Chapter Twenty-One

"Are you sure?" Edward asked, wiping his forehead with a bandana he pulled from his back pocket.

"Yeah, I'm so sorry," Bella said softly. The background noise was making it hard to hear her. "I want to see you, too, but Angela needs to get back. Her grandparents are visiting, and she hadn't seen them in over a year."

Edward ignored his coworkers giving him shit, taking the call further away from the construction in the backyard of the client's house. Bella and Angela were on the way home, having spent the last week at the beach house without him. They had hoped they'd be able to stop by for a couple of hours in Portland, but Angela's family called to tell her to hurry home.

"I understand, but it fucking sucks." He walked to the front of the house and grabbed a bottle of Gatorade from his ice chest, taking a small drink. The company he worked for were adding a new porch in the backyard; thankfully, they just started lunch. "I miss you."

"I miss you" seemed like such an understatement when it came to Bella. Edward ached for her, and not only in the sense of lust and desire, or sex. Being around her made him feel a hundred times better; it was hard to describe, since happy didn't seem like enough, either. His dog, Riker, was as miserable as he was, even though they'd talked daily since he left Cayucos.

"Call me when you get in, please. You know I'll worry if you don't." He would, especially since they had to pull off the road once to fix a blown tire earlier.

"I wi—," she said, but the sound of a horn honking cut her off. "Hey, asshole, try using your blinker next time."

"Are you stuck in traffic?"

"Yeah, I have to go, Edward." She stated they were fine, but decided to find somewhere for a bathroom break and a bite to eat. "Do you know what's good around here to eat?"

How would he know? "What?" The car horn had his head snapping up as Angela's car pulled up to the curb. "The fuck?" Bella waved from the passenger seat, grinning like a goof. He ran to her door to pull her out and into his arms. "I thought you left Cayucos only a few hours ago."

She shook her head, breathing in deeply, her hands tightening around his neck and shoulders. "Is this a good surprise?"

"I'd say fucking amazing." He looked up and met Angela's smiling face. "Thank you," he mouthed to her. "If I would've known you were doing this, I would've gotten off work early."

Damn, he hoped his boss wouldn't mind.

"Give me a few minutes," he said, giving Bella a small kiss. It wasn't anywhere near enough. Bella only smiled, shooing him away.

He stepped into the backyard and found his boss, Joe, leaning against one of the posts they'd put up an hour before. The man wasn't as tall as Edward was, but his bulk was considerable. He reminded him a little of his cousin, Alec—same dark eyes and hair, too. "Something tells me you're leaving."

Edward winced, nodding. "My girlfriend dropped by for a couple of hours. I haven't seen her for a week."

"That explains how hard you've been working, a lot more hours than I expected." Joe laughed. "Besides, she called earlier to explain." The other two workers, Garrett and Mitch, made whipping sounds. Alec probably had given Bella Joe's number; he owed him for that. "Be here an hour early."

Whipped or not, Edward didn't give a fuck what they thought. All that mattered was that Bella was there to see him, even if it was only for a couple of hours.

In less than ten minutes, they were eating at diner in Portland, laughing it up at some of the trouble Bella and Angela had gotten into in the last week. He was happy they managed to have a good time with Alice and Jasper.

Bella sat beside him as Angela teased her from across the table. "You should've seen her, Edward. She was up there on the stage, singing her heart out." Apparently, they'd gone to a karaoke bar and performed a few times. "She was thinking of you the whole time."

"And what was the song?" he asked, tickling his girlfriend's side. Bella playfully zipped her lips, only for them to part to pop in a fry. "Angela will tell me." He turned his attention to Bella's longtime friend and gave her look, going in for the kill. The first day they all met, Bella said Angela hadn't stopped mentioning his incredible green eyes. "Won't you tell me, Angela?"

Angela groaned and shook her head. "He's dangerous, Bella. You'll never be able to say no to that face."

Edward couldn't help but smile, draping his arm across Bella's shoulders. "She hasn't yet." His girlfriend, feeling feisty, slapped his stomach hard enough to make him groan. "Aw, don't be mad," he kissed her temple, laughing as she sighed. "Please tell me."

"What Makes You Beautiful," Angela blurted out, giggling. "She couldn't resist since it reminds her of your performance." He knew that his lip-syncing number of a One Direction song would likely follow him for years.

