Thanks to SusanQ, Nicffwhisperer, Kikki7, Vampshavelaws, Pam, Julie, KittyVuitton, Stephanie, Jaime, Nolebucgrl, and Sydney Alice for all of their help pre-reading/betaing/supporting me. I'm always tinkering until right before posting and any mistakes are mine.

Our Kind of Normal

"Closer."

He scooted in more.

"Tighter."

His arms squeezed around me. But it wasn't enough.

I wiggled my body, nestling my back to his front, wanting absolutely no space between us.

It was wonderful to be home. To be in Edward's arms while we slept. After having that taken away while in the hospital, I was savoring every second.

But three days in, and I was craving even more.

He was being too careful. Too chaste. He was scared to push any physical limits, despite my assuring him I was fine.

Over six weeks without Smugs Jr. was not okay with me.

And it wasn't just about the sex. It had never just been about the sex with him. It was about the connection. The intimacy.

I wanted that back too.

"Edward." I pressed my butt against him, hiding my smile in a pillow when he groaned.

Damn him for wearing pajama pants.

His hand slipped under my nightie, gently roaming my skin while he delivered light kisses to my neck.

I almost giggled when his hand stopped moving and his body tensed.

"Fuck." He almost sounded in pain. "You aren't wearing any panties."

"No. I'm not."

Sometimes a girl had to take some initiative.

When he started to lift his hand off my hip, I placed mine on top, steering both down between my legs. Exactly where I wanted him.

"I don't want to hurt you." He was breathing harder, the warm air rushing over my hair and skin.

"You won't. Please?"

He made some strangled noise, his fingers tentative.

I sighed and turned my head toward him. "Don't you want me anymore?"

He actually growled at me, putting his lips right next to my ear. "You know I do. I know you can feel how much I do."

Yes, I could feel it. I could feel it all. Every single inch he pressed against me even harder to prove a point. That's what I wanted though. And his gravelly voice vibrating in my ear at the same time made me want it—him—even more.

His fingers started moving without my insistence, sliding along my skin while he mumbled words like warm and wet in my ear. He was driving me crazy.

His breathy chuckle made me shiver. "You really want this, don't you?"

Duh.

"Yes." I reached behind me, tugging on the waistband of his pants. "Take these off."

He hesitated again. "How about just my fingers?"

"No."

He nibbled my ear. "How about my mouth?"

Hmm.

That one made me pause. He could do things with his tongue that made me forget my name.

But it wasn't what I wanted.

"No."

"I love it when you get all demanding."

I smiled, feeling him kick off his pants. He immediately returned to me, guiding my top leg forward and bending my knee.

"You have to promise me." He slid his cock against me, and I was so slick and ready I would have promised him anything. "Promise me you'll tell me if anything hurts. Promise?"

"Yes, yes. I promise." I was close to whimpering.

He started pushing in, both of us panting. It felt great, but he was going so slow.

His lips were back at my ear again. "Relax, Bella. Here..." he broke off, massaging my thigh a little before lifting my leg and nudging his knee between mine. "Open up for me."

It had been so long, and I was too tensed with excitement that I was inadvertently making it difficult for him to even get it in. I focused on his chest rising and falling against my back, calming with each breath I took in time with his.

With his caution and trying to be tender, it took longer than normal. But finally he filled me, and I bit my lip, moaning from the feeling.

One of his arms was nestled under my neck, his hand on my breast, while the other gripped my hip as he pumped slowly in and out of me.

"Is this okay?" he asked. "Do your ribs hurt? Anything?"

"No. They're fine. This feels good."

And it did. It felt great.

Yet...something was off.

I tried to twist around enough to kiss him, but it wasn't the easiest task. Twisting my body was the one thing that did still hurt my ribs. His lips met mine briefly, before nipping along my jawline.

"I love you."

My heart pounded from his words, but I still couldn't enjoy being with him like I usually did.

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "Nothing." I grabbed his hand from my hip, bringing his arm up and around me, thinking it would help if he held me tighter.

