Entry for "Forbidden Lemon" Contest

Title:- A Reason to Stop

Pen name(s):- Hellabellakellas (collaboration between theotherbella and raok)

Central Characters:- Edward & Bella

Disclaimer:- SMeyer owns the characters but we like to borrow them for citrus fanfics :)

To see the other entries in the "Forbidden Lemon" contest, please visit the C2 at:-

www (dot) fanfiction (dot) net/community/Forbidden_Lemon_Contest/80416/

EPOV

No no no no no no no no no.

I couldn't be here. I didn't have time to be here. I couldn't...No. This was all a mistake, a huge mistake and I couldn't stay here. There was just no way I could stay here.

"You're here, Cullen. You'll get your phone call if we have time," a guard said, leading me to a small cell.

It was gray and empty, a small cot against one wall with a neatly folded blanket and a lumpy pillow.

The sad thing was, it was the most comfortable thing I'd seen in days. I made my way over to it slowly, like it would vanish if I moved too quickly. I sat down on the thin mattress (if you could even call it that) then sighed. I was enjoying this too much, especially when I knew Rosalie wouldn't have the same thing.

Rosalie and I were orphans. Our parents died in 1933; almost seven years ago now, because we were too poor to afford the doctor. I was only 10 at the time, but it meant that I had to be responsible for my 3 year old sister. It was a lot of pressure, but somehow I managed to pull through.

I'd worked odds and ends in and around Chicago, where we were from, and tried to save enough to get to my Uncle Carlisle's home in a town called Forks in Washington. He was the only family we had left, and in order to get there I'd had to resort to some...questionable means. We snuck onto trains, hitched rides with farmers, slept in fields some nights. The ironic part was that we'd made it. We were literally in Forks when it happened.

I told Rose to go wait in a barn, and watched as she bundled herself in a haystack just like I showed her. With her soft blonde hair, she blended right in. You couldn't even see her. Then I went across the street to Newton's General Store. We were both hungry, and I'd done it enough times to know exactly what to get: a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread. More than enough to last us to Uncle Carlisle's. I hid the milk in the inside pocket of my jacket, and the bread in my boot. I was just about to make my exit when an arm shot across the door.

My heart sank and I started to panic.

"Where do you think you're going son?" I knew he was a cop right away; the authoritative mustache, and gruff demeanor. There was no way he was just a concerned citizen.

"Home, Sir." I mumbled, knowing that I couldn't give myself away before I knew that he'd seen me.

"This is a small town, kid. You don't live here." He paused, sizing me up. "You can't be more than seventeen."

I just blinked at him, and didn't say anything. I wouldn't give myself up if I didn't have to.

He sighed, putting his arm down. "Take the milk out of your jacket and the bread. I'm gonna have to take you in."

"I--I don't k-know what you're t-talking about." I stuttered. Looking back, that was probably the moment I met my downfall and I was kicking myself for it. If I'd just given him the stuff he probably would have let me go. But I didn't want to take that chance.

He shook his head, reaching into my pocket, and pulling out the milk then into my boot for the bread. I groaned. "Sorry, kid, but I'm gonna have to take you in."

I hung my head, my mind racing with what my sister would do. Could she make it to Uncle Carlisle's? Did she even know the way? Would she wait for me?

Why did I have to get caught now?

The man who brought me in, I learned was the chief of police in this town and I didn't want to tell him about my Uncle because that'd just be bad for their reputation. I'd have to call them, to see if Rose made it, but they didn't have to know where I was.

It just all seemed hopeless.

To be so close to what I wanted and find myself cut short.

BPOV

"Yea Angela, I'll walk over once I dropped some food off to my dad at the station." I confirmed, twisting the phone cord around my finger.

"Great! I'll see you soon. Oh and come hungry because my mom is making her famous butter toffee cookies." She laughed. I swore I would start salivating then and there. Angela's mom was the town's baker. She and her husband owned the only bakery in Forks, Washington.

"Save me three dozen." I replied dramatically.

I wasn't kidding - that's how good the cookies were.

We hung up and I shoved my keys and a few cents into the pockets of my dress before walking into the kitchen to pack a paper bag full of leftovers I had made earlier that morning for my dad.

He had told me earlier of how there was a kid who got caught stealing at Newton's grocery store earlier that day and fit the description of a thief in the Seattle area, so he'd be gone all day and probably wouldn't be back in time for dinner.

With me as the woman of the house, ever since my mom died when I was 13, it was my job to make sure he got fed. God knows he'd never remember to with how busy he was at the station.

I stuffed a thermos full of beef stew and wrapped up a few slices of bread. I could always drop by again after dinner if he was still stuck at his desk.

After putting it all in a big brown bag I tossed on my coat and headed out in the chilly summer air.

