Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: Thanks for all the AMAZING reviews on Edward's POV. Y'all make me blush and smile!

Chapter 28: Happy New Year

Bella's POV

I always wondered what would change… afterwards.

I wondered where the shift would show up, where the difference would be.

Would the world look different through my experienced eyes? Would colors gleam brighter? Would my sense of smell be heightened?

And what would change with Edward? Would our conversations always have a double meaning? Would we forget everything but our new dynamic? Would I be bold or bashful around him, knowing that he knew me now as he'd never know me before? Would he see me differently?

Would I see myself differently?

Would anything ever be the same again?

I pondered these questions during my pre-wedding soak in the tub, thought about them as Edward drove us here. But once he joined his body to mine and severed all barriers between us, I only had one thought. For all the ways I could describe my feelings about the past four days, the best and most complete was "Yes."

And that was my new answer, wish, and purpose.

Whatever Edward offered and for everything he was, my answer was always "Yes."

"Yes, I would like chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast."

"Yes, I'd love another shower with you."

"Yes…oh, yes…Edward…yes, yes, yeeeeessssss…."

My life was now a repetitive reply in the affirmative, an endless yearning for more and more Edward. I wanted more of his voice, more of his bilingual banter curling in my ear and making my soul sing. I wanted more of his body, to explore his every rock and hard place with greedy fascination. I wanted more of his mind, to know his every thought, dream, and desire, to remember his memories as we created new ones together.

But most of all, I wanted more of his eyes on me, more of that penetrating stare that made me feel loved, coveted, and worshipped all at once. Because after everything I had experienced, nothing was more erotic or endearing than the way I felt as Edward gazed at my naked body.

I will never forget the first time he saw me...

I'd rolled onto my side and shown him the swirling symbol of my commitment. His eyes had darkened to onyx then, but they didn't stay in that blackened shade.

After he discarded my last item of clothing, Edward's eyes met mine. And impossibly, they were my favorite shade of topaz, the molten gold which melted my heart when he declared himself in our meadow. They were shimmering as if fighting tears and lingered on mine for another aching moment before slipping to my nose.

From there, they lighted on my lips, as his tongue darted out to briefly lick his own. His eyes slid over my neck and upper chest before dividing their attention between my breasts. They were bold as they stared, boring into my skin with an intensity that hardened my nipples all over again. They dipped lower still, over my belly and toward my hips.

But the influx of warmth that flooded me when he sighed that beautiful sigh and gazed at my center with such love and devotion…

I turned to smoke and disappeared.

His eyes completed their journey, gliding over my legs and feet and winking at my toes. And with a deliberate upsweep, they met my eyes again as he whispered, "You…you are…"

His unfinished sentence had said far too much, and I was the same no more. For all that happened afterwards, I would often return to that moment of rebirth, basking in its significance. I would remember his eyes, their reverence and relish, and in an instant, I was ready for more.

I chuckled as I looked down at my husband's sleeping face as we lay side-by-side on the living room floor. He had once described me as exactly his brand of heroin, yet I was the one who had developed a serious habit in the past few days.

I had tried to focus on other things, knowing that despite my insatiable appetite for Edward, my body also needed food and rest. But whenever he came near, my needs changed.

He had drawn me a bath the other day to enjoy alone while he prepared me a sandwich in the kitchen. But when he lifted my hand to help me step inside the tub, the innocent contact made me hungry for something else altogether.

I had carried the chess set to our room to give him another chance to defeat me. But once he climbed on the bed and the headboard thumped against the wall, I surrendered my queen to his bishop, and we both won the game.

We even attempted to watch a movie in the living room, thinking that would give me at least two hours of recovery time. I opened the first DVD case and found a note in Emmett's large scrawl—"Don't you know what a honeymoon is for?" After opening four more cases and finding similar insults, I decided to take Emmett's last piece of advice: "Why watch a movie when you can make your own?"

Emmett played a good joke, but his opinion of Edward's sexuality was way off-base. My husband was neither a prude nor a pansy. In fact, he had surprised me with his carnal creativity. I had never imagined he would please me so much, that I could enjoy him in so many ways…

We had covered nearly every square inch of this cottage, including the floors and walls. The kitchen island was too hard for us to lie on together but was the perfect place for him to spread out my body and make a meal out of me.

