Authors Notes:

Xrxdanixrx is my awesome beta and validator. She didn't get a chance to look at this one. So, all mistakes are mine. BellaSunshine tells me it's okay, though. I hope you agree. :)

I don't own Twilight, but I do own a Journey: Greatest Hits cd, and it inspired a very important part of this chapter. You'll see….

Chapter 30 – Rediscovering You

EPOV

The alarm on my phone woke me at a little after five. Bella was still sound asleep, tucked into my side, with her head on the pillow beside me. I laid and watched her for a while, stroking her hair, listening to her breathe. She was peaceful and so fucking beautiful. How I had lived so many years without her, I'd never know. This was how I wanted to wake up every morning – with Bella in bed next to me.

I wanted to be sure I was on the couch before Pip woke up, though. So, I quietly and reluctantly got up, put on my jeans, and made my way to the living room. But not before grabbing the journal Bella had given me.

To say I was surprised about the box she'd showed me was an understatement. It was like a time capsule of our history together. Learning that she'd read and kept all of my letters meant the world to me, but receiving her journal and hearing that she wrote to me in it, words couldn't express how that made me feel. I was desperate to read it.

Settling on the couch with the pillow, sheet, and blanket we'd arranged the night before, I opened the journal and read. She was angry with me at first, which I understood. It hurt like hell to know I was the cause of so much pain. I'd heard from Alice how distant and shut off she was when I'd left, but reading her words, I could feel the sadness, and it was like a knife was shoved into my chest. I hated that I ever made her feel that way.

As time went on, and I wrote more letters, I could see that she still held a sense of hope for us. If I had known then that she had felt that way, I would have done everything in my power to get back to her. I thought she had moved on, though. Seeing that she hadn't, it sickened me. I was such a fool not to have tried harder. I should have gone home, forced her to see me and talk to me. It made me realize just how much time we really had wasted.

Then, reading about how she felt when I did move back – when we were finally together – it was bittersweet. Knowing she was happy then, and that she felt loved, it was a huge relief. I'd always wondered what I could have done differently. Leaving the way she did truly almost killed me. It still hurt to even think about that point in my life. However, the fact that she had struggled with her decision, and the way she had been worried about what was best for me, I could sympathize with. I'd been there. It didn't make it right, in either of our cases, but it was something I could relate to.

The entry that hit me the hardest was the one on her wedding day. Fuck! That day should never have happened. Her ex should never have happened. She was thinking about me. I should have been the one committing myself to her forever. She was mine, not his. Never his. I was determined to right this wrong. She would be a Cullen one day.

Her passage on the day she brought Pip home ripped me up a little more. She was so happy and in love with him. It made me wish I'd been there sharing that joy with her. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt that she had a child with someone else. It did, bad. Even more so after reading that she wanted to share that with me. Pip could have been mine. Man, if I could have turned back time…

So many different emotions throughout the years, so much time and sadness. Yet, through it all, she never stopped thinking about me; that much was clear. But more than that, she never stopped loving me. I was so fucking grateful that she finally trusted me enough to show me how she felt, and I was determined to do the same. No more holding back.

After I'd finished reading, I lay staring up at the ceiling – remembering, thinking, planning. I only had a few days left before I was due back in New York, and I wanted to make the best of them. I had an album to record when I got back, and that was going to take a while. In the past, being busy like that would have been a relief, but things were different now. The amazing woman and little boy down the hall changed that for me. I wanted more. I wanted them.

Bella's alarm sounded in her room, and I smiled knowing I would see their sweet faces soon. I was becoming such a fucking sap. I loved it, though, because I loved them. Yes, I was sure of that, and I wasn't going to waste any more time.

Soon enough, I heard little feet making their way quickly down the hall.

"Eward, you stayed over!" Pip shouted, jumping on me, and I laughed as Bella entered behind him, smiling when our eyes met. Fuck, she was beautiful.

"Good morning, sport! You ready for another day of fun?" I asked, sitting up to make room for him next to me.

"Yep! Are we gonna go to the park?"

"We can… but I was thinking about the aquarium. I know you really like fish, and I hear the aquarium here is pretty awesome. What do you think?"

"Wooo Hooo! Momma, did you heard that? Eward is gonna take me to see the fishes." He clapped, jumping off the couch.

"That sounds so fun, sweetie. I'm kind of jealous," she replied with a pout. "I have to go to boring, old work today."

"I'm sorry, beautiful. Can you get the day off and come with us?"I questioned.