Yes, chilly... and summer in the same sentence.

It was typical weather for Forks, all year round. Though, I was a bit happy that it wasn't raining - I hated walking the mile and a half to the station during a downpour; no matter how bundled up I dressed I always managed to arrive completely water logged.

But not today.

I strolled into the depressing, cement building. I hung my coat on the rack beside the front door and waved to Benny, the local deputy. "Afternoon Officer Carmichael." He looked up from his paperwork and smiled. "Afternoon Bella. Your pop is in his office. I'd knock first though, he may be on the phone with Seattle," he advised.

I thanked him and walked down the hall to his office, noticing he wasn't on the phone but knocked anyway to be polite.

"Come in." He said not looking up from the papers on his desk.

"Hey dad." I greeted, walking in and taking a seat across from him. He looked up, smiling a bit and taking a breath. "Hey Bels. What're you doing here? I thought you were spending the day with Angela?"

"I am. I just wanted to drop this off on my way," I answered, putting the paper sack on his desk.

"You are an angel. I would have completely forgotten about food, otherwise." He chuckled, reaching for the bag. "This case has turned into so much more. Apparently there are seven different precincts looking for a guy fitting this kid's description. It's sad too - he's just about your age and already in heaps of trouble."

I shrugged. "Guess it's a good thing he got caught then, otherwise who knows how much more trouble he would have caused."

He nodded, unwrapping the bread and ripping a piece off. "Yea, I just don't like the idea of kids nowadays thinking that's the only way to get by."

"Maybe it is," I countered with a shrug. "Times are tough dad."

"I know, I know. But crime is never a solution," he stated, focusing back down on his paperwork. "I may be here all night. If I'm not home by 9 go ahead and lock the house up, alright?"

"Mhm, okay," I confirmed standing up and making my way to the door. "I'm just going to go see if they've brought Mr. Banner in yet." I said before shutting the door.

I heard him grunt and I laughed to myself, making my way down to the holding cells.

Mr. Banner was a science teacher at Fork High School who spent the academic year pushing his students in Biology and Chemistry but during the summers drank his salary in whiskey. Every summer since I was in middle school I had spent many summer afternoons handing him packs of crackers and cups of coffee to sober him up before his release.

I walked slowly down the row of holding cells - ten individual ones in all. Most of the times I came down here no more than two or three were being used, as seemed the case this afternoon.

My body stopped as I approached a cell where a boy was sitting, forearms resting on his knees and fingers tugging on his hair. He definitely wasn't from around here - I would have recognized him if he had been.

Maybe this was the notorious thief my dad had been talking about.

"You know, you tug any harder and it's going to rip out," I replied with a smirk, unable to believe this boyish looking person before me was a big enough criminal to cause my father so much headache..

EPOV

My head shot up and into the deepest pair of brown eyes I'd ever seen. Her ruby red lips, and fair skin...she was nothing short of perfection. "W-what?"

"Your hair." She said, pointing a polished finger at me. "You were pulling on it so hard it looked like it was almost going to rip off your head." Her laughter was like music, light and sweet despite the drab surroundings. I was completely mystified by her.

I nodded. Nervous habit. She was right; I was lucky I had any hair left. "Miss are you on your way out?" I asked, moving toward her slowly, gripping the bars of my cell once they were in reach.

"No. I was stopping to see if my teacher was here yet," she said, giving me another laugh and moving a tiny bit closer. "Why -- are you on your way out?" She grinned, the sarcastic lilt in her voice almost had me forgetting where I was. Almost.

I tugged at my hair again. "No, no. I just wondered if I could ask a favor?" I'd been here for three hours; I had to know what was going on. I had to know if Rose made it.

"Sure, but let me inform you," she started, then leaned in as her voice dropped to a whisper. "I'm horrible at picking locks."

I laughed a little, moving closer to whisper in her ear. "It's okay. 'Bout time they caught up with me." I grinned at her, breathing in the perfect mix of strawberries and freesias. "But...I was wondering if you could call Dr. Carlisle Cullen; ask him if Rosalie is with him. Do you know him?"

She nodded, a light pink tint springing to her cheeks. "Yea, he's been my doctor since I was born," she replied, sucking her bottom lip into her mouth. "You want me to ask if Rosalie is with him? Who should I say I'm calling on behalf of?"

"Edward," I whispered. "You have no idea how much this means to me. Thank you Miss..."

"Isabella, but everyone just calls me Bella." She paused, then added: "Do you want me to let him know you're here?"

"Yeah...thank you. I don't think I'll be getting my phone call," I said, laughing a little. "You have no idea how much of a help that would be."

Her brow knitted together, making her pout ever so slightly. "You haven't gotten it yet?"