He stopped moving, staying inside me. "Tell me what's wrong. Are you hurting? I can stop."

"No. Don't stop. Please. You aren't hurting me." I sighed and turned my head toward him, and he helped me out by leaning over me. "You'll think I'm stupid."

"I would never think you're stupid. Talk to me."

How did I explain what I was feeling? I didn't even really understand it.

"I just...I don't know. I guess I miss..."

Ugh. This was so hard. He was going to think I was an idiot.

"Miss what?" He brushed the hair from my face so I couldn't hide from him.

I rubbed my belly. "Well...before...I really loved it when you were able to be on top of me. I don't know. It just felt closer. I mean...I know we can't do that now because of the baby. It's just...I miss it. This doesn't feel close enough."

I liked him covering me. I could see him better. Smell him better. It just felt better. More intimate.

Warmer.

What I wanted most right now was to feel him all over me. That's what I needed and had been without for too long.

Would he understand that?

I watched his face for any sign he thought I was being ridiculous, but he only smiled and kissed me.

"I miss it, too." He rubbed my arm and nuzzled my nose. "Let me try something."

He reached over to grab the blanket and covered us both up, tucking us together in a tight cocoon. Even though it was pitch black, it did feel like we were closer in the small space.

"Tell me if this is uncomfortable." He used his arm under my head to partially prop himself up, his chest resting over my side instead of against my back, making sure not to put too much weight on me.

It was easy to find his lips in this position, and he held me as tightly as he could. I moaned into his mouth when he pulled out and pushed back inside me again.

This was what I wanted. He was surrounding me. I felt him everywhere, his taste and scent flooding my senses.

He knew exactly what I'd needed. He understood and made it all better.

He made it perfect.

Tears welled in my eyes because it meant as much to me that he understood as it did to make love to him.

"You feel so good." His soft words against my lips made me tremble.

He moved gently—made it so special—and I didn't need any pounding rhythm to peak. All the emotions and sensations I was feeling at the same time were a bit overwhelming, but exactly what I'd yearned for. A few tears spilled from my eyes and he kissed them away.

"I love you so much," I said, my fingers digging into the skin of his arm as he brought me to the brink.

My release wasn't the explosive, blow-me-away orgasm I often achieved with him. But it was no less satisfying. It was warmth, pleasure, love...all rolled together and pulsing inside me.

I felt like I was floating in bliss when his lips left mine, his head burrowing against my neck. He groaned and pushed deep, his hold around me tightening even more as he came.

We clung to each other afterward. Maybe for minutes, maybe for hours. I didn't know. Perhaps he'd needed the reassurance and affection as much as I had.

Things weren't exactly back to normal, but we had created our own new normal.