"Yeah, Momma. Come wif us." Pip and I both looked at her expectantly.

"It's tempting, baby love, but if I don't want to be working over the weekend, I need to go in."

"Would you rather we did something else and save the aquarium for the weekend when we can all go together?" I offered.

"You're so sweet, but you two go and enjoy your day. We'll do something else together this weekend."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." She smiled.

The rest of the morning was spent eating breakfast and getting ready. Actually, that described our mornings together for the remainder of the week, as I moved my stuff over from Alice and Jasper's house to Bella's that same day. We wanted to spend as much time together as possible. It only made sense for me to stay.

Every day, Pip and I would embark on a new adventure together. Then, at night, Bella and I would tuck him in with a story before going to her room and making some adventures of our own. We still hadn't done much more than some heavy making out, but we were taking our sweet time, and sweet it definitely was. There was nothing better than kissing my girl, and falling asleep beside her, in her bed, was enough for me. Then, each morning, I would get up and move to the couch before Pip was any wiser.

By Friday, Bella and I were both excited and ready to spend some uninterrupted time together. She picked up some movies and take-out on her way home from work, and the three of us vegged-out in the living room. Pip was sound asleep before the first movie was even over.

"So, I was thinking, I'd really like to take you out tomorrow night," I said, running my fingers through her hair as she leaned against my chest. After reading her journal and learning how much she disliked Valentine's Day, I wanted to change her mind on the holiday.

"You would?" she asked, turning to face me.

"Yeah, I mean, if you can. I wasn't sure if you could get a sitter for Pip. If not, we can do something else. You know I love spending time with him, too. I'd just like to have some adult time, if we can."

She smiled. "I'd like that. I'll ask Angela tomorrow. I'm sure it won't be a problem. She told me she'd be around this week, if I needed her."

"If not, I can always ask my sister."

"Oh my gosh, Alice must hate me right now," she said, sitting up.

"What? Why would you think that?"

"Because we've monopolized all of your time. I'm sure she wants to spend some time with you before you leave."

"We've gotten to hang out. We've had lunch a couple times this week. She understands why I need to be here," I assured her, pushing loose strands from her fallen pony tail behind her ear.

"But still, we should try and hang out with her and Jasper. We can all go out tomorrow night." She paused, looking deep in thought. "Hang on. I just realized something. Tomorrow is – "

"Saturday," I interrupted, and her eyes narrowed. She knew I was averting the subject.

"Yes, it is Saturday, but it's also the fourteenth of February."

"Yeah, and?" I grinned. She was definitely on to me.

"Edward Cullen, you know what that means," she said, climbing in my lap. "Please tell me you aren't going to do anything crazy or over-the-top."

"I promise I'm not going to do anything crazy or over-the-top."

"And no presents," she added, sliding her hands behind my neck.

"That, my valentine, I can't promise."

"Edward, you've already given me more than I deserve."

"Baby, if we're going to be together, you're going to have to get used to me spoiling you. I've missed out on a lot of Valentine's Days and holidays, and I plan on making up for all of them. So, please don't get upset if I feel like getting you presents. And as far as being deserving, I'll be the judge of that." I winked.

She sighed. "But I've been so busy, I didn't get a chance to go out and get you anything."

"Are you kidding me? Sweetheart, the gifts you've given me this week far outweigh anything you could ever buy me. You shared something so personal and special with me, showing me how much you trust me and care. Giving me that journal, allowing me to read the words inside, it means more to me than I can ever tell you. Knowing I was in your thoughts through it all, I'm overwhelmed."

"So, you weren't upset after reading it, then?" she asked, biting down on her bottom lip nervously.

"A couple of entries made me want to track down some fuckers and beat the shit out of them, but that's the over-protective, irrational asshole in me. I mean, I'd be lying if I said reading about you with other dudes, thinking about you with them, didn't hurt, but I have no right to get upset about a time in your life when I wasn't around. All I can do is assure you that I'm never going to let you go again. Do you believe me?"

"Yes, wholeheartedly." She nodded, running her fingers through the hair on the back of my head.

"Good," I said, pulling her lips to mine, the rest of the movies forgotten.

~xxx~

The next day, the three of us went to the park, we ran and played with Pip, ate ice-cream, and I got to hold Bella's hand. I felt like we were a family. It was a perfect afternoon.

Bella had talked to Angela earlier that morning and agreed to take Pip to her house for the night, as Angela was also babysitting her nephew and suggested they could play. It was the perfect arrangement. Having the house to ourselves sounded perfect, but it had me scared shitless at the same time. Even though we had slept in the same bed all week, knowing that we were truly alone made it feel different. Excitement coursed through me like it had so many years ago, and I hoped it would always be that way.

