Hello, my friends! Welcome back to another chapter of Riptide! I feel as if a lot happens in this chapter, so be prepared! This chapter begins the whirlwind of what comes next, so buckle up!

I fell the story is progressing nicely, although it is a little different than I intended. I had a basic outline of the story, but new ideas formed as I wrote each chapter so here we are! There's a lot more in store before tying up loose ends! And maybe some ties won't be tied so nicely...we'll see!

I truly want to thank each person who has taken the time to read and review my story. The overwhelming support has been amazing! Please leave your thoughts and I would love to hear what you think is going to happen next! Much love to all!

Chapter 16

The short car ride to the police station was quiet, neither of us spoke as Edward followed the cruiser. Several times, Edward opened his mouth to say something, but his eyes would harden and his mouth closed. I stared out the window, looking at the passing memories of my childhood. We had passed the playground in St. Peter's Park where I had fallen off the swings and busted my lip, my favorite art store, and Riley's favorite fast food restaurant, Bill Bailey's Seafood. Each reminder would bring up the memories of the happier days with my family.

What kind of memories did I have now regarding my family? A toxic mother, a dead brother, and a father who didn't seem to care?

Edward had an amazing family. Every sibling was close in age and had great relationships. He had two parents whose love exuberated from every fiber of their being. I was almost jealous of him. No, I was jealous of him.

Both of us came from such different backgrounds, it was amazing how we fit so perfectly together. Well, at least in my opinion. His family had welcomed me into their embrace seemingly so effortlessly, my heart was truly touched.

I'd never given too much thought on the idea of marriage. My parents had not displayed a great example of it, and I had been too young when my Great Uncle Laurent passed away to really see his relationship with Aunt Irina. Both my mother and father were the only children, so I didn't have any aunts, uncles or cousins.

But meeting and growing closer to Edward had made me think about marriage. It's a just a formal promise to each other, with witnesses, right? Angela and Ben are so in love and right for each other, so their upcoming marriage didn't seem so foreign to me. Their relationship kinda seems like an almost perfect example of what marriage could be. I'm sure Angela would be able to give me some advice—what am I evening thinking? Edward and I have only known each other for two months, that is not enough time to even consider marriage...is it?

The smooth stop to the car jolted me out of my thoughts.

"We've arrived," Edward's gentle voice said. I gathered my thoughts and took a deep breath as Edward went around the car to open the door for me. I slid out of the car, wobbling a little. Edward's arm wrapped around my waist, quickly steading me. "Are you ready?" He slightly frowned.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied quietly, looking up into his eyes.

"Let's get this over with," He said, pecking my cheek and guiding us towards the entrance.

I needed to repeat my statement to the officers, which was difficult, especially because Edward couldn't be with me during it. Mostly I had leaned against Edward's shoulder in the waiting room, waiting for the police to do their work.

At about seven in the evening, four hours of waiting, Officer Antar came into the room.

"Ms. Swan?" I sat up in my seat and clutched Edward's hand. "So we've been in contact with the Clear Lake Police and James Hunter has been arrested and charged." I let out a sigh of relief. "In the next twenty-four hours, he will be transported to Clear Lake for his sentencing. He has pleaded 'not guilty' to the sexual assault charge. It appears the case is going to go to court."

"What?" I whispered.

"Because the defendant pleaded not guilty, the case will now be presented in front of a judge and possibly a jury. The defendant may choose his deny his right to a jury."

"So I need a lawyer?"

"Yes," He smiled sadly, "I believe Hunter is trying to pressure you into dropping the case."

"We will get it figured out, Bella," Edward said, "We won't let him win."

The car ride back to Clear Lake was again pretty quiet. Edward had picked up some fast food to eat on the way since we didn't end up eating at the cafe. The station had provided a light snack, but both of our stomachs were rumbling. Other than the light conversations Edward tried to maintain, the ride lacked any meaningful conversations. He promised he would ask his dad for advice since both of us were pretty clueless what the next steps were.

"I promise you're not going to do this alone, Bella." Edward had said on my front porch as we said our goodbyes. He then kissed me against the wall, a kiss so powerful I almost forgot this whole situation.

Laying in bed, and curling into Aunt Irina's afghan, I attempted to sleep.

Buzzing and the clatter of my phone falling from my nightstand woke me from my restless sleep. I groaned as I removed an arm from the warmth of the blanket and patted around the floor to retrieve my phone. Today was Saturday, I didn't need to go into the studio, and I didn't know who would be calling me at this hour. I finally found my phone, only realizing it was almost noon. I shot up from the bed. I never slept this late!

