Edward's POV

The months following our encounter with the Volturi had been full of nothing but pure bliss. I was in awe of my wife, my daughter, and the feelings of joy I once thought were lost to me. Even when I first realized my deep love for Bella, I struggled to allow myself to be happy. I struggled to let her love me, to accept me because I so wholly rejected myself.

It wasn't until Renesmee was born that I thought maybe, just maybe, I deserved happiness. A black soul such as myself could not have created something as pure as my darling Renesmee. She was Bella's miracle, but my resurrection.

The three of us fell into a pattern that could almost resemble that of a normal family. We started our mornings in the cottage, preparing Nessie for the day ahead. I would cook while Bella bathed and dressed our daughter. Ness wasn't all that fond of human food-not that I blamed her, that wretched stuff- but Bella and I were determined to incorporate it into her diet. In small amounts, of course. Carlisle and I had discussed the duality of her nature, and how we ought to feed both sides. She had human necessities that couldn't be satisfied by only blood.

After breakfast, the three of us would lounge around for about an hour, enjoying the time as a family unit, before heading up to the main house. Bella and I would surrender our daughter to our more-than-eager family seconds after entering the main house. Selfishly, I wished we could remain in our small bubble. My wife and I had so little time to be parents, to watch our daughter grow. It got harder and harder to share her as the days went on. But our days ended just how they started: just the three of us.

I would brush and braid her long, bronzed curls and she filled her mother in on her day. I, of course, had front-row seats. I'd watch as she'd flip through her memories, paying close attention to which ones were brightest and which were her darkest. The ones she was most thrilled to share. The ones she thought of in disgust. After reading and humming to her softly, her eyes would begin to flutter. Bella and I would wait until her breathing turned steady, and retreat to our room for some connection of our own.

100 years of celibacy and it was like the floodgates had opened. I was addicted to my Bella. To her body, her mind, her soul. It was all I could do to worship her for hours on end. To watch her face in pleasure as she used my body to reach orgasm. We became one in these moments, a true entwinement of our beings. And it seemed neither of us could get enough.

Tonight, Bella and I would be completely alone-a luxury that is few and far between for a parent. While the rest of our family hunted, Ness would have her first sleepover with Charlie. Bella and I couldn't deny either of them anymore. Besides, we trusted our daughter.

"Daddy, hurry!"

As Nessie scurried off to the car, I leaned in to give my love a goodbye kiss. As always, the second our lips touched, it became something more. Her hips fused to mine like magnets. Already, I began to feel myself stir. When her silky tongue grazed my bottom lip I nipped it slightly before pulling away, if only to bring my lips to her ear.

"When I get home, I want you here… naked. Waiting for me," I growled. She let out a soft moan and ground her hips, increasing the friction between our already-fused bodies.

"Daddy! Let's go!" The sound of my daughter's impatience dented the tension. I laughed. Yep, she was definitely my daughter.

"Coming, Ness," I called, not taking my eyes off Bella's. Backing away slowly, I tossed her a sly wink. I loved how flirtatious we got to be, now. It felt like we missed this part of our early days-the colloquial "honeymoon phase" if you will.

As I reached the door, Bella called to me, "Hurry back. Or I'll have to start without you."

Good God this woman would be the death of me.

Charlie and I's relationship was complicated. He resented me, yet the more involved he was in our lives, the more his composure began to slip. It's hard for even Charlie to ignore how true my love for Bella and Renesmee is. I made his daughter happier than he had ever seen her, and I was a good father to his precious granddaughter. Still, I hadn't completely won him over. He was waiting for the other shoe to drop and I couldn't blame him. His need-to-know basis kept him close, but not close enough to understand that Bella had saved me as much as I saved her. That we were mates. That Renesmee was a miracle- the best parts of me and my wife. I wasn't going anywhere without them.