Edward tried hard not to laugh, but it was impossible. "Should I moon you again?" he asked Bella, a corner of his mouth lifting higher.

"I'll kick that white ass if you do that here!"

An hour later, full of good food and company, they left to walk down the street to where they parked Angela's car and Edward's truck. "Well, I'll do some window shopping," Angela said, sharing a look with Bella. "Why don't we meet back here in an hour?"

"Sounds good to me. See you then." Edward and Bella watched as Angela walked into a clothing store not too far from the diner. Bella turned her attention to him and smiled. "Now what are we going to do for that hour?"

"If I had a private place to take you, I'd have you naked in a minute, but since we don't, we can go make out in my truck." He wrapped her up in his arms and lifted her up, almost swinging her around. "I'm kidding, as much as I'd like to do that, I smell like hell."

Bella scrunched her nose a little. "I wasn't going to say anything, but you do." He set her on her feet and held her hand. They decided to walk around and it wasn't long before they stumbled into a photo booth.

"Oh will you look at that," Edward said, maneuvering her inside. "I had no idea they had one here." He didn't fool Bella, but from the enthusiasm in her kiss, she hardly cared. Her soft lips, the same ones he often dreamed of, remained on his for a while, their breathing harsher when they pulled away. His forehead pressed against hers, her legs wrapped tightly around him. "Hello," he said. His voice rough and his throat dry.

"Why are you saying hello now?" Her brow tightened in a little in confusion, but he took the time to explain his thoughts when they last parted. How he couldn't tell her that he was falling in love with her in the same breath as goodbye, and he wanted to wait until he could say hello again.

After a few seconds, she smiled. "Hello, Edward." Her arms tightened around his neck, as his lips pressed on her shoulder. "I'm falling in love with you, too." A sound that she could only describe as relief escaped him. "You made it so easy."

Bella and Angela left shortly after meeting near the diner, and the only word they exchanged before Angela drove away was hello.

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Plans to meet mid-July fell through when Bella's father ended up in the hospital due to a robbery at a local gas station. Charlie pulled through, thankfully, but because the bullet went through the bone of his leg, he was unable to do much. The man was less than pleased to find out that he would not be able to take Bella to school.

They'd been Skyping for about ten minutes. "I don't know what to do," Bella said, sighing as she sipped from a drink. "Mom can't take me because we both know my dad will get up when he's not supposed to. He refuses to have someone stay with him because 'he's a grown man'." She lowered her voice in a poor attempt to imitate a man, with a scowl included. It was fucking cute. "It doesn't help that freshmen aren't allowed a vehicle."

She was pouting, and though it was a serious matter, Edward couldn't help but chuckle at the way her arms flailed about; she really did talk with her hands.

"What are you laughing at?" She glared at him through the screen, not looking particularly fierce but beautiful, nonetheless.

Her small frame and stature would make any would-be assailant feel that she was hardly a threat; deception at its finest. Edward had come to learn that she was quite skilled in a few forms of martial arts and growing more efficient as she continued her training. Her Uncle Emmett and Aunt Rose had taken her to one self-defense class after the crap with Peter and she kept going. She even convinced him to look into it and he had, when time allowed for it.

"Are you aware that you talk with your hands?" He never mentioned it to her, but had someone else?

Her eyes narrowed, and then she looked fierce. "I do not." To prove her point, they continued to discuss possible arrangements to get her things to California without paying for shipping. Her hands remained off camera, but it made him think that they were currently under her ass. "You're still laughing!" She waved her hands up in the hair and growled. He wasn't able to curb his laughter and shook when it took over. "Fine! I talk with my hands. That should make you happy since my boobs are flapping in the wind and all that."

Her words made him stop and look more closely at his screen, but her arms had fallen to her sides. "Wait, I missed it. Do it again."

"Oh my God, now you can't stop looking at my boobs."

He cocked his head to one side and smiled. "I miss you."

"Same here, but can we be serious? I need any suggestions."

"I have one, but I'm not sure your father will be happy with anything we come up with," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "What are you doing later?"

Confusion marked her forehead and brows again, but she answered. Edward had a plan and told her all about it. All he had to do was talk to his mother and father. An hour later, he heard the front door open downstairs and he joined his parents, ready to give them an olive branch.

It was up to them to take it.

