Hi! Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful reviews. I appreciate each and every one. As always, a special thank you to My-Bella. Not only does she wave her sparkly purple editing pen, but she keeps me on my toes. I couldn't do this without her. If you've not read her stories, you really should.

Shall we see if Edward will ask Bella to stay the night with him?

Stephenie Meyer owns it all, I just like to give them new lives.

Come a little closer baby
I feel like lettin' go
Of everything that stands between us
And the love we used to know
I want to touch you like a cleansin' rain
And let it wash all the hurt away
So come a little closer baby
I feel like lettin' go

~Dierks Bentley

~Bella~

I was still reeling a little from the direction Edward's and my conversation had taken this evening, as I sat on the back of his bike, my head resting against his back. Looking back on things now, I wished I'd told him what Charlie was doing. But as an eighteen-year-old who was still so lost in the grief over loosing her mother, it just hadn't ever really occurred to me. It had always felt like it was something I had to deal with on my own. Like a dirty secret I had to hide. My therapist in Miami had told me that reasoning had come from the guilt and responsibility I'd felt over my mother's death and the blame my father weighed me down with. It was easy to look back now and wonder why I did this or didn't do that, but that wouldn't get me anywhere and I was glad Edward felt that way too.

I was so relieved to hear him mimic nearly the exact words my therapist had said to me. And I was so grateful he had forgiven me and didn't hate me for the selfishness I showed in hanging on to him for every last minute I'd been able to until I'd left. I had never dared to dream…well of course I'd dreamt of it, but I'd never truly believed that I would ever have a second chance with him, but here we were doing just that and so far things had been going pretty good. Really good in my opinion.

I looked up when I felt the bike turn off the main road and onto the gravel driveway leading to his aunt and uncle's house. There was a quick flash of lightning followed by a loud rumble of thunder. Instantly the skies opened and rain was pouring down on us. Despite the coolness of the rain soaking though Edward's flannel shirt, I couldn't help smiling. So may times in our lives we had been caught in a rainstorm. The first time we'd said 'I love you', the night I'd lost my virginity to him, so many other times, including the night I'd told him everything my father had done. Some might think it was bad luck, but for us it just seemed like a normal occurrence. The weather was just a regular part of our lives, especially with us both making a living off of it.

I was expecting Edward to slow down as we neared the main house, but he didn't and continued on to the barn where his apartment had been built on the second-floor loft area.

As Edward slowed the bike to turn into the lower level of the barn, the rain seemed to come down harder. A motion sensing light came on as soon as we entered the space.

"Holy shit it's really coming down!" I exclaimed as I hopped off the bike as soon as he'd stopped. Pulling off my helmet I watched as Edward rolled the bike over to the other side and parked it. Removing his own helmet, he came over to me and held his hand out for mine.

Giving it to him, I asked, "Mind if I hang here for a little bit until the rain lets up? I don't want to make a mud puddle out of Mae's kitchen floor. Especially at this hour of the night." It wasn't too particularly late, though with the storm darkening the sky, it may as well have been midnight. Edward's family were early risers. Sleeping in had been hard between my brother's booming voice and Emma's rambunctious giggles that seemed to echo through the house. However, when you had a ranch to maintain that meant you were up with the roosters, so I knew it wouldn't be long before everyone in that house would be setting into bed for the night.

He made his way back across the area, hanging both our helmets on the hook next to his bike. Edward then slowly approached me with a peculiar expression on his face. One that had me puzzled as to what he might be thinking. With me standing on the bottom step that led up to his living area, I was nearly as tall as he was.

'What," I asked seeing he had a question sitting on the tip of his tongue.

"I want you to stay," he stated.

"Okay, cool." I started to spin and head up the stairs, not really giving what he'd said any thought. "Do you have a dry shirt I can borrow?" However, before I could make it up the stairs he'd grabbed my hand, accidentally causing me to lose my footing and tumble into his seemingly waiting arms.

"All night?" I asked, confirming I'd heard him correctly.

"Yes, stay," he reiterated, his hand slipping up and cupping the back of my neck, pulling my forehead to his. "Spend the night with me. I'm not ready to let you go yet."

"Okay," I whispered.

