Author's Note: This promises to be the longest book yet. Bella's in for a few surprises, and so is the rest of the family. Read and enjoy!

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"Food's in the freezer, in tupperwares. I've made enough for meals for the next week or so - after that you're on your own.." Her mind was filled with urgency and anticipation, but she forced herself to remain completely calm as she doled out instructions for Charlie. She hoped she was doing well enough that he couldn't see how eager she was to be out the door and in the car and headed on her month's vacation. She was still amazed that Charlie was letting her spend an entire month with the Cullens, but when Alice had asked, he didn't seem to be able to say no.

"Bella, I've handled myself for years. I think I can take care of myself for a few weeks." He seemed almost shy about the attention she was lavishing on his well-being. "Now, get out of here. I can see how much you want to be off. Enjoy your vacation. And remember to call." She gave him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek that embarrassed them both, and then she was shouldering her bag and racing out the door. Edward was already there, waiting for her. She knew Charlie was watching, but couldn't bring herself to care when Edward swept her up for a kiss before handing her into his shiny silver Volvo. They didn't speak for a while, but as they reached the end of her street, Edward smiled at her.

"So I get you for a whole month. No having to hide during sunny days, no having to be anything but what I am." He seemed as elated as she felt.

"I don't know - how do you think the family will deal with having an ordinary human around for so long, without a break?" She saw his beautiful features cloud over for a split second before his smile returned.

"They'll love having you there as much as I do." Unspoken were the words, the months between them, the hours they spent apart because neither of them knew what else to do. How hard will this be on him? she wondered, trying not to let her uncertainty show on her face as they sang along to the song on the radio. She loved Kylie Minogue's style, and this song - Come Into My World - was one of her favorites. As she crooned the lyrics, part of her was already anticipating the upcoming weeks. The other part of her almost dreaded it. She tried to lose herself for a moment in the music, not really realizing that after a moment Edward had stopped singing to listen to her. It wasn't until the song was over and the next one begun that she looked at him, and the expression in his eyes - love, lust, amazement - drove what was left of her breath completely out of her lungs. With a sudden movement, he swung the Volvo off the road and dragged her into his lap, his lips meeting hers with a hunger that took her senses away. She strained against him, arms winding around his neck as she poured her heart into the kiss. His lips left her mouth and trailed down her neck, across her collarbone, as his hands slid down to grasp her hips. Bella gasped and moaned. He'd never let things go so far, never trusted himself. And if this was what it took to get him riled enough to just let go, she knew she would be convincing him to drive her down every deserted road in Washington with the radio blaring.

She felt the inevitable tense, however, the moment when he brought himself back in check, but unlike previous times when he all but ripped himself away, this time he moved his lips back up to hers, brushing them lightly a few times before loosening his grip and setting her back on her seat. His eyes were glowing, his expression both apologetic and completely thrilled. Brushing his knuckles against her cheek gently, he smiled at her. She tried to play it cool.

"What brought that on? Not that I'm complaining..."

"Just...that I love you. And I want you to know that. I still..." he paused, guiding the car back out onto the road and continuing on their journey, "...don't trust myself completely. But it's getting easier."

"Does that mean that we...that you..." She blushed profusely, and he laughed.

"Even after these past few months, you can still blush?" His expression turned serious. "No...I still don't have enough control to make love to you. But I'm no longer completely without hope." Though his smile became forced, the sentiment behind it was real. "If you can manage to pull Jasper back from the brink...if my family hasn't hurt you with their...attentions...then I believe it's possible for me to...learn." With a squeal she threw herself at him, kissing his neck. He reached up with one hand to stroke her hair as they pulled into the driveway.

"Come on, my love. Everyone's waiting." His eyes still held shadows, but now Bella had faith that she could banish them forever.