While on his knees in front of the couch, he'd hit my sweet spot within a few quick strokes, and I'd insisted we make love there at least once a day for the remainder of our honeymoon.

The benches in our closet gave me the best riding leverage and also allowed us to see ourselves from several angles in very flattering lighting.

We'd shot the second movie in there.

And it wasn't just sex. It was the way Edward loved me. His tenderness, his passion, his words. I didn't know he could focus so intently, that he could make the world disappear with a touch. I didn't know his tongue could do such delicious things to so many parts of my body. I didn't know he could be wild one minute and submissive the next, adoring me all the while. I didn't know I could want him this much, need him so much.

I enjoyed our freedom and creativity and soon learned nothing was off-limits. But I would always return to where we started. Something about Edward taking me while I lay on my back in our bed satisfied me as nothing else did: the way our bodies aligned skin-on-skin while our faces were a whisper apart; the angle of his body as he lay between my legs, shielding me from his heaviness as he made me his own; the war in his eyes between his desire to pace and his need to possess.

I traced the contours of Edward's face as my body fought off a shiver. His eyes were closed, his limbs completely still, but the corners of his mouth refused to cooperate.

"You're supposed to be asleep," I scolded as my finger trailed down his nose.

"I'm trying to behave," he grinned.

"You watch me all the time. It's only fair that I get a turn."

"And I agree." His hand caressed my bare leg. "But it's difficult to feign sleep when you're doing such naughty things to me."

"Naughty?" I swung my leg across his hip as his hand continued its ascent. "I thought you rather liked the things I do to you. Mr. Masen."

"Like?" He gripped my left cheek at the sound of his human name, sending a strong shudder up my back. "It seems I must remind you of the true force of my feelings."

"As you wish, Mr. Masen," I murmured as he rolled me onto my back. And as he kissed me again, I forgot to be annoyed at his failed attempt to sleep.

—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—

"I could lie here with you forever," I sighed against Edward's bare chest an hour later. We hadn't gone far, making it only to the couch.

He kissed my hair. "According to your luscious body, you will."

I pressed myself closer. "Hip, hip, hooray."

"God bless your hips. And your shoulders." His hand followed his words. "And your back, and your waist, and your ass, and your…"

"You're getting pretty liberal with your language," I teased, ignoring the arousal that flared at his mild expletive.

"Am I?" he murmured as his hand curled around my waist. "My wife must be a terrible influence."

I leaned up on an elbow. "Is that so?"

"Let us consider the facts: I have been married for a matter of days and now have quite the potty mouth. The only person to logically blame is my wife."

"Interesting theory," I nodded. "But I have better one."

His finger ran a delicate trail up and down my back. "I thought we had exhausted all of your theories."

My body quaked beneath his touch, but I stilled his hand, refusing to be distracted. "New circumstances call for new theories."

"Very well."

"I believe you have been a closet freak all along and only needed the liberation of your honeymoon to let it come out."

"Closet freak?" He laughed aloud, my body shaking along with his. " I suppose we have done some of our best work in closet." He paused, his hand making its way to my face, and I knew we had officially changed the subject.

And I could think of no better way to spend a Monday morning.

—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—

"Can we talk for a minute?" I asked. We had christened the closet once more and were cuddled beneath an afghan on its plush floor.

"Of course," Edward replied. "But only for a minute. The proximity of your glorious nudity won't allow me much more than sixty seconds of focus."

I pursed my lips, and he chuckled. "I want to talk about my change."

Edward nodded. "I was wondering when we would get to that."

"Did you want to discuss it?"

"Naturally." He idly stroked my arm. "But without suggesting that I was pressuring you. You've already promised to become a vampire, Bella. The 'when' doesn't matter to me in the slightest."

"Do you mean that?"

He kissed my cheek. "With all my heart."

I lowered my voice. "So can we do it this summer?"

"This summer?"

"Yes, after graduation?"

Edward was silent for a moment, for too long a moment, and my anxiety returned. I worried he was somehow disappointed in the timeline or having second thoughts about changing me himself.