Three hours later, dressed in dark jeans and a light blue button-up shirt, he knocked on Bella's door. He breathed in deeply, nerves getting the best of him. His father lay a hand on his shoulder in a show of support that he desperately needed. His mother fidgeted beside him, but offered him a smile. They hadn't hesitated when he asked if they'd come with him to meet Bella's parents and personally suggest that he and Bella drive down to California together.

He heard the sound of someone running to the door before it swung open. His matching smile to Bella's was the perfect greeting, especially when they accompanied with a meaningful hello. It wasn't long after they hugged that she led them to the living room and introduced Edward and his parents to Bella's, as well as her aunt and uncle.

Apparently, it was a family affair.

Edward didn't mind; the love and support they showed her seemed apparent. As they discussed the plans down to the last detail, it became clear that he'd have the same kind of support from his parents.

Bella asked him once in the last few weeks to try to see things through their eyes and he had, even understood their worries. He'd done his best earlier to help alleviate some of them and it became obvious that they would offer their support in his decision to attend college out of state. Fear of the past, of the son they lost still scared them, but they seemed willing to trust him.

Edward and Emmett helped Charlie up and into a car so they could all head out to dinner. Bella's father was mostly tightlipped throughout the discussion and dinner, but Edward understood that, too. He was, in a way, losing his little girl. Bella often laid her head on his shoulder, and though he didn't show outward affection. What he did display was more subtle, but just as tender. His face would tinge pink whenever she kissed his cheek or said how much she'd miss him, and the way he looked at her, almost as if it only yesterday he had held her from the first time in his arms.

Later that night, Edward asked Bella to take a walk.

"I'm so glad you came," she said, her body tight against his side. "Your plan works out perfectly and helps out my dad, which if it wasn't obvious, is not easy for him to ask for. Emmett would go with me to California, but with my aunt due soon, it's not a good idea."

"It's a long drive," Edward said, grateful for the lit up sidewalk since it was later than they expected. He knew they would need to leave soon, since they still had a two-hour drive back to Portland, and he needed to be up at dawn for work. He wasn't quite ready yet, though. "I'll feel better knowing you aren't doing it alone."

She hummed and looked over her shoulder to her house. "Come on," she said, slipping her hand in his and running down the street. It wasn't long before a playground came into view. It was tucked away, but still visible from a few houses nearby. It didn't seem to matter to her, though, pushing him to sit on top of the table as she stepped between his thighs.

His arms wrapped around her in a grip tight enough for her to exhale sharply, but she nuzzled his chest, her hands running up and down his back for a few minutes. Over the last couple of weeks, they had gotten to know each other better. They both shared the need for a silence every once in a while, to gather themselves, to think of the last few days and the ones that lay ahead, or sometimes, just not think of anything. Edward found comfort in that it was something they could do together.

She pulled away to offer him a smile. His hand lifted to brush her lips with the tips of his fingers and skim along her cheek and into her hair. Their mouths met in a tentative kiss that reminded him of their first. They kept it short, but from the way their bodies tried to eliminate all the space between them, they knew they wanted much more.

His lips trailed from mouth to her ear, earning a soft moan. "I love you," he whispered. She didn't pull away or stiffen, but relaxed further in his arms. To keep her from saying it in return, though he could see it was on the tip of her tongue, he kissed her again, wanting to prolong the moment.

She used her secret weapon of his ticklish spot on his side, gaining freedom. "I love you, too." Her arms wrapped around his head tightly, and pushed his face into her chest. He sighed, shaking his head for maximum jiggling, making her laugh more. He pulled the scoop of her shirt down a bit and whispered the three words in a chant over her heart.

After a few minutes, his silence made her pull back again. "What has you so quiet now?"

He looked up at her, his eyes adjusting to the dark. "I was playing that game of yours. How you imagine who is in your life in like six months from now, or even a year from now." She looked at him and shrugged, asking what he saw. "The summer after…" Looking for a bit of clarification, he continued. "The summer after college, you're still there."

Tears had her eyes glazing and making them impossibly brighter, even in the dark. She closed them for a second, seemingly fighting them for a moment. "Yeah, you're still there, too."

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Bella put the last box in the back of her car, thankful that it closed. She didn't have a lot of room in her dorm, so she had to be choosy on what she brought with her. Her aunts spoiled her with a new "California wardrobe" as part of her graduation presents, as if they hadn't spoiled her already.