I had missed a call from Edward, which I immediately called him back. He immediately answered.

"Bella, where are you?" He asked, voice rushed and thinly veiled with panic.

"I'm at home, I just woke up," I replied confused.

"There are some developments since James Hunter's detainment…"

"Just tell me, Edward," I cut in. I didn't want him walking on tiptoes around me. I could handle it.

"Early this morning around four a.m. Hunter's transport van was in an accident outside of Tampa. The driver and the guard were killed and there is no sign of Hunter."

Holy. Shit.

My mouth dropped open in shock.

"According to the investigation team so far, it seems as if the vehicle was tampered with but they are still investigating."

"This is never going to go away, is it?" I said, voice breaking.

"Bella, it will, once Hunter is found again, everything will be over."

"But the trial," I added, defeated.

"Because he escaped, the trial might not even involve you. Fleeing makes the person seem more guilty. You can't live in fear of this man."

"It is much easier said than done."

"I'll ask Jasper for some security advice. Maybe extra patrols around your neighborhood and such. Hunter doesn't know who you are or where you live, other than he saw you in Clear Lake. You could have been visiting Clear Lake like he was."

"You're right, but he did threaten us at the diner. I'm just worried."

"I know, baby. It's going to be fine."

"I trust you, Edward."

"I've got to go now, I'm meeting up with Emmett in a few. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, bye, Edward." I almost let an "I love you" slip. I flopped down on the bed, bringing my hands to my face.

Everything is going to be okay.

The month of June finished and transformed into July. Each week, my anxiety about James Hunter decreased, as he hadn't shown up in Clear Lake. The police were still actively looking for him, but they didn't have any new leads. For Independence Day, Edward invited me to his family's barbeque. I grew closer to Carlisle and Esme especially, helping Esme prepare all of the side dishes while Edward and his Dad grilled all of the meat.

My favorite moments of the evening included watching the Clear Lake Fourth of July Firework Show by the lake, snuggled against Edward's side sitting on a blanket on the grass. We also stole a kiss...or more under the fireworks, Emmett teased us when he spotted us, much to my embarrassment.

July soon flew by and August was upon us. Edward and I were over at his parent's house for dinner. Esme and I were sitting on the porch sipping Moscato while Edward and Carlisle were grilling further into the backyard.

"Have you heard back from Maggie, Bella?" Esme asked. Her leg was folded under her as she leaned into the wicker cushioned chair.

"We've been exchanging emails, and I would say things are progressing!" Maggie Walsh had reached out to me last week about featuring a piece of mine in the Orlando Sentinel. I had been ecstatic when she asked me to submit three pieces. She was composing an article on up and coming artists based in Florida. This exposure could definitely open doors for me.

"That is absolutely amazing, my dear! So exciting!" She gushed.

"Thanks," I smiled, catching Edward's eye. Carlisle and he had matching black aprons on. He waved with a spatula in his hand and my heart fluttered.

"I have a new project in Maine I am working on, and I would love to show my client some of your work if you don't mind. I know she will love it. Plus one of the living rooms needs a statement piece."

"Esme, I am honored," I said, touching her arm, "I really appreciate this opportunity."

"You are too talented for your work to stay just in Clear Lake, your paintings need to out there!"

"That is why I'm hoping Maggie's boss likes the stuff I'm submitting. Orlando is a much larger city and has many museums. Curators often look to Maggie to find new talent."

"Well you deserve every success, darling," She took my hand in hers. "Know I am rooting for you."

My eyes teared up, "Thank you, Esme, that means the world to me. I know I've told you a bit about my mother, we still have not spoken, and I really feel you are becoming a mother figure for me, and I've never really had that."

"Oh sweetie," she said, moving to sit on the edge of her chair to hug me, "I will always be here for you." A couple of happy tears fell from my eyes and she wiped them away with her thumbs. "Irina would be so proud of you."

"How did you know Aunt Irina?"

"I was born here, in Clear Lake and lived here until I was 12. Your aunt and my mother were good friends. When my dad disappeared when I was 6, we almost moved in with Irina and Laurent, but my grandmother insisted we lived with her and forbade it. My grandmother was ashamed of my mother for my father leaving. She blamed my mother for driving him away. In my grandmother's time, having your husband leave you was always the woman's fault. We never knew what happened to my father, but my grandmother still punished my mother anyways."

"That's awful," I added.

