Chapter Seven

A/N: I wanted to get this out sooner but my littlest one decided she wanted to eat ALL THE TIME, so I have not had a free hand to type. I am working on chapter 14 right now, so that is exciting.

At last check – I had 76 reviews for this story. I am amazed! I wish FF would get their shit together so I could send review replies, but as of now it is still fail. Thank you so much for all of your suggestions for the whole Renee/Charlie plotline. I am still working things out but I loved each and every idea. Jansails – thank you so much for your awesome PM. Your ideas rock!

This is one of my favorite chapters so far. I'll see you at the bottom!

Edward pulled Isabella down onto his lap as he sat on the couch. He explained to her his idea and surprisingly she seemed to agree with him. He watched as she processed his words and realized that there was no way he would be able to leave her out her. He needed her with him. He had waited long enough.

They decided that he should wait to leave until the summer heat broke, at least the end of September. Edward would travel back to his world and get his family's cabin ready. It was only a 30 minute drive from the cabin to civilization, but it would still be secluded enough to keep Isabella safe until he decided what to do about her father. Isabella showed him the letter her mother had left for her, but it gave him no answers. He did not let on that he knew who she was or who her father was, but it was difficult for him to keep that to himself. He was worried that Renee Swan actually had a reason to fear her husband and by sending Isabella back to him it would put her in danger. But Isabella's mother might have been a crazy loon and had kidnapped her daughter for no reason at all. Edward hoped he might be able to contact the mysterious 'Uncle Billy' once he had everything settled.

Isabella hugged tightly to Edward's side as she listened to his plans. He described his family's cabin, and with the exception of running water and electricity – which she still did not understand- it sounded a lot like her cottage. Edward said the cabin sat on the edge of Lake Baker and that she would be able to start another garden in the back of the property. He seemed so excited to be able to bring her closer to his world, and she could not help but smile at his child-like enthusiasm as he described all of the things he wanted to show her. Most of the things were confusing and a bit scary, but she knew if he were by her side, she would be fine. He wanted his family to meet her, and he knew his father would pressure him into disclosing her true identity. He just hoped he could find some answers before he had to do that.

Seeing the sky start to darken, Isabella pulled herself from Edward's arms and started the evening meal. She always ate her largest meal when the sun was at its highest, so it did not take her long to prepare the plates of roasted carrots, sweet potatoes and squash. Edward smiled at her as she sat across from him, his heart soaring at the thought of doing the same thing, but at the cabin. He figured he would be able to get a position at the small hospital in Sedro-Woolley, which was only an hour away. If he took longer shifts, he should only have to work three days a week and spend the rest of his time home with Isabella. He knew his mother would love to come and spend time with her when he was at work and his sister would probably be out of her mind with excitement thinking of all of the things she could teach Isabella.

Edward did the dishes again and helped Isabella finish the rest of her chores. He watched her close up the cottage for the night, banking the flames in the fireplace and shutting the door. They did an awkward dance as Isabella tried to get Edward to share the lumpy bed with her, while he protested adamantly that he would be fine on the couch. Isabella huffed when he settled down on the couch and she threw a pillow and blanket at his head in protest. Edward knew that if he lay in that bed with his dream girl he would not be able to control himself. The gentle touches they had shared through the day had driven him mad and just the thought of having her slight weight pressed against his body while he slept, made him throb and ache. No, the couch was a much better place for him.

**()*()**

Edward groaned when Isabella prompted him to get out of bed bright and early the next morning. Now that they had a plan in place, she was excited to teach him all of the things he would need to know for when they moved to the cabin. She was adamant that they would continue to live off the land the best that they could. She did not understand the descriptions of the grocery stores and processed foods that were Edward's favorites. The thought of going into a building and buying meat and vegetables when one only had to do a bit of work and get it for free astounded Isabella. Edward finally gave up and followed her out to the garden. He watched in awe as she showed him how she collected seeds and rotated her crops to be sure that the soil would not be overworked. Edward had always prided himself on having a strong stomach, he was going to be a doctor after all. But watching Isabella skin and butcher a rabbit made him turn into the bushes and vomit, much to her amusement. How she, at ten years old, had managed to do this on her own amazed and saddened him. She should have been playing with dolls, not killing rabbits.

The days passed in easy companionship. Every morning Edward would help Isabella with her chores and then they would spend the afternoon learning about each other. The normal 'first date' conversations would not work for this pair, since Isabella had no favorite books or movies to discuss. Instead they spoke of her hardships and joys over the past few decades. She told him about her run in with the mountain lion and her first winter. He was brought to tears as he listened to her describe the day her mother died and how she had to dig her grave. In return, he told her about his struggles with his intelligence and tried to explain how their lives would change once they made it to the cabin.

Scattered throughout the work and conversation were kisses and touches. Edward found himself having to pull away from her questing hands more and more, much to Isabella's dismay. All she understood was that her body changed when Edward put his hands on her. She felt empty when he pushed her away and found herself initiating their impromptu 'make out sessions' more often. Finally, a week after he had arrived, Isabella found herself unable to resist the pull Edward had on her. After they finished their evening meal, she helped him clean the dishes and pulled him outside. Edward walked with her to the outhouse, waited till she was done and then took care of his own needs. When he was finished he opened the door, looking around until he found her knee-deep in the creek. The moon was full with no clouds to block its light. Edward could see her perfectly as she bent and rinsed her hands in the flowing water, cupping some into her hands to scrub over her face. He watched as she reached for the hem of her dress, pulling it up over her head and tossing it to the bank. She waded further out into the deeper part of the stream and dropped down out of sight. Edward moved towards the shore, fear clamping down on him. He knew she was fine, she probably did the same thing every night before he arrived. But the thought of her disappearing on him now made him crazy.