As was everyone who met my little angel, Charlie was enamored with Renesmee. Though he wouldn't say it outloud, Charlie knew Renesmee was ours. Beyond the fact that she looked like the perfect mixture of Bella and myself, he could sense it. Renesmee was part Swan and he secretly loved it. His adoration was returned. Renesmee loved being with Charlie-it indulged her human side. And of course, my little girl loved being the apple of her adoring grandfather's eye. From the moment she was born she has been the center of attention-perhaps Bella and I should rectify that at some point. But today was not that day. Bella and I agreed that I would drop Renesmee off alone, to further put Charlie at ease. I loved Renesmee beyond words-Bella wanted Charlie to accept that fact and accept me, now that I was relatively close to breaking down the wall between us.

Charlie was waiting for us as we pulled into his driveway. Renesmee squealed and unbuckled her seatbelt before the car was even in park.

"Grandpa Charlie," She said, running to her grandfather. I chuckled as Charlie lifted her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

I circled around to the trunk of the Volvo to retrieve Renesmee's overnight bag, "Someone's excited," I remarked. The pair in front of me also giggled as Charlie tickled her side.

"Likewise, Kid."

"Grandpa, I have so much planned. We can play board games and watch movies and you can read to me like mommy and daddy do and-"

"Bedtime is still 9 O'clock young lady," I said, setting her stuff down in the entryway.

"Daaad", she said, stomping her foot. Please, she begged me silently. I never get to spend time with Grandpa Charlie.

She stared up at me with those big brown eyes, Bella's eyes, and I couldn't say no.

" Fine, 9:30" I relented, "But that's the best I can do."

"Yes!" She said, running to her bag to find her first activity. Maybe we should play a game first. No, movie first. No, definitely a game first so that way if I get sleepy it will be during the movie…"

Her critical thinking skills scared me, but I pushed the thought away and looked up at Charlie.

"That was Bella's tantrum, you know" he said to me, a slight smirk on his face. He doesn't stand a chance with those two, he thought.

"Believe me Charlie, I am well aware. You can't imagine the fights I lose on a daily basis."

"I can, because that tantrum is also Renee's." We laughed at the losing game we both chose for ourselves.

" I wouldn't have it any other way," I said, staring at my little miracle. He put his hand on my shoulder in agreement.

"Alright, little one. Come give me a hug." Her head shot up from her place on the floor.

"Daddy, wait!" She said, jumping to my arms.

"What's the matter, my love? Shall I take you home?"

"No!" She yelled. "It's just …" she started, looking between me and her grandfather, "What if I have a nightmare?"

"Well I'll be right down the hall, Ness-your old grandfather is pretty good at fighting away those bad dreams," said Charlie.

Renesmee buried her face in my neck, slightly embarrassed, "But Daddy always sings my lullaby when I'm scared," she said, wayward tears sliding down her flushed cheeks. She had been having vivid dreams about the Volturi since they left. Aro's red eyes and wicked smile. Jane's sneer of pain. Her mother and I, dying before her eyes.

"Renesmee, look at me," I said, wiping away her tears, "If you have a bad dream all you have to do is call and sing you right back to sleep. And if that doesn't work, Mommy and I will come get you, okay?" I said tenderly, peppering kisses on her little forehead.

"Okay," She said, smiling up at me, " I love you Daddy."

"I love you too, baby girl," I said, setting her on her feet, "Now go have fun with Grandpa Charlie and Mommy and I will pick you up in the morning."

"Thanks for letting her spend the night, Edward. I'll take good care of her."

He didn't say it, but I could feel the last of his wall come down. His generally cool exterior was suddenly warm as he promised to guard my child, finally understanding that he was guarding my heart, my life.

"Thanks, Charlie. I know you will. We'll see you in the morning," I said, ready for a night alone with my wife.

Bella and I's sex life was thriving. She was always so full of surprises. But I can honestly say, what I walked into, was something I never could have conjured up on my own. Emmet would say it was due to my conservative upbringing. I would argue that my wife is a tortuous minx.

She sat spread eagle in the living room chair, each long, porcelain leg hooked over each arm respectively. And she was completely naked. Her arousal called to me. Her juices coated her center, dripping onto the leather. She was so fucking sexy. And she was so fucking mine.

"What's the matter Mr. Cullen?" She asked, "Cat got your tongue?"