I shrugged. "Negative on both counts. But it's okay."

"No... no, that's not okay.... I'll-- I'll be right back," she said decisively, disappearing around the corner before returning with a disgruntled looking deputy.

My eyes went wide. Oh, god. What did she do? Was she mad? She didn't seem mad. No no no no no.

The deputy shook his head and began unlocking the door. "Your father will have my head if he finds out about this. He said he wanted to wait to give the kid his phone call til everything got straightened out."

Bella smiled, but kept her eyes trained on me. "It's okay. I won't tell him, but he deserves his phone call. I appreciate that you see that."

I held out my wrists so the deputy could cuff me. "You're lucky you made friends with the Chief's daughter buddy. You'll get two minutes and one call. No one answers and it still counts."

I blinked at her sighing with relief. "Thank you; thank you so much."

The deputy huffed, unlocking my cell, and I stepped in front of Bella, sticking out my hand. "Edward Cullen."

"Bella Swan." She replied, shaking my hand and nodding toward the phones. "C'mon I'll dial for you."

I nodded, following her over to the phone, and reciting the numbers. Bella put it in the crook of my shoulder and I grinned at her. I would be completely indebted to her for the rest of my life.

"Cullen Residence." Oh, thank god.

"Aunt Esme, it's Edward."

"Edward dear! How are you?"

I chuckled a little. "Well, I've been better. Did Rose make it up there?"

"Yes. She arrived this morning, said you had gone for a walk and didn't come back. We were terribly worried." She stopped for a second and I could hear water running. "Will we see you for dinner this evening? I'm making meatloaf and corn."

I sighed. "No, Aunt Esme, I won't make it. I...uh, I got arrested."

"What? Are you alright? Where are you? I'm coming right now, stay put!"

"I'm at the station, and hand cuffed. I can't really go anywhere," I told her. "But don't worry about me. I didn't want to worry you; I just wanted to make sure Rose was safe."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes. See you soon."

I looked back up at Bella, nudging the receiver down my shoulder. "All done."

Bella took the phone and replaced it. "So you'll be out of here soon then? I can't imagine the Cullens letting a relative hang out in jail."

I shrugged. "Depends on what they have me down for. I attempted to...acquire some things from a grocery store."

"You stole."

"More or less."

"Why?"

"It's a long story." I said, shrugging again. It didn't matter anyway. People didn't have a good cause now-a-days.

"Oh, right.." She said, looking down at her shoes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

No. I felt awful, because this was the one person who'd showed me any sort of kindness in the last seven years. I sucked up my shame and spit it out. "My parents passed away a while back, and I finally saved up enough to get out here to bring my sister to my aunt and uncle's. But...twenty dollars doesn't go as far anymore."

She looked back up at me, then moved her hand to tug at my hair. "It felt like a moment where you could use a hair pull," she told me with a smile. "Thought I'd help you out since you aren't really able to right now."

I grinned at her, completely confused (but in a good way) about this crazy girl. "Thanks. It was a help."

"I'm glad. It'd be really embarrassing if I had been wrong," she said with a laugh, her hand still nestled in my hair. "I'm going to bring you cookies."

I blinked at her. "Oh...thank you, but you don't have to. Don't go outta your way."

"Cullen!" The guard barked, nodding toward my cell and I moved slowly toward him.

Her hand dropped and she walked with me to my cell. "It's not out of the way. My friend Angela, her mom is the best baker in the world, and I was going to go over there anyway, so I could bring you back some? It's butter toffee today."

I nodded. "Thank you, Bella. That'd be really nice."

I stepped into my cell, and the door slid shut. I reached through the bars and my hands we uncuffed. I grabbed Bella's hands and gave them a squeeze. "Thank you, for everything."

She gave me the same soft smile and nodded. "You're welcome. Now don't get full on the jail food here before I get back." She laughed softly at her own joke, as if it were even a possibility. "Alright?"

I laughed back at her, squeezing her hands again before I dropped them. "I won't, I promise. Good bye, Bella."

"Bye Edward." She whispered, kissing her fingertips, then pressing them to my cheek before she turned to leave.

I sucked in a deep breath, sinking back down on my cot. This girl would definitely be the end of me.

BPOV

Oh my god. How could I have done that?

I walked down the street toward Angela's in a complete daze. I was never bold in that way with anyone. And here I was practically kissing the man.

A man my father would definitely not approve of.

I had read Romeo and Juliet and various Jane Austen novels enough to know that when there is family disapproval it never ends well.

I let out a frustrated breath as I rang Angela's doorbell.

"Bella!" She beamed throwing open the door and giggling. "You'll never believe who just called," she whispered, leaning into me as I stepped through the door. "

"Who?" I asked, grinning. I had a feeling it was Ben Harper but wanted her to say it before I did anything else stupid today.

