Authors Note: Okay, all I have to say is that I am extremely sorry for keeping you waiting so long. Please don't hate me. I had two deaths in my family, my uncle and my gran. It was extremely emotionally and upsetting. Please forgive me, but some things must come first.

Chapter nine: New beginnings

"If you ask me if I will be alright one more time I'm going to really stab this bobby pin hard." Alice threatened when I opened my mouth to ask her that for the fourth time.

I scowled at her in the mirror. Tonight was my date with Edward. A 'let's get back together' kind of date. So, once I mentioned babysitting to Alice and Jasper, because my father had to work, they agreed. Alice also offered, or ordered, to do my hair and make-up...and pick out my clothes, I obliqued...only to keep her happy.

"Sorry, it's just nerves" I admitted.

She wiped away an imaginary tear "You don't think Jasper and I can handle the twins? I'd like to remind you that I grew up with Edward...home alone with him is no walk in the park" She teased.

I laughed "Well, that makes me feel better. But I'm not worried about you and Jasper. I'm worried about myself, I haven't dated since...well, since Edward!"
She sighed and then spun the chair I was sitting on around so I was facing her, rather than looking in the mirror. "Isabella. You have no reason to worry. Edward loves you and you love Edward. He knows you inside and out. What mistake could you possibly make?"

"I could trip" I mumbled.

She laughed "That would be expected" Then she spun me around again and continued pinning up my hair.

A few moments passed and then the door to her room opened, we were in the bathroom so we couldn't see who it was yet. Then squeals of laughter filled the space followed by an over acting voice of Jasper "No, I will not surrender!" He shouted.

"Then you must die" Ali screamed.

Carly was in fits of laughter. They entered the bathroom, each girl held onto Jasper's arms, Ali pointed a fake sword at him and Carly point a light saver at him. "NO, You've beat me." He coughed, fell to the floor and then grabbed onto Alice's leg "My love, I'm...sorry" and then he fell to the floor.

I stared at the play with humour. It is quite funny to see Jasper, modest, level headed and calm Jasper, pretend to die in a play fight.

Carly and Ali jumped around him screaming with joy. Then they stopped "Uncle Jazzy?" Ali asked, nudging him. Her broken arm strapped tightly to her chest in a sling.

Carly looked terrified "Oh no, we killed him."
Ali looked to either side of her "Shh Carly, we have to hide the evidence!"

I stared at them. Alice decided to take care of the noise and disruption caused by the attacked "Okay girls, we'll hide the body. You make a run for it" She played along.
They nodded and sprinted out of the room. Jasper stood up as soon as they were gone. He let out a whistle "Looking good Bella" He praised, kissing Alice's cheek. Then he skipped, actually skipped out of the room.

I stared at the door he just left from in amazement "Did he just skip?" I asked Alice.

She giggled "Children bring out a different side of him" pursuing to finish my hair. Once that was done she completed my makeup and then helped me into my dress.

"Prefect!" She complimented, patting herself on the back.

I laughed at her and carefully excited her room and going downstairs, Alice by my side. She stopped be half way down "Bella, we are going to do this my way." She warned and then ran downstairs.

I followed, more carefully and when I was about to turn the corner into the living room, where everyone was sitting. Alice jumped up and announced "Presenting Bella Swan!"

I blushed a deep red and tripped into the room. I hear a few giggles from my clumsy-ness and then a wolf whistle. I glared at Emmett and then smiled at Edward, who was smiling. "Mama, you look pretty" Ali said, hugging my legs.

"No Ali, remember what Uncle Emmy said to say?" Carly whispered.
Alice nodded and blushed. "He said to say you were a hot mama"

I laughed and then glared at Emmett "We have to discuss your choice of wording around my girls Emmett, I do not want them to know even half of the words you know"
"Aww, come on Bella. What words do I know that could be remotely rude?" He argued.
Rose stared at him, then leant over and whispered into his ear.

He laughed and then nodded "Actually, it's probably for the best they don't know"

"Okay, as lovely as this is, may we go please?" Edward asked

I nodded and then knelt to say goodbye to the girls "You girls behave for Alice and Jasper" I warned. "Do not eat any ice cream, you know what it does to you. And please, please behave."

They giggled "Alright mummy. Have fun with Daddy" Ali said, hugging me around the neck.

"Night mummy" Carly said, kissing me.

I stood and turned to Alice and Jasper "No ice cream, at all" I said.

"Why?" asked Jasper

"It is the worst type of sugar to put into their bodies, it will make them hyper for hours and hours, the last time someone gave them ice cream, it ended with them naked and covered in flour and cake mix. Do not ask me how, I was not there."

Alice nodded while Jasper laughed "Okay...no ice cream."
I nodded "Call me if you need anything, anything at all"

They laughed at me and then pushed me into Edward, who wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out to his car.

Two more minutes of saying goodbye we were in the car and driving toward the restaurant.

Tonight was the night I had to let him know we were leaving Wednesday, and I also had to offer him my idea, the idea to keep him with me and the girls.

We arrived relatively quickly, making small talk along the way, not worried by the silence, it wasn't awkward, but it was comfortable, like a couple who had known each other for ever and didn't mind spending time together in silence...or that's how I like to think it, or wish it was.

Edward opened the door for me and linked arms while we walked into the restaurant. He gave the lady the name Cullen and she showed us to our table. We both picked up menus.

"The risotto sounds really good" I heard him mumble.

I nodded.

Edward put down his menu, but I held mine up, hiding my face. I was silently panicking, what were we going to talk about. We had always had the girls there to help us during silent, awkward pauses...but now there was no girls here. It was just him and I, to face all the things that we have to face.

