Disclaimer: This is a work of derivative fiction. The characters and text of the Twilight Saga are owned by Stephenie Meyer. Any original content in this story is owned by Virginia May, 2010. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 36:

"Easy, Like Sunday Morning"

BPOV—

Sundays were my new favorite day. Hands down. Getting to sleep late. Waking in Edward's arms. Staying in bed long afterward, encapsulated in our own little world and slowly driving each other mad. In the best way possible, of course.

This Sunday, like the last, dawned bright and beautiful. It was supposed to rain again later, but even so, the day was already a stark contrast to the previous five.

After Edward's birthday, my week had gone downhill fast. I worked an extra ten-hour shift on Monday and came home to learn my apartment still didn't have power restored. On Tuesday, they managed to get a line in for the refrigerator and stove. But by Thursday evening, I'd come home to find the generator supplying that power had broken down for several hours, and what few necessities I'd purchased had spoiled. Then on Friday, the contractor began work on the wiring issues, which eliminated what working power I had left.

On one hand, it spurred me into action to search for a new place to live—something smaller and possibly newer, and still close enough to work that I wouldn't have to spend hours on the highway in my truck every day. I also wanted a place that had what Edward needed. Which would have to be a topic of conversation between us soon.

On the other hand, between living out of a suitcase, working an extra day and long hours, and having an empty apartment I couldn't even use, my mood nosedived. The departure of nearly everyone in my life before Edward's return hit hard. Embry's sudden absence both from work and being conveniently located across the street, where I might have cooked a meal, or had a warm shower, or borrowed some damn milk for my coffee, hit harder. Loneliness threatened in the moments Edward wasn't there. And I hated it. That just wasn't me.

I was exceedingly happy with Edward, but not dependent. I did not allow myself to become dependent on anybody. Not even my parents. So, despite feeling grateful to have been welcomed into the Cullen's home each weekend, I just couldn't allow that to lull me into complacency.

Even if I did sleep like a dream in Edward's bed and very much enjoy waking up there. Especially on Sundays.

"So. . . " I said to Edward while I stood at the bathroom counter, rummaging in my toiletry bag. "I have to ask."

He'd just returned with a cup of coffee for me, once again freshly dressed after letting me rumple his hair and clothes all morning.

"Yes?" he replied.

I met his eyes in the mirror. "Do they go to church or something?"

He was visibly startled. I laughed while he blinked at me.

"I mean, how is it your whole family just happens to have gone out again this morning?"

His eyes lit with understanding. "We're just lucky, I guess."

I wasn't sure I believed him.

He chuckled and moved behind me, caging me against the counter with his arms on either side of my body and meeting my eyes in the mirror. "We're a group of four mated pairs now. Everyone needs their privacy, love."

My heart fluttered and my cheeks pinked. "Oh."

He chuckled again and kissed my cheek. "Not to mention you worked yourself nearly to death this week. I knew you'd be out for hours."

It was true, I hadn't even moved until after eleven. It was probably nearing one now.

"Missing something you need?" he asked, indicating my continued digging.

"Oh," I said, refocusing on the toiletry bag in front of me. "Uh, I don't think so." I plucked a moisturizer out and waved it at him.

He stepped back so I could finish my morning routine.

"I guess I should invest in doubles of some of this stuff," I said. "At some point."

Edward leaned against the counter again, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes soft. "That might be nice."

His pleased expression made me blush. I tried to hide that and my accompanying grin. Despite my determination to maintain my independence, it was hard to pretend I didn't like how he wanted me in his space.

~(wdh)~

Later that afternoon, after the rain had put an early end to a visit to our mountaintop—we'd only just begun our trek when the sky started rumbling in the distance—I sat watching Edward and Carlisle play a game of chess that spread across six chess boards.

Alice had been attempting to entertain me, painting her nails and hinting I should choose a color too, when she fell silent.

I'd been staring at Edward, whose head tilted to the left moments before his eyes found mine.

"Jessica's calling," he said.

I sat confused for a moment until he added, "Sweet Caroline, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Yes, that's right." I turned to Alice, an apology on the tip of my tongue.

"Don't worry about it," she said, smiling.

"It's upstairs," Edward added, having stood from his game before I could get up from the sofa. "I'll get it."

"No, don't. I'll call her back from up there." I hopped up, then paused. "If that's okay?"

Edward's eyes lit with understanding, even as Alice chirped, "Of course it is!"

