Bella:

"Did mum tell you about our gifts?" Nessie begins eagerly. "Let me show you," she grins, placing her hand on Edward's cheek. Edward smiles softly at whatever she shows him.

"You're very talented," Edward compliments, his voice sounding a bit shaky.

"Masen, show him your gift!" Nessie urges.

Even though they're twins, they're complete opposites. Although, I've always find that good for them. When Masen gets shy, Nessie is there to encourage him out of his shell. And when Nessie is getting too excitable, Masen can help rein her in. They really are incredibly close to each other.

I look up to see Masen putting his palm on his father's cheek, mimicking his sister's actions. I don't know what thought he sends Edward, but it's enough to make Edward look close to tears.

"Do you have a gift?" Masen asks, glancing up at Edward.

"Yes," Edward says carefully. He's scared of their reaction. "I can read minds," he finishes.

Nessie – who'd been in the process of eating chocolate chip pancakes – looks up at Edward in awe. "That's so cool! So you can read my mind? And Masen's? And mums?!" Nessie asks excitedly.

"Yes, I can read yours and your brother's mind, though I can't read your mothers'," he answers, glancing over at me. "Hers is the only mind I haven't been able to read," he adds.

"Is that because of her mind shield?" Masen asks Edward.

Edward nods, and for the rest of the afternoon Nessie and Masen eagerly tell Edward about anything and everything. Edward soaks it all up, a permanent smile on his face. I can't remember the last time, if ever, I saw him this happy. It makes him look even more handsome, if that's possible. Fatherhood clearly suits him.

"How long are you going to be staying for?" Masen asks Edward, averting his eyes.

"For as long as you want me, son," Edward answers, pulling his son close.

"Really?" Masen confirms. Edward nods once more, smiling. "I love you, dad," Masen blurts, hugging Edward tightly. Soon, Nessie joins in, telling Edward she loves him too. My heart swells.

"Come on, mum," Nessie urges. I quickly join them, wrapping my arms around my perfect family. Edward finds my hand and gives it a squeeze, smiling at me. I smile back, for once with ease.

That night, I cook pasta for the kids while Edward continues talking to them. They hang to his every word, never leaving his side. After dinner, it's a struggle to get them to bed as they're both still filled with excitement.

"I'll still be here when you wake up," Edward tells Nessie, kissing the top of her head.

My pulse quickens as I wonder if he'll be staying here, with me, tonight. As Edward says goodnight to Masen, he promises the same to him and then joins me downstairs in the living room.

"About what you said-" I begin, but he cuts me off.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be presumptuous. I just meant that I'd stay at the hotel and then come back here early tomorrow morning," Edward explains.

The more insecure version of myself would probably accept that and let him leave. But I don't want him to leave. "I want you to stay," I tell him.

He sighs in relief, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me deeply.

"Are you sure? Because I have a hotel room booked, so I could-"

I cut him off by pulling on his shirt and kissing him again. He kisses me back, holding my tightly against his chest.

For a couple of hours, we're content just to lie on my bed in silence, wrapped up in each other. Today has been emotional, which I expected, but I never expected I'd end up in bed with Edward.

That thought makes me laugh.

Edward glances down at me with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his face.

"I was just thinking that I didn't think this day would end up with us in bed together," I tell him, grinning.

Edward barks out a laugh, shaking his head at me. "You continue to surprise me, Bella," he says, shaking his head.

"I do my best," I wink, kissing his cheek.

Edward rolls his eyes at me, leaning down to capture my lips with his own. I snuggle into his side, feeling so warm and comforted.

"When I was looking for you in Forks, I…I saw your father's grave," Edward says. I bury further into his embrace.

"As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I left. It was when I was about four months pregnant that he had a fatal heart attack. I returned for his funeral, but I still felt horrible for leaving," I tell him.

"And what about your mother?" he asks gently.

"She thinks I moved to Europe. I write her letters, occasionally. I couldn't bear to lose both my parents," I admit to him.

He kisses my forehead and whispers reassurances, calming me slightly. I know he must still have many questions about the past 5 years, as I have for him. But for now, we're ok to just be in each other's company.


A/N: Thoughts on the family?

Thanks for reading! :)