Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Previously

Edward opened his eyes to see Bella’s chocolate eyes gazing back at him. They were full of love and admiration and he thanked God for bringing this angel into his life. She put him at ease. She knew the right things to say. She opened his heart up without him realizing it. “I’m in love with you, Bella,” Edward whispered not know what else to say.

Chapter 9: Together

“Edward,” Bella was shocked. She wasn’t expecting it. She knew they had some sort of connection that wasn’t easily found. But, love? Was that what she had been feeling during the week that they weren’t speaking? She thought about him every minute of the day. Hoped that he was happy. Hoped that he was thinking about her. Wanted to run to him and tell him she was sorry for yelling at him. Wanted to see him smile. Was this really what being in love felt like? She thought that she was in love before, but this felt completely different. This felt right. It felt good.

“Bella, you don’t have to say anything,” Edward rushed wishing he would have thought this through before opening his mouth. “I just…you have gotten me to open up to you, more than I have to anyone, even my parents. You make me feel like I can do anything, as long as I have you as a support system. Every time I see your beautiful face, I can’t help but marvel at your perfection.” Bella blushed searching his eyes for a lack of anything else, but knew he was telling the truth.

“I'm getting there, I’m just not quite ready to say it. But believe me when I am, you'll be the first to know,” Bella smiled as she kissed him lightly on the lips.

“I don't want to pressure you in any way. I just...I just couldn't not tell you,” Edward said closing his eyes as Bella ran the pad of her thumb across his cheekbone.

“I know, and you have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say those words,” Bella smiled.

She had been struggling herself to figure out what her heart had been screaming at her for the past month. She had finally got to the point where her heart was healed. Where she was ready to let people in again, but the feelings that erupted when meeting Edward almost had her running for her life. But there was that part of her that told her he was a good man that he would take care of her. The part that trusted Edward with her life; that's the part she's starting to listen to more.

Bella placed her hands on each side of Edward’s face. “I want you, but I can’t rush into things again,” she said looking into his eyes, hoping he would understand. She rushed into things the last time and she wasn’t going to make that mistake again, especially not with someone as amazing as Edward. She felt that they had forever to be with one another, why rush into things?

“There is definitely no need to rush,” Edward smiled as he leaned forward closing the space between them. He meant what he said. He would wait forever for Bella. She was worth the wait, and was worth the fight. He gently placed his lips on hers remembering the first time he kissed her. It was better than he remembered. Bella moved her hands from his face to the back of his head tangling her fingers in his hair as a moan escaped from his chest.

Before things got too heated Edward pulled away resting his forehead against hers. “What do you say to going to my parents this weekend? I’m sure they’d love to see you.” Edward asked pulling Bella into his lap.

“That sounds nice,” Bella smiled as she rested her head against Edward’s chest. She loved hearing the soft rhythm of his heartbeat. It was a soothing sound that almost put her to sleep.

“It will probably be the last time I’ll get to visit them before Christmas and before the season starts,” Edward said placing a kiss on top of her heard.

“Are you gone that often?” Bella asked her eyes still closed.

“Yes, mostly on the weekends. We have an occasional weekday game. But, when we have away games, we are usually gone for a couple of days,” Edward told her as he stroked her hair. He knew that he would miss her the most when they were traveling. He had never had a girlfriend, much less one during baseball season. He just hoped that his absence wouldn’t mess up things with Bella.

“I’ll miss you when you’re gone,” Bella said softly. She really would miss him.

“I’ll miss you too. More than you’ll know,” Edward said into her hair. He couldn’t get enough of her scent. It was so calming, and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do when they were on the road, and she wasn’t there to calm him down. He had no idea how he had survived the past twenty years without her.

They just sat there in each other’s embrace for the longest time not wanting the intimate moment to end. No talking, just enjoying the contact of each other’s body.

“Hungry are we?” Edward chuckled as a low rumble from Bella’s stomach interrupted the silence.

“Just a little,” Bella said hiding her face in Edward’s shoulder.

“Come on, let’s get you something to eat,” Edward picked her up in his arms and carried her into the kitchen.

“I do have two legs, you know,” Bella said as she flipped on the lights.

“I know, I just can’t seem to let go now that I have you,” Edward smiled as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

“You’ll always have me,” Bella said placing a chaste kiss on his lips. Edward smiled as he set her down on a stool at the island.

“Sit tight, and watch the master chef at work,” Edward winked as he made his way around the counter and started opening cabinets.

“Master?” Bella asked. She was definitely going to enjoy this, probably more than she should. She watched as Edward pulled out a medium size pan and filled it half with water placing it on the stove and then pulled out a large skillet and placed it on top of the stove. He turned on the burner for the water filled pan and left it to boil. “So, what is Chef Edward fixing?” Bella got off her stool and glided over to Edward who was looking through the pantry.

“My famous, Macaroni and Cheese,” Edward smiled holding up a box of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.

“Hm…well, you’re going to have to do better than that if you want to impress me,” Bella said crossing her arms.

“Oh, don’t worry, love, I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” Edward smiled kissing her on the cheek before he made his way to the refrigerator. He pulled out a package of bacon and started to lay five strips of bacon into the skillet on top of the stove. Bella watched carefully as Edward seemed to know what he was doing. She was thoroughly impressed that he felt comfortable in a kitchen. It just made him that much more sexy.

“So does this cooking thing happen often with you?” Bella asked as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist resting her cheek against his back. She loved the feel of his body next to hers.

“Only for the most important women in my life,” Edward said as he flipped the crackling bacon. He loved the warmth of her body pressed against his.

“Oh, so you’ve cooked for other women?” Bella asked. She immediately unlocked her arms from around Edward’s waist and stepped back to lean against the counter. She shouldn’t be mad, but she couldn’t help it. She was sure he had cooked for other girls, he was too good looking to not have had past relationships no matter how serious they were.

“Just my mother,” Edward said turning around hearing the hurt in Bella’s voice. When he saw her expression he immediately knew what she was thinking. “You and my mother are the only women I’ve ever cooked for.” Edward walked over tilting Bella’s chin up with his index finger.

“Oh, sorry,” Bella whispered blushing in embarrassment.

“Don’t be, love,” Edward smiled. He couldn’t help but find her jealousy adorable. Bella continued to watch Edward as he prepared their dinner in amazement. She wasn’t sure how she had gotten so lucky to find a guy like Edward. He was sweet, charming, funny, a musician, an athlete, a family man, and not to mention drop dead gorgeous. The two ate dinner in pleasant conversation learning more and more about each other.

A/N: Crap, sorry it's taken me so long to post this. New York was awesome as always, and since I've been back I'm still on the job hunt. A word of advice to those of you still in school...STAY IN SCHOOL!!! THE REAL WORLD SUCKS!! haha

Be on the look out for a new one-shot from me. It might be a bit, but I'm working on one, and I think ya'll might like it!!! So, just a heads up!!!

Oh and P.S. I would love feedback!!! Even if it's just a "awesome" or "you suck" or "hurry the fuck up!" I would love to hear from ya'll!!!!!