I wasn't sure why I felt the need to explain.

"We haven't spoken since she left for her honeymoon," I said. "I'm sure she's just calling to let me know they're home."

"Go on, sweetheart," Esme said, gliding into the room and taking my seat. "I'll keep Alice busy, and these two honest."

She winked, making me laugh.

I met Edward's gaze. "I'll be back."

"Be careful on the stairs," he answered.

I rolled my eyes but smiled as I turned to leave. I was glad at least he wasn't insisting on carrying me anymore. I was also glad to hear from Jessica. So much had happened since her wedding and the week had been such crap until today, that it would be nice to vent to someone who could understand.

Settling into the soft, wide, dark green chair in the new reading room, I dialed her back.

"Bella!"

"Hey Jess," I said, smiling.

"Ohmygod, I totally thought maybe you were going radio silent again. I'm glad you called back!"

I blushed. "Haha, no. I just left my phone in my bag. I'm glad to hear from you, though. How was the honeymoon?"

She made a happy sound. "It was incredible. The islands, Bella. . . My God, the islands. Did you get the pictures I sent? I've never seen blue like that before. And the beaches were the whitest, softest sand. Nothing like La Push!" She sighed. "The resort was gorgeous. And Nick. . . just thought of everything. I wanna go back."

I smiled. "Sounds perfect. How did Care Bear do with your folks? Did she have fun at Disney World?"

"Oh, God. Did she ever." Jessica's dreamy tone was replaced by exasperation. "They spoiled her rotten. Bought her every damn princess dress she asked for. And all the matching Mickey ear headbands. Even Disney Crocs. Crocs, Bella!"

I laughed, imagining Jessica's face when she'd seen those. She hated them.

"Well, at least she will grow out of them quickly," I said.

"Ugh, they bought them a size up."

I snorted, practically seeing Jess's eye roll. "Maybe tell her they don't go with her princess dresses?"

Jessica laughed sardonically. "Yeah, sure. I don't think that child heard the word 'no' the whole time she was gone. They literally had to buy an extra suitcase for all the crap they bought her!"

"Oh, no."

"Right? I mean. . . who are these people masquerading as my parents? I didn't get anything when they took me to Disneyland as a kid!"

Laughing again, I said, "Maybe they were making up for that?"

She took a quick breath. "Yeah, maybe. She's been a nightmare since we got her back, though. Nick and I got delayed getting in from Miami yesterday, so my parents had to keep her occupied at the Orlando airport for an extra two hours, and by then we'd missed our connection. Mom and Daddy got out on the next flight to Seattle, but we were on standby for hours with a cranky four-year-old."

"Oh, man. I'm sorry," I said, cringing.

"Me, too. It was a long flight home, but we survived. Of course, she's still a hot mess today, but she's finally napping, thank God." She laughed. "Talk about the honeymoon being over, right? Poor Nick."

I smiled sympathetically. "Poor you, too. That's a horrible way for you guys to have to come home. I wish I was around to help."

"Eh, it's okay. We had an amazing time. Swam with dolphins. Went jet skiing. Kayaking. Laid out on the beach and drank as much as we wanted. It sucks that the past two days were like a bad hangover, but nearly two solid weeks of sex without worrying where my kid is? Totally worth it."

I almost choked on my tongue. "Good to hear."

"So. . . what about you? How was your trip?" she asked, her tone lifting.

"It was good."

"Just good?"

I smiled and shook my head. "It was great. We were only there a few extra days though."

"A few days is enough," she said suggestively.

"Jess."

She giggled. "What? Tell me you two didn't get jiggy with it."

My cheeks were on fire. "No comment."

"Oh, come on. A suite at the hotel, followed by three nights and four days, just you and Edward Cullen alone in a beach house? Spill!"

I glanced toward Edward's bedroom door, wishing I'd closed it. "There's nothing to spill."

She snorted. "Sure, there's not." She paused, then sighed. "Oh, yeah, how's the ankle? It was just a sprain, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. It's fine," I said. "No permanent damage done."

"I feel so awful that you got hurt," she admitted. "You tried to warn me."

"I did, but don't feel bad. It could've happened in flats." She laughed, making me smile. "At least I was able to stay off it for most of the week afterward. It healed fast."

She giggled. "I'm sure Edward was all too happy to help keep you off your feet."

"Will you stop?" I said, looking to the door again.