"Bella?" Edward called.

I didn't move the menu.

"Bella?" He called again, I saw his hand hold the side of the menu and pull it down. He must have seen the small panic in my eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know what to do" I admitted "What if I do something to mess all this up, I don't want to mess any of this up. I love you and want to be with you, but I don't know what to do to get us at that level again..."

"Oh, Bella...just be yourself" He said simply.

Be myself...well, that is ironically obvious. I began to laugh, his head turned to the side as he watched me laugh. "Be myself" I repeated.

He nodded, smiling.

"Alright, that, Edward, I can do"

The night began to pass smoothly. Everything began to fall into place. Our conversation became easily and by the time the food came out we were laughing like old times, making me forget all about what I had planned to tell him.

We left the restaurant and walked, sloppily toward the car. I may have consumed a few drinks of alcohol while there. "Bella, I told you not to drink" He said.
I giggled "To our meadow!" I announced, pointing upwards, as if that could magically transport us there.

"I think we should go home..." He started

"NO" I interrupted, shouting. This caused a few people to look over at us. "I really, really want to go to our meadow. Pretty please...with sugar on top?"

"Alright, only for a while" He aloud.

I smiled, happily and skipped the rest of the way to the car. Edward laughed behind me and opened the door for me.

We drove for about half an hour and then walked together toward the meadow. When I mention walk, I really mean me stumbling and Edward half carrying me. I had laughed hysterically the whole way. I clung desperately to Edwards's shirt. I swear, the trees wanted to scratch me to death.

"Knock Knock" I asked Edward, as we stumbled further into the woods.

He sighed, his breath fanning over my face. Mmm, Edward breath... "Who's there?"
"Interrupting Cow" I shouted, causing a few birds to squeak in protest.

"Interrupting Co-"
"MOOOO" I interrupted.

He just shook his head. His hair flops when he does that. Did I know he had brown in his bronze hair...Hmm, that's weird. Oh, that one fell out with the rest, I wonder what he will do if I move it away from his forehead...oh, he's talking... "Oh Bella, At least you are a happy drunk"

I nodded "Yeppers. I am, lucky you and lucky me. Lucky pee and lucky WEEEEEEEEEE" I sang, rhyming weird words together.

We arrived at the meadow. I managed to stop jumping giddily and paused to take in the surroundings. "Beautiful" I whispered.
Edward smiled at me.

I walked forward a little while and then flopped onto the squishy, springing ground. "Join me" I slurred, patting the ground below me.

"Bella...since when do you get drunk?" Edward asked me.

"I dunno, I just felt the urge to...that dinner, night, thing, was the first time I had been out with a male adult that didn't scream or bite me for a very long time. It was very...freeing"

"Fair enough. I am glad to have offered you the service"

"And I feel protected by you...I feel safe" I told him, looking into his green eyes.

"I love you" He said and then kissed me.

My lips pressed against his and we both breathed hard. Our hands searched each other and he pulled me on top of him. I pulled away and came up for air. He kissed my forehead as I lent my head on his chest. I took a deep breath, breathing in his unique sent. "I love you too" I said, sincerely.

I felt his lips in my hair. "I have to tell you...the girls and I...we have to go back to Seattle. I have to go back to work"

I felt the atmosphere of the meadow immediately fall. "I'm sorry. But I told them I would be back by Wednesday. Today is Monday, so tomorrow we have to leave."

"I understand" He whispered.

I sniffed, breathing back tears. The alcohol was losing its effect. "Edward, really...I don't want to leave you....or take the girls away from you"

"I know you would never want to...but you have to. I can visit...you can visit...it'll work out" he reassured me.

I smiled into his chest and closed my eyes. The blackness overtook me faster than I expected. I wanted to offer something...to ask him something...but I couldn't remember what I had to offer...Suddenly, I was upright. "Let's go sweets, time to head home."
"Can I sleep at your place" I mumbled.

"Of course my love"

I don't remember the trip from here to Edwards home. But I do have a feeling I wanted to ask him something. But I couldn't remember.

I do remember being pushed into the bathroom and being given one of Edwards's shirts. I pulled that on and then hung Alice's dress up on a coat hanger in Edwards's closet. Then I climbed into Edwards's bed, even though he wasn't there yet and fell asleep quickly.

The morning arrived quickly. I moaned as the light broke through my eyelids. Stupid morning light, hurting my head. "Shut it off" I mumbled incoherently.

Edward laughed by my side. I sat up abruptly, surprised. Then turned to see Edward, laughing by my side. He was propped up on his elbow, his white shirt tight across his chest. I smiled and laid back down. "I remember!" I announced cheerfully.

He laughed "You remember what?"
"What I was meant to ask you"

He stared at me and when I didn't continue he chuckled "What were you going to ask me."
I paused. Stupid brain...what was it? Oh yeah! "Doyouwanttocomeandlivewiththegirlsandme?" I asked quickly.

He raised one eyebrow "What?"

"Do you want to come and live with the girls and me? We have a spare room and that way you can see them more. But I understand if you want to stay here and be with your family, actually never mind about what I just asked it was stupid and I shouldn't have even-"

He put a finger to my lips. "That was the most generous, thoughtful opportunity you just gave me, if it's still available, I would love to live with you and the girls"

"It's still there..."

"Then, thank you" He whispered, sounding very sincere "Thank you so much. You don't know what it means to have this opportunity."

I smiled, kissed him lightly. "I love new beginnings."
He smiled a big, happy smile which reached his eyes.

"New beginnings."

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