With my agreement to stay, Edward kissed me hard, before leaving me breathless and panting as he quickly pulled away when the sound of Dottie whining interrupted us.

"Come on, I'll need to let her out real quick."

"In this weather?" I asked, knowing some dogs could be spooked by storms.

"Yeah, she'll stay right next to the barn and be fast about it. She's not afraid of storms, but she won't want to be out in it either," he explained, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.

Once we reached the top, he opened the door. Dottie wagged her tail in excitement to see him.

"You need to go out?" he asked her, earning a bark in return.

Giving me a peck on the lips he said, "Be right back."

Not bothering to shut the door, the two of them headed down the stairs. Feeling a little awkward just standing there in the doorway, I walked over to the large window across the room and looked at the storm. The lightning show was quite beautiful to watch as it lit up various parts of the night sky. I'd been so entranced by it, I hadn't realized Edward and Dottie had returned until I heard the door shut. Turning around, I kneeled to welcome Dottie as she trotted over to me.

"Hi there, girl," I greeted her, noticing she was damp from her trip outside. Looking up I saw Edward kick off his shoes before coming over with a towel and a couple of treats in his hand. He quickly dried her and gave her one of the treats. Once she finished it, he walked with her over to her bed in the living room area and told her to lay, while pointing at the bed. When she laid down in it, he kneeled and gave her another treat then rubbed her behind the ears. As he stood, she set her head on top of her paws and relaxed.

After going to the kitchen and washing his hands, he came over to where I was leaning against the wall. Backing me against it he asked, "Now where were we?"

"Not sure I remember," I teased.

Edward's lips captured mine again, his arms encircling me, holding me captive against him. The way he kissed me, was searing me from the inside out. His hands slid down my back, burning a path on my skin like molten lava scorching the earth, until he reached my rearend. As he cupped both sides, grinding against me, I was met with a very prominent bulge in his jeans. And while what he was doing felt incredible, I couldn't help but wonder if at any moment he'd pull away like he had the few other times we'd gotten carried away.

Please don't pull away, I chanted in my head.

I wanted to stay with him, but it was going to be difficult to do with the fire that was burning between us if we weren't going any further.

"Edward," I gasped, sucking in rapid pulls of air, trying to catch my breath. "What are we doing?"

"I…I thought… If you're not ready…" he sighed in exasperation.

"Sssh," I said placing my finger over his lips. "Did I say I wasn't?"

"No," he answered, releasing me and taking a step back. Running his hand through his hair he added, "Guess I got carried away."

"Hey, don't do that. All I'm asking is if you're ready? If you are, then I am too," I told him honestly, as to not leave any room for doubt. I wanted him. Badly. But we had to both be in the same place for it to be the right time.

Edward eyes held mine in a penetrating stare. His green gaze searching mine for certainty in what I'd said. I could see the moment he'd found it. His eyes darkened with intensity and desire, like there was a storm brewing in them and it made my heart pound in my chest and my legs felt weak. As if he sensed it, he tugged on my belt loop, bringing my body flush against his again.

"Kitten," he whispered. "I'm tired of fighting this thing between us."

"Then don't. I want this as long as you're sure." My heart couldn't take it if he had regrets once we'd gone down that path.

Licking his lips, he leaned closer until I could feel his warm breath next to my ear. "There's nothin' I want more right now."

His mouth burned a trail from my ear down my neck. The scratch of his scruff and heat of his warm breath sent chills down my spine, leaving me struggling to find the ability to speak.

But somehow I did. "Then what are you waiting for? I'm all yours, Stormie."

The nickname had just come out of nowhere, but it did fit him. He was a storm, a broody moody one at times, but he was my storm and I would never want to tame him.

He chuckled. "Stormie, huh? We'll talk about that later."

Taking me by the hand he led me across the space of his dimly lit loft. A flash of lightning lit the space further, allowing me to take in his platform bed with a barndoor turned headboard. His bedding was rumpled, looking as if he'd just crawled out of it. Letting go of my hand, Edward attempted to straighten them a little, but gave up and just flipped back the covers on the bed.

Turning back to me, he whispered my name, "Bella." His hands slid up my body and cupped my face between them.