"Truly," Esme said sadly. "My mother worked during the day as a teacher and my grandmother had too much to do socially to take care of me during the day, so my mother had Irina watch me. She babysat me from when I was six months old up until we moved to South Carolina when my great-grandmother grew ill. My grandmother still had a social role to play in South Carolina, and therefore my mother had to play one as well. My grandmother then claimed to her uptight friends my father had died, so my mother could social climb, but never remarry. I was sent to a prestigious boarding school in New York state where I met Carlisle. I count it as a hidden blessing my grandmother pulled my mother back into high society and sent me away to boarding school so my mother would have more focus on being a "lady" in high society."

"Wow," I breathed. "Seems like a lot of family drama." I knew my fair share of family drama, that's for sure.

"Oh yes, there was a lot of drama. But without the drama, I wouldn't have Carlisle and my sweet children. Everything happens for a reason. God has a plan for each of us."

"Your mother still lives in South Carolina?"

"Yes, she lives in Charleston. She had established herself there so didn't see it necessary to move. She never traveled to Clear Lake again and stopped contact with Irina. Irina and Laurent were like second parents to me and I needed to see them again. Carlisle and I vacationed here several times and I would get to see Irina and Laurent. We kept in close contact even while I lived so far away until she died."

"You were there for her when she was sick?" I asked, my eyes watering again.

"Yes, I was there when was combating the worst."

"You were there when she died?" My voice cracked, and tears streamed down my face.

"Yes," She said quietly, taking my hands in hers. A thousand emotions ran through me. Relief, anger, grief, happiness.

"I had thought she was all alone, I felt so guilty. My mom didn't let me come to see her or attend the funeral."

Anger flashed in Esme's eyes, which thoroughly surprised me. "Renee did not allow you to see Irina?"

I shook my head. "You know my mother?"

Esme gave a short nod. "Irina would speak of her often when I was young. She's—what? Five or so years older than me? Renee and I met when I was about 8 I suppose. She must have been 13, and she hated me. I wouldn't say she treated me the best. Irina had to reign her in all the time. Irina practically raised her after Irina's sister Marie, your grandmother, moved to St. Petersburg and had some health problems. Renee lived with Irina until she had to be—twenty or so. By then I had moved to South Carolina and been sent to boarding school."

I looked at Esme, entirely confused. My mother never told me she had lived with Aunt Irina. Questions and doubts swam through my head.

"Your mother never told you?" She asked sympathetically. I couldn't respond. I was still stunned. How could my mother hide a huge part of her life from me? I thought I knew my mom and my grandmother well. My mother had apparently hidden a lot from me.

Esme pulled me into another hug.

"Come inside with me and we will get you cleaned up. The boys will be done soon, and they don't need to know." She helped me to my feet and guided me inside towards the bathroom. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down. The tears had stopped falling, but my face was wet and a little splotchy. Esme handed me a clean washcloth to wipe away the evidence of my tears. Esme rubbed my back as I dampened the washcloth to attempt to cool down. Thankfully, I had worn waterproof mascara today.

"There, you look fine. If you need to talk, let me know."

"Can I ask you a question, Esme?"

"Of course, sweetheart,"

"Did you know who I was when you moved here?"

"I knew of you, Irina would talk about you and your brother all the time. She had shown me pictures of you through the years, but I didn't know you lived in Clear Lake, in her house of all places. It wasn't until you said your name when we met I put two and two together. Irina would call you 'my Bella' or 'my sweet girl'. She loved you and your brother very much."

"I loved her too."

"Mom! Bella! Food's ready," Edward's voice called out.

"Thank you, Esme."

"For what, dear?"

"For being with Aunt Irina as she passed away. I felt so guilty I wasn't there and I was afraid she was all alone."

"Sweetheart, she wouldn't have wanted you there anyway, she wanted you to remember her as you knew her, not when she was sick." I nodded. "I think it's time to eat, we don't want to keep the men waiting, do we?" Esme lovingly smoothed my hair and gave me a wink.

Carlisle brought the platter of steaks to the outdoor dining table just as Esme and I arrived back outside. Edward was setting the table and as he passed me, he kissed my cheek. Esme brought our glasses and refilled them with Moscato. We all took our places at the table and served ourselves. The men had coordinated the meal and did a pretty good job. They chose to make baked potatoes with all of the toppings as a side.

As I was cutting my steak, Edward nudged me lightly and whispered: "You okay?"

