A/N: Thank you to purplec305 for pre-reading and Midnight Cougar for beta-ing. xx

Disclaimer: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the author. No copyright infringement is intended.

-OTG-

(EPOV)

December 26th

Bella is sprawled across a worn, brown leather chair with a book in her hand, pretending to read as I search for the number in my phone.

"Are you sure you don't want privacy? I can go up to Gran's or at least in the bedroom."

"Nope. You're fine. I want you here." I reposition my blanket with a little difficulty as Blue is sleeping peacefully on the other end of Bella's couch we're sharing.

"If you say so." She grins and returns to "reading" her book.

At some point, she will figure out it's upside down.

I press the number and wait for it to connect.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Mom?"

"Edward? Is that you?" She sounds surprised by my call. "Merry Christmas a day late. Where are you?"

"Yes, it's me. Merry Christmas. I'm nearby."

"You're in Chicago?" She sounds hopeful.

"No, but close. I was thinking about coming by for a few days." I play with a thread on the blanket while Blue hops off the couch to move closer to the wood stove.

"That would be wonderful. I have three little ones right now."

I completely forgot about the possibility it wouldn't be just the two of them there, but I don't worry about little kids. It's adults who make me leery.

"Oh, well, we may just stay at a hotel then." I wonder if I should call Rosalie and have her make our arrangements or maybe Bella can do it.

"We?"

A huge grin spreads across my face as I glance over to find Bella studying the same page intently. "Yes, I'm bringing someone I want you to meet."

Her eyes jump to mine and she puts away the book. "Cocoa," Bella whispers, and scurries toward the kitchen.

I nod and focus back on my conversation with Mom. "Edward, I'm thrilled for you."

"Thanks. It's still new, but I'm hoping for more." I'm also hoping Bella overhears that little tidbit, but when I glance toward the kitchen, I see she's distracted giving a new peanut butter chew treat to Blue, then adding more wood to the wood stove.

"I'll call Alice and have her come by. When do you think you will be here?" Mom asks.

"Probably tomorrow afternoon." I scratch my head, trying to recall how far away Bella said we are from there.

"Okay. I'll tell your father. I'm sure he will be excited to see you too. He's out shoveling the walk right now."

"I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Mom."

"Sounds great. Let us know if your plans change, but we will be here all day."

"Bye."

"Goodbye, Edward."

I end the call to find Bella holding two mugs of cocoa filled with marshmallows and observing my reaction to the conversation. "They're excited?"

I let out a huge breath then grab a mug. "Yes. I guess I'm a little excited too."

She walks back toward the kitchen, grabs a plate of cookies, and sets them on the coffee table next to the couch. "Good. We can leave in the morning and stop for lunch somewhere on the way."

I reach over and grab a sugar cookie. "Uh, we will need a hotel room."

Bella settles back into her chair with a peanut butter cookie in hand. "Okay? It sounds like I'm missing something here."

I finish my mouthful and explain. "My mother and father are foster parents. Mom is more specialized and takes only infants or toddlers. She tries to help by accepting siblings to keep them together, and she said there were three staying with them right now. I'm positive we won't want to stay at their home as it is small and loud with the kids."

"Foster parents? That's great. Is that something new they did when you and your sister moved away?" Bella asks, as she curls up with another blanket.

"Uh, no. They've been taking kids in for over thirty years," I share, but know I will need to give her the full story, which makes me a little nervous, as not many know my history.

"So, you grew up with always having kids in the house? I'm jealous. I was an only child until Dad married Sue, but didn't really grow up with Leah and Seth."

"Yes, there were lots of kids around growing up, but..." I hesitate.

She picks up on my nerves. "What is it?"

"Alice and I were two of the lucky ones."

Her brow cringes in confusion. "Lucky ones? I don't understand. What does that mean?"

"We were foster kids who were eventually adopted. I was first then Alice showed up three years later."

Her face softens. "How did you end up in foster care, Edward? You don't have to tell me if you don't want or it's too personal. I understand it's none of my business."

"No, it's fine. I remember nothing because I was a baby. My parents were in a car accident and neither one made it. A drunk driver took their lives, but walked away with minimal injuries."

She gasps. "Edward, that's horrible. I'm so sorry."

Shaking my head, I continue. "I was in the backseat in my car seat. Not a scratch. They brought me to stay with Esme and Carlisle Cullen, who adopted me and are the only parents I've ever known."

"What about grandparents? I know in those situations, it can take time to reach them."

"No. Neither set were living and my parents were only children." I take a deep breath. "I'm it. I know little about my history. I've visited their graves, but I felt nothing. You know?"

Bella nods. "What about your sister?"