Leaning down to kiss me, he paused, watching me, as if he were waiting for me to either encourage him or stop him. As much as I wanted him to kiss me, I was frozen, unable to do either. I'd dreamt of this moment so many times, and yearned for it for so long, I was having a hard time believing it was finally about to happen. I could see the moment he gave in internally, his eyes filled with passion. With a groan he covered my mouth with his in a hungry kiss.

I whimpered from the pressure of his lips on mine. He took that moment to slip his tongue into my mouth and deepen the kiss. Our lips moved together urgently, almost desperate. It was all consuming as it went on and on, engulfing me in the heat that was sizzling between us.

Edward's large hands roamed over me, feeling every inch he could reach. "God, I want you so badly, Kitten." He wrapped his arms around me, pressing me against him, not allowing a sliver of space between us.

Barely loosening his hold on me, he sat on the bed and pulled me to straddle his lap, once again giving me a clear feel of what this was doing to him too. Desperate for some kind of friction, I couldn't help rubbing against him when our lips connected again. His hands slid up my arms and began tugging at his shirt I was wearing. Pulling away a little, he got the shirt off and dropped it to the floor. Lifting my-t-shirt he looked at me as if asking for approval to take it off too. I nodded without hesitation and raised my arms for him to do so.

After tossing my t-shirt aside he kissed his way down between my breasts and then without warning, he flipped me over on the bed, pressing me into it while grinding his hips right where I was aching the most. Overwhelmed with the sensation, I groaned, ready to lose it right there. It had been far too long since I'd had a release that wasn't self-induced.

Just when I thought I might fall over the edge, Edward stopped. Looking up at me with a sexy smirk on his face he reached between us and popped the button on my jeans. "Your jeans are wet, Kitten. What about the rest of you?"

"Why don't you find out," I teased right back. He kissed, licked, and nipped his way to the button on my jeans. After unzipping them he tugged them down to my feet where he stood and quickly removed them and my shoes.

Lying on his bed in my bra and panties I was feeling a little nervous. It had been a long while since I'd been with anyone. And while sex had always been great between us before, I couldn't help but wonder if it would be as good now.

There's only one way to find out, I told myself.

"Seems hardly fair you still have all your clothes on." I sat up and reached for his belt buckle. I made quick work of undoing his jeans, but since they were wet and plastered to his legs getting them off was another thing.

"Need some help, Kitten?" he asked, with a lopsided grin on his face.

"Just a little."

Taking a step back he began tugging the wet material down his legs while keeping his eyes locked on mine. He got them off one leg but ended up hopping around on one leg while trying to get the other side off and nearly fell on top of me. Luckily, I reached out to steady him and he was able to remove the offending article of clothing. But the commotion did cause Dottie to bark response.

"It's ok, girl. Stay," he told her.

"She gonna be okay?" I asked.

"Yeah," he replied, standing in front of me again.

I slowly grazed my nails up the back of his thighs, remembering how much it used to turn him on. Feeling him shiver I was spurred on. Once I reached his boxers, I slid a hand around the front and popped the waistband. "Off with these too," I ordered in a teasing voice then slowly skimmed my fingers down the front of his boxers, rubbing his erection before falling back on the bed.

With a groan Edward mumbled something that sounded like, "fucking killing me."

Raising up on my elbows, I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, knowing how it used to drive him crazy, and watched as he shed the rest of his clothing. Eighteen-year-old Edward had been a sight to feast your eyes on, but this Edward, Edward the man was magnificent. Toned and muscular in all the right places. And I couldn't help notice he had a bit more hair on his chest now that darkened around his belly button as it went down beneath his boxers.

Yes, Edward the man was fucking sexy. Lucky me.

"Like what you see?" he asked.

"Yes," came my breathy response, cluing him in on how he was affecting me.

Faster than I thought possible he was naked and on top of me, pressing me into the bed.

"Now who's overdressed," he murmured as he sucked on the skin above my breast, causing me to arch up against him. "I can help rectify that."

"Then what are you waiting for?" I egged him on. Quickly he captured my lips in a searing kiss.

"Still so naughty," he murmured, planting kisses all over my body as he ridded me of my bra and panties. "God, you're all grown up and fucking gorgeous, Kitten."