"Ben Harper!" she squealed. "He asked my mom if he could take me to his family's fish fry up at La Push Beach this weekend!" she said quickly, while jumping up and down in place.

I laughed softly and smiled. "That's great. I assume she said yes if you're this excited.

She nodded vigorously and didn't stop smiling the entire half hour I was there.

"So, I know we had plans but I kinda promised that I'd go back to the station this afternoon."

"Oh, is your dad doing okay? You said he was busy with a really big case."

I nodded. "Yea, swamped. He said he might not even make it home tonight."

"Geeze Louise..." she puffed out. "Well here," she said walking over to an unmarked plastic bag full of her mom's cookies. "Tell your dad thanks for keeping us all safe and to have some."

I laughed a little giving her a short hug after taking the cookies. "And tell your mom thanks for keeping us all fed with her amazing cooking."

We walked to the door and I gave her another hug. "I'll call you later, okay?"

She nodded and giggled. "Talk to you soon then!"

I chuckled to myself as I retraced my walk back to the station, cookies in hand. By the time I arrived, Mrs. Cullen and Edward were sitting in the lobby; Mrs. Cullen knitting and Edward sitting in the same positionhe'd been in when I first saw him in the cell.

"Edward?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

At the sound of my voice his head shot up and he smiled weakly. "Hi Bella." He paused, turning to Mrs. Cullen. "Aunt Esme, this is Bella. Thanks to her, I got my phone call."

"Thank you dear. I can't imagine what the mix up was about the phone call but thank you for helping to resolve it," she replied with a smile.

I felt my cheeks turn pink and I nodded. "You're welcome, it was really no trouble."

He shook his head, grinning in my direction. "She's modest, but she really was an angel."

I smiled, fighting the blush that seemed to get darker on my cheeks at his words. "I-- I hope you weren't waiting here on my account. It's not the most pleasant waiting area."

"No...they aren't letting me go," he responded, his face falling but a sad smile still hanging on his lips.

"What? Why not?" I was shocked. It didn't make sense. I mean... if the Cullens, a highly regarded family in the community were taking him in for the time being what was the problem?

He shook his head. "There are some...problems. I'm not exactly...well, this wasn't my first time. I brought it on myself, Bella," he replied, moving his eyes to the floor.

My heart broke, thinking about how hard it must have been for him. It had sounded earlier that he felt there was no other way; and to be sure things couldn't have been easy, taking care of his sister alone. I wanted to jump into his arms and hold him and tell him we'd get through this.

But I didn't know why.

I didn't know why my gut was aching at the idea of him not being free.

Or why I didn't want to leave him.

But it was almost a paralyzing pain, and so I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "It'll be okay." He gave me the brave little soldier sad smile and nodded slowly.

I pulsed my hand in his again and waved my other hand in the air, holding onto the bag of cookies. "I brought cookies." I announced, trying to lighten the mood. "Mrs. Cullen would you like one? They're from Marilyn Webber."

"Oh I love her desserts. Carlisle and I go to her bakery at least twice a week." She smiled, looking from me to her nephew. "But I think I should be on my way. I don't want to leave Rosalie with her uncle for too long. He's a bit of a prankster," she said with a laugh. "But thank you, and again, thank you for helping Edward."

I smiled and nodded, releasing his hand as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Have Bella call if you need anything. I'll let Carlisle know and we'll start looking for a great lawyer, alright?"

He nodded towards her. "Thank you. Tell Rose...tell her..." he paused, taking a deep breath. "Tell her I said hi."

She kissed his cheek and nodded. "You better get him back to that deputy. He was only allowed to sit out here with my supervision," she advised, nodding towards the officer's desk.

"Yes ma'am," I replied politely.

Esme gave another soft smile and turned on her heels, walking out of the station, adjusting her coat before exiting.

"Would you like me to stay?" I asked as we walked towards Benny's desk.

He followed my movement hesitantly."Well, I mean...if you have plans, I don't want to keep you but...company would be nice but you don't have to feel like you have to because, I mean, you probably have better things to do then hang out in jail," he sputtered out, laughing sadly and running a hand through his hair as he shook his head and sighed once more.

I blushed as the words slid out of my mouth quietly and my eyes fixated on the floor. "I like being here, with you."

"I'm glad you're here," he admitted softly.

"Then that's settled," I confirmed, looking back up and taking a breath. "I'm staying, as long as I'm welcome." I gave him a toothy smile and we crossed the distance back to the officer's desk.

Deputy Carmichael nodded curtly and held up his handcuffs. "Sorry Cullen, it's protocol."