"Oh, relax. I know this is new to you and all, but don't you want to gush a little? I mean, he's like super hot and completely in love with you. The tension between you guys is like. . . off the chain."

"Really?" I asked, lowering my voice.

"Ohmygod, yes! Angela was right about the way he looks at you. And the way you guys were dancing?" She paused for effect. "First of all, he actually got you to dance. But moreover, it was so obvious he wanted to get you alone."

My cheeks flamed. "Was it?"

"Uh, yeah!" she said. "So spill already!"

I laughed, pausing to think and to check the door again. "As I said, we had a great time. It was very. . . romantic. He took amazing care of me. Although," I lowered my voice, "we hardly left the house the whole time."

She squealed. "I knew it! I knew it!"

My heart took off, and I felt more than a little guilty knowing what she would assume.

"Ohmygod, Bella, how was it!? How are you? Are you okay? Was he a gentleman? Please tell me he rocked your world!"

Yep, there it was.

Taking a breath, I stood and moved closer to the windows, turning my volume down and hoping to God that no one would overhear her. While Jessica was right that it would be nice to gush over our relationship, I hadn't really thought through letting her believe I was having sex. Even if Edward had rocked my world, and we were now—as far as I was concerned—very actively and intimately involved with each other, it was private. And I was sure Edward would be disappointed in me. He had a real hangup about my virtue.

Which I really didn't mind at this point. I almost couldn't imagine doing more with him than we were already doing. His every touch drove me to the brink. His body set mine aflame. More might actually kill me.

And not because I thought he would lose control, but because I might actually spontaneously combust.

"I'm beyond okay," I said at last. "Everything is amazing. He's amazing. It's all just. . . amazing."

Belatedly, I realized how that could sound to other vampire ears in the house.

Jessica sighed, then giggled. "Oh, Bella. I'm so happy for you. I mean. . . I can't believe you finally find somebody worth giving it up to now that I'm on the other side of the country! But it's better than the alternative. I thought you might end up alone and become, like, a librarian. Or a cat lady."

"Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence."

She scoffed. "Don't blame me! Your standards are so high. And after what Jacob put you through, I honestly thought for a while you were off men forever. Which is fine if that's what makes you happy. Like that girl from your econ class? The one you referred to my salon? She would have been thrilled had that been the case."

I laughed, remembering. "Oh god, that's right."

"She was gorgeous, too. Nice boobs. You could have done worse."

"I could have," I said, leaning on the windowsill, "but she wasn't my type."

Jessica giggled. "I'm glad. Also glad I was wrong about you and Embry. This is so much better!"

My eyes popped wide at the mention of Embry. "Oh, God. Not you too!"

"Just once or twice."

I made a face. "Ew, no. No, no, no, no! Not that there's anything wrong with him. He's the best. But he's like a brother to me!"

"Oh, I realize that now that I've seen you with someone who actually does it for you!" She giggled again. "But at the time, I used to wonder."

I shook my head. Ugh.

"How is Embry, by the way? Do he and Edward get along okay?"

"Funny you should ask. . . " I said, leaning against the windowsill and watching the rain outside.

"Uh-oh. What happened?"

I sighed. "He moved back to the Res on Monday."

"What?"

"I know," I replied.

"You're kidding me?"

"Nope. He told me literally the morning after I got back from Virginia. He was gone two days later. We barely had a chance to say goodbye."

"What the hell?" Jessica exclaimed.

"I know. I still can't believe it."

"Was it because of Edward?"

I shook my head and pushed off the wall. "No, they won't ever be besties, but. . . they don't hate each other. It was something else."

"What happened?" she asked. "It must have been something major for him to just bolt like that. What about moving into the apartment this summer?"

I sighed and shared the version of the story Embry had told at work. "He had a family emergency in La Push the week before your wedding. He missed a lot of work. Then he no-call-no-showed while I was away, so Volvo fired him."

"Damn," Jess whispered.

"Yeah. I guess that was the deciding factor." I paced along the windows to the wall of glass in the bedroom. "With everything else going on, he just decided to move home."

After a moment of silence, Jessica asked, "So the apartment?"

"End of an era," I answered, pacing back again. "I'm moving out next month."

"Wow. That's unbelievable," she said. "I'm so sorry. I feel partly responsible."

I shook my head. "Don't. I've known since Angela moved out that this was coming eventually. Even if you hadn't gotten engaged, or Nick hadn't been relocated, there was no way you were signing a lease for another year. And the boys?" I sighed and turned away from the rain, returning to the chair. "Let's just say there were many signs that was only a temporary solution."