Dragging his tongue along the inside of my thigh, I had a pretty good idea where he was headed. And though I knew from past experience with him, I'd definitely enjoy what he was about to do, I needed him too badly to wait any longer. I tugged on his hair causing him to look up at me. "Save that for the next round, I need you now, Edward."

"Next round?" he asked huskily as he kissed his way up my body, stopping to pay closer attention to all the areas that drove me wild.

Stopping when he reached my mouth, he kissed me hard. I hissed from the sensation of our bodies lining up skin to skin. I could feel him against me as I brought my legs up around his hips.

"Fuck," he uttered and started to pull away.

"What's wrong, don't you want this?"

God, please don't back out now.

Had I read him wrong? Was I forcing myself on him? He did ask me to stay. Said he wanted this. I was wracking my brain to understand why he was suddenly pulling away.

He hung his head so that his forehead was resting on mine with his eyes closed. He sighed and then looked up at me, almost as if he was a little embarrassed. "I don't have any protection. I uh…I've never brought anyone here and it's been a while, so…"

Relief flooded me. "If you're sure that's the only reason you have to hold back, then we're covered," I told him. "I've got an IUD and it's been a while for me too."

"You're covered?" He reached down and hitched my leg that had slid down back up around his hip.

"Yes."

"And you want this?" he slid against me without entering me.

"Yes. I want you. Now," I assured him, gripping his hair, pulling him closer, and kissing him with all I had.

Adjusting his position, without any hesitance Edward slid into me. "Holy fuck," he gasped, still catching his breath from the heated kiss I'd given him. "God, Bella."

And holy fuck was right. Wrapping my legs tighter around him we began moving together. I felt myself shudder due to the sensations building in me. It felt as if no time had gone by. The connection I felt with Edward like this was like none other. The way we fit together, moved together, was filling me with emotions and pleasure like no one ever had but him. Like our bodies just remembered what to do.

"Unh, right there," I breathed when he'd changed his angle and was hitting me in just the right spot. I was going to explode and soon.

"Mmmm, so damn good. It always was between us," he whispered against my ear. "Let it out, tell me. Let me hear you."

I felt myself beginning to unravel, totally giving into the bliss of Edward's movements.

"Oh, God. More, Edward, more," I cried out.

He thrust harder. "Like that? Is that what you want, Kitten?" His voice was deep and raspy now, sending chills through me.

"Yes, yes, just like that." It only took a few more of those hard deep thrusts before I was crying out his name as I fell over the edge and took him with me.

We lay there unmoving, wrapped around each other trying to catch our breath. A flash of lightning shot across the sky followed by a loud boom of thunder, shaking the windows of the space. It was like the weather had felt what had just happened between us.

Without a word, Edward rolled to his side, taking me with him. Our legs still entangled and his arm under me, holding me close. After a few moments he moved to get up. I watched as he made his way to the bathroom. Feeling a little chilled I pulled the blankets up over me. On Edward's way back to the bed, he stopped and turned the tv off. Crawling under the covers with me, he held out his arm for me to cuddle up next to him. I was just about to rest my head on his chest when Dottie whimpered from her bed.

"Does she normally sleep in her bed," I asked, wondering if she slept with him.

"Uh, no. She normally sleeps with me," he said, confirming my thoughts.

"Edward, she doesn't have to stay over there on my account," I assured him. "I don't mind if she joins us."

"You sure?"

"Positive." I knew if this thing was going to work between me and Edward, Dottie had to accept me in his life too. Until now she had, had him all to herself and I didn't want her to resent me. She was a great dog and I wanted her to love me too.

With a quick whistle and a "come on, girl" Dottie was on the bed with us. Edward patted the space at the foot of the bed and after turning this way and that she settled and laid down.

With Dottie seeming to be content, Edward wrapped his arm around me and I laid my head on his chest, tucked under his chin, breathing him in. He smelled of rain, sweat, sex, a hint of hay, and his own natural essence. It was a heady combination that soothed me. I smiled to myself when Dottie moved to squeeze herself in the small space between the two of us with her head resting on my leg.

I could get used to this.

The last thing I remembered before being lulled to sleep was Edward running his fingers through my hair, kissing the top of my head, and whispering 'good night, Love.'

I woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee and bright light streaming in from the window behind the bed. Fighting against the light I kept my eyes closed while rolling over to reach for Edward. When I found the bed empty, I forced my eyes to open and realized that neither him or Dottie were anywhere to be seen. Stretching and sitting up, I noticed the door was open. I thought Edward had taken Dottie outside, until I registered the sound of the shower running and remembered Edward had to leave for work today. That told me he was likely showering while Dottie was out running around the ranch. It's what she'd been doing the first time I met her. Given the ranch was fairly closed in on private land Dottie could run until her little heart was content. With Edward's leaving in mind, I wanted to take advantage of every second we had till he left and quickly made my way to the bathroom. Along the way, noticing I was deliciously achy in all the right places from the two rounds of love making we'd had overnight. It had been a few hours after I'd drifted to sleep in Edward's arms when he'd woken me wanting more. Only this time we'd taken things slow and had thoroughly reacquainted ourselves with every inch of each other. It was glorious. Edward was an even better lover than he'd been before.

Though I really didn't want to think about how he'd gotten better.

Unable to fight the smile on my face I stepped into the shower behind him, welcoming the warm water and wrapping my arms around him. "Good morning," I whispered between peppering kisses on his back.

He turned around in my arms. "Good morning indeed," he said as I slid my hand down to find him hard. Groaning Edward buried his face in my neck when I began to stroke him. "Good God, Bella, you're driving me insane. What is it with you? I can't seem to ever get enough. Not before and not now." His voice was rough and husky.

"I can't get enough of you either."

Reaching down and removing my hand from him, he pressed me against the shower wall and held my hands over my head. "You've been under my skin since we were 16," he whispered, rubbing his nose down my neck and back up to my ear again, nipping at the sensitive skin there. "Hmm, tell me, Kitten, am I still under your skin too?"

"Yes, always," I breathed out.

Reaching down between my legs, he began stroking me, I whimpered in pleasure.

With his mouth still next to my ear and his voice deep, he urged, "Tell me, Kitten, have you ridden anyone the way you used to ride me? The way you rode me earlier this morning?"

"No," I panted, barely able to speak. My body was buzzing like a livewire, my head spinning from his ministrations. I couldn't think straight.

"Good." Picking me up and wrapping my legs around him, he told me, "Better hold on tight, kitten, this is gonna be fast." I gripped on to him tighter with my legs and arms, giving in to what we both wanted.

His fast pace brought me to release quickly, causing me to scream out his name from the intensity. "I love hearing you scream my name, Kitten," he growled, capturing my lips in a hard searing kiss.

Edward's head fell to my shoulder as he reached his own release. Sucking on my neck, I could've sworn I heard him say, "mine" as he brought his lips back to mine for a slow tantalizing kiss.

We stayed there under the water kissing for what felt like forever until the water started to cool. Breaking away he said, "We best hurry to wash up or the water is going to feel like ice." Letting me down, I nearly slipped from my legs being shaky. "You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I just have jello for legs."

Chuckling he grabbed the soap and handed me the shampoo. "You complaining?"

"Never."

A little bit later, we went down to his truck. Tossing his duffle bag in the back, Edward gave a couple of loud whistles, and Dottie came running up to us. "Good girl," he told her, bending to give her some pets and getting doggy kisses all over the side of his face.

I couldn't help but giggle at the two of them. They clearly loved each other dearly. I made a mental note to spend some time with Dottie while Edward was away. Maybe we could keep each other company since we'd both be missing him.

Standing and wiping the side of his face with his shirt sleeve Edward pulled open the door and leaned the back of the front seat forward.

"Up," he commanded Dottie. Without hesitation she was in the back seat of the truck and sitting. Following Dottie's lead, we both climbed in as well.

Heading up to the main house I was suddenly feeling a tad self-conscious. I was certain as soon as we walked in with me in Edward's clothes, they'd all have a pretty good idea what we'd been up to.

"What's got you thinkin' so hard over there?" he asked, giving my thigh a squeeze where his hand was resting on it.

"I feel like I'm about to do the morning after walk of shame in front of our entire family," I explained.

"Are you ashamed?" he asked, glancing over at me before returning his gaze to the gravel road.