"It's okay," he replied stoically, holding out his hands as the officer clamped the cold steel cuffs to his wrists. "So...do you always hang out in jails?" He grinned, obviously trying to lighten the mood.

"Only when the cute boys get thrown in and shown no respect," I teased as the three of us walked to the cells. Officer Carmichael turned his head and raised an eyebrow. Oh no, he was going to tell my dad.

Ugh. Well, maybe he wouldn't. Because then he'd have to tell him that I've been here all afternoon (essentially) and that he didn't tell me to go home.

Okay, maybe I would be safe. I hoped.

Edward was led into his cell and the gate closed, before he was uncuffed. I followed him inside just to ensure my dad wouldn't see me lurking. "Be smart you two. Bels, don't stay too long," Benny noted sternly before swinging his handcuffs around his fingers and walking back to his desk.

"So, cookie?"

EPOV

I took one from the bag, and looked at it. "How do I know you didn't poison these?" I asked with a smirk.

"You don't," she said seriously, but with a coy smile playing at her lips.

I laughed at her frankness and sniffed it. "Well, at least I got to spend my last minutes with a beautiful girl."

Ugh, did I really say that? Really? Maybe she wouldn't run away screaming.

She blushed, looking up at me through her eye lashes. "I couldn't poison a guy who said stuff like that."

I grinned back at her, and took a bite. "Bellaaaaa..." I moaned. "Whatever you put in these is amazing. This is the best thing I've had in...in...years." Literally. I couldn't afford stuff like this before. Just thinking the word cookie was a dirty thing.

"Arsenic."

I nodded. "I"ll die happy, then."

She laughed a bit, then took her own cookie. "Did you want me to bring you dinner? We have a bunch of leftover stew back home. Or I could make you something else?"

I shook my head. "It's okay. I don't want to impose on you and you've already done so much for me." I sighed, taking another bite. "I'll never be able to repay you."

"You're already repaying me." The blush that crept up her cheeks was adorable. "And really, it's no imposition. I like cooking."

"I feel bad, asking you to do all that," I told her. "Don't you have a boyfriend who needs dinner more than the crazed robber in jail?"

Wow, Edward. Way to make the girl like you.

"No, no boyfriend." She replied, mulling over the rest of her response. "My dad doesn't let me date. He thinks dating is just improper for a girl my age and will cause problems for my academics."

I cocked my head to the side. How could she not have a boyfriend, even if she didn't date? I mean, how could anyone not see how beautiful she was? "Why? Are you gonna be a...history teaching nun?" I gulped. Before my parents died, they'd sent me to Catholic school. Those ladies could be brutal.

She laughed, shaking her head. "No, but... it's hard for women to go to college and I hope to get into one next year." She blushed, as if being educated was something to be embarrassed about. "I'd really like to go to Sarah Lawrence."

I nodded. "You'll get in." I looked back over at her. "Talk to Aunt Esme; she went there. Class of '27."

She shook head head, grinning. "I can't do that. I just met her. What do you want to do when you get out?"

"I'll ask her. I'm sure she'd be more then happy to."

"That's not answering my question," she reminded, grinning a little.

"Well, it's important, Bella," I told her, putting my hand on her shoulder. "You should be able to do those things."

"Now you're just ignoring me," she said with a laugh.

"No," I replied. "I probably don't have a future. They put guys like me away for a long time, and then if I get out, no one would want to hire me. Or send me to school. Or...trust me." I sighed, slumping a little. This was really the end of everything, wasn't it?

"I trust you," she told me, reaching over to cover her hand with mine.

I nodded, smiling a little at her then I decided to be bold. Hell, this might be the last time I saw her. I leaned over and pressed my lips to her cheek. "Thank you. For everything."

"I didn't do anything but you're welcome." Then she leaned over, pressing her lips softly to my cheek.

I sucked in a deep breath, feeling the electric current run through my body. "You'll come back, right?" I needed to see her again. It was this...urge to see her whenever I could.

"Every day if you want." She smiled.

I smiled back at her. "I'd like that. As long as you can, I'd like you to come. Please."

She nodded, going over to make herself comfortable on my cot. "So, assuming everyone has the same unconditional trust in you that I have, what do you want to do when you get out of here?"

"Be a doctor." I sighed. That was the plan. Too bad I'd have to finish high school and college and go to med school.

"That's cool, like your uncle."

I nodded, sitting beside her. "Yeah, something like that. But...if I get out, I'd have to be more realistic. Be a...locksmith or a milkman."

"You'll be a doctor." She bumped into my shoulder with hers. "It'll happen."

I shrugged. "Probably not." I put my arm behind her, leaning back a little. "But sometimes you just have to do what works." If there's one thing I'd learned, it was that. You just had to find some way to have food, shelter...you had to pull it together.