Her sigh was sympathetic. "Still, that bites. You don't have much time to find a new place."

Laughing, I rubbed my face as I curled my feet under me. "Don't remind me. At least I have help, though."

"What kind of help?" Jessica asked.

As if summoned, Edward appeared in the doorway to his room, tapping softly on the door frame. I glanced over my shoulder, waving him in. He ghosted into the room, and with a soft smile and a tilt of his head, indicated the ottoman in front of me.

"Well. . . " I gave him a here-goes-nothing look.

He smiled as he sat.

Feeling a little shy, I said, "Edward's going to help me look for a new place. We've lined up a couple apartments to visit this week."

Jessica was silent a beat. "Really? Wait, you mean like he's looking to help you, or looking with you?"

"Um, looking with me."

"Is he moving in?"

"Yeah, sorta," I said, her response making me hesitate. She was the first to know outside Edward's family. A test run for anyone else, so to speak. "Why? You don't approve?"

"No, no!" she said, quickly. "No, it's not that. It's just fast. I'm surprised is all."

I took a deep breath, holding Edward's gaze. "I know it's fast. But it's right."

He smiled and reached for my feet, patting his knee.

"Hold on," Jess said suddenly, "you didn't decide this just because Seth and Embry bailed on you right? I mean, you're happy with Edward, but this isn't just about rent, is it?"

"No," I said, unfolding my legs and propping my feet in Edward's lap. "I could have found a place by myself easily enough. I just didn't want to." My cheeks pinked. "Not anymore."

I didn't mention that Edward had been a nearly permanent figure in my life anyway since Jessica had moved out. Or that I knew whatever came next, I wanted him there for it.

"Awww," Jessica said. "Then I'm happy for you!"

I smiled. "Thank you."

"Where are you guys looking?"

My eyebrows rose making Edward chuckle.

"That is the question of the hour. Right now, we have appointments at a few places I already knew about in Ravenna. But with rent going up in that area every time they raise tuition at the University, a short commute may be a better option. We're figuring it out."

"Have you told the Chief yet?"

Now Edward's eyebrows rose. "Um," I said, biting my lip. "Not yet. No."

She laughed, then sighed. "Damn, Caroline's moving around. I gotta go soon."

"Oh." I guessed she was listening to the monitor. "That's fine."

"Real quick," she said, "have you talked to Angela since you got back?"

"No," I answered. "We were going to have lunch when we got back after the wedding, but then I changed my plans, and everything happened with Embry. I have to call her."

"Well, when you do get together, have her Facetime me okay so we can all talk? I miss you guys already. It was so good to have you both here."

Smiling, I nodded. "We miss you too, Jess. I'll be sure we call you."

"Good. I'm also thinking Caroline and I might come out there for her birthday," she said. Her voice turned wistful. "Nick got his next orders, by the way."

"And?" I asked. She'd told us they were expecting this before the wedding.

"It's a three-month tour. He ships out at the end of July. I'm not supposed to say exactly when, though, so don't ask." Her sigh was amused. "'Loose lips sink ships,' and all that."

I smiled softly, knowing she was actually really into the whole military-wife thing. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I knew this was coming."

"Still," I said, imagining it was harder than she let on.

"Still," she echoed. Then she cheered up. "So tell me something fun and exciting before my little monster gets up."

"Like what? I pretty much covered it all." I laughed. "Oh wait, except the wiring blew in our building, so I have no power at home right now. Or very little power. The whole kitchen is out."

She gasped. "Holy shit, that's not fun at all."

"Tell me about it."

"So are you still staying there?" she asked. "Just living in the dark with no food?"

I scoffed. "Um, no. Not entirely. I'm staying at Edward's house some nights." Most nights, I thought.

"Ooooh, get it, girl!"

My cheeks ignited. "Jeezus, Jess. Shut up."

A knowing lilt colored her laughter. "Uh-oh. He's sitting right there, isn't he?"

"Yes." I rolled my eyes, covering my face.

Through my fingers, I could see his expression shift from bewilderment to amusement.

"Tell him I say hello," she said.

I laughed, dropping my hand as he waved. "I will."

"Crap," Jessica said as a soft cry made its way through the phone. "Time's up. I'm gonna have to let you go."

"All right," I said. I would have to call her another day to talk to Caroline, I guessed.