"No. Not at all." I answered without hesitation. "I just feel like I'm screaming, 'hey look at me, I got thoroughly sexed up last night'."

"Don't leave out this morning too," he quipped playfully.

"You're worse than a strutting peacock, Edward Cullen."

He put his truck in park as we stopped in front of the main house. Leaning closer he started, "I'll show y—" but was cut off by the sound of the screen door slamming shut.

"Edward Anthony Cullen," Mae hollered from her perch on the porch. Both her hands planted firmly on her hips as she gave Edward the stink eye.

"Uh, oh. She middle named you. You're in deep shit now," I teased, pulling the lever to open the truck door. Sucking in a deep breath I climbed out. Edward did the same, letting Dottie out too.

"Good morning, Aunt Mae," Edward called sweetly as he followed behind me.

On most days Edward could charm the socks off just about anyone, but not his aunt.

"Mornin', Dear," Mae greeted as I climbed the porch stairs.

Dottie must have sensed something was amiss. She quickly trotted up the stairs and sat by the screen door waiting to be let in. Either that or she was hoping for some droppings off Emma's plate. The smell of breakfast was wafting out to lure us all in.

"Good morning," I returned. Pretty sure I saw her fighting a smile as she took in my attire. But her gaze had quickly averted back to her nephew. About to open the screen door I took notice of everyone sitting in the kitchen silently. I let Dottie in, but I turned back to the stairs and stayed planted in my spot, waiting to hear what Mae was gonna unleash on Edward.

"Don't you try to sweet talk me. If you were a youngin' I'd tan your hide, boy," she scolded Edward as he stopped on the second step coming eye to eye with his aunt where she remained at the edge of the porch.

"Why? What did I do?" He looked truly perplexed and I was too. We'd been gone all evening yesterday. Only thing that would come to mind is if he'd not done something around the ranch.

Throwing her hands up in exasperation Mae proceeded to clue him in. "What did I do, he asks me. You blew out of here yesterday fast as the wind and left gravel all over the stairs, kicked up by that bike of yours."

I heard a snicker coming from inside and looked in the screen door just in time to catch Rose pinching Emmett on the arm, and mouthing for him to stop. I just knew there was no way I would make it through that kitchen without my brother making some sort of snarky comment to me.

"Why didn't you leave it for me to clean up?" I heard Edward ask, drawing my attention back to him and his aunt.

"Well bless your heart. Of course, next time we'll just leave it be, wait on you to have time to clean your mess up. And meanwhile your heavily pregnant cousin can just go out the back door and walk all the way around the house. I'm sure her ankles won't mind." She grabbed him by his ear and started pulling him up the stairs.

"Owe. Aunt Mae. I'm sorry," Edward pleaded with her. "It won't happen again."

I had to put my hand over my mouth to hide my laughter. Less than an hour ago he was this dirty talking possessive man making me scream in the shower. But here he was at the mercy of this petite woman that we all loved. Mae was the most loving and caring woman I knew aside from my own mother, but she was also one whose ire you did not want to face.

"Do you want your niece to slip and fall on them when she goes running down the stairs?" Mae went on with her tongue lashing.

"No. Of course not. I'm truly sorry."

She let go of his ear. He reached up to rub it, his eye catching me laughing at him. I'd tried, but hadn't been able stop myself. And from the sounds of it, neither could those in the kitchen, including Rosalie this time.

"Do you promise you'll be more careful next time?" Mae asked shaking the kitchen towel in her hand at him.

"Yes, ma'am. I will," he promised her.

"Good, now get your tail in that kitchen and have some breakfast. Both of you," she ordered her gaze turning towards me too.

I didn't have to be told twice. When my mind shifted to food, I realized how hungry I was, having not eaten since we were at The Bar last night. Immediately pulling open the door, I made my way inside.

Once inside Edward and I bid good morning to everyone, they all replied with their own as they carried on with what they were doing. Rose was helping Emma cut her waffle up, Carl was engrossed in the morning paper as he tipped his coffee mug to take a sip, and my brother was piling his plate with enough food for an army.

"Hey, Eddie, you giving out free t-shirts with bike rides now? This some new side gig you got going on?" he wondered, wagging his fork with a half-eaten sausage link on it back and forth between Edward and I as we sat down at the table. I should have known he'd comment about the University of Oklahoma tee I had on.