"Her situation differed from mine. She was almost two when her mother overdosed. It was just the two of them. The neighbors called the police to do a well-check because they heard Alice crying nonstop, and they found her mother was already gone when they arrived."

"That's so tragic, Edward. So, they brought Alice to stay with your parents?"

"Yes, and they eventually adopted Alice when they couldn't find any other living relatives. Mom was so taken with her, always claiming she reminded her of a little fairy, as she was so small."

Bella sips on her cocoa. "Wow, so your parents are foster parents. Do they have any other jobs?"

"Not my mother, but my father is a social worker and pastor at our local church."

"What about Alice?" she wonders.

I grin. "She's an elementary school teacher. Fifth grade. Some of the boys are bigger than her, but she doesn't mind."

"And you're a movie star." She chuckles. "How does someone go from orphan to a successful actor? Is there a handbook?"

"It helps to have two very supportive parents. I was always in plays at church and school when I was younger, then I took it more seriously in high school and joined the drama club. I was in the musicals, but found I was better at plays. Having a good memory helps too."

"Did you go to college?" Bella asks.

"Yes, I went to Northwestern and studied acting." I know where this is leading, but hope she won't follow my example.

"Did you graduate?" She sets her empty mug on the table next to her chair.

"No, unfortunately. Hollywood came calling, and I went to chase the dream of the silver screen."

"I don't think there's anything unfortunate about your path, Edward. You've been extremely successful."

I shrug. "I thought I was ready, but at nineteen you really aren't. I learned a lot of things the hard way, which could have probably been prevented had I stayed in college. Speaking of staying in school, your dad mentioned you are a semester shy of graduating."

She shakes her head. "He spilled the beans, did he? For a cop, he has loose lips. I doubt having the piece of paper will really make any difference in our day-to-day life here on the farm."

I let out a sigh, hoping she will see that with me in the picture she has more support. "While that may be true, I think with me staying here it would free you up from some responsibility and you could finish your degree if you wished."

Bella watches Blue move to his dog bed near us. "I don't know. We don't really have the money in the budget for me to return, and there are so many other things I would rather invest in with our time and resources."

I wonder. "You said fencing and security were on your list, but what else would you like to improve or expand?"

"Hmmm, the farm wish list?" She stares up at the ceiling.

"Yes, give it to me." I grin and finish my cocoa then snag another cookie from the plate.

"Let's see. Expand the vineyard: not just the growing of grapes, but tooling and machinery for processing them when it's time to harvest. The ice wine was only an experiment, but we would need better equipment to produce any wine in a larger capacity."

I think back to the microbrewery and make a connection. "Is that how Jacob got started?"

Bella grins. "Yes, he was brewing beer in his garage and outgrew the space because demand increased among his neighbors and friends."

Nodding my head, I prompt her to continue. "Okay, expand the vineyard. What else?"

"Greenhouses would be nice to extend our growing season. We have the land and space." She frowns slightly. "We will need to make up for closing the bed and breakfast. Losing income will be a trouble spot, but Gran will continue to bake and use the kitchen with Emily's help."

I'm confused. "Closing the bed and breakfast? Why would you do that?"

"Edward, if you will be staying here, we can't have strangers at the main house. Eventually, your location will leak, and I'm hoping we will be ready when that happens." She tells me that as if it's obvious.

"What were your plans, if I wasn't here?" I wonder if I can minimize my impact on the business.

"Emily would eventually take over for Gran with baking and guests." Bella shrugs. "She and Sam would move into the main house, while I stayed here keeping up with the farm."

I shake my head. "I hate I'm the reason for you losing business, Bella. Shit. That reminds me, I need to call Emmett and see when he can come out and oversee those upgrades. And just so there won't be an argument, I'm telling you now, I will pay for those."

Bella lets out a deep sigh. "Edward—"

"No, Bella. I'm responsible and I'll pay for it."

"Fine."

I can't believe I won this argument so easily, so I push for a little more. "And I will help with your improvements too."

She's about ready to start with an objection, but I stop her.

"Remember, it's an investment. I want to be involved in the farm. Your life. Everything. So, get used to the idea." I leave her no wiggle room on the subject.

"I thought you would be more of a silent partner, but I should know better with how loud you can be." She smirks and winks.

"Oh, I'm the loud one." I fake a huff because we both know it's always my goal to see how loud I can get her in the heat of the moment.

"You and your antics drive Blue from my bedroom all the time. I'm surprised he doesn't hold a grudge."

I smile, looking over at his twitching paws. "Blue loves me. And Cooper. And, well, Ginger—"

She cuts me off with a snort. "Don't hold your breath. She—"

I jump in and reassure her. "—will eventually come around too. I have a way with the ladies."

"Oh, you do, do you?" Bella laughs.

"Especially one in particular."