"Tell me again how you go about changing a tire," her Uncle Emmett said from the front porch. Both her dad and uncle were looking thoroughly displeased by the situation. She had to head to Portland on her own.

Her father's back was still in no shape to endure a long car ride, nor would the cast on his leg would allow him to fit properly. His doctor ruled out flying due to the concussion he got from a fall when he tried to do something too soon since he was shot. The man did not like sitting around.

She was on her own; at least until she met up with Edward at his house, and they would make the rest of the trip together. He'd assured her and her father by producing his driving record. His parents were flying in and would meet them in California the following day.

Bella answered automatically, gesturing with her hands all the instructions Emmett and her father had instilled in her. They'd even gone so far as setting up a real life situation the week before, just in case. There was little chance of breaking down since the car was brand spanking new. Every member of her family helped pitched in to get her the very safe, very reliable Volvo. It was navy blue, and she loved it. It would stay with Alice. She was close enough that she could use it over the weekends, if she needed it.

"Anything else?" she asked, rolling her eyes as her father grumbled from his chair on the porch. "I'll be okay, and Edward will be joining me as soon."

"You better not stop at some hotel," Emmett grumbled, his sizable biceps flexing. "Between the two of you, you should arrive at the school by very early tomorrow morning."

"Yes, but we're not allowed to start moving in until nine am. What are we supposed to do until then?"

"You two need to leave her alone," Renee said, wrapping an arm around her daughter. "If they need to stop somewhere for the night, they'll do it. She barely slept a wink last night."

Bella stared up at her mom and felt the sting in her eyes. A few inches taller than her, they looked so much alike, except for her father's brown eyes that she'd inherited. She felt her mother kiss her forehead and sighed. She was going to miss her, even though she was more of a friend or sister than a parent. It was what she needed the year before, though there had been a few mama bear moments whenever her mother bumped into Peter, Charlotte or his parents in town.

After Peter had come to the beach house, asking her to recant her claims so he could keep his scholarship, she found out that he was attending a community college in Seattle. From what she heard, his family was moving away in a few days. Apparently, Peter's parents hadn't attended a social event in town for months; something about never receiving an invitation. Considering they were lawyers, their business thrived on word of mouth and connections. Bella had no doubt her parents played a role in all that, and decided to let them do what they needed to feel better about the situation.

"Thanks, Mom," she said, wrapping her arms around her. "I'll be careful." Her mother whispered words of encouragement and some advice in her ear before letting her go. She had to breathe in deeply, because it was going to be so hard to say goodbye to her father. Looking up from the end of the walkway, she watched as her dad wiped a few tears away. Though she'd been close to her mom, it was nothing compared to the relationship with her father. They had a connection that, though they didn't share many words, each one meant so much more. It had always been that way; her mom often teased them for communicating telepathically.

Emmett walked down the steps and stopped in front of her. His brown hair was shorter than usual, but somehow it made his denim blue eyes pop. "He's a good guy, Bella." His cleared his throat, showing how difficult it was to say goodbye. "Despite that, if he hurts you in any way, tell me, and I'll go kick his ass." She knew he meant every word, as he gave her a bear hug that all the air in her lungs escaping.

Bella walked up the steps and onto the porch, approaching her father. She heard her mother whisper to Emmett, but her full attention on the man that loved her like no other.

"Daddy," she whispered as tears filled her eyes. He wouldn't or maybe couldn't look at her. "Aren't you going to say goodbye?"

"Hell no," he answered, his voice rougher than usual. His body language screamed tension and how much he hated what was happening. When she whispered again, he turned his eyes to hers. A little puffy and red, his eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I could never say goodbye to my baby girl."

She nodded and let the tears fall from her eyes, unable to fight them any longer. "I'll be okay, Dad."

"I know." Charlie had to clear his throat to continue. "You have a good head on your shoulders and have a boy that loves you and would do anything for you." His hands curled around her fingers and squeezed them gently. "He could never love you as much as I do." Her arms wrapped around him, but it was awkward because his leg and back didn't allow her to hug him tight enough. "Love you, Bells."

"I love you, Daddy."

She heard him sniff again and complain about something in his eye. "I left you some money for gas in the glove compartment."

Of course he did.

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Edward paced around like a caged lion in the driveway of his house waiting for Bella. She called earlier, having just come off the freeway. His parents decided to give him and Bella some privacy and headed out to an early lunch.