And it was perfect.

~~~*~~~NOP~~~*~~~

The next morning, Hannah stared at the two of us often, shaking her head and hiding her smiles. The three of us were in the kitchen, getting everything ready for our guests. It was the official Cullen Christmas in February.

Edward and I probably deserved the stares, because I couldn't stop my giggles from bubbling up, and he sported a permanent grin while he played and teased. After we'd broken the intimacy seal the night before, we had round two in bed at dawn followed by round three in the shower.

The bench he'd requested in there was useful for more than just helping me wash, that was for damn sure.

Needless to say, we were both sated and happy, and we weren't hiding it very well.

"How about Rocky?"

I laughed at Edward, dressed in his 'Kiss the Chef' apron, hindering more than helping Hannah prepare the dishes. I was perched on a stool, decorating gingerbread men, because neither of them would allow me to be on my feet for very long.

"No. We're not naming him after a Sylvester Stallone character."

We were still having problems figuring out a name for our baby, all of his ideas being completely ridiculous.

"Stallone is fucking cool," he muttered, mashing more potatoes and making a mess everywhere.

"Maybe if we were living in the '80s." I stuck my tongue out at him.

He licked his lips. "I can think of much better uses for your tongue."

Pervert.

I shook my head while Hannah swatted him with a towel.

"Why not something traditional like Edward Jr.?" she suggested.

That didn't sound awful to me, but Edward shook his head.

"No. I'd rather he have a unique name." He glanced around, his eyes lighting up. "Like Clove."

I threw an M&M at him, making sure it was only a brown one. I didn't like the brown ones. Max chased it down when it missed Edward by a mile.

"My son will not be named Clove Cullen!"

All three of us were in hysterics when the doorbell rang, and it wasn't long before everyone had arrived. It was a sea of hugs and kisses, each one of them telling me how happy they were to see me up and around and back home again. Even Alec was sappier than usual, hugging me and ruffling my hair.

I loved each and every one of them.

And Edward.

I didn't know it was possible to feel more for him than I already did, but it happened anyway. Not only had he arranged this late celebration just for me, but he made it special in all kinds of small ways. He may have vetoed the traditional route for our baby's name, but he was pulling out every tradition in the book for our Christmas.

Everything from stockings hanging, carols playing throughout the house, serving eggnog...he even put on a Santa hat at one point. Edward was usually the antithesis of jolly, but his seeing to every detail to make me smile was something I'd never forget.

After we ate, I stopped him as we made our way to the library, pausing underneath some mistletoe he'd put up over a doorway. I grabbed his shirt, pulling him down to kiss me.

"Thank you for all of this."

He opened his eyes and smiled down at me. "Are you having a good time?"

"It's all wonderful. This means a lot to me."

Did he know he'd given me everything I always wanted?

"All I want is for you to be happy."

I hugged him as hard as I could. "You always make me happy."

He sighed into my hair, but didn't pull away. I knew he was still feeling guilty—and perhaps some of his going above and beyond was an attempt to compensate in his mind—but it was progress for him to not rebuke my acknowledgement of how he made me feel.

Maybe time really was all he needed.

Eventually we joined them all in the library, where the presents were piled around the tree and the fire was roaring. He pulled me down to sit between his legs on the couch, and we watched Emmett and Alice dispersing the gifts around the room.

It was a good thing I'd gotten most of my shopping done before my fall.

The atmosphere was loud and raucous, ten different conversations going at the same time, plus some wrestling breaking out between Emmett and Jasper over whose gift was whose. I leaned back against Edward's chest, loving every second of it. He made it even better when his arms came around me, his hands rubbing continuous circles over my belly.

I scanned around the room, noting each of those who were most important to me. Alice exchanging silent smiles with Jasper. Rose and Emmett laughing and tickling each other. Hannah gushing over Alec and Felix. Jane chatting with Esme and Carlisle.

And Max excitedly wagging his tail and moving from one person to the next, seeking attention.

Each of them was special to me in their own way, and my heart felt so full knowing they were here at this moment to celebrate with me and Edward. That they shared our sorrows and our joy. None of them were blood-related, but they were all my family.

Esme was seated next to us and took my hand, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Before all the gift opening, I did want to talk with you about your baby shower."

I'd forgotten all about that. I cringed, remembering her wanting to give me a huge party. "I'm not really sure..."

She stopped me. "I was thinking—considering everything—that maybe you'd prefer something small? Maybe we could even do it here? Just us girls?"

I nodded. "That would be great."

She grinned. "I have the perfect plan in mind."

I tried not to let that scare me, hoping she'd keep it low-key. Before I could fester over it too much, Edward distracted me.

"How about Wyatt?"

Huh?