"God, Bella." It was all I could manage before dropping to my knees, quite literally crawling towards her. I had to taste her. I needed to taste her.

I gripped her hips, pulling her closer to me as I ran the length of my tongue up and down her slit, moaning at the taste. "Mmmm so wet for me, Bella." Her clit was already so swollen.

"All for you," she choked out, her head falling back in pleasure as my tongue made another circle around her most sensitive spots. I worked her slowly, wanting to prolong her pleasure as long as possible. I wanted to worship her.

"Mmm, Edward." Her moans always spurred me on. I pulled my left hand from her hip to unbutton my jeans, freeing my painfully hard erection. All the while, my tongue continued to circle her engorged bundle of nerves.

"Ed- Edward…" she panted, shifting her hips towards me.

At the sound of my name, I inserted my middle finger into her tight hole. Her breath hitched, and I felt her walls shudder slightly at the intrusion. God, she was so wet. I added a second finger, trying to keep a steady pace. When she started bucking against my hand, I knew she was ready for a release.

"Edward please." Typically, I would have teased her, but we were both impatient. I told myself we had all night and all morning to make up for it. Looking up at her through hooded eyes, I began massaging her G-spot more intentionally as I sped up the pace of my tongue. Her walls grew tighter, more erratic around my fingers. That's it, Love. Let go. She moaned my name, God's name, and blurted a few expletives as she rode out her orgasm, tearing my shirt to shreds with the sheer force of her pleasure.

I lapped up her juices as she came down from her high. When she finally collapsed I pulled my fingers out of her center, slowly. Our eyes did not leave one another as I pulled out of her. She whimpered at the loss of contact, her brow furrowing slightly in desperation.

"Edward," she started, but I didn't let her finish. I quickly shredded my pants and ran my tip along the length of her opening, stopping to circle her clitoris. She threw her head back in pleasure, arching her back off of the leather chair.

"Oh my GOD," she yelled.

Finally, we were one. I groaned at the feeling of reuniting with my wife. Though we had been with each other a mere 12 hours before, it felt like an eternity. Her legs hung loosely over my shoulders as I plunged deep within her walls. My strokes were long and hard, nearly pulling out before ramming back into her with full force. Her hips met mine, thrust for thrust, until I felt both of our controls begin to waver. Never once did her eyes leave mine.

I tilted her pelvis ever so slightly, so that her clit rubbed against me at each stroke. I knew this drove her wild, and I could no longer delay our gratification.

"Yes, Edward. Oh My God. Edward."

"That's it love," I coaxed, my voice husky and low, "come for me, my Bella"

I felt the familiar spasm of her inner walls, heard my name echo through the walls,and I soon reached my own orgasm, clutching onto her tightly.

As we came down from our highs, I rocked into her slowly, stealing lazy kisses from her lips.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you," she responded.

I remained inside of her for a few more seconds, continuing our whispers of endearment. Occasionally I would rock my hips forward, savoring our union. Finally, I pulled out of her and brought her with me to the floor. She curled into my side and stroked my chest in silence. My eyes drifted shut, finding such serenity and peace in these moments with my love. Our post-coital bliss…just as intimate as the act itself.

After a few moments, she started to giggle,

"What?" I asked, rolling us slightly so I could look at her.

"That was insanely hot, Mr. Cullen."

"Hmm," I mused in agreement, stealing yet another kiss from pillowed lips. My lips began a trail from her lips to her jaw to the base of her ear, "You drive me crazy, Mrs. Cullen," I growled.

"Am I that tempting?" She said, smirking.

"You know I can't get enough of you."

At that, she huffed and hid her face in my neck. If she were human, she would have donned a flush of pink at the sentiment.

"I'm serious! Emmet likes to attribute my celibacy to age, but honestly, Bella I really just couldn't imagine sex and love being mutually exclusive. I was privy to the deepest darkest fantasies of thousands of people who imagined me as their male lead and none of it appealed to me. I had convinced myself I was unworthy of love, so sex too, was off the table. Then I met you, and it all made sense. I was waiting for my mate," I confessed, sheepishly, "Now it's all I can do to keep my hands to myself."