"Oh, listen," she said, sounding hurried. "I've also been meaning to tell you something."

"Oh," I said. "Well, just text me later. You have your hands full."

"No, I'll forget again." She sighed as Caroline's cries picked up in volume, Jessica having clearly opened a door. "Hey, baby, momma's here."

The cries were muffled for a moment, then came back louder. "Oh. . . Jess. Is she okay?"

She groaned quietly. "Actually, I think she's getting sick. She's really warm."

"Oh, no. I'm so sorry."

"Yeah, me too. Shh, baby girl," she soothed, then to me added, "I just wanted to tell you to check the messages on the landline. You have a couple of voicemails that have been there a while. One sounded kinda important."

For a moment, I was confused. Then I recalled that Jessica had been occasionally dialing into our shared phone at the apartment to check messages since she had moved—just in case she'd missed notifying anybody important before she left.

"Oh, thank you," I said, surprised. I never got calls there.

"No problem," Jessica said. "I better run. I'll talk to you soon."

"Okay. Update me when you can."

"I will! Bye!"

"Bye, Jess," I replied, but she was already gone.

As I closed and set my phone aside, concern for Caroline stirred a strong sense of nostalgia. Not even three months ago, I would have been neck-deep in it with Jessica on a day like today. A year ago, it would have been Angela and I together, running to the store to stock up on children's Tylenol, crackers, and Pedialyte for her.

It was crazy how quickly our lives had changed. How time and our futures had seemed to pull us in different directions. As natural as it was, there were moments it felt surreal. My life had changed so much in just a few short months.

"Are you all right?" Edward murmured, his voice and touch anchoring me back to him.

"Yeah," I answered. "It's just weird not having them around anymore."

He hummed, his thumb gently running over my insole. "What can I do?"

I shrugged and wiggled my toes. "Nothing you aren't already doing. It's part of life. Moving on. We're all doing it in our own way, I guess."

His fingers continued their gentle paths along my feet. I watched him watching me and was grateful he hadn't apologized to me again—as if he was somehow to blame for the many recent changes in my life.

"So. . . who won your game?" I asked.

Oddly, Edward cleared his throat. "Carlisle."

I blinked. "Really?"

He ducked his head, looking up as though admitting some great sin. "I was distracted."

My heart kicked, but I played dumb. "Oh, really?"

He held my gaze as I blushed, then reached for my legs and slid me toward him, plucking me easily out of my chair and lifting me into his lap.

"Yes," he said, voice low, "apparently. . . I'm amazing."

My face turned six shades of red. "Oh lord," I said, near soundless. "Did everyone catch that?"

I felt his lips turn up in a smile just before he kissed my cheek. "Not everyone."

I shuddered in his arms, my whole body flushing with a weird mix of embarrassment and desire. "I'm sorry."

Moving his lips to my ear, he whispered, "Don't apologize. You know what they say about eavesdroppers."

My breath came faster. "I guess. You can't really help your hearing though. Can you?"

He chuckled. "I didn't really try."

I couldn't help the breathy laugh that escaped, even as I wondered how much trouble I was in. Perhaps not too much, given that when Edward turned my face toward him, he was eyeing my lips.

"What?" I asked as he continued staring.

His gaze flickered up like he had just remembered I was attached to those lips. "Well. . . there's one thing I'm dying to know."

"What's that?"

"Who wasn't your type?"

"Oh, God," I said, hiding my face. "You would hear that."

"Will you tell me?" he entreated.

I rolled my eyes and sat up with a small huff. "It was a, uh. . . a girl. From one of my classes last year. She complimented my hair, but I didn't get it was a line or whatever, so I gave her Jessica's card. Then she tried to ply Jessica for info to try and get an in with me."

Edward's gaze quickly shifted from curious to amused. "I see."

"You weren't jealous, were you?" I asked.

"Always," he said, his eyes going back to my lips.

I played with the hair at the nape of his neck, thinking of some clever way to distract him and turn the subject away from my conversation with Jessica. Before I could act, a voice interrupted us.

"Hey, you guys," Alice called.

I startled slightly and Edward grumbled something. I tried to turn around, but he sighed and lifted me easily once again, adjusting my position so I was seated facing away from him, his arms around my waist. "Alice," he said.

"Can I come in?" she asked, waiting near the door with Jasper hovering behind.

"Of course," I answered, though Edward didn't.