"Emmett," his wife hissed at him.

"What?" he asked. "That ain't what she was wearing when she left here yesterday. And she didn't go to O.U. so…"

"So what?" I retorted, rolling my eyes at him. "I borrowed it from Edward. Drop it, Em."

"Do you have a baby in your belly too, Auntie Bella?" Emma asked, causing me to suck in a breath as everyone around the table stopping eating and their eyes settling on me and Edward all at once.

Taking a long gulp of orange juice to wash down the food I'd nearly choked on I then replied to my niece. "No, Sweetie. Auntie Bella does not have a baby in her belly."

"Well mommy wears daddy's shirts cuz she has a baby in her belly. Why you wearing Uncle Edward's shirt if you not got a baby?" she inquired innocently.

"I got caught in the rain, Sweetie, and my clothes got wet. Uncle Edward was nice and let me borrow his," I explained.

"Bet he was," Emmett mumbled under his breath. "Owe," he whined and jumped. "Who kicked me?"

No one took ownership, but judging by the smirk Edward was fighting I had a pretty good idea who it was.

"All of you stop it now. Emmett, leave your sister alone," Mae ordered.

"Yes, Momma C." he replied, tucking back into his mountain of food.

The rest of breakfast went by uneventfully. Aunt Mae had asked Edward how long he'd be on the road and he'd told her likely most of the week. I'd known he was heading out today but hadn't realized he'd be gone so long. I had plenty to keep me busy with the house and work, but I was still going to miss him. Especially after spending the night with him last night.

After breakfast we all worked to clean up. Rose took Emma off to clean her up and Emmett and Carl headed out to get going on chores around the ranch. I was drying the last few dishes while Edward said goodbye to Dottie, telling her to be a good girl. He next moved on to hug his aunt good bye and apologize again for the gravel incident. Glancing up at me over her shoulder he gave me a nod towards the door. Releasing Mae he kissed her on the cheek.

"I'll see y'all in a few days."

"You be careful out there," she called after him as he went out the door.

"I will," he returned.

Telling Mae I'd be right back I followed him out to his truck.

"I've got to get going." He took my hand and pulled me closer to him. Wrapping me in his arms, he buried his face in my hair.

"Be safe out there," I implored.

"Always am."

"Text or call if you can."

"I'll try, sometimes service is spotty. Especially if a tornado hits the area we're in."

I sighed and nodded, knowing that made sense. It just didn't make it easy to endure.

He must have sensed what I was feeling because next he said, "I should be able to at some point, I just can't say when or how often. I should be back to help with the house this weekend."

"Okay. And I get it, I know you'll be busy." I assured him.

Cupping my face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to mine whispering, "I promise to try," before kissing me.

Eventually he slowed the kiss and then pulled away. "Gotta go, Kitten." I could hear the emotion in his voice telling me he was going to miss me too. He opened the truck door and paused before climbing in. "Maybe you'd like to come along with me sometime? Could be fun," he suggested with a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

"I might just take you up on that offer, Cullen."

"Good. Just let me know when you can get time off to tag along," he added. "I'll take care of things on my end. I don't think it would be a big deal since we're technically employed at the same place."

"Sounds good. I'll check into it tomorrow," I promised.

"Okay, I really gotta hit the road. I'll see you at the end of the week."

"Okay," I replied, fighting the urge to say three little words that would have a huge impact. But it just didn't feel like the right time with him heading off for the week.

Leaning in for one last kiss he then climbed into his truck and headed down the drive.

Watching his truck fade into the distance, it hit me how hard it must have been for him to see me go down this drive four years ago, with no knowledge of when I'd be back, if ever. Maybe I should have told him that I was head over heels in love with him all over again. Feeling an ache in my chest over what I'd done that to him, I was ever so grateful for this second chance with him and knew I'd do whatever it took to make it work.

Next time, Bella. You can tell him when he gets back I told myself.

With that thought in mind I headed back in the house to enjoy the rest of my Sunday, tomorrow it would be back to work.

Thank you to everyone who continues to stick with me as these two figure things out. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Let me know what ya think.

Until next time,
~EA