I turned to look at him, wondering what he was talking about. When the lightbulb went off in my head, I couldn't stop my giggles.

"No, we're not naming him Wyatt."

Eventually they got all the presents handed out and Emmett turned toward me. "So, how is this going to go, B? All at once or one at a time?"

"One at a time for sure. How about reverse alphabetical order?"

Rose let out a whoop in Alice's face and started ripping into her packages.

It was nice to relax and join in with the smiles, the laughter, and even a few tears as everyone got their turn. Edward was extravagant with the gifts he'd chosen to give from us, things ranging from cars to all-inclusive vacations.

I was already thinking of ways to thank him...ways his perverted mind would appreciate.

Those naughty thoughts weren't being helped at all by his still constantly moving hands. Each time he made a pass over my stomach, his thumbs would brush the underside of my breasts.

And I knew he was doing it on purpose.

I gave him some payback, gripping his thighs and wiggling against him.

Finally he rested his chin on my shoulder, his lips close enough to whisper in my ear. "Be careful, Isabella. I'm about two seconds away from telling them all to leave and fucking you right here on this couch."

Blood raced through my veins, and I probably turned bright red. Luckily everyone else was too preoccupied oohing at Carlisle's gift from Emmett: some rare vintage bottles of Bordeaux for his wine cellar.

Edward and I had calmed ourselves down and were mostly behaving by the time it was my turn to open presents. I couldn't believe all the things I received: clothes, jewelry, imported chocolates, first edition books. Alice and Rose even had some pictures of the three of us together blown up and framed for me.

But the gift that brought the most tears to my eyes wasn't even for me. Carlisle made arrangements for him, Edward, and Emmett to play rounds of golf together at various courses around the world, whenever they could get away. Apparently some of these places were almost impossible to play unless you'd been a member since birth. To me though, it wasn't the prestige of them playing at these famous courses, but that Carlisle was making the effort to be a father and make up for lost time with Edward.

I had to hold back a sob when Esme hugged me afterward and told me I was the reason her family was on the mend. It wasn't something I felt comfortable even thinking about taking credit for, but I appreciated her sentiment regardless.

All in all, it was one of my best days. Not because of the presents, but because everyone I loved was together.

Once we were alone again—and I'd promised Esme she could have my baby shower in a couple weeks—Edward and I returned to our couch, lounging together and watching the tree lights twinkle. He reclined back, his head on the pillows, while I curled up on top of him.

I twined my fingers with his when he sighed into my hair.

"Did you have fun today?" I asked.

"Yes, although I mostly enjoyed watching you smile."

It's funny because that was how I felt about him most of the time.

We were quiet for a few minutes, until he cleared his throat.

"Alec gave me some news. I wasn't sure whether to wait and tell you, but I figured you'd want to know now."

I glanced up at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Jake's gone."

My stomach turned, my mind immediately thinking the worst. Someone had killed him and tossed his body in the Hudson. It was like the mobster movies, and I was going to have to hide a file in a cake when I visited Edward in the clink.

Did they still allow conjugal visits?

I swallowed the lump in the my throat. "Gone?"

"He's back in California."

I blew out a breath in relief. He was evil, but I didn't want anyone's life on my conscience. And I especially didn't want Edward brought down because he did something to protect me. This was the best news because Jake was on the other side of the country.

"Good. That's good."

Once Kate was dealt with, perhaps all the threats to our happiness would be extinguished.

That was what I was hoping for anyway.

I played with the buttons on his shirt. "How is it going at CWI with Jasper and Emmett taking things over? Are you itching to get back yet? Do you miss it?"

"I'm not going back, Bella." His fingers brushed through my hair, and I met his eyes again. "My phasing out was accelerated, but I'm happy with my choice. They can take care of things just fine, and I'll be around if they really need me for something. I have absolutely no regrets about this decision."

And there it was. He couldn't have made it any clearer what his priorities were now.

That was best present I could've gotten.

AN: Bella and Edward were due for some happy times. And don't worry, Baby Cullen will not be named Clove. LOL!

The next update will be the final chapter of NOP. I will follow it with a short epilogue. I'm already sad and sniffling while working on the ending…only because I'll miss these two crazy characters. I will continue working on EPOV outtakes after the story is finished.

Thank you all so much for reading, reviewing, and letting me know your thoughts. Your support during this fic has been quite overwhelming, and I appreciate it more than I can say.

Find me on facebook at Twilover Seven-six – I try to put up pictures and a teaser for coming chapters in the NOP group.

Find me on twitter at twilover76

Fic Recs:

The Learned Game by eglantine16

Quarterback Sneak by jayhawkbb

Boxing Out by MeilleurCafe