She smiled as she approached. "The rain ought to let up out by the lake in an hour or so. The thunder should last throughout the night, though. Emmett suggested a game might be fun."

Edward stiffened. "I don't think so."

"What kind of game?" I asked looking from Alice to him, then back again.

She was staring past my shoulder at Edward as she answered. "Baseball."

Edward sighed as I glanced back to him, curious. "You play baseball?"

His eyes were solemn when they met mine. "I used to."

I frowned in confusion.

Alice hummed. "You will again. But. . . maybe not today." There was something in her voice that made me turn back to her.

Jasper stood closer now, hands gently gripping her shoulders, his eyes on Edward.

"Thank you," Edward said softly, his fingers on my arm flexing almost imperceptibly.

I had no idea what was happening.

Alice smiled and shrugged. "Another time, I guess. Edward will explain."

"Okay. . . " I said. "But if you guys want to go, you should go play."

Alice's eyes were bright. "It's alright. Emmett will settle for movie night or trivia again. Or monopoly. He enjoys seeing Edward kept honest."

Edward rested his chin on my shoulder, snorting softly. "That from the master cheater." He stroked his thumb along my arm. "What do you think? Are you up for game night and more James Bond?"

"Sure. Sounds fun." I leaned to the side, trying to meet his gaze. "Unless you had something else planned for us."

He kissed me softly. "Another time. When the weather's better."

I examined his expression, my tummy fluttering for reasons unknown. I felt my breath come faster until Alice broke the spell.

"Great!" she said, clapping. "We'll get everything ready!" She and Jasper disappeared and then she reappeared a moment later. "And Bella, don't forget you wanted to call Angela."

I laughed as Edward rested his head once more on my shoulder. "Thanks," I said.

"I suppose I should leave you alone to make your call," Edward murmured.

"Oh, no. . . you're not getting off that easy. You're supposed to explain," I said, gripping his arms where they held me. Like I could stop him if he wanted to escape.

He chuckled. "Another time, I think."

"Don't be a tease," I said, turning in his embrace. "Why don't you play baseball anymore? I didn't even know you liked baseball."

One cheek lifted in his crooked smile. "Well, it's the American pastime. Or it used to be."

I waited, watching him. He sighed.

"I haven't played since I left Forks."

"Oh," I said, realizing he meant since he'd left to escape me.

"Why not?"

"I can only play with my family. And only when the weather is right. I just wasn't with them enough until now."

Guilt rose in me. "I'm sorry. You should go have a game with them, then. I can hang out here. I'll read ahead in our book or something."

Eyes darkening, he shook his head. "That's kind of you. But there's more to it than that."

"What?"

His face twisted, he seemed hesitant to continue.

"Please?" I entreated him.

Eyes locked on mine, he asked, "Do you remember I told you that my family had encountered Victoria's coven just after I left Forks?"

"Of course." My heart sped faintly.

He raised an eyebrow. "They were playing baseball at the time, in a remote field near the national park. The nomads were passing through but, apparently, they heard my family and came to investigate. It was a last-minute decision on their part. Alice had minutes warning."

"Oh."

"So, you see, I wouldn't want to take that chance. Not with you. Not just now," he said, his voice soft, his arms softer around me. Almost like he was waiting for me to jump up and run away.

I smiled thinly and nodded. "Gotcha. I, um, I appreciate that."

He pulled me close, comforting me as my heart slowed again. "You don't have to be afraid. Not ever again."

I lifted my face to his, stroking his jaw and staring into his eyes, so warm and filled with love. "I know."

He kissed me once.

I hummed and my stomach fluttered pleasantly. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I held his gaze and pressed our lips together again. His chest rumbled beneath us and then from far away, I heard Alice calling up the stairs.

"She wanted to call Angela. Quit distracting her!"

Edward groaned, but I couldn't help laughing. Alice was something else. She was right, though.

"I really should call her before I forget. And I need to text my dad, too."

Edward nodded. "I'll be downstairs. Dinner soon?"

I shrugged. "Sure. I want to help though. Wait for me?"

He stood, kissing my forehead. "Anything you want."

I smiled and watched him go, faintly aware of the quiet voice in the back of my mind, whispering: Not 'anything' I want. Not just yet.

But maybe someday soon.

~ ~ ~ ~(wdh)~ ~ ~ ~

Next update next Monday.

Reviews are love.

Thank you to all my new reviewers and those who've so graciously welcomed me back. I love you all 3000!