The One That Got Away

Chapter Seventy-Seven

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Next chapter is going to be straight-up lemon ... An extra good one since you've been so patient with me. Bella is going to take care of her fiancé. They are going to reclaim what they lost. And will Domward make an appearance?

"You want more children?" Bella asked.

"With you, yes," he said. "I want to be with you, as I'm making love to you and creating a new life with our love." He chuckled. "God, that's cheesy."

"It was, but I understand," she giggled, looking down at her ring. It sparkled radiantly under the incandescent light of the Christmas tree. "Edward, this ring ... it's beautiful."

"Nothing but the best for my fiancée," Edward said, kissing her tenderly. "But, you have yet to answer my question, Ms. Swan. Will you marry me?"

With a brilliant grin, Bella kissed him and whimpered lowly as his tongue slid between her lips. Pressing her forehead to his, she nodded. "I can't wait to marry you, Dr. Superhero."

"I haven't heard you call me that in a long time, Professor," he purred. He looked at her and his eyes darkened, seeing the hunger in her espresso colored orbs. "I want to celebrate our engagement, sweetness. I want to make love to you."

"I don't want you to ... I know that you're still struggling," she trailed off.

"I know you'd never hurt me. I didn't have anything to drink and I love you. I want to show you," he murmured. Picking her up, he carried her up the stairs. In their bedroom, the lights were dimmed and their personal Christmas tree basked the room in a romantic glow. He placed Bella on her feet and stared at her, his hands cupping her face. "I love you, Bella. You have no idea how happy you've made me. You're the mother of our children. You're going to be my wife."

"And you're going to be my husband," she breathed. She kissed him, her fingers tangling into his hair. "Make love to me? Make me yours?"

"No, make me yours, Mrs. Cullen. I should have only been yours to begin with, my sweetness," he said. "Make me eternally yours."

Bella knew that this was monumental for Edward. He was trusting her with his heart, his body, his soul. Her hands slid along his chest and he leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers. Blowing out a breath, he cupped her face and kissed her sweetly, tasting her soft lips. Their kisses were tender and reverent. Edward's hands moved down and slid around her waist. She was pressed against his hard body. She giggled. "What, sweetness?" Edward asked.

"I'm trying to be all sexy, but I'm struggling with this brace," she said, looking at it with malice.

Edward snickered, taking it off her wrist. She rolled her hand, grimacing. "Feel more seductive now?"

"Let me wash my hands," she said, kissing his cheek and scampering to the bathroom. Edward sat down, laughing and blowing out another breath. This was so perfectly them. It was a welcomed distraction from what they were about to do. Bella's endearing behavior made his heart swell and calmed him tremendously. With his ex-wife, she was all about being in control and getting off, not really caring about him or his needs. But, with Bella, Edward could laugh, have fun and remember what it was like to make love. Not fuck. Not have sex, but physically showing another person how much they love the other, sharing one body and connecting their souls. "Dr. Superhero," Bella said, waving her left hand in front of his face. "You're spacing out."