she began rotating her hips below me and I began sliding in and out of her…
"…When my baby comes on, and we're movin' in time…
…and the heat from your touch makes me feel like I'm losing my mind…."
The smooth brushing of my firmness inside her hot, tight canal was amazing. "Are you alright?"
"Mmhmm, perfect." She sighed and I could see from the look in her eyes that she was enjoying this as much as I was.
I began to pump faster, pushing the image of her face in passion out of my mind, needing to control my imminent orgasm. I knew I had to make her come first or I'd ruin this for her
"…We close our eyes. We start rememberin' when…
… We start to kiss. And now the feeling's intense…
…And we just pray that this night never ends…"
She started to tense again and I held her tight, kissing her lips as I pulled and pushed us together toward ecstasy.
Bella came in a spasm that I'll never forget. She quivered and shook and gripped me inside like a vise on my erection. I held and kissed her and loved the way she felt writhing beneath me. She smiled up at me as she relaxed.
I whispered softly in her ear, "I just made you come, Bella. Did you like that?"
She blushed intensely, "Mmm, yes, very much."
"Awesome." I resumed pumping into her. I was going as deep into her as possible. Somewhere in the back of my mind I was concerned I was hurting her but then I was too far gone to care…
"…Take me over the edge…
…Make me lose control…
…Keep this feelin' alive…
…Make me lose control…
My orgasm knocked the wind out of me. I thrust deep and spilled into her with everything inside of me. I could feel the release coming from the tips of my toes. I grunted and groaned loudly in her ear as I finished my release into her softness.
I felt like my brain had completely evacuated my body. I could only see the moonlight and Bella's sweet face below me as she watched with wonder.
"I've always known you were beautiful," she told me. "But look on your face as you came… was angelic." She placed soft kisses all over my face and we held onto each other until we could once again breathe normally.
A/N: There was a lot going on that chapter. I love the lemons but love the angst/hurt/comfort more.
What is your favorite part? Let me know in a review and I'll send you a sneak peek of chapter 7 which is already complete, by the way.
I'd love to get more exposure to this story, so if you like it, would you consider recommending it to a friend? I have found the best fics I've read have come from recommendations right here on FFN from other authors and readers.
Chapter 7 should be published soon, so be on the lookout! ...TTFN