Isabella let the cool water cover her completely before she surfaced, tossing her hair back out of her face. She heard a gasp and turned towards the sound, smiling when she saw Edward standing there. She gestured with her hands for him to join her as she pushed wayward strands of hair off of her face. When he hesitated, Isabella started walking towards him, knowing how uncomfortable he would be if he did not wash off the dirt and sweat from the day. This was her favorite time of the year, when the water was finally warm enough for her to bathe in it. She would have to settle for a sponge bath with heated water from the kettle once the summer was gone. As her hips came out of the water, Edward threw up his hands, begging her to stop. He knew if she came any closer, the tenuous hold he had on himself would snap. The innocent way she moved and touched him over the past few days were driving him to distraction. He wanted to bring her pleasure, to show her how much he wanted her. To show her how much he loved her. He finally was able to realize that, even though he did not know much about her, she owned his heart. The things he did know about her only solidified that. Her strength and determination, her gentle touch and innocence… those made him realize that she was the only one for him.

Seeing she would not take no for an answer, he dropped his head with a sigh as he started to remove his clothes. He left his tight boxer briefs on as he waded into the water, stopping a few feet from where she stood. They stared at each other, the moon bathing them in blue light. The water lapped gently against their legs as they moved towards each other simultaneously. Edward was cautious as he brought his hands up to wrap around the silky skin of her waist, just as Isabella grasped tightly onto his shoulders. Their hands explored as they stared at each other. Isabella wondered if Edward could hear her heart beating, it was so loud. She wanted nothing more than to press her body against his. She moved her arms under his and took possession of his hips, her thumbs pressing into the points of his hip bones where his shorts rode low. Edward closed his eyes and took a shuttering breath as he finally allowed himself to pull her towards him, his arms wrapping around her shoulders as hers swept behind him to rest on his low back. Isabella could not contain the whimper of pleasure that fell from her lips as their skin met. Her body craved more, wanting to find a way inside of him. Edward felt the same as his hands floated over her wet, smooth skin. He pressed his mouth against her throat, feeling the vibration of her moan as she relaxed into him. His hands flexed against her skin, wanting to move towards her breasts and lower, where he knew she would be hot and wet for him. Her body was responding naturally to his, her heart beating faster, pupils dilating, muscles trembling. He heard her whispering against his chest, but he was unable to make out the words. Her fingers danced in the groove of his spine, her touch making him painfully hard. His breath left him as she pressed herself even tighter against him, his erection trapped between their bodies. He expected her to pull away when she felt him against her belly but she moved even closer, her whispering growing in volume against his skin. Finally he was able to hear her words.

"Please, please, please."

He bent his mouth to her ear, taking the delicate lobe into his mouth, sucking hard.

"What do you want my love?" He breathed into her ear.

"I don't know… but please." She answered back, her hips grinding instinctively against his thigh. He growled against the flesh of her throat as he imagined hoisting her up into his arms and slamming himself into her. The desire to make her his was overwhelming, but he knew he needed to take his time with her, to make sure she was ready for him.

His decision made, he reached down and grabbed onto her legs, pulling her up out of the water and into his arms. She squealed and wrapped her hands around his neck, pressing her breast into his shoulder. Laughing, he walked out of the water, leaving their clothes on the bank. He dropped kisses up and down her throat as he made his way into the cottage, the moonlight following them through the windows. He wished he had more light so he could see her better, but realized they had all the time in the world, and morning was only a few hours away.

He walked into the bedroom, laying her down on the bed, not caring that they were getting the blankets all wet. Her hair was black against the white pillows, drops of water clinging to her pale skin. He shed his soggy shorts, leaving him as naked as she was. Isabella's eyes widened as she finally saw him bare. She sat up on her elbows as he moved to the side of the bed. Her mouth was dry as she reached for him, entranced with the way his body pulsed and moved. He jerked wildly when her tiny hands took possession of him, her fingers wrapping around his base and slowly moving towards the tip. He was amazed that she knew instinctually what his body craved. He moved one knee onto the bed next to her, allowing him to get closer. His fingers closed gently over her throat, feeling her pulse thrum under her skin. She gazed up at him, her fingers still exploring his flesh. Their eyes stayed locked as he bent down and took her puckered nipple into his mouth. Tossing her head back, her grip tightened on his shaft as she moaned out her pleasure. Edward snarled against her flesh as he clenched his eyes tightly in an effort to keep from spilling into her hand. Reaching down, he gently pried her fingers off of him and brought them up to his lips. Kissing each of them he stared into the warm chocolate of her eyes, trying to make sure she was ready. Once he took this step with her, he knew there was no way he could walk away. Isabella pulled her hand from his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Please, every time I look at you… touch you…smell you, I ache. Please." She whispered as her eyes filled with frustrated tears.

"You're mine." He breathed against her lips before he captured them with his own, dropping his body down onto hers.

A/N: Ummm….fade to black? Review and let me know when you want the next chapter.