I couldn't read the look on her face. She was far away somewhere, her eyes off in a distant thought. There was nothing more infuriating to me than her mental silence. Especially when I knew she was keeping me out on purpose.

"What are you thinking, love?" I asked, smoothing the worry lines between her furrowed brows.

"I'm thinking that maybe we didn't wait until our wedding night solely because of the physical restraints."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I think we waited because you didn't trust me with your virtue."

"Why on Earth would you think that, Bella? Of course, I trusted you." She always surprised me but this was simply absurd. I trusted her with my life.

She took a shaky, unnecessary breath, "When you left, you said it was because you thought I would move on. I know you always thought you loved me more than I loved you. I guess I assumed that after you came back you realized I couldn't live without you."

Oh, Bella. She had this all wrong.

"Maybe a small part of me thought so, even after I got back," I conceded, "But that was my own self-loathing, Bella. It had nothing to do with you."

"So it had nothing to do with Jacob?"

Well, that I had no answer to. I had always been jealous of their relationship.

"I just need you to know that even when I was human, you were my mate too. Not just now."

"I know that, Bella."

"Do you?!"

She buried her face in her hands like she was trying to disguise wayward tears.

I couldn't answer her-I had doubts, especially when it came to Jacob, but it was deeper than that. Almost none of it had to do with her. Almost.

"So you did doubt me," she said simply.

"It's not like that Bella. There were a lot of things. Most of it was my own self-loathing. Some of it was Jacob…" I trailed off, knowing the next words out of my mouth could hurt us both.

"And the other part?" She pressed.

"You didn't want to marry me."

The words were barely a whisper as they left my lips. I had never admitted this to her before. Always acted like it didn't bother me. Like it was strictly about postponing her change. But her reluctance to wear my ring, take my name…it hurt me deeply. Made me wonder if my self-loathing had some truth to it.

"Edward," she gasped.

We stared into each other's eyes for a while, searching and sifting through our shared pain.

"I guess…" would I be able to properly articulate this? The last thing I wanted was to exacerbate hurt that was well in the past.

"I guess my self-loathing was strong enough to plant the seed of doubt. Jacob added to it. But when you were so…against marriage, I guess I wondered if my self-loathing was not too far off."

"Edward, my being against marriage was never about not wanting to spend the rest of my life with you. I just thought the idea of marriage was beneath us. Too human to encompass all that we mean to each other."

"Too human?"

" When I was growing up, marriage was nothing more than a legal document that could be reversed. Maybe it was silly, but I always felt like my change would be a more permanent way to tie myself to you than marriage. Like that would solidify our mating bond and you could never leave me again."

As always, I had this all wrong. It was never about her loving me less, but loving me more. I was so wrapped up in my own inner turmoil that I never heard her- she wanted me to change her. What was more permanent than that?

"I don't feel that way now," she added, "I love being your wife."

"And I adore being your mate," I said, placing a searing kiss on her lips.

"We always wanted the same thing, Edward. We just had different ideas about what was permanent."

"What a pair we make," I laughed, "We should have talked about this a long time ago."

"One track minds," she agreed.

"I am sorry, Edward. Truly."

"I don't need you to apologize, Love. We both made mistakes. What's important is that we are happier than ever. Everything makes sense now."

"Which is exactly why I want to apologize. For everything.

"I believe you, Bella. And I understand that marriage in the world you grew up in and marriage today don't exactly mean the same thing."

"I'm not just talking about marriage, Edward."

Ah. She wished to discuss Jacob.

"Look, when you left, I truly believed you didn't love me. I was more than broken Edward, I was….empty. My heart was gone, and I was a hollow shell trying to figure out how to survive. And then Jacob tried so hard to put my back together. But it was like fixing a broken bone with a band-aid. He would love me and protect me and give me comfort but I could never love him the way he loved me. Not in the way he needed me to love him and definitely not with the irrevocable passion I felt for you. I didn't know how he fit in my life. I just knew he needed to be in it and I hurt you both so deeply."