Bella had made me promise not to go all out, so we ordered pizza and ate dinner together as a family. Since we hadn't left her sight, she was very unsuspecting, but Pip and I already had her presents tucked away from a shopping trip earlier in the week.

Just before it was time to get packed up in the car for Angela's, Pip and I surprised her with her gifts. I had to give him credit; he was good at keeping a secret. I'd have to remember that in the future.

"Oh, no, you guys! What did you do?"Bella asked.

"Open them, Momma!" Pip squealed, jumping and clapping.

She looked at both of us then back to the boxes we held in front of her. "I thought we agreed no presents," she said, eying me.

"No, you said no presents. I said I couldn't make promises on it. Besides, we already had them by that point," I explained.

"Well, thank you," she relented. "Whose should I open first?"

"Open mine, Momma. It's really pwetty, like you," Pip told her. I nodded my head in agreement. Smart kid.

She gently untied the ribbon and opened the lid to find what waited inside.

"Oh my gosh, it's beautiful. Did you pick this out, lovebug?"

"Uh huh. It's me and you," he said, pointing to the figures on the charm.

"I see that. A mother and child. I love it. Thank you so much! Can I have a kiss?" she asked him, leaning down, to which he puckered up and laid a big, wet kiss on her mouth, and she laughed.

"Open Eward's now!" he directed next, and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.

"Here you go, beautiful. I hope you like it," I said.

"It's from you. I'm sure I'll treasure it," she replied, lifting the lid and pulling out the sterling silver heart shaped charm.

"I had it inscribed. And the heart… it's symbolic." I shrugged. And it was. My heart was hers.

"Third time's a charm," she read, her eyes tearing up as they met mine. "Oh, Edward! I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's perfect."

"Only happy tears now, baby," I whispered as she hugged me.

"Aren't you going to give Eward a kiss, too?" Pip questioned, earning a bright pink blush from his mother.

"Oh, um, sure, sweetheart," she replied, caught off guard and flustered as she turned to me.

"Thank you. Really, I love it." She placed one hand on my cheek and stood on her toes, bringing her soft lips chastely to mine.

"You're welcome." I smiled, reminding myself to spoil the shit out of Pip. He was seriously the coolest kid on the planet.

"We did good. Huh, Momma?" Pip asked, beaming with happiness. We all were.

"You did really good, sugar bear."

"I hope you don't mind that we got you charms. It's just, I saw your bracelet in the box the other day, and it didn't have any new ones on it. I thought it might be nice if we added to it."

"It was so thoughtful. I don't mind at all. In fact, I think I'll wear it tonight."

Charms attached, and bracelet adorning Bella's wrist, we packed the car and headed out. Once Pip was safely at Angela's, we met up with Alice and Jasper at a little dive bar near their house. With most people out celebrating in swankier places, it was nice and quiet, leaving the jukebox, single pool table, and dart board in the back all to us.

We played several rounds of pool and a few games of cricket before the girls insisted we dance off some of the alcohol. That turned into a couple hours on the dance floor, singing, laughing, and having a great time. Finally needing to take potty breaks, the girls headed for the restroom, allowing me to play a few more songs on the jukebox as Jasper ordered more drinks.

Deciding to take a break, we sat back at our table for another round. Alice and Jasper were in their own little bubble, and Bella was in her seat, sitting sideways and leaning against me, my arms wrapped around her, and my face buried against her neck. Journey began to play on the jukebox – the song I'd selected specifically for her, because the lyrics were perfect.

Highway run into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind

"Dance with me, Bella?" I whispered, kissing below her ear.

"A slow song this time, huh?" she asked, turning to face me.

I smiled and stood, nodding my head toward the tiny dance floor as I held my hand out to her.

"Well, okay, if you insist," she said, grinning up at me as she placed her hand in mine.

BPOV

He led me to the dance floor, pulling me close, swaying, as the words to Faithfully played throughout the tiny bar.

Right down the line it's been you and me Lovin' a music man ain't always what it's supposed to be Oh girl, you stand by me I'm forever yours Faithfully

"I love this song," I murmured, peering up at him.

"Good, because I chose it for you. I swear, the words are meant for us," he said softly, brushing the hair behind my ear as we continued to move.

"Hmm. You're so sweet to me, baby. I can't believe the week is almost over."

