Rating: M

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is still bogarting Twilight. I've resorted to Tweeting Edward. He hasn't Twitted me back but he will. Oh, he will.

A/N…T and A, you two are the awsomest, cooliest, grooviest, hippiest, sweetiest Betas everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Oh, Man! You guys rock with the reviews and the favorites and the followers and the… the… you just rock, so thanks for reading my story. I do it for you.

Shrimp Boat? There's a goodie in here for you!

CHAPTER 45

Bella

After we return from our wonderful long weekend, I settle back into my routine of studying and tutoring with Matt. We have covered everything that I have already studied, we are just reviewing to make sure that I am on my game and prepared. Stanford is not an easy university and their motto should be "No Excuses". I do want to do well and it's important that I get through this intensive study.

I need to have a sit-down with Edward.

B: can I take a few of your minutes to talk to you?

E: absolutely. you don't need to ask. you coming here or do I need come to you?

B: I'm in pinkie now. see you in a few seconds.

I run up the stairs to his office and walk down the hall, rapping on Emmett's door as I walk by saying hello as I head toward Edward's office and do the same to Jasper.

I drop off a piece of chocolate cake that Rebecca made for me as a treat for Angie. She now keeps a supply of plastic forks in her desk.

I knock on Edward's door, twice, just like I used to do with Eric, and let myself in. I walk around and kiss him hello then take a seat on his couch, patting the spot beside me, asking him to join me.

"What's up, baby?" He asks.

"I need to talk to you about when my classes start. I know you know how intensive they will be and how things are going to change between you and I." I begin.

"Yes. I am aware." He says, twisting his body facing me.

"Well, it's going to be rough. I'm going to be in my study almost full time. If I don't have my face in my books, I will be on campus or I will be videoconferencing." I look at his face for a reaction.

"Bella, I took a semester of an intensive course in economics. I remember how grueling it was. I was with Leah at the time and I barely saw her and we did okay. You and I will make it. I will make sure of it." He says holding my hand, raising it to run it along his cheek.

"I have already spoken to Rebecca. I told her to take special care in preparing your meals. I want to make sure that you have breakfast before classes. She is also to pack you a lunch when you are on campus because I don't want you to have to eat any of the crap they serve there. You are to eat the meals she prepares for you. And then in the evening, if you are in your study, she is to serve you your meals there. There is only one thing I ask."

"What's that, baby?" I answer him even more in love with him as I listen to him tell me what he has done to help me stay healthy.

"I need to be able to come into your study sometimes to just be in the same room with you. I promise I will be quiet. I just want to share the same space with you okay? I need to be near you." He says still running the back of his hand over the back of mine.

"I would love that, Edward." And with that I jump into his lap and squeeze him tight.

"What about… you know… S. E. X.?" He spells and whispers to me, making me grin at him. I can see a blush in his cheeks and it endears me to him all the more.

"Yes, well, that is a tough one isn't it? I hate to ask this but how did you and Leah manage that?" I ask almost cringing at hearing about his sexual history with her.

"I don't want to talk about that." He says sharply. "Let's work this out between us." He says.

"Well, we could have date nights. You know, nights when I don't have an early class or if I have a day off or something." I suggest hoping it works for him. I know Edward is very sexual and I hope I don't drop the ball in that arena.

"I remember how totally exhausted I was. I was so tired I didn't even want sex. You will feel the same, Bella. You won't even feel like moving, let alone making love. All I can do is be there for you when you need me and hopefully you will want to be there with me, otherwise it's up to me and Molly right here." He says, holding up his right hand giving me the jazz fingers.

"I don't want to promise you anything, but I will try, Edward. But I do want date nights. I want to go out to dinner and spend time with you, alright? I don't want to lose us during these six months." I lay my head on his shoulder contemplating what's coming up the pike for us.

"We'll make it. I'll just jack off in front of you if you don't mind. I find that extremely erotic now that you made me do it for you." He says chuckling at the memory. "That was fucking hot, Bella. I loved every minute of it."

I look down and see that Edward is getting a rather large hard on and I wonder if he is interested.

"You want to do a repeat performance for me, baby?" I ask him as his eyes light up.

"I want to see you touch your cock for me. Would you do that?" I ask in my best seductive voice.

"Only if I can watch you finger your pussy." He responds.

I get up to lock the door and slowly take my jeans and panties off, going to Edward's bathroom for a wet cloth.

By the time I get back he has removed his jeans and has his hard cock in his hand, stroking it as I stand there and watch with each seductive stroke he takes up his length then back down, twisting his fist as he goes. I watch because I want to learn what touch he likes and who knows better than himself.