But those concerns disappeared when he rolled me onto my back and kissed my face and throat. We kissed and rolled and kissed some more until curiosity got the best of me. "So is that a 'yes'?"

"Forgive me for not answering you properly," he murmured against my mouth. "I just…" He expelled a heavy breath, intoxicating me with its sweetness. "I don't know what to do with you."

"Do with me?"

He chuckled at my tone and drew me up to look in his eyes. "Bella, your vow of immortality was a gift almost too great to accept. And I would have been satisfied if you decided to change sometime in your fifties. But in less than seven months…" He shook his head as a tremor rippled through him.

I brought my mouth to his, unable to verbally respond. His lips were cold and tender against mine, and I was reminded again of how right this decision was. He was my soulmate, my sensei and muse, and I would never be away from him ever again.

He dragged his lips away so we could both catch our breath. "So," he panted. "In answer to your beautiful question, yes. This summer, after graduation."

"That takes care of the 'when.' We still have the all-important matters of where and how."

"'Where' won't be a problem," Edward said. "Our family owns several properties worldwide, and we could convalesce at any one of them for as long as necessary. We can select a place on our own or ask Carlisle and Esme if you don't want the others involved."

"No, my siblings should be there too. We're a family now, and we'll make our decisions together." Edward kissed me again, his eyes awash with love, and I nearly forgot what I was saying. "Okay, so…what about how?"

He flinched at the mention of this most difficult detail and swallowed heavily. "We should talk to Carlisle. I am not backing down or changing my mind. But I …I am deeply opposed to the notion of hurting you, even as a gateway to having you forever."

"It's only three days." I rubbed his arm. "I'll survive because I know what's awaiting me on the other side."

"There must be a way to minimize your suffering," he said. "And with seven months to prepare, I will find it."

"Of that, I have no doubt."

We stared at each other for a long time. Although his thoughts were a mystery, I could see the storm brewing in his eyes. Vampiric emotions were more powerful than human ones, and our love was already so great. I could hardly imagine how it would be after my change. The force of the first kiss might be strong enough to kill me, frozen heart or not.

"What are you thinking about?" he murmured as he studied my eyes.

I shook my head. "I'm just so happy you'll be the death of me."

Edward's eyes flashed, and I could feel the shift in the atmosphere. He sighed my name before bringing his lips to mine.

This kiss was light, endearing in its preciousness, and I shivered as his arms enveloped me again. In a moment, I was off the ground, cradled against his chest as he carried me back to our bedroom. He lay me down so gently I barely felt the impact, his hands cupping my face as he continued to kiss me.

His lips were patient as they moved with mine, lingering on my mouth as if we'd already found our forever. He slowly brushed across my cheek to my jawline, taking his sweet time before dipping to the pulse in my throat. I shuddered as he nibbled the delicate skin, my hands sliding into his hair as he covered my chest with cool kisses.

I arched my back in anticipation of his next stop, but he instead placed his lips in the valley between them. I ached for him to touch my breasts, but he teased me with light caresses until his head rolled to the right. He nuzzled me there, circling my nipple with his nose, and I was trembling by the time he took me into his mouth. His tongue lapped me as he suckled, and his tender attention was the sweetest of torture. I didn't want him to stop but needed him to finish, and he chuckled into my flesh as I sighed in frantic frustration.

"Is there a problem?" he asked.

"Edward," I moaned as he palmed my left breast. "You're driving me crazy."

"Hmmm." He lifted his head. "Perhaps a detour might be necessary."

He kissed my left breast with even greater delicacy, and my ready reply faded into silence. The coolness of his lips and tongue was delectable against my warming flesh, and I never wanted him to move.

As he busied himself at my breast, his hands glided higher up my legs before turning inward at my upper thighs. My legs quavered as he separated them, and I gasped as he gingerly parted my pelvic curls. His tongue swirled more quickly around my breast as his fingers worked against my lower sex, rendering me speechless. I bowed my legs at the knees as he brought his lips to mine, and I groaned against his mouth as his two fingers reached my entrance.