"Shh." He placed his finger over my lips. "I don't want to think about that tonight."

"I'm trying not to. It's hard, though. I like having you here."

"I like being here."

"Promise you'll come back soon."

"Baby," he began, and his eyes met mine with an intensity and a look that I knew was only reserved for me. He brought his hands up from my waist to cup my face, gazing at me as if I was his whole world, and he sang to me.

"Wondering where I am lost without you
And being apart ain't easy on this love affair
Two strangers learn to fall in love again
I get the joy of rediscovering you

"Oh girl, you stand by me
I'm forever yours
Faithfully"

I couldn't hold back the tears, but seeing some fall from Edward's gorgeous eyes did me in. They weren't just lyrics to a song; they were so much more than that. He laid it on the line and opened himself up. It was how he felt about me – how we felt about each other – and I was coming completely undone. I was in love with him, and I didn't want to wait anymore. I needed to tell him. I wanted to show him more than ever.

Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh Faithfully
I'm still yours

Leaning down, he tried to wipe at the tears, but I didn't care about that. At that moment, the world could have stopped moving and I wouldn't have known it, because nothing else mattered besides him and me.

Pulling him down the rest of the short distance, I brought my lips to his, needing to feel him, taste him, love him. With hands fisted in hair and parted mouths, our lips met, needy and desperate, kissing as the rest of the song – our song – played out.

I'm forever yours
Ever yours
Faithfully

"Let's go home," I breathed with certainty. It was time. We both knew it.

We said our quick goodbyes to Alice and Jasper, who didn't seem at all surprised to find us in such a hurry. Hell, with the charge of energy crackling around in the air, they probably felt it, too.

The ride back to my house was quiet, with the exception of nervous laughter, as we held hands and glanced over at one another periodically. Pulling in to the driveway, I couldn't wipe the giddy smile off my face. We had the rest of the night… alone. The anticipation of what was to come had my skin prickling and my insides doing flips. I couldn't even wait for him to open my door before I was up and out of the car.

Racing up the front porch steps, I had my key out, ready to unlock the door, when I felt his hands grab on to my waist and pull me back against him.

"In a hurry?" he muttered, skimming his nose up the shell of my ear before nipping at it, and I could feel him smile against my neck as he placed small, wet kisses all the way back down it. I loved his confidence; it gave me my own.

"Just to get inside," I half moaned at the feel of his tongue and hot breath against my skin.

"Okay, good," he said, placing one last kiss on my shoulder as I pushed the door open.

Once inside, though, that confidence turned shy. It felt like the first time all over again. Only, this time, all my walls were down, and so were his.

With my keys and purse already thrown down on the coffee table, I took off my jacket and toed off my shoes. Edward did the same, both of us watching the other with scared and vulnerable eyes.

"So, do you want to go to bed?" I asked, biting my lip nervously.

"Yes," he replied, and I could have sworn that he blushed. Blushed. Him. God this man is sexy.

"Are you tired?"

"No…" He hesitated, his eyes dropping for a second before meeting mine once again. "Are you?"

I shook my head, yet stayed firmly rooted in place.

"I can lock up," he offered. "You know, if you need to get ready or whatever." He shrugged, looking embarrassed.

"Oh, uh… okay." I smiled. Knowing that he was just as nervous as me somehow made it all better. "I won't be long."

I practically ran to my bedroom, tripping over my jeans as I tried pulling them off along the way. With my clothes discarded and placed in the hamper, I opened my dresser and pulled out the short, silk nightie I'd gotten a couple days prior on a lunch trip to Victoria's Secret. I wasn't sure when I'd need it, but wanted to be prepared should the time come soon. Planning ahead for the win!

Sexy lingerie in hand, I made my way to my bathroom. I'd already shaved my legs that morning, so all that was needed was a quick brushing of my hair and teeth, slipping on of the nightie, and a spritzing of perfume. It didn't take long, but by the time I was done and stepping back into my room, Edward was waiting for me.

Sitting on the edge of the bed in his boxer briefs and shirt unbuttoned halfway, he was gorgeous, but still way over-dressed.

"Hi," I said shyly, turning off the bathroom light and moving toward him.

"Wow." His eyes trailed over me. "You're just… Wow… Breathtaking," he stammered.

"You like?" I asked, doing a little twirl so he could see the rest, then stopping in front of him.

"I more than like." The look in his eyes told me he was talking about more than the lingerie, and I was more than okay with that.