"Gran?" She fishes, but I know she knows the answer.

"Nope. You. Come here." I pull back the blanket, making room for her.

"Little old me?" Bella stands from her spot and moves to the edge of the couch.

"Yes, you." I reach out, grabbing her hand to join me.

"I don't think I'll fit." She looks at the available space.

"You will on top of me. Climb on."

"I'll smash you," Bella warns.

"Not a chance. I'm back on Gran's cooking, so it's only a matter of time before I gain back the weight I lost."

"Oh, Edward." Her smile fades, and I know what she's thinking.

"It's okay. I'm here now, and we need to talk about our next steps forward. I don't want to focus on the past, but if I never enter another gym for the rest of my life, I'll be a happy man."

"So, that's all it takes?" She settles between my legs, letting her headrest on my chest.

"Not quite. There is something else I need."

Bella turns her head toward mine. "And what's that?"

"The love of a good woman." I lean down, leaving a quick peck on her lips.

"Edward—"

I stop her, knowing how she will object. "I know my ever logical and rational Bella will think it's too soon to be talking about love, but I don't think it is. I've always trusted my gut when deciding about my life, and it's telling me to hold on to you and don't look back. I love you, Bella. I'm in love with you and have been since when I stayed here in October. I understand if it's too soon for you, but I know what I'm feeling, and I don't want to hold back anything."

"Wow, you're all in?" She raises a skeptical, single eyebrow.

"I am. I want to know everything about you. I want us to work side-by-side here and build a life together. I'll finally have a home with you. We can build a new one somewhere on your land. I'm not even sure how you feel about marriage or kids, but I'm flexible."

"Marriage and kids?" Bella puts her head back on my chest and my arms hold her tightly.

"Yes, tell me."

She takes a deep breath. "Well, my mother, Renee, left my father when I was a young child. They never married, but were living together for years. She hated life on the farm and always wanted the big city life."

That explains Charlie grilling me over living with Bella. He doesn't want her to repeat his mistakes.

I wrap a section of Bella's dark brown, wavy hair around my finger. "Do you ever see or hear from her?"

She nods her head. "Yes. There are birthday cards and Christmas presents, plus we talk on the phone. She visits at least once a year, but it isn't the same as living with someone full-time. At least she tries to stay in contact. When I was younger, she met a new, younger man who she ended up marrying. They don't have any children, but she spends his money as if it's a sport and is always about keeping up appearances. I should warn you; she's Team James, because in her eyes, he's a banker with stability. She thinks I made a huge mistake leaving him."

"Well, she sounds like the only member on that team from what I gather. I'm sorry you haven't had the chance to spend more time together."

Bella shrugs. "I'm not. I don't feel like I've missed out on anything. She has her life and we have our life here. In contrast from my parents, Gran and Pops were married for over fifty years until he had a stroke while out trying to save ten head of cattle that fell through the ice on the lake three years ago."

"Bella, I'm so sorry." I lean down, placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"They said there was nothing we could do, but Gran tried to keep everything going until she fell and broke her hip tending to the livestock. Winters are hard here, and after losing Pop and Gran getting hurt, I sold off all the livestock and looked for new ways to keep the farm running."

I rub her back in soothing circles. "You're doing a great job."

"Thanks. So, on the one hand, I have this great example of marriage with Pop and Gran who were there for each other through thick and thin, while on the other, my father and mother never married, but have minimal contact. Dad was great. He did a fine job raising me with the help of Pop and Gran, but I don't want to be a single mom or divorced."

I feel a little encouraged. "So, you're not against marriage. What about kids?"

Bella shrugs. "I don't know. Maybe?"

"It sounds like you've got an open mind to the possibilities then. I have no idea about the backgrounds of the little ones we will meet tomorrow; they have usually suffered during their short little lives. But maybe being around them will sway you. My mother is like a baby whisperer. She has the magic touch. You'll see."

She looks up at me, worry settling into her features. "I'm a little nervous about meeting them. Your parents and I guess, your sister too."

"You'll be fine. They will love you. You probably have more in common with them than I do."

Bella smiles. "That seems like a stretch, but maybe I can take some of Gran's baked goods to help soften them up."

"They always work on me."

"You're turning into a cookie monster, or should I say muncher?" She gives me a devilish grin.

I laugh. "Is that what the kids are calling it these days? Because I know whose cookie I would prefer to be munching on right now." Moving my eyebrows up and down, I hope it won't take much to charm the pants off her, and my tongue will have her screaming with delight.

A/N: They're talking, connecting, and expanding on Edward's plans. He shared a little more about his background and Bella gave up some details too. Tomorrow they head for Chicago where we meet Edward's parents. How do you think the trip will go? Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading. xx