"Yes," I said, giving him a smile. The smile must have not reached my eyes because his brow furrowed slightly, but he continued to eat.

"Edward finally knows how to grill a proper steak," Carlisle chuckled. His dad's teasings seemed to distract him.

"The professor didn't cover grilling steaks in Intro to Culinary Arts, Dad." Edward rolled his eyes.

"What kind of professors skips mastering the art of the grill?" Carlisle pointed his knife towards Edward.

"The kind who spends too much time teaching us how to cut an onion," Edward retorted, igniting laughter from around the table.

The evening continued pleasantly, filled with conversations and more laughter. Around ten p.m, Edward walked me back to my place.

"Want to come inside?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Sure, I can't stay too late, I promised Emmett and Jasper I would work out with them tomorrow morning. Alice says Jasper has put on a little weight and recommended to work out for the wedding." Edward chuckled.

"Oh my gosh," I laughed.

"She said he must have gained a little weight from not chasing as many 'bad guys' here rather than in Austin. But now I'll have a workout buddy, other than Emmett. Emmett spends most of the time at the bench press and needs a spotter. I'd rather workout than spotting Emmett the whole time."

"The wedding is in November?"

"Yes, Alice wanted him to start early." He said, rolling his eyes.

"Angela and Ben's wedding is in a few weeks! I should work out too," I said laughing.

"If you want to join us, feel free to." He grinned.

"Hmm, maybe. I realized I do bike at least three miles most days."

"True," He said, peppering my forehead with kisses.

"Let's go inside," I pulled my keys from the purse and turned my back to Edward. He stood behind me, circling his arms around my waist. I lead him to the couch, which became one of our favorite make-out spots. Edward's lips kissed the back of my neck and leaned into him, sighing in content. He suddenly spun me around to face him, now kissing the hollow of my throat.

"You're going to drive me insane, Edward," I moaned. My fingers found their way into his unruly bronze hair. Pulling his face to mine, I firmly pressed my lips to his. He began moving, feeling his way to sit down, pulling me into his lap. Our lips moved together seemingly in a perfectly synchronized dance. The slight stubble felt nice against my face. My heart beat wildly in the heat of passion.

The scent of Edward mixed his manly shampoo filled my lungs with each short gasp of air I took before crashing my lips to his. Our noses bumped and we both let out a short-lived chuckle. His smooth, soft lips fit perfectly against mine. His hands were all over my waist and torso, rubbing up and down.

My fingers were still pulling at his bronze strands, hungrily grasping around. He slid his tongue against my lip and he deepened the kiss, pulling me to straddle his lap. His mouth tasted of wine. My fingers moved from his hair and rested on his shoulders. The moved accordingly to the collar of his navy shirt, frantically trying to unbutton each pesky button. His hands were too busy to help.

The last button finally was done and I pushed the offending clothing out of the way and guided his arms out of the sleeves. I then ran my hands up and down his toned chest and abs. Edward grunted against my lips, the vibrations making my lips tingle.

Edward's hands traveled up to my stomach, inching further and further up. I tore my mouth from him, gasping heavily for much-needed air, while his lips found my collarbone.

"Edward," I sighed. Edward's hands finally met their destination and the feeling was unlike any other. I twisted in his arms, trying to pull my blouse off when he began to lose steam. His hands covered mine and pulled them to our sides.

"Stop trying to take off your blouse, Bella," he said huskily. My eyes flashed open and met his green, green eyes.

"Too far?" I squeaked.

"We should have stopped earlier. My self-control is waning."

"Then stop holding back," My voice thick with passion. My lips attached to his neck, kissing along his jawline.

"Bella, you know I can't," He said, almost defeated.

"Don't Catholics have confession?" I said in his ear, slightly bucking against his hard-on pressing into my thigh.

"Bella," he groaned. Then I knew I went too far. I pushed myself off of him, slightly embarrassed of my actions.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, looking down at the ties of my blouse I had undone earlier.

"Ugh, Bella, I'm not trying to be the bad guy," Edward's voice was soft and tender.

"You, the bad guy? I'm more like the villain trying to steal your virginity." I shot back.

"You could never be the villain, my sweet Bella," He sweetly cupped his hands around my face and moved my head to look at him. "There is not a mean bone in your body, trust me, I'm a doctor." He kissed the tip of my nose.

"Not yet," I smiled coyly.

"What?"

"You're not a doctor yet," I finished, withholding a giggle.

"You take that back, Isabella Swan," He threatened, pushing me gently onto my back against the seat of the couch. His hands grabbed mine and held them above my head. "Take it back."