I moved to stand between his legs as his hands found my hips, pulling me closer. "Good, because I more than like you." My hand ran down his cheek and over his jaw before sliding behind his neck and into his hair. "That song tonight, you were right, it was perfect; you're perfect – for me, at least. We've lost so much time in the past by running away from our feelings. I can't do that anymore. I won't do that. I need you to know how I feel. I'm in love with you, Edward, and I don't want to hide from it."

He closed his eyes for a moment, and he leaned his head against my stomach. He was too quiet, and I started to worry.

"Hey," I whispered, running my fingers through his hair. "Are you okay?"

"Say it again," he said, looking up at me with sparkling, hopeful eyes.

"Which part?" I had a pretty good idea, but I wanted to be sure.

"The part about how you feel," he replied, and I smiled. I love this man.

"I love you. I'm in love with you."

"One more time," he begged. "Please."

"I love you, Edward." He grinned, gripping onto me tighter, and I chuckled.

"God, do you have any idea how long I've wanted to hear you say those words to me? How many times I've imagined what it would be like to hear them? Baby, I love you, too. So much my heart feels like it might burst."

My heart felt the same way, but I needed to hear it again. Repeating his words back to him, I said, "Say it again."

"I love you, Bella. I'm in love with you and have been for as long as I can remember. But just so you know, it's not just you, it's Pip, too. I think he has me wrapped as tightly around his finger as you do."

"Remind me to thank your parents the next time I see them."

"What for?"

"For raising you to be the amazing man you are. I seriously don't know how I got so lucky."

"Oh, Bella, I'm the lucky one. I get two people to love out of this deal. You've seriously made me the happiest man on the fucking planet. Nothing could make me happier."

"Really?" I ran my nose against his cheek and up to his ear, biting down playfully. "Nothing at all?"

His hands moved from my hips to my ass, and he squeezed, raising his eyebrows at the feel of bare skin. "No panties?"

Having forgone the matching thong in my drawer, I shook my head no and smirked. "Don't need 'em."

"Hm. Maybe there is something," he said huskily.

I straddled him, both of my knees resting on the bed as I kissed and sucked along his neck. "I think you have entirely too much on right now, baby. It needs to come off so I can feel you."

Undoing his buttons the rest of the way, I slowly slid the shirt back and off his shoulders, feeling his firm muscles tighten and flex as he slid his hands up and under my nightie. Strong fingers gripped my ass, rubbing me against him in just the right spot, and by the sounds and feel of it, the friction felt just as good to him.

"Edward, I know we said we'd go slowly, but I don't want to wait. I need you," I panted between kisses. "Right now. I want you inside me. Tell me you need me, too." My mouth moved over his jaw and down his neck as he held me tighter.

"God, baby." He moaned. "I've never needed or wanted anything or anyone more than I do you."

Breaking the kiss for long enough to stand, I slid back and stepped off the bed, my fingers trailing over the smattering of hair on his chest, over the dips of his taut stomach muscles, until my hands were in his, tugging him up.

Both of us needing the contact of skin on skin, he pushed his fingers under the waistband of his briefs, sliding them down as I lifted the nightie up and over my head. Barriers discarded, our eyes stayed locked for a few moments before trailing down over the other.

Seeing Edward standing naked in front of me was almost a religious experience. I'm sure there were some cultures in the world that would have looked at him and thought he was a god. There could have been statues molded after him. It definitely left me feeling a little self conscious – especially after having gone through child birth.

I subtly tried to cover myself with my hands, but he knew me so well. His eyes slowly traveled back up my body, meeting mine once more. "Perfect," he muttered, licking his lips and stepping forward. I was far from it, but the look he gave me made me feel like I was. Insecurities be damned.

His hands sought purchase on my waist as he walked me backwards. "You're so beautiful, baby," he whispered, never taking his eyes off mine as he guided me to the bed.

At the edge, I sat and began to work my way back, Edward following closely behind, leaving gentle kisses in his path.

Pecks on the tops of my feet, shins, and knees, my legs widened, allowing him between. Soft nibbles on my thighs and the inside of my legs. "I've missed these wrapped around me." He moved further, his warm breath setting me aflame as his nose grazed along my pelvis. "I've missed kissing you here." His lips met my pink flesh. "And tasting you here." His tongue peeked out and licked my slit, causing my whole body to tremble. "And sucking right here." He wrapped his mouth around my clit, and I couldn't help the squeal that escaped me.

"Oh, God, that feels good, but I need you inside me, baby. Please."