His fingers were cool as they slipped inside me, inching forward as I relaxed. He pushed and probed with deft and precision, his fingers coaxing me a hundred different ways while his mouth devoured my lips and neck. I spread my legs as wide as they would go, begging him not to stop as he worked inside me. And when his fingers curled against that tight ball of nerves deep within my walls, I nearly broke my hand as I gripped his shoulders. The feeling was so good, too good, bringing me near the point of combustion. My hips rocked against his rotating hand, desperately seeking that elusive summit. He whispered and cooed as his fingers made love to me, and when I could stand it no longer, his body replaced his hand and claimed me in one smooth thrust.

I called out his name as he filled me with an ecstasy I didn't know existed. He hitched my legs at the knees, and they easily fell farther apart. Edward was ruthless as he stroked me hard and deep, and I was almost afraid of the violent current running through me. I was losing control, the pleasure more than I could take, and I reached for one of the few remaining pillows to muffle my cries.

Edward growled, tossing the pillow across the room, and pinned my wrists against the bed with one hand. I tried to break away, as if I could, but he shook his head and glared at me with black eyes.

"I want to hear you."

He would hear me either way with his inhuman senses, but I knew what he meant. The end was near—I could feel the telltale tingling in my scalp and back—but I clamped my mouth shut, afraid to let it out.

"Stubborn little minx." He held my gaze as he rode me harder, and my vision began to blur.

"I won't come before you do." His teeth grazed my neck as he hissed. "And I won't stop until I hear you."

He scooted me backwards, fastening my legs around his waist as he pressed me against the thrice-repaired headboard. The new angle fought whatever modesty I was claiming, and I wrapped my arms around his neck as my body began to quiver. The roaring in my ears grew steadily louder as Edward urged me on with his body and words.

"Yes, amor," he groaned as he pumped me with impossible speed. "Come for me."

I barely heard his entreaty as I finally let go. An explosion of pleasure detonated between my legs, and the savage within me cried out. Edward refused to relent even now, and with each ensuing thrust, another primal sound escaped my lips. I thrashed against him as he took me higher still, my inner walls convulsing as he joined me in my release. He gripped the sides of the bed as he bucked against me one last time, destroying the frame in the process. I held onto his quaking body when we hit the floor, still riding the wave of our climax. And as we opened our eyes to the mess around us, Edward shrugged.

"So much for sturdy."

—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—o—

As night descended, we'd packed our things and closed the door on our honeymoon. My emotions were ambivalent as we drove away. I was beyond sorry to leave our oasis but overjoyed to return to the world as Edward's wife and lover.

We were now sitting outside the Cullen mansion, our hands clasped together on the center console of the Volvo. Edward's eyes were unreadable as he watched me, yet I perfectly understood their feelings.

"I don't want to share you either," I said. "But we do have a family waiting for us."

"And Esme is five seconds from rushing out here," Edward sighed. "I think she missed you more than me."

"Untrue!" Esme shouted from somewhere inside the house.

"Come on." I kissed his hand with a smile. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can be alone again."

Before I could blink again, Edward was opening my car door with a wide grin. "Then let's go!"

I was surprised that the Cullens didn't attack us on the porch, but Edward confided that Carlisle wanted to remember the moment we entered their house for the first time as husband and wife.

But when we crossed the threshold, the ear-piercing shrieks were an unpleasant surprise.

"Human ears!" I groused as they surrounded us. "Human ears!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Esme gushed as she wrapped me in a hug. "We're so happy to have you home!"

"Home." I rolled the word around in my mouth as a smile flooded my heart. "It's good to be home."

Carlisle was grinning wider than I'd ever seen as he surveyed Edward. "You look good, son."

"I am," Edward said as he looked at me. "Better than ever."

Alice bounced where she stood, moving so fast I could barely see her. "I need to calm down before I hug you, so I'll stand here and watch."

"You act like they're the first couple to have a honeymoon," Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Give me a break."

I smiled at my new sister, remembering her interference may have single-handedly saved my relationship with Edward. "I missed you, too, Rosalie."

She fought a smile as she huffed. "If you had the time to miss me, then someone didn't do his job."

"I don't know about that," Emmett said as he looked me over. "Her lips are swollen. Her skin is flushed and glowing. I think ol' Eddie here may have done it."

"Don't you worry about who did what." Edward shook Emmett's hand. "But I'll thank you in advance to keep your little pranks to yourself next time."