I walk up to him and guide him backward to the couch and he sits, all the while pulling on his dick, never missing a beat. I think he enjoys watching me watch him. I take a seat at the opposite end of the couch and I face him, leaning back on the arm rest and lifting one leg on the seat, leaving the other on the floor. I stick my finger in my mouth to moisten it before I insert it between my wet lips.

Edward's lips part slightly and his breathing hitches as his focus is on my pussy now. I use one hand to separate my lips so he can see and use the other to stroke my clit, dipping inside for some moisture there.

Edward's hand makes long, tight strokes, barely twisting along the rim then back down. I can see moisture seeping out of him and I can't help but lick my lips. He runs his finger across the tip and moves to stick his finger in my mouth where I suck on it hard.

After he pulls his finger out, he lowers his hand to my entrance, running his fingers through my juices then showing me how wet his fingers are. He then licks my essence off his fingers and goes back to stroking his cock for me.

I feel the sensation build in the pit of my stomach and Edward knows I'm about to cum because his touch becomes more intense. I am so turned on watching him pleasure himself that I can't hold it any longer.

"Baby…" I whisper when I look into his eyes.

"Let me see you cum for me, Bella." He says quietly as he strokes his dick harder and faster.

"Right now, Edward." I say keeping my eyes focused on his, circling my clit faster, feeling it build and finally explode as I moan quietly, my body shuddering with the intensity.

I watch Edward just as he grabs the cloth to catch his stream before it goes God knows where. I see him bite his bottom lip to keep his groan inside so no one will hear.

"Jesus, Bella, you are fucking stunning when you cum." He says lowering his eyes as he watches me continue to touch myself.

He drops to the floor and grabs my legs, pulling me toward him and his mouth latches onto me, sucking on my already swollen and sensitive clit and bringing me to another orgasm before I have a chance to fully recuperate from the first one.

He inserts his longest finger inside me, finding my sweet spot as he licks and teases my clit, bringing me close to a g-spot orgasm then stopping just to tease me.

"Ohmygod, Edward, please baby, please." I beg.

"What, baby? What do you want?" He asks as he strokes me inside again.

"Please let me cum. I need to cum, Edward." I beg, my eyes are clenched tight and I feel it building again.

"Please let me… oh fuck… Edward… now baby." I hear my voice but I don't know what I'm saying when I explode in Edward's mouth as he is relentlessly stroking inside of me. I feel myself bucking off the edge of the couch when I feel him rise up on his knees and he thrusts inside of me hard and fast.

He sits back on his heels and pulls me down onto his lap and I'm on my knees, straddling him as he fucks me hard. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on to him as he lifts me then pulls me down onto him. I stop and just move my hips back and forth over his cock and he holds tightly onto my hips feeling me move over him.

"Oh God, Bella." And I feel him explode inside of me hard and he nearly takes my breath away as he squeezes me too tight, I can't breathe until he releases me.

"You didn't cum." He says, sounding concerned.

"What do you mean? I came three times, Edward."

"No, like this. Here, like this." He means I didn't cum with him inside me, which is rare.

"Sweetie, I had three orgasms. After three it takes a while to build up to a fourth one. I'm happy I was able to focus on you for a change and watch you have a mind blower." I say kissing his neck and nibbling his earlobe.

"You better stop that before someone comes knocking on my door, which surprisingly hasn't happened yet."

He's right and we jump up and head for Edward's bathroom to get cleaned up and dressed. I just hope it doesn't reek of sex in here and before someone says something we decide to open the door and have Edward walk me down to Pinkie before someone comes in.

"Did we get your issues taken care of that concerned you Bella?" Edward asks as he walks me to Pinkie.

"I think so, but it's important that we talk about things if it gets too intense okay? Like the sex thing. If you don't think I'm fulfilling my end of the bargain, I need you to tell me." I say, smiling at the nooner we just had.

"If I feel that way, I KNOW I'm going to start jacking off in front of you. I know that shit turns you on, baby." He says, kissing me quickly before I get in my seat.

"I'll be home around 5:00, okay." He says, bending to give me a kiss and then waves as I drive away.

I decide to go visit Esme for a bit and see what she and the girls are up to, if they are here. I smile at how much I love making love to him. My fiancé. I wonder when we will be telling everyone our news.

~BD~

The rest of the week goes by in a blur. Besides me mentally stressing over the start of classes, I had the tuition to take care of, getting my syllabus and seeing if I had any homework due the first day of classes AND taking practice flights in Edward's helicopter. He flew me over the campus and showed me where we would be landing. We had landed on the hotel rooftop and then went in and introduced ourselves to the manager. Edward explained our situation and I'll be darned if the manager didn't agree to provide me transportation from his hotel to the very building where my classes will be held. Of course, Edward did agree to provide him with a supply of various selected wines at no cost to the hotel.