"Never," I whispered.

"Then you leave me no choice," he said sadly, lowering his face to mine and skimming his nose against my jawline. I was distracted by the proximity of his lips to notice he had transferred both of my hands into one of his while his other hand snuck down to my side.

I was totally blindsided when he pressed his wiggly fingers to my side, tickling mercilessly. I burst into laughter, not able to catch my breath. I struggled against his hands, in an attempt to protect myself and at last won, trying to push him away.

His other hand found my other side and began attacking it with squirming fingers. His tickling hands moved to my neck, the back of my knee and even my underarm as I pressed gently against his bare chest for relief.

"Say it!" He laughed.

"Uncle! Uncle!" I cried, but his fingers didn't stop.

"Say I'm the best fucking doctor in the whole damn world!"

"You're—the best—fucking doctor in—the whole—damn world!" I breathed through my giggles.

Suddenly his fingers stopped and he placed his face near mine, holding himself up on his hands. "Thanks, baby," he said smiling, placing a kiss on my lips.

"Ugh, I love you so much," I giggled again.

Edward froze above me.

"What did you say?" He asked, eyes wide, grinning my favorite grin.

Uhh…

"I said...I love you?" I tried.

"Say it again."

"I love you, Edward,"

His lips crashed into mine, hungrily moving against mine. His tongue immediately slid into my mouth, pushing mine around. He lowered his body to where he was against me, but I didn't feel all of his weight. My hands wrapped around his neck and slithered into his hair.

He pulled his face from mine slightly, "I love you, Isabella Swan."

My heart soared. He loves me. Edward Cullen loves me! Fireworks exploded in my chest with overwhelming joy. I didn't have to stop myself from saying those three words anymore. I love him and he loves me.

"I." He peppered kisses on my forehead. "Love." My nose. "You." Finally my lips, which began to move desperately against his.

After a few more minutes of kissing and exploring each other's mouths, Edward pulled away.

"I should get going, but I don't want to."

"Then stay," I said, pulling my lips into a pout.

"I can't," He said pecking my pouted lips. "It's part of the grandma thing," He joked. He sat up on the couch and found his abandoned button up on the rug.

I sat up as well. "Ew, I don't want to think of your grandma while we were practically dry humping on the couch." My face scrunched up.

"Uh, yeah, not a good mental picture." He admitted. "At least I don't need to take a cold shower," Edward winked.

"Oh my gosh," I sniggered. "You did not just mention your penis."

"Fuck, now that you say that, I need to take one now. It was incredibly sexy." He smirked.

"Shut up," I shoved him playfully as he skillfully buttoned the buttons I had undone previously.

"Thank you for tonight," he said, standing up from the couch.

"I love spending my evenings with you, Mr. Cullen."

"It's Dr. Cullen," He said, voice lowering.

"Oh, my bad, Doctor Cullen."

"Ugh, Bella, I really do have to go and you are making it incredibly hard."

"I'm just too sexy for my own good," I said, dragging my nails lightly down his chest.

"You're fucking right." He smirked, pulling me closer.

"I love you," I cooed.

"You are simply irresistible, Isabella Swan,"

"Then stop resisting,"

"Bella," he warned, but I simply shrugged. "Emmett is going to be on my ass if I'm late.

"I'm the only one who is able to touch your ass," I said, slapping a hand over his perfectly formed butt.

"Holy fuck," He grunted.

"Just remember that, Dr. Cullen." I pulled away from him and grabbed his keys for him. I attempted to swing my hips, but I'm not sure how effective I was.

"You are going to be the death of me." Edward slipped on his shoes and straightened his shirt.

I tossed his keys to him which he easily caught and leaned against the wall.

"Well, aren't you going to give me a goodbye kiss?" He asked, stepping towards the door.

"I thought you were in too much of a rush to leave," I joked.

"Never," He smiled. I all but ran into his outstretched arms, and he picked me up a twirled me around as he kissed me.

I was back on my own two feet and followed him to the door while holding his hand.

"I love you, Edward," I said one last time before his departure.

"I love you, Bella." He said, grinning.

He finally turned around and walked out to his car, sneaking another look over his shoulder. I watched him leave, leaning against the door frame and sighed in content.

When his headlights disappeared from my street, I shut the door and locked the deadbolt, then pressed my back against the door.

Did that really just happen?

Let me know your thoughts!

And buckle up, kids! It's going to be a bumpy ride!