Chapter 20

As soon as Bella's divorce is finalized, time seems to start flying by. Spring is a nice mix of routine and fun, where we get together with Emmett and Rose several times. They have been inseparable since the night they met, and I couldn't be happier for my long-time friend.

I get to know Rose better and find that she's quite the ball-buster, but a perfect complement to Emmett's crassness. Somehow, she finds a way to keep him mostly in line. And the most surprising detail is that he appears to enjoy it. I appreciate the fact that neither of them even remotely care about Rose being seven years older than Emmett.

Bella and I also spend more time with my dad and Esme, who finally warms up to our relationship after realizing that it's not going to end any time soon. This is how we find ourselves out to dinner with them on my birthday in June.

"How's work been?" Dad asks me once we've placed our orders.

"It's going really well," I remark. "I actually just had my annual performance review with my boss the other day, and he said he's working on a promotion for me. If all goes well and he can get the owner's approval, I'll move up from Assistant Underwriter to Underwriter soon."

"That's great, Edward," Esme chimes in. "I'm sure you're pleased with that."

"Definitely." I feel Bella squeeze my hand under the table. "It'll mean more face to face interactions with the clients, so I won't be stuck behind a desk all day."

"And, more money, too, I'm sure," Dad adds.

"I'm sure it'll come with a pay raise, but we haven't talked specifics yet. Hopefully sometime next week."

Conversation moves on to other topics while we eat, including Bella's part-time summer position. She'll be teaching two classes of summer school for advanced kids whose parents want to further their education. Since her regular position became permanent, I don't think she needs the money, but she told me she didn't want to sit around and feel useless during the summer.

As dinner goes on, I find my eyes drawn to my father and his wife. Like Bella and I, they're constantly touching or sharing loving glances. I know how happy they've been together, and I can only hope that someday, I'll have the same happiness in a marriage—preferably with Bella.

My eyes drift over to Bella and I see a smile gracing her face. My own grin grows as I realize that her smile is there more often than not these days. I know cutting all ties with Jasper and having the divorce finalized lifted a weight off her shoulders, but I can't help wondering if I have anything to do with how much she smiles now.

After dinner, Bella and I head home to finish packing. She surprised me with a weekend getaway for my birthday, so we're heading out in the morning to a cabin on the water. I don't know much about the place, other than I will have her all to myself with no interruptions.

I drive while Bella directs me throughout the two hour journey to the resort. When we arrive, I see "resort" is a loose term. Although there are some activities that you can take part in, the place isn't much more than a collection of cabins housing the guests and a main lodge.

Bella checks us in since she made the reservation, and the clerk tells us about boat rentals, fishing expeditions and the like. Bella nods and thanks him politely but doesn't sign us up for anything at the moment.

As we walk back to the car to drive to our cabin, she asks, "Would you be disappointed if we don't do any of that stuff?"

I chuckle and put my arm around her shoulder, pulling her to a stop and turning her to face me. "I'm happy to just spend the entire weekend with you, uninterrupted." I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she smiles back cheekily.

"Perfect." She gives me a quick kiss before taking off toward the car.

It only takes a few minutes to find our cabin, so Bella heads to the door to unlock it while I get our bags. I'm quite surprised when I step inside. Although small, the cabin is well appointed. It's essentially one large room, although I see a door that is likely a bathroom toward the back. To the left of the entrance is a fireplace, with a cozy looking couch and two chairs surrounding it.

On our right is a kitchenette with a simple table and chairs for the eating area. In the back of the room against the far wall stands a king size bed, decorated with lots of fancy pillows and a canopy. There are nightstands on either side of the bed as well as a small wardrobe against a wall.

A large window spans the wall between the sleeping area and the sitting area, providing a perfect view of the water. There's a small, rocky beach area at the water's edge and I notice a couple walking by. There are also several boats out in the distance.

"What do you think?" Bella asks once I've put down our bags.

"It's great." I pull her close and kiss her gently.

She steps back and smirks at me. "Wait, this is supposed to be the best part." She takes my hand and drags me toward the door in the back, opening it and stepping inside.

My eyes widen at what can only be called another room. Although technically a bathroom, the dimensions rival the living space. There are the standard two sinks and a toilet, but that's where the similarities to a regular hotel room end.