We also stopped in for an appointment Edward made with the Dean and introduced ourselves. We briefly explained the situation with him and hoped that Edward's security detail wouldn't pose a problem for the University. Edward had told him that the men would be discreet and would not interfere with any classes or the students. We were told that they would not be permitted in class.

I now feel comfortable that everything in my universe is in alignment. I just need to get through this and ace my classes. A minor technicality.

On Saturday and Sunday, Edward and I spent as much time alone as we possibly could. I cooked for him, we watched movies, we read, we made lots and lots of love and we just hung out together knowing that the next six months was going to be hell.

Sunday evening, we decide to dress for dinner, enjoying prime rib roast, when Edward asks me to dance. It brings back fond memories of our dinner at Squaw Valley.

"I want you to know that I support you all the way, Bella. If there is anything you ever need, I want you to ask, alright?" He pulls back to look into my eyes.

"Yes, Edward. Thank you. I will" I say, laying my head against his chest.

I feel Edward take hold of my hand as we slowly sway to my favorite sound of George Winston's Thanksgiving. I am lost in the sound and lost in Edward when I feel him slip a ring on my finger.

"I finally found the one I wanted you to have." I stop dancing and look at the ring. It looks vintage with a large diamond in the middle.

"It's beautiful, Edward. I love vintage jewelry. Where did you find it?" I ask still staring at the beautiful ring.

"It was my grandmothers." He says, kissing the top of my head.

I gasp as I look at it.

"Oh, Edward. Oh my." I can't believe he is giving me his grandmother's ring.

"I had it redesigned to accommodate a diamond upgrade and had a few of the filigree pieces repaired, but all in all it's still her ring and I've always liked it." He says admiring it on my finger.

"I just love it, Edward. Thank you for entrusting me with it." I hold out my hand to admire it. "What does this mean?" I ask.

"It means we are officially engaged and it means that I am not going to hide it any longer. Do you have a problem with that?" He asks, kissing my ear, knowing it's my weakness.

"No, baby. I don't have a problem with that." I say, near panting, when he abruptly stops and gets on the phone.

"Hi, mom. Is the crew there for dinner tonight? Good, we'll be right over." He says, and then hangs up.

"Let's go."

We drive the Black Beast over to his parent's house and enter through the back door, finding the family just hanging out and visiting.

"You're all dressed up, did you go out for dinner?" Alice asks.

"No, we had dinner at home tonight." Edward says.

"Um…" Edward starts, fidgeting a little. "I have a small announcement to make. I have asked Bella to marry me and she said yes." Is all he says when the girls scream and everyone jumps up. They rush over to me and smother me in hugs.

"There. Now we will all be sisters." Alice says. "Jazz said Edward was going to ask you so I knew it would happen."

"Well, actually he asked me about a week ago but we didn't want to say anything to dampen the excitement over yours and Rosalie's engagement announcements and Edward wanted to wait for my ring." I say and then I hold out my hand to show the girls.

"Oh my, that looks vintage." Rosalie says. "I just love it." She says as she inspects the intricate details of the ring.

"It was Edward's grandmother's ring."

Rosalie and Alice are silent for a moment then smile at Edward. Alice kisses his cheek first. "It's perfect, Edward."

Rosalie is next and kisses his other cheek, "Thank you for taking care of our girl, Edward."

"It's my pleasure, I assure you." He says, smiling at the thought.

I watch as Carlisle takes Edward to his office to talk privately and Esme walks up to give me a congratulatory hug.

"Bella, you have brought so much joy and happiness to my home and I thank you for that. In one single weekend you have made all three of my sons the happiest I have ever seen them. One day all four of us ladies will sit down and I will share some of their wild antics and some of the women they met. It is quite entertaining." She says, laughing at a memory. "But you three ladies have brought my boys to their knees. A feat I never thought was possible. Each and every one of them loves you girls like I have never seen them love before. It is a pleasure to see."

I stand and listen to her speech and I see Rosalie and Alice look back into the living room where Jasper and Emmett sit on the couch watching a baseball game.

"I, for one, know how intense Jasper's love for me is. Every day I wake up feeling loved and cherished. He makes me feel special and unique. He allows me to be myself and helps me embrace my inner being. I love him more for that than anything." Alice says looking at Jasper again. "I can't wait to give him the children he wants."

"Yes, Jasper has always wanted a son to carry on the Cullen name, but with you Alice dear, I can see him wanting little dark haired princesses for him to dote on." Esme hugs Alice affectionately.