"This works." She murmured, lifting her eyes slowly from the ground to look at me.

I didn't know if she was talking about me and us (whatever 'us' was) or if she just meant my stealing (probably not) or that I could accomplish my dreams. But either way, I couldn't think of anything to say besides, "This does."

I scooted a little closer to her when a chill whipped down the hall. Being close to her felt right; it felt like I was being made...whole again. It was a completeness that I hadn't felt in...ever, really. I couldn't even say if it was right or wrong; it just...was.

She blushed again, and moved closer ever so slightly. "So.. um, assuming all this gets cleared up, were you thinking of staying in town or are you going somewhere from here?"

"Carlisle and Esme are my only family, and the best chance that Rose has at going to a good school. The neighborhood we lived in was kind of rough, and the school wasn't that great. At least here, she has a shot."

"You're a great brother. She's lucky to have you."

I shrugged. "You're kinda stuck with your brothers. What about you? Anyone waiting on you?"

"Nope," she said, shaking her head. "No siblings. Just me and my dad. My mom died a few years ago."

My face fell. I knew how awful that felt. "I'm so sorry."

"It is what it is, right?" she said with a shrug, giving me a small smile.

"Yeah, I guess." I paused, looking over at her. "You're a really...cool lady, Bella."

That beautiful blush sprung to life on her cheeks again as she looked up at me through her lashes. "Thanks. You aren't too bad yourself Edward."

I leaned over, suddenly feeling like I had to be closer to her. I wanted...my body needed to be near her. My lips were only a breath away from hers. "Bella..."

BPOV

I was completely intoxicated. Everything about Edward lured me in; his eyes, his smile, his smell. "Yea..?" I whispered.

"I wanna...I wanna kiss you," he mumbled as his eyes shut lightly.

"I want you to," I panted, my eyelids slowly closing. I felt his lips brush against mine gently, but before I could lose myself his taste was gone. As if he was reading my mind I felt his mouth press against mine a bit harder. His hand slid around to the back of my neck pushing me against his, deepening the kiss. I moaned at the feel of his tongue swiping against my bottom lip and eagerly sucked on the tip of his tongue. He tasted sweet and faintly of toffee. I pulled back regrettably, breathing heavily. My eyes opened slowly to look at him. "That was--"

"Amazing," He exhaled, leaning his forehead to mine.

I nodded against him. "Very."

"Wanna do it again?"

I nodded again, lacing my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck massaging it slowly. "Please."

He smiled, pushing his lips against mine fervently, sighing as I opened up my mouth for him. I found myself wanting more of him; of his lips, of his hands, of his conversation. Everything. His hands moved down to my waist, pulling me closer. Our tongues battled for dominance and I tugged at his hair, eliciting the most amazing sounding growl from him. He pulled away minimally, nipping and sucking on my bottom lip before pulling back and releasing my mouth from his grasp.

"You're perfect," he stated pointedly, kissing my lips quickly. "I hope you know that."

"Hardly," I replied, looking down at my feet and blushing.

His hands reached up to cup my cheeks as he moved his lips against mine once more. "You are. So perfectly...perfect."

"I like that you think so," I admitted quietly, rubbing my nose against his gently.

He sighed against my touch and brushed his lips feather lightly against my own. "I'm glad you were here today."

"Ignoring the reason for you being here, I'm really glad you were here today too."

"Well, it's a good story to tell." He chuckled, rubbing my cheeks with his thumbs.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the main hall lights turn off. "Um..." I trailed off, standing up and walking to the steel bars. "I think our story was meant to continue."

"I hope so." I heard him murmur as I felt him step behind me.

"No, I mean a sleepover," I replied pointing to the dark main office. "Officer Carmichael went home."

He grinned wildly. "Tonight? Is that... I mean, what about your father?"

"I-- I'd rather not, considering." I replied nervously.

"Oh...oh right," he stammered, taking a step back. "I'm sorry. I just...let me call someone for you."

"How? We're locked in."

"Do you have a bobby pin?"

"No." I said, never more thankful to always wear my hair down without clips. Without a pin-like tool, I would be able to stay here without appearing too eager at having the opportunity to spend the night alone with him.

"Making everything tough on me," he mumbled, reaching for his belt buckle.

"Wait.. wait, what are you doing?" I asked quickly, putting my hand over his.

His eyes shot up to mine as he unlatched his buckle and slid his belt off in one quick motion. "Obviously, I"m taking you hostage," he teased, grinning as he began disassembling the hooks on his belt buckle.

"Wait, stop," I replied, covering his hands again. "What if... what if I don't want to go?" I asked weakly. "What if I want to spend the night with you?"