He slowly crawled over me, continuing to kiss his way over my stomach, ribs, tits, and neck until his gorgeous mouth was on mine. Tongues twirling and lips molding around each other, nice and slow, and I could feel him, long and hard at my entrance.

"Fuck!" he blurted out, startling me.

"What's wrong?"

"Condoms. They're in my bag. I – "

"Do you want to use one?" I interrupted. "I mean, I'll understand if you do. I guess we should have talked about that. I haven't been with anyone in almost a year. Jacob was the last, and when I left, I got tested... just in case. I was clean. I am clean. And I'm on the pill."

"Do you want me to wear one? I trust you. And I haven't been with anyone in… well, it's been a while. And when I was, I always wore a condom. I just want you to feel secure."

"I've never felt safer than when I'm with you, and right now, I'd really just like to feel you inside me."

I rocked my hips up and toward his, so wet and eager for him, the slight movement causing just the tip of his cock to enter.

"Mmmmmm," I moaned out, my hands sliding back up and over him, pulling his weight on me. "God, I've missed you. Please, baby. I need to feel all of you."

Keeping his weight on one arm, his other hand moved from the mattress to my cheek, cupping my face as he gazed at me intensely. "I love you, Bella. So much."

"I love you, too. Always."

He brought his lips to mine, soft and firm, as he pushed in; filling me, inch by glorious inch. My legs widened, wrapping around him, and my eyes watered, overwhelmed by the sensations and emotions he made me feel. I was literally and figuratively filled with love, and I'd never felt more complete.

Slowly, him pumping, my hips rolling – in, out, in, swirl, out, in, out, in, swirl, out…

"Oh my god, baby! Yes! That's good. Soooo fucking good," I mewled at the perfect rhythm we found so easily, as though our bodies were made for each other.

"Jesus, beautiful. You're so warm and tight," he growled, plunging deeper with each pass.

"Unnngh! God, so amazingly good. Only… like this… with… you," I panted as he nipped and sucked on my nipples, pebbled and tingling from his skilled mouth and tongue.

"I'm not gonna last long, baby," he grunted against my skin. "Not this first time. I'm sorry. But, ohhhhhh fuck, you feel good."

"Harder, Edward, please. I want you inside me like this forever."

"I know, baby. I can't get close enough."

Pushing and pulling, faster, sinking further and further, harder. It wasn't going to take me long, either. I was getting so close.

"I'm right there, baby."

Thrusting, over and over, my heels digging into his ass cheeks, pushing him harder, closer – more. Knowing how to get me over the edge, his hand ghosted down my body, seeking out the part needing his touch. So expertly, he placed a thumb over my clit, circling at a delicious pace.

"I want to feel you come, baby. Let me feel you clamp down around me," he muttered with quickened breaths. "Please. I need you to come, because fuuuuuuuuuckk, I can't wait."

In – out – in – swirl – out – in – out – in – swirl – out…

He moaned out my name, and I screamed, "Unnngh, Edwaaaaard!"

My walls tightened with the feel of him squirting and hot inside me. My whole body began to spasm. I could feel his heartbeat, thrumming fast in his chest and keeping beat with mine, as he fell against me. I was on sensory overload. It felt like every cell and pore in my body had opened, and all the love and light I felt was shooting out of me, covering us in a blanket of bliss.

What words couldn't say, we said with our eyes, lips, fingers. Gentle looks, touches, and kisses. Rediscovering you – it was everything I'd dreamed of and more.

"I love you, Edward."

"I love you, too, baby. Happy Valentine's Day," he said, pulling me onto his chest.

"Best holiday ever." I giggled.

"Then, mission accomplished," He grinned, one hand caressing my back and the other on my ass. "Now, rest up. You're gonna need your energy, 'cause I'm not done with you."

"Yep, Happy Valentine's Day, indeed."

Chapter End Notes:

Eeep! So, what do you think? Were the words to Faithfully perfect or what? I love Journey. Edward has been singing that in my head since the early parts of this story. *sigh* He's such a romantic. =)

She loves him. And he loves her. And they told each other! It's about freakin' time, right? And we earned our M rating again. Woot! I really hope it was everything you anticipated. We're in the home stretch now. I'm thinking maybe 5 chapters left. We'll see. They could always change that. ;)

I'm working on a new story now, too. It's something completely different from ALBtY. I hope to start posting it soon, so put me on author alert if you want to check it out. :) DreamOfTheEndless is helping. I love her so much! If you aren't reading her story, Beautiful Sorrow, you should be. It's in my faves.

Until next time… Love, hugs, and smooches.