Disclaimer: You know the drill - I'm just playing around with SM's characters.

A/N Once the authors of the Easter Bunny Fic Swap were revealed, I got a message from shpwhitney, my recipient, stating that she loved what I wrote for her, and was anxiously awaiting more. Well, here it is! Thnx to missrebecca for looking this over for me.

Chapter 13

Bella

Tiredly, I trudged up the stairs to my apartment. My quick visit to my parents had been exhausting. They hadn't taken the news very well, and had subjected me to an intense line of questioning. After a while, I had been so fed up with that, I had just picked up and driven back home. With being more tired than usual lately, and not hearing from Edward yet since I'd dropped that bombshell on him the night before, I was mentally drained. All I wanted was to take a nice, long bath and relax with a glass of wine before bed. Well, obviously I couldn't have the wine, but that bath was already calling my name. Maybe some hot tea would also help to calm my mind.

Digging through my bag for my keys, I rounded the corner and was stopped short. There, sitting with his back against my front door, was Edward.

What was he doing here?

How did he get here?

Had he read my e-mail?

At my shocked gasp and the sound of my bag falling to the floor, he looked up and scrambled to his feet.

'Bella,' he breathed before rushing over to me, rambling an explanation on the way. 'I know you said you were visiting your parents, but when I landed I called James, who gave me Alice's number, for the address and she said you were already on your way back so I came here instead and…'

He didn't finish his sentence when he reached me. Instead, he cupped my face in his hands and kissed me tentatively. On instinct my hands found his body; one hand snaking around his back, holding him close, while the other fisted in his hair.

He was here.

After an immeasurable moment, he pulled back and hesitantly moved his hand to my still-flat stomach, both our eyes following the motion. He looked up at me again, unshed tears shining in his eyes; I felt my own burning as I smiled at him softly. At that, he fell to his knees and started raining kisses on my stomach. I stroked his face as he sat there before me, but after a while I realized we were still in the hallway outside my apartment.

'Let's go inside,' I said, pulling him to his feet.

I closed the door behind us and dropped my keys onto the hallway table, watching Edward take in my modest apartment. When his eyes landed on me again, there was a hunger and need in them that was so overwhelming, I was frozen to the spot. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of me again. He crashed his lips to mine while engulfing me in his embrace, almost crushing me between his body and the front door. I wrapped my legs around his waist, wanting, needing to be as close to him as possible. He pulled back from the front door and moved through my apartment, following the directions I was almost panting into his mouth. We stumbled through my bedroom door and he gently lowered me to my feet, closing the door behind us and flicking on the light. The next few minutes, zippers were being lowered, buttons came undone, and clothes were strewn across the floor. It appeared he needed me as much as I needed him in that moment.

It had been so long…

Once we were both left in nothing but our underwear, I pulled Edward down onto my bed with me. His hands, lips, and eyes moved over every inch of exposed skin, leaving me feeling all warm and tingly. But, as much as I loved the way he worshipped me, I ached to be connected with him again, so I used my feet to push his boxer briefs down.

'Need you. Now,' I said as I pulled his mouth back to mine.

He moaned and hurriedly removed my underwear before locking eyes with me and slowly, deliciously slowly pushing inside me. My mouth dropped and my breath escaped me at the contact. We were both completely still for a moment, not even breathing.

He leaned in to kiss me, but stopped just as his lips brushed against mine, whispering, 'I'm so in love with you, Bella.'

Then he started moving, slowly, tenderly, lovingly. I could feel him pour everything he felt into the act, and I couldn't stop tears from falling. When he noticed, he pulled back, asking what was wrong.

'I love you too, Edward,' I confessed.

He kissed me again and continued to make love to me.

Afterwards, we lay close together under the covers, as much of our bodies touching as possible. I played with the hair on his chest while he drew lazy designs on my shoulder.

'How long are you here for?' I asked.

'I don't know yet. I called in on my way to the airport, saying I had to take a leave of absence because of a family emergency. I figured, once I got here, we could play it by ear.'

Something in his voice told me he was in this with me. It warmed my heart hearing him refer to me as his family. I guess that's what we were now.

'Bella, I…' he started, but I interrupted him.

'Shh, let's talk tomorrow. Tonight, I just want this,' I said as I snuggled in closer.