It wasn't long before he saw the Volvo she sent him a picture of the day before—a present from her family. Her car pulled up into a driveway, a smiling Bella behind the wheel. The second it turned off, he had her out of the car and in his arms again. Similar to when he'd last seen her on his turf.

Over the last few weeks, they discussed their pasts in more detail and decided to test for STDs. They'd been cautious before, never foregoing birth control. Between the two of them, they'd only had a handful of partners, but they wanted to be careful. He wanted and ached for her, so it wasn't long before he pressed his lips to hers.

She hummed and returned his urgent kiss. He ushered her inside the house, giving her a five-second tour, his moving boxes and a couple of full-to-bursting duffel bags sat in his living room. Before she could marvel at the stunning kitchen, with all the appliances she'd kill for, he pulled her into the hallway, and soon, into his room.

"This is my room," he said the second he locked the door behind him. She looked around, her fingers skimming along the edge of his dresser, her smile widening at the pictures on his board. There were several of her, and of him and his friends. The week before, Edward bid them goodbye over a couple of sodas and burgers at a nearby hangout.

His eyes roamed over Bella, dressed in a cutoff sweats since it was hotter than usual in Portland. The hem of the dark blue top drew his gaze to the sliver of exposed skin along her waist. "How long are you going to make me wait?" He finally met her eyes, to find an amused smile on her lips. She tugged on the hand she was holding and pulled him close. "It's been weeks and I need you. There's no way I'll be able to wait until we stop for the night."

"Fuck yes," he said, grinning like an idiot. They were so on the same page. His mouth slanted over hers, his tongue tasting her for the first time in over two weeks. "God, I missed you, and this."

His fingers found that inch of tantalizing skin he'd seen and he couldn't help but moan. Her shirt disappeared somewhere over his shoulder, her socks and shoes soon followed. Before he could get her shorts off, she pulled desperately at the t-shirt he wore and tossed that near the bed. It wasn't long before they were naked and desperate for more.

He lifted her up into his arms with the intention of taking her to bed, but she had other ideas and had him set her on the desk he built himself. His head fell to her shoulder as his breath shuddered out of him the moment he thrust inside her. She was warm, wet, and so perfect for him. Her fingers curled in his hair and he felt the bite of her urgent tugs. They remained in that moment for a while, long enough to whisper promises that felt as necessary as the air he breathed.

Her hands roamed from his hair to his back. At his ear, she whispered, "Move with me, babe." He did and almost lost it. It didn't matter how many times people said otherwise, with no barrier between them, she felt ten times better around him. Unable to resist, he bent to tease her nipples with his tongue. He lifted one of her knees higher up his waist, gaining more leverage and allowing him to deepen his strokes. She held onto his shoulders as she met his thrusts, her sounds only adding to his desire. He whispered his love against her heart and then across her lips.

"Your dream is over," he sang roughly against her ear, his fingers between her thighs. "Or has it just begun?"

"Fuck," she gasped, her arms tightening around his shoulders as she fell apart. She needed his support, and offered her own. Still breathless, she continued to hold him as he followed her. For a few minutes, they lay on his bed, enjoying a quiet moment together.

Each of them had a chaotic week with family visiting to wish them well on the next chapter of their lives. It had been a while since they had more than ten minutes to Skype or talk since his visit, when he met Charlie.

"You ready?" he asked her, pulling her off the bed and to the living room.

Bella watched as Edward lifted a box into his arms, walking toward the front door. She found it incredible that he was still there, though she shouldn't. Other than the hiccup during the summer when their feelings were too new, he'd been there for her in every way, even a few hours away.

"I'm so ready." He gave her a cocky smile over his shoulder, flexing his biceps. "Are you?" she asked as she followed close behind him, carrying one of the heavy as fuck duffel bags.

He placed the box in the car and held out his hand for the bag. "Honestly, I'm scared a fuck." He shrugged and once again pulled her against his chest. "But I think if you're around, I'll be okay."

She tipped her head up, silently asking for a kiss. He delivered. "I think my dream started when I met you." His answering smile disappeared under the brush of her lips.

A chuckle from him had her pulling back to look at him. He gave her a smile as he said, "I know."

The End

AN: Thanks for all those that read, reviewed, and recommended this story.