"I have three new daughters." She says looking at us. "After saying 'my boys' and 'sons' for so long, it is strange to say I have daughters now." She smiles at that when we see Edward returning with his dad.

"Okay, I'm taking my girl home. She has a big day tomorrow so you all won't be seeing a lot of her for a few months. Please be patient with her while she gets through this, alright?"

"We will pop in to see you from time to time, alright Bella?" Alice says.

"Just don't any of you go off and get married without me, okay? I want to be there and I want to participate."

"Oh, by the way, I've thought on this long and hard. How do you select a maid of honor when you have two best friends? So, I want both of you to be my maids of honor. I want both of you up there with me." I say looking at my two girls and their eyes get huge and they both start squealing.

"We were thinking the same thing. It's impossible to choose, so we won't." Rosalie says, unusually giddy.

"There, it's settled. We will stand together." Alice hugs us both. Edward comes and takes my hand, leading me home.

~BD~

"You nervous, baby?" Edward asks as we walk toward the helicopter.

"No, but I'm glad you gave me a test ride in it." I reply.

"I'm talking about your first day of school." He says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

I am nervous only in that I want to do well. I am nervous about spending time with Edward and my friends or the lack thereof, I should say. I'm nervous about having security with me all the time and how it will affect the people around me on campus.

"No, not really. Just first day jitters." I say, smiling at him.

I watch Edward approach the three men standing by the car, speaking to them firmly.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, this is something you have probably heard before but I need to say it again. This is a busy campus with lots of people. You have seen pictures of Tanya and Jacob and I hope you have their faces burned in your memory. Because God forbid if one of them gets near her." He says, shaking their hands and walks me to the passenger seat of the helicopter and buckles me in tight. "I love you, baby." He says and I smile telling him I love him too. And then we are off.

Today I have classes in environmental law, legal studies and business and commercial law. Tomorrow is international and comparative studies, which I will do via conferencing. Then Wednesday is civil procedure, taxation law and legal theory. Thursday and Friday I need to appear in class for my remaining courses but next week I will be able to attend via conferencing with the exception of a few lab days so the travel to Stanford has been cut down to two days with periodic attendance.

I have met so many people today that I can't even think let alone remember their names, but one girl in particular seems like one that I would like to have as a study partner. She has the same outlook as me in that we want to do well and graduate early.

"That's a beautiful ring. When is the wedding?" Lauren asks admiring my new ring.

"We haven't set a date yet but definitely after this." I run my hand over my books sitting on the table. "Edward would do it now if I asked but I want to wait until I am finished here."

"Edward? Hmmm, that's a common name. Is he from here?" she asks and I shake my head. "I know a few Edward's but only one worth committing to memory." She says with a smile. "That's Edward Cullen at Volturi. Have you seen him? God is he handsome. I hear he is next to impossible to catch too. Rumor is that he got hurt really bad by a woman and hasn't been able to commit since. I'd make him forget her for sure."

I listen to her talk about my Edward and I smile as I play with my ring.

"Wait. Bella? Your Edward isn't the Cullen Edward is it?" She looks at me wide eyed.

I just look at her and smile then get back to my books.

"Well… you lucky bit…" She says. "Sorry. But man, he is so good looking."

"I know and I get to look at him every day." I say and we both giggle and get back to our studies.

My classes end at 3:30 but I tell Edward that I want to work in the library until 5:00 with Lauren and for him to meet me on the roof at 5:30, it works out perfectly. I get butterflies in my stomach when I hear the sound of his helicopter and I look up and smile at Lauren.

"Is that him?" She asks and I nod my head yes.

"You are so lucky." Lauren pouts.

I am so happy to see him standing there waiting for me. You would think we have been separated for weeks rather than just a few short hours.

"God I missed you today, baby." He says, pulling me tight against him. "It was hell not being able to talk to you. I hope I get used to this soon." He says, walking me toward the helicopter. The two agents are already in the back waiting for us when Edward straps me in.

"How was it today?" He asks, making sure my buckles are tight.

"It was good. I will tell you over dinner then I have homework." I say, kissing him before he shuts the door.

~BD~

That is my life for the next several weeks until Edward and I decide to take some time and kick Billy and Rebecca out for the weekend and spend some quality time together. No studies, no winery, just Edward and Bella. It was time well needed and well spent.

I pack us a picnic lunch of fried chicken, potato salad, fruit salad, and chilled Semillon. I also pack my iPod and my ratty old copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

"Let's go for a ride." I say to Edward taking my picnic basket and a quilt and walk toward the back door. "You have to suffer Pinkie. Deal with it." I say smiling at him.