EPOV

I pulled the thin lever off the track of my belt and looked up at her. "But you just said you didn't want to."

"No, I just said I didn't want to shout for my father," she whispered, obviously embarrassed. "I... I'd like to... with you, I mean."

I reached out, pulling her closer to me. "You'd like to..."

"Stay.. be with you," she whispered, her breath coming out in heavy pants against me. "Sorry. I--I don't know how to do this. I'm not ever like this."

I was really kind of confused. I mean, what was she asking---OH! "Bella, you wanna...you'd want to..." I nodded my head as if that alone would make her know what I was alluding to.

"I want to stay the night," she told me calmly, as if nothing else in the whole world would be truer than that statement.

I sucked in a deep breath, then picked her up and walked slowly to my cot. "I'm sorry if I feel a little wobbly. I'm used to carrying around littler girls."

Bella giggled a little against me. "You didn't have to carry me."

I leaned in and kissed her, placing her down gently. "I wanted to." I stumbled over my words, hoping they'd work themselves into something coherent. "I like being near you."

"I like it too," she whispered happily.

I kissed down her neck, then across her collar bone to the other side. "Bella, how old are you?"

"Sixteen," she sighed, tilting her head back to give me better access. "You?"

"Seventeen." I whispered, my voice coming out a bit gruffer than I intended. I sighed, shifting myself off of her and rolling on to my side. "I"m sorry. Apparently, when it comes to you, I don't have any restraint."

"Is it bad if I like it?" she asked as her bottom lip fell into her mouth again and she chewed on it nervously.

I smiled a little, leaning over to kiss her again. "I suppose not. I just don't want to offend you by being too forward or anything." Truth was, I didn't want her away from me all of a sudden. It was this instantaneous urge to keep her beside me.

She looked at me, and shifted around so that she was more comfortable. "Wouldn't your girlfriends back home be more upset that you're sharing a cell with a girl?"

I laughed a little, pulling her closer. "I've never had time for a girlfriend. Taking care of Rose is more important and a lot of girls our age aren't really...accommodating to that." Actually, I'd been a single parent since I was ten. I hadn't had the time to be a kid myself.

Her eyebrows knit together as if what I'd said was completely inaccurate. "That seems weird. I think it sounds even better. It's like you get an awesome boyfriend and a little sister all in one package."

I grinned at her, leaning in and kissing her nose. "I like that you think I'm awesome, even though I'm technically a convict."

"You did what you had to do to provide for your family. I understand that," she whispered, her fingers tracing over my jaw. "I probably would have done the same thing if I were in your shoes."

I sighed, worry seeping into voice. "I hope the judge is as understanding as you."

"Me too." She smiled, "You're a good man Edward."

I shrugged. "Not really. I'm just ordinary."

"More than ordinary." She hesitated slightly, before moving forward to press her lips gently to mine. Her confidence grew with each passing movement, until we both had to pull away to breathe.

"Mmmm, Bella," I groaned, rolling back over so that I was pressed against her on the small cot. "If you keep doing that, I might not be able to control myself."

"What if I don't want you to control yourself?" she asked, her eyes imploring me to continue.

I kissed her again, pushing harder against her and wondering where all my sense of decorum had flown to. "I...I don't know."

"Oh. Well, do you think you could do what you just did again?" she asked softly.

I pushed my lower half into hers again, and sucked on the side of her neck. "Like that?"

She pushed back against me, her breath coming out in pants. "Uh huh... but, your lips..."

I released my lips, kissing over the spot I'd just made then up to her mouth. "Yes?"

"More," she whispered, arching her body against mine and kissing me again.

"Are you sure?" I murmured, sucking a little on her bottom lip before moving across her jaw and chin. "I don't want to ruin your reputation."

"The only opinion that matters to me is yours." She pulled back a little, worry crossing her features. "Will you still want me?"

I nodded, leaning up to kiss her worried lips. "I will always want you."

"I'll wait for you. No matter what happens, I'll wait."

I sighed, taking just a second, and kissing her slowly. "Don't worry about it. Don't...I don't want you thinking about it."

"Alright; I just wanted you to know," she cooed, running her fingers over my jaw. "How is it possible that I can care so much for a man I've barely know a day?" she asked. "I've never felt like this, with anyone before."

I shook my head, leaning in to press my lips to her pulse point. "I don't know." I could feel the tenor of my voice rumbling through her delicate skin, making me want to posses her all the more. "But it's there. I can..feel it, Bella. I want to protect you, and know you and...be with you as much as I can be." Forever, I thought but didn't want to add it for fear that she'd get scared.

Her fingers moved from my jaw to tangle in my hair. "Me too. I.. I'll always stand by you, through anything and everything. I promise."

