Beta'd by cejsmom and preread by Twi-mom12292005

Banner by AnaFluttersby

You all know who owns these characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Dogward/Brokenward/Virginward/Beachward/Preciousward/Insecureward

or as someone have called him "Adorably Virginal"

Chapter 43

BPOV

When I enter the apartment. I have two thoughts, 'get her out' and 'claim my man'. There is no plan in my mind on how to do that. Just the chant, 'get her out.' Within seconds she's gone, door locked.

I can tell by the look on Edward's face that he's confused by my actions. I'm sure the thoughts and expressions fleeting across my face aren't helping with his confusion. I'm just as confused. Do I tell him I heard him? Do I assume he meant it? Could he have just said that to get rid of her? Whatever, I just want him closer. So I summon him with a crook of my finger.

He comes willingly, but with hesitation. What does he think I'm going to do?

He stops, leaving a foot between us, too much space. I grab the front of his shirt and pull his body flush with mine. The force of my pull causes him to put his hands on the door to brace himself, effectively making an Edward cage around my body. I like it.

Lifting onto my toes and pulling him down to me, I kiss the shit out of him. I missed him so much. His smell, his taste, his smile, him. The kiss quickly becomes heated and passionate. I take the opportunity to rub against him in all the right places, causing him to groan in lust and frustration.

"I missed you so much," he says against my lips. His hands finding their way down my body, pulling me closer, while lifting one of my legs up around his hip. My turn to groan when I feel him hard, right where I want him.

"You have no idea how hard it was to leave."

"You're home early, he breathes against my ear," I can feel him smile against my skin.

"I couldn't wait any longer to come home. To see you," I whisper as I lift my chin to give him better access to my neck.

"You were gone too long," he continues leaving open kisses on my exposed skin.

We're in our own little bubble of touching, talking and kissing. Until the sound of the dogs whining from the bedroom becomes too loud to ignore.

"Someone else missed you, too," he chuckles.

"Let's go release the hounds," I joke, reluctantly lowering my leg to the floor, breaking our connection.

We walk hand in hand to the bedroom. Once the door is open I'm practically knocked over by the force of the two small dogs jumping against my legs. I give up and sit on the floor letting the boys jump all over me. I'm covered in dog kiss slobber, but loving every second. Not hearing the snapping of the camera until they've finally calmed down.

Edward is smiling at us from behind the lens.

"Get over here," I beacon him to join me on the floor. He does, causing the dogs to get excited all over again. Within seconds we're laughing and rolling around with the dogs. All I can think is this is exactly where I want to be.

~MEB~

He helps me get my luggage from downstairs, which we find knocked over and covered in dirt at the bottom of the stairs. Edward raises his brows at me in question when he sees them. I just shrug, "Victoria."

"How is your dad?" he asks as he sits on the bed and watches me unload my suitcase.

"He's good. Annoying. I can't tell you how many times he told me I should move back to Seattle," I shake my head.

"Are you considering it?"

"What? No. This is my home. Southern California is my home. It's where I want to be."

He nods his head averting his eyes.

"Edward? Did you think I was going there to look for a house?" I move to sit next to him on the bed.

He shrugs, not meeting my eyes.

"Edward, look at me." When he does I see fear and sadness. "If I was thinking about moving, I would have told you before I left," I say putting my palms against his scruffy cheeks. "I'm happy here."

"You are?"

I nod. "Happier than I've ever been." I smile with confidence before I give him a chaste kiss.

"Really?" He asks. "Me too," he shyly admits.

"Do you want to talk about Victoria?" I ask with hesitation, because I haven't thought farther than that question.

He shrugs. "She's moving away and wanted to throw herself at me one more time."

"How did that go?"

"You tell me," he laughs. "You came and saved me. I don't know how you got her out of here so fast. I'd been trying to get her to leave for a while."

"I heard." I mumble.

"You did?" he inquires.

My turn to nod.

"What did you hear?"

"What did you want me to hear?" I ask looking him in the eye.

"I meant everything I said. So any portion you heard is fine with me," he says, holding my stare and giving me a small smile.

I nod again, looking away. Thinking about how to proceed with this conversation.

"I heard the last part," I say standing to busy myself with unpacking again.

It's quiet for a minute. I hear him get up from the bed, but I don't know what he's doing until I feel him press up against my back. His hands wrap around my middle. He bends down and kisses my neck under my ear. "Did you hear me say that I love you?" He whispers into my ear, causing me to shiver and melt into him.

I nod. "I do Bella. I love you. I've never felt like this in my entire life. You are so good, good to me. You make me want to be whole, to overcome what I never thought I could possibly overcome. I want to be healthy, whole, for us."

He loves me. He didn't just say it to get rid of Victoria. I absorb what he's saying. It warms my heart and makes me love him even more. I turn in his arms and hug him tightly, resting my head on his chest. His heart is beating strong and rapid.

I clear my throat of the emotion that threatens to choke me. "Edward," I pause looking him in the eye. "I love you, so much. I love you how you are right now. You are whole. More whole than most people."

He is shaking his head as I say it.

"Edward. I know you have stuff to work through. We all do. I understand that, but you are whole. You live, you love, you give, expecting nothing in return. I love you. The you I see right now. I will be here for you in whatever you choose. But know. I love you, regardless." My tears are falling by the time I finish my speech.

He blinks in disbelief, a single tear falls from his eye. I wipe it gently away and kiss him with all of the passion and love I can. He needs to know, he needs to feel just how much I love him.

~MEB~

"Didn't you take only one suitcase?" Edward asks motioning to the untouched bag standing just inside the bedroom door.

"Um, ya. My dad still had some stuff of mine. I'll move it to the other room and unpack it later," I say, rolling it swiftly out of the room.

I hear his cell ring as I busy myself putting away the suitcase in the spare room.

"That's great news, Jasper. What time? I'll be there." I hear him say right before he hangs up and plops on the sofa.

"Good news?" I ask.

"Yes, I need to sign some papers about the termination of the lawsuit and stuff tomorrow."

"That is good news. What time tomorrow?"

"We're signing the papers right before lunch."

"Perfect. I'm having lunch with your mom tomorrow," I say casually.

"You are? She didn't mention it." Edward says with concern.

"I called her when I was at my dad's. Should I tell her how much I love her son?" I tease moving onto his lap.

He shakes his head and blushes. He so damn cute, I just have to straddle his lap and kiss him silly. Which I do, and he seems to love it, if the situation in his pants is any indication. I want this man so badly, but I will be patient. Easier said than done my lady bits say.

A/N

So who said it first? Bella said she heard him, then he admitted it. Anyone surprised they didn't dance around this?

What does Bella have in the other suitcase? Lunch with his mom?

Thanks so much for reading. If I've mapped this baby out right, we're looking at 52 ish chapters total.