"Gladly if it means spending time alone with you." He says kissing me soundly.

I place the basket and blanket in the trunk and head toward the tree. I visibly exhale the breath I am holding hoping that there were no other occupants there when we pull up. I look over at Edward and he is smiling from ear to ear.

We spread the blanket and I set up the iPod system. I select the playlist I created just for Edward. He opens the wine and pours for us and we just lay back and enjoy the music and being with each other.

After a while of silence Edward begins to move, saying he is hungry so I dish us each a plate and we sit and talk about school and the winery. I look out over the vineyard and see the vines are in bloom and the valley is beautifully green.

"So now that the vines are in bloom, what's next? How long before harvest? You call it crush, right?" I ask, eager to learn more.

"Yes, we call it crush, but most call it harvest. It's an English term that we adopted." He explains, smiling at me.

"Right now the vines are in bloom. Then the berry set lasts for about two months then harvest starts in August, depending on the grape. But full harvest is August through September. Then in November we cover the crop and then the seeding starts. The vines go dormant in December, and then the process starts all over again." He explains and I absorb.

"How many bottles of wine does a barrel produce then?" I ask, taking a bite of cheese from the basket.

"Well, let's see. You are taxing my educational memory here. A barrel produces 295 bottles of wine and uses 740 pounds of grapes." He answers.

"Those are pretty accurate numbers, Edward. Is it always specifically 295 bottles per barrel and exactly 740 pounds of grapes? Is it ever 750 or 741 pounds?"

"It's a science Bella. Number specific. It's all about the "recipe", remember?" He reminds me.

"So, what is the cost of the grapes to produce, say, a $20 bottle of wine then?" I continue my inquiry.

"Approximately $2.60." He replies immediately.

"That's quite a markup."

"Well, you just asked me how much the cost of the grapes were per bottle. There are so many other factors and costs involved in producing a bottle of wine. It's not just about the grape. It's the cost of planting, tending, harvesting, fermenting, and producing. Then there's manpower and other incidentals. There are a lot of costs per process phase, Bella."

"Yeah, I guess. I never thought of that. I just open and drink." I say, smiling.

"What is it about your recipe that the Denali's want it so badly? That they have risked so much to get it? Their desire for it seems pretty extreme."

"Well, number one, it is proven. Our blends sell. We have the most successful winery in the country. We are ranked number one in the U.S. and third worldwide. They want what we have. Success." He answers honestly. He lays us down on the quilt as I continue my inquisition.

"You said that there were codes instilled in the computer that would taint the recipe should anyone try to use it. What do you mean by that? What will happen if someone used your stolen recipe to produce wine?" This is something I have heard Edward talk about often but was always curious how it would work.

"Well, like I said it's a science. There are units and measures and procedures. We had false measurements coded in for situations like this. If anyone wrongfully used our recipe, they will have used a good portion, if not all of their season's crop to produce their product for that particular year. It takes approximately 14 months to ferment. They will begin testing their product for acidity levels and high tannins, among others and it won't be long that they will find out that every barrel they filled has rotted and will be useless and will have to be destroyed. They will not be able to produce a single bottle out of this year's crop and since they are already in financial straits, they will lose everything. It's not if, it is when." He continues. I can tell he has thought long and hard on this and is ready when the time comes.

"I plan on buying the property as soon as it becomes available. I will purchase it at any cost. I want that land."

We spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying each other, reading, napping and making love… repeatedly.

It is when I wake with a chill that Edward says it is time to go home. I sigh because I thoroughly enjoyed my quiet time with him today. I enjoyed learning about what he does and I was happy that he shared with me what the Denali's were up to.

"Do you think it's strange that Tanya and Jacob have been so quiet lately? We haven't seen nor heard from them for several weeks now. It almost feels like the calm before the storm." I say, and Edward and I look at each other as we contemplate this.

"Yes. I have thought about this and trust me, Jenks is on it. He is watching them and so far it is just a lot of Tanya going back and forth between the winery and Jacob's apartment. Jacob has not stepped outside of his apartment. Don't worry, babe, we are watching them, okay?"

"Okay." I say, still concerned. I wish this whole stupid thing would just stop.

"I won't let anything happen to you, Isabella." He says, laying me down for a final kiss before we head home.

"Will you make love to me once more before we go?" I ask.

"You took the words right out of my mouth, baby."

A/N: Awwwe a little alone sexy time. So Edward gave her his grammie's ring. I love that about him. Hope you liked the little lemon drop I threw in earlier. I am soooo jealous of them. I want me an Edward dammit. Anyway, tell me your thoughts down there alright chick-a-dees. I love to hear what you say.