I smiled sadly down at her, completely aware that I probably wouldn't see her again. They'd send me away, and she'd be lost to me forever. "Bella...Bella...this...I've never done this before."

"Me either." She blushed, trying to work the buttons through on the front of her dress.

"Allow me." I whispered, pushing her hands away gently as I began unbuttoning her dress slowly, following my hands with my lips. "You taste so sweet."

"Your lips... Edward..." Bella moaned.

I grinned into her skin, stopping my lips right above the start of her underwear. "Are you sure?" I asked again, tracing my nose across the line of cloth. I could smell her; thick and sweet and I wanted it. I wanted it badly.

"Please," she begged, arching her hips up into me.

I sucked in a deep breath, sitting up to unbutton my shirt. "You're so beautiful, Bella."

She sighed, pulling herself up to meet me. "Allow me," she said, smiling up at me as she replaced my hands with hers. Slowly and carefully she began working the buttons of my shirt, kissing the newly exposed skin just as I had done for her.

Finally, I was able to shrug out of my shirt, kissing her all the while. "Oh, Bella.." I whispered into her skin. Nothing would ever feel better than this; nothing would be more right than this.

Bella was already moaning beneath me, her lips fastened to my neck. "Edward...Edward, Please," she whispered, panting against my skin. She wanted more, and I wanted to give it.

Slowly, I pushed down my underwear, then fisted the hem of hers in my hands. This was the moment...I felt something shift. Call me naive, or innocent or idealistic; whatever. I knew that this was the girl for me. She was the one who'd get me through my nights and days, and the one I'd sacrifice everything for. It truly couldn't have been more perfect.

Bella gave me a small nod, and I carefully tugged down her underwear. That was when I got nervous. Her eyes were closed and even in the moonlight, I could see the goose flesh on her arms and legs. I collapsed against her, feeling my cock slide in between her folds.

"Are you sure?" I asked again, kissing over her face delicately.

Bella's hand reached up to cup my cheek. "Always."

I nodded, kissing her again before I guided myself into her. She tensed almost immediately but I kissed her to keep her mind off the pain. Once I felt her begin to relax, I pushed further, her walls giving way to my invasion until I was finally deep inside her. I paused, feeling her breath coming out in rapid pants, and knowing she was still a bit uncomfortable, but I couldn't be anything other than totally and completely blissful.

This was everything I'd ever imagined; everything I'd ever wanted and now it was really and truly mine.

Finally, Bella tapped my sides with her knees and I began moving slowly against her. Each thrust was more fluid than the last, and after a while she began lifting her hips to meet mine. Nothing was better than this; nothing would ever make me feel so...wanted ever again. Being inside Bella was honestly like being home.

All too soon, I felt her walls begin to tighten around me as she moaned my name like a prayer. "Bella...Bella..." I whispered, not knowing what else to say because there was no way that I could tell her I loved her. Not now; not yet. Not when we were still so new.

Instead, I buried my face in the smooth expanse of her neck as she came around me and I followed soon after.

She was perfect. She was everything.

BPOV

We laid there side by side, panting for air. His face was flushed as was mine (or so I felt) and pain mixed with pleasure was still pulsating through my body.

"You are amazing," I whispered, smiling a little as my arm reached around his torso and began drawing lines along his back.

A slow grin spread across his lips as he shut his eyes. "No, I think it's you. You were...Bella, you're so beautiful."

My lips brushed against his softly. Everything I was feeling, all it could be compared to was what I'd read in books. Of love and loss and love and strength.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?" I asked quietly.

"I do now." He murmured, pushing his face into my messy locks.

I laughed a little as the stubble on his face scratched against my neck. "Whatever happens, we'll go through it together. What I said before, I meant; I'll stand by your side through all of this, as long as you want me to be." It was true; I would fight for him and beside him through anything. Whether it was a judge in a courtroom, or my father who undoubtedly would do everything (and potentially anything) to keep us apart - I would always defend Edward. My Edward.

He sucked in a breath, letting it out slowly. "I can't imagine not wanting you. Ever."

He reached down and blindly threw the starchy green wool blanket over our unclothed bodies. "Me either."

"Good, then. It's settled," he replied seriously. His fingers curled behind my neck, softly running his fingers through my tangled hair. "I'll be yours and you can be mine."

I smiled, kissing his temple. "Forever, Edward?"

"Forever, Bella," he agreed, pulling back and flashing his lopsided grin.

As we drifted off to sleep that night, our first, it occurred to me that while I may not always have him to hold like this; I would always be his. And in a time when nothing was certain, when the world was at war and finances were at war with the common man's wallet, this was love would never go through a depression and our hearts would never be at war and there was nothing Edward could steal that I wouldn't fight to provide.