On one side of the room is what appears to be a large Jacuzzi tub, probably big enough to fit six people. The back of the room houses a glass enclosed shower, but again, it's large enough to be its own room. There are two benches inside the tiled shower and enough nozzles to hit you from every angle.

"This is why I booked the place," Bella says.

I turn back to her still gaping. "This is fantastic! When can we get in that tub?" I'm not really kidding. When I see her smile widen, I jump into action. "I'll get the water started!"

"I'll go get my bathing suit," she says, and I grab her arm to stop her.

"Who said anything about bathing suits?"

"Mmm," she hums after I kiss her thoroughly. "You might be on to something. Besides, it is your birthday."

I'm giddy as I turn and start the water, letting it reach the right temperature before pushing down the stopper. When I face her again, I see she's put her hair in a bun, gotten towels out and is now starting to unbutton her shirt.

"Let me," I implore, taking over where she left off. Her hands grip my waist as I finish with the buttons and then move my mouth to love on her neck and shoulder once her top has slipped down a bit. She releases me long enough to let it fall to the floor before untucking my shirt and pulling it over my head.

My hands explore her beautiful torso for a moment before grasping the clasp of her bra and releasing it. She pulls our bodies together tightly and we kiss again, tongues touching gently and retreating as I swallow her moans.

I turn her around and sit her on the edge of the tub so I can remove her shoes and pants, but my mouth keeps constant contact with some part of her body. I'll never get enough of the way her skin tastes, sweet and salty and pure Bella. She lifts her hips to help me remove her jeans and underwear. As soon as she's free of them, she stands and opens my jeans. I quickly kick my sneakers off, and then allow her to remove my pants and boxer briefs. She uses flat palms to push everything down, rubbing her hands all the way down my body in the process.

Taking her hand, I help her into the tub and then climb in behind her once I've flipped the switch to turn on the jets. Although the tub is huge, we remain stuck together as if we were in our own small tub back home.

"This is nice," she sighs.

"Yes, it is," I agree. I rub my hands up and down her ribs, enjoying the feel of her wet skin under my fingers.

I also take advantage of her hair being up by placing open mouth kisses all over her neck. She hums her appreciation and I feel her hands gripping my legs as they surround her.

I move my hands to cup her breasts, rolling her pert nipples between my fingers until they are stiff peaks. In response, her fingernails drag up my thighs causing my legs to squeeze her tighter. My mouth continues its journey up and down her neck, pausing to swirl my tongue around the spot behind her ear that drives her wild.

Eventually, one hand trails lightly down her torso while the other crosses to her far breast, still massaging it but also holding her body to me. My fingers dip down to her center, finding the slippery evidence of her arousal.

"Ung," she moans as I gently slide two inside. I feel her attempting to turn around, but my arm holds her in position as I lazily thrust my fingers while my thumb rubs her clit. Her moans grow louder as her hips begin moving against my hand. "Oh, Edward," she calls out softly.

I give a little bite to the crook of her neck and she bucks wildly, setting off her orgasm. Her walls flutter around my fingers as her body shakes and she cries out her pleasure.

"I love to watch you cum," I declare quietly once she's come back to earth.

She hums again as her body goes limp against mine. Wrapping both my arms around her, we relax in silence for a while.

My mind wanders back to the night before, watching my father and his wife and their affection for each other. It causes me to think about marriage … and Bella. I have yet to broach the topic with her, but it's something I want to talk about before we go down the road of trying to have a baby.

Of course, I know I'd be fine if she wasn't interested in marriage at all, having been turned off of it by her first marriage. Having a child out of wedlock these days is certainly not a big deal. I recognize that it's only been a few months since the divorce was finalized, so even if she's not opposed to the idea, she may not be ready for it for some time.

But, like all other things in this relationship, the key will be discussing it … together.

I'm not afraid to tell her where I stand; I'd marry her tomorrow if she was interested. However, I won't know what she wants unless I ask.

"Can I ask you something?" I request, breaking the peaceful silence.

"Of course," she responds, turning slightly in my arms to face me and shifting her body across my legs.

I'm glad for the closeness. I think it makes these types of conversations easier.

"How do you feel about marriage?"

A/N: Another serious discussion is up next!

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