AN: Hello all! My summer vacations are behind me and I have some more time on my hands, hence the new chapter! It's not long, but I hope you enjoy

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Chapter 24

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Edward was waiting for me when I returned home. With takeout from our favorite Asian place laid out on the table and a shy smile on his face.

"Hey babe," I greeted with my most sincere smile of the day.

"Hey yourself," he responded as he walked forward and gently embraced me.

I gripped him tightly, pressing my face into his neck and just breathing him in. "God, I missed you today," I whispered, my words coming out a bit more emotion-filled than I had planned.

He just squeezed me a bit tighter, before pulling back to look into my eyes.

"Everything okay baby?" he asked with concern.

"Yeah, just a crap day. And, I really wanted to be with you… not run out the door before you even woke up. I'm sorry." Just seeing Edward again brought back that overwhelming feeling of protectiveness.

"Hey, Em, it's okay," he soothed. "I am fine…and your note was really sweet."

"Yeah?"

He responded with an unhurried kiss that left me wanting more. "Yeah," he breathed.

"Well, come on." He pulled me further into the room. "Why don't you change and come relax with me. I ordered some food."

"Sounds perfect," I agreed. "Just give me a couple minutes."

***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE***EE ***EE***

Our evening together was perfectly relaxing. There was no talk of my day with Aro or of Edward's past. We both silently agreed to just enjoy each other's company and simply be together. It was exactly what I needed and seemed to be what Edward needed as well.

There is a time and place for serious discussions and a time for quiet companionship. Both were important and necessary to our relationship. We seemed to be finding a good balance between the two and it gave me great hope for our future together.

I was so glad that Edward still felt comfortable with my touch and with being held after all the experiences he's been through. It certainly gave me more insight into his reluctance to move forward with our physical relationship. I had vowed before to take things slow with him and I was even more determined to do so now. I would let him take the lead and let me know if and when he was ready for more. I never want to hurt my sweet, beautiful man.

We had been curled up on the couch for a while, just relaxing and watching a mindless comedy. I was pretty exhausted from the day's events and could feel myself beginning to nod off. I decided not to fight it. Edward had been spending the night more often than not, so I wasn't worried about that. Just as I was about to drift off, Edward broke in with a soft question that jarred me from all thoughts of sleep.

"Hey, Em? Do you think you'd like to have dinner at my place tomorrow night?"

It took my sleep-fogged mind a few moments to think clearly. Had he really just said that? His place? I was so shocked that my brain couldn't form the right words, so I reached for his hand and squeezed tight.

"Edward, I…are you sure you're ready for this? I just…I don't want to push you if you're not ready yet."

"No…I – I think….well, I…" he gripped my hand as he spoke softly and uncertainly. "Emmett, I trust you. There is…" he let out a sharp breath and continued, "There is still more about my past that I need to tell you…and to be honest…I don't think I am ready yet…But I will be someday and I…and I feel like I can tell you anything."

He looked up and met my eyes unwaveringly, even though he continued to stumble over his words. It was quite endearing. "Em, I am not ready to tell you…everything yet. But, I am ready to share this part… more of my life with you. You…you haven't pressured me at all. I need this and…yeah," his voice trailed off as he gave me a self deprecating smirk.

I gave him a heartfelt smile in return and took both his hands in mine. "Edward, thank you for trusting me. That means the world to me. And if you are ready, then dinner sounds like a plan." By the time I finished speaking my smile had turned into a huge grin. We were moving forward and he trusted me. That was everything.

"And just so you know," he said in a more confident and sultry voice, "I won't be serving mushroom risotto."

It took me a moment to catch his meaning. When I finally caught on, I punched his arm lightly in mock anger, before busting a gut with laughter.

Edward gave me an affectionate smile before giggling along with me.

"Good one Eddie," I breathed with amusement.

The humor ended abruptly the moment I spoke those words.

As soon as I called him Eddie, he stiffened visibly, his whole body tense. The easy camaraderie from just seconds before had vanished.

"Please don't call me that," he whispered with his eyes averted.

I was dumbfounded by his reaction. I don't even know why I called him that. It's always been Ed or Edward or beautiful or babe. Never Eddie. I guess this was the first and last time.

"I'm sorry Edward. I don't even know where that came from," I said sincerely as I shrugged my shoulders.

He relaxed minutely, but still wouldn't look at me.

"Hey, babe," I said softly as I cupped his face. "Really, I am sorry. It won't happen again. Forgive me?"

"It's okay Em…you didn't…I know you didn't mean anything by it…it's just…I just really don't like to be called…that…" He finally looked at me, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

God, could I ever get anything right where Edward was concerned? I always have to open my big mouth and shove my foot in it. What an idiot.

I opened my mouth to try and say – something, but he beat me to it, "Just…please forget it Em. Don't feel bad, baby. It's not your fault. Please…I'm just…" he choked on his words as a single tear spilled over.

"Shh," I soothed, "Okay beautiful. It's forgotten. No worries, babe."

We sat there for a few minutes, before the earlier exhaustion began to settle in again. "Come on," I said gently pulling my sweet man off the couch, "Let's go to bed, okay?"

"Yeah," he responded softly, "That sounds good. Sorry for freaking out on you."

"Hey," I chided, "No worries, remember."

He turned his head, giving me a chaste kiss and a soft smile.

"Okay then," I said, pulling him gently to the bed, where we collapsed and I fell asleep almost immediately.