Emmett's laughter boomed through the foyer as Alice explained what she was seeing in his head.

"Now, now," I said to Edward as I approached his brother. "Let's not be too hard on him. After all, it wasn't all bad."

"How soon I forget." Edward murmured as he kissed my hand. "We may very well be in his debt."

Emmett's confusion cut off his amusement. "So you enjoyed my surprise?"

"Very much." I patted his cheek. "Some of your suggestions proved to be quite useful."

Emmett looked between Edward and me, and he slapped Edward's back. "That's what I'm talking about! So what did you do? Take it outside? Do it on the ceiling?"

Emmett's words reminded me of all that we did do, and Jasper hissed from his perch near the stairs. I covered my mouth with my hands, trying in vain to hide my blush. "Sorry."

"I'm happy for you," he grimaced. "But this is unbearable. Please focus on something else."

"Well," Edward drawled as his fingers entwined with mine. "I do have a new appreciation for soft carpeting."

Carlisle choked as Emmett laughed aloud. Jasper glared at Edward, and Alice clapped her hands. "This is so fun!" she trilled. "I'm sorry, love, but you've got to admit. This is the happiest we've been in our entire existence!"

The mention of their existence jogged my memory, and I squeezed Edward's hand. He looked at Alice, and when she shook her head, I realized she'd kept the meaning behind my tattoo to herself. I showed her my plans to thank her later, and she grinned.

"There's something I want to tell you all," I said, and I could feel Edward's smile widening.

"You're pregnant!" Emmett guessed, and Rosalie slapped him. "Not funny," she said.

"I want to be with Edward forever," I said. "So I've made a decision to guarantee that outcome."

Esme gasped as she looked between us. "Are you saying…"

"Yes," I grinned at my husband. "I've asked Edward to change me, and he's agreed."

Before I knew it, my new parents were squeezing me on both sides, crushing me with their excitement. "Still human," I reminded them as the air left my body. They released me with apologies, but their faces were too jubilant for the words to be convincing.

As Emmett scooped me up and twirled me around, I heard Carlisle's voice. "Son…this is truly amazing news."

"I can hardly believe it myself," Edward admitted. "But she keeps reminding me it's real."

"This is so great!" Alice shrieked as she jumped up and down. "Finally, my vision comes true!"

"You're going to be so fun to play with!" Emmett cheered. "Newborns are the best. Hey, can I be there for your first kill? I promise not to laugh if you ruin your clothes."

"Slow down, Emmett," Jasper said seriously. "Let's talk about this." He walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Will you please challenge Emmett to an arm wrestling contest after your change? I'll give you anything you want if you'd beat him just once."

"Ha!" Emmett slapped the wall, denting it with his handprint. "Bella can't beat me, even with her newborn strength."

"Is that a bet?" Jasper challenged with an extended hand.

"You beat your sweet southern ass it is!" Emmett crowed as they shook on it. "And when I beat her, you're going to kiss my feet and declare me 'The King of Everything.' Or buy me an expensive sword."

"Easy, guys," Alice interrupted. "There are still a few things to discuss, starting with the fact that the only feet Jasper will ever kiss are mine."

"We'll see about that," Emmett muttered.

"I see her as a vampire this time next year," Alice explained. "But I can't see the actual change. When is this happening?"

"This summer, after graduation," Edward replied.

Alice stared ahead and exhaled after a moment. "Still good," she grinned. "Nothing will get in the way."

"Edward says you guys own property all over the world," I said to Esme. "Where would you suggest we all go?"

"All?" Rosalie interjected.

"Of course. I want you all to be there. I wouldn't be comfortable if you weren't."

Rosalie seemed surprised, but she merely shrugged. "You're not using our chateau."

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said as Esme folded her hands in thought.

"We do have an island you could use," she said with sudden inspiration.

"An island?" I exclaimed. "As in trees, water, and everything?"

"Carlisle gave it to me for an anniversary," she fluttered. "It's beautiful, remote, and filled with enough wildlife to satisfy all of us and a newborn thirst."

"And the only humans are our minimal staff," Edward said. "So you'll be able to master your control without worry."