"Bella…"

"Please, let me finish," she said, covering my mouth with two dainty fingers, "I know it may sound irrelevant now that Renesmee's in the picture and it all makes sense, but I need to say this," she took a shaky breath, before meeting my eyes. I grabbed her hand for comfort.

"The day after I begged you to touch me and let you put a ring on my finger, I kissed another man. And knowing what it means to find one's mate, what that means to you, I don't blame you for doubting me. I wish that I could take it all back and do things differently. I wish I could've let you read my mind. Edward I need you to know, that even in that bleak future I had once pictured with Jacob, never once did I imagine him touching me the way you do. I swear, the thought never even crossed my mind. You are the only man to ever make me feel that way. Every dream I had, every fantasy I conjured, every small touch…. I was consumed with my lust for you. I promise- I never felt that way about him." She was frantic now, bordering on hysteria. I brought her lips down to mine, needing her close. Her confession meant more to me than she would ever know.

"Please say you believe me," she whispered against my lips.

I didn't have the words. I pulled her in for another searing kiss.

"I believe you," I whispered in between kisses, "I believe you." And I did. I rolled on top of her knowing we both needed closeness. We kissed frantically, passionately, and desperately. I entered her swiftly, starting a slow and passionate motion. Her head rolled back in response, eyes clenched together from the sheer intensity of our union. I grabbed her chin, forcing those beautiful amber eyes to open.

"Look at me, Bella. Look at me as I enter you. You're mine," I growled, pushing into her harder and with earnestness. She was mine.

"Yes, yes I'm yours. I'm yours. I'm yours," She chanted, nearly in time with our erotic rhythm.

We didn't take long this time, our bodies already brimmed with emotion. Our lips touched, as we breathed each other in, absorbing one another's orgasm. Again, I remained inside of her, rocking against her hips to prolong the moment. When I moved to pull out, she shrieked, fastening her legs tightly around my waist.

"Not yet," she said. I nodded gently, understanding her plea.

A minute, twenty minutes, maybe an hour passed between our entwined bodies before either of us uttered a word.

"Thank you, Bella," I said. She shifted her hips, to accept me deeper within her.

"I should have said it a long time ago."

"And I shouldn't have left."

"No, you shouldn't have."

"Maybe I did have doubts about our wedding night, but you did too. Renesmee in the picture aside-there's a reason you needed his comfort. You didn't think I would stay."

"I guess we both made mistakes," she reasoned.

"I do have a confession though," I said, chuckling nervously, "I admit that I was self-deprecating enough that I couldn't fully comprehend the depth of your love for me, or at least how it compared to your love for him. But I knew you didn't lust for him."

"You did?"

"I didn't have access to your mind, but I could read your body like a book," I said, tracing my fingertips from her collarbone to her navel. She shuddered violently at the gesture, and I felt her clench around me, further proving my point.

"Your blood always called to me. But by the time we returned from Italy, the call of your arousal was stronger. I admit I took pride in the fact that while you always seemed to be aroused in my presence, I never smelled your arousal when you came home from La really, Bella, it was your dreaming that told me all I needed to know. God, the sounds you would make, the way you would moan my name and writhe against my leg as you slept," I punctuated my thought by thrusting my hips forward, somehow finding a deeper cavity within her warmth.

"You never moaned his name," I continued, still moving inside of her.

"Never," She squeaked.

"I knew, Bella. I just needed to let you love me."

"Then let me," She rolled on top of me, wanting to take control. I felt her passion as she rode me, swiveled, and circled her hips with such love and intention. She bent back slightly, arching her back, changing the angle of penetration to massage her G-spot. For the fourth, but certainly not the final time this evening, I felt the beginnings of her orgasm around me.

"I love you, Edward, " she breathed, fusing our lips together as we came. I couldn't respond. I simply shuddered against her, harder than ever before, overcome with passion. As she collapsed against me, I muffled silent cries into her neck. We didn't say a word to each other, but I knew she understood-I was finally accepting my soul, and fully accepting her love.

We made wordless, passionate love all night long. I could barely tell where her pleasure stopped and mine began-we were so intertwined with one another. One being, as I let her show me physically, just how much she loved me.