"Humans," I breathed, and my heart lurched uncomfortably in my chest. "I'll have to figure out what to tell Charlie when I disappear."

"The college excuse will work," Alice said. "You can take some pictures on campus this summer, and we'll record your voice if we have to. But Charlie won't suspect anything."

I tried to keep my smile as Alice reassured me, but I still had trouble accepting I would have to leave my father behind. I felt the calm descending on me, but it would take more than Jasper's gift to truly ease my mind.

"You won't lose Charlie," Edward murmured as though he heard my concern. "I promise to find a way to keep him in your life."

My spirits lifted at his thoughtful declaration, prompting me to kiss him as if we were alone.

"Good grief," Rosalie scoffed. "Get a room."

"You've got a lot of nerve," Edward growled over my shoulder.

"Ooh, you guys!" Alice checked her wrist and squealed. "It's almost midnight!"

I had forgotten it was New Years' Eve, as I had been celebrating my own holiday for the past several days. Edward's lips left mine, but he didn't release me as the Cullens paired up around us. Carlisle and Esme joined hands, and my sibling couples followed suit. Edward was briefly confused, then we took the outstretched hands of Esme and Alice, closing the circle.

Carlisle smiled at he looked around, his chest seeming to swell with pride. "This is the first time I've rung in a new year with all of my children beside me." He glanced at Edward with gentle eyes. "And now, with our newest addition, our family is complete."

"Bella, there are no words for what you mean to us," Esme continued. "No words for what you've given to Edward and to this family. And although your change is several months away, you are as much as a Cullen tonight as you will ever be."

"God bless you," Carlisle said, "as God has blessed us all with another year to do His good work and enjoy the life He has given us. May we always remember how blessed we truly are. Amen."

"Amen," we chorused as Alice held up her hand and started the countdown.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!"

I turned to Edward as our family broke up into pairs, the love in my heart reflected in his honeyed eyes. He held my hands lightly, rubbing my fingers as we stared at each other. And when Alice, Esme, and Emmett yelled "Happy New Year!" Edward cupped my face as happy tears threatened to spill.

"Happy New Year, Bella," he whispered as an unexpected shower of confetti rained down on us all.

"Happy New Year," I smiled as he brought his face closer.

The kiss was gentle when it began. But a spark of passion charged the air between us, and I tilted my head to taste him more deeply. His arms closed around me, and as our tongues lapped greedily against each other, fresh fire licked its way down my body to the valley between my legs. I shuddered as it ignited, itching to get closer to its consuming flame.

"Esme," Carlisle loudly exclaimed. "I just remembered I have something to show you upstairs."

"Yes!" she said, the tone of her voice slightly off. She smiled at me awkwardly before turning to her husband. "Shall we go now?"

Carlisle directed her toward the stairs and nodded at all of us. "Good night. And uh, Happy New Year!"

As they ghosted upstairs, Alice grabbed Jasper's hand and dragged him toward the back door. "It's time I visited your man-cave and gave it a woman's touch."

Jasper gave Edward a strange look before following his wife out the door. The corners of Edward's mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything.

Before I could ask what was going on, Rosalie headed toward the doorway to the garage without a backward glance.

Emmett watched her retreat and grinned at Edward. "Thanks, Bro!" And with that, he followed Rosalie put of the room and slammed the door behind him.

"What was all that about?" I asked.

Edward's eyes darkened. "It seems our energy was too much for Jasper to handle, so he deflected it to everyone else in the room."

I blushed with understanding. "Oh!"

"Don't be embarrassed," Edward smiled. "We are newlyweds, after all."

"Newlyweds who are suddenly alone."

"So we are." Edward's eyes roamed the first floor of the house before returning to mine. "And what would you like to do, Mrs. Cullen?"

I slipped away from his grasp and walked to the wall across from the kitchen. I turned around and caught him staring at me, the hunger in his eyes but a mirror of my own.

Arching my back against the wall, I searched for the button near the wall sconce, cocking an eyebrow at my very aroused husband.

"Going down?"

Looks like everyone had a Happy New Year in the Cullen family, LOL!

I didn't mean for this chapter to be so long, but Bella had a lot to say. I hope you enjoyed it!

Until next time…

xoxo