DISCLAIMER: All things Twilight belong to Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: Thank you so much to my fabulous beta and friend, Justine for all the work she does! To my girls, your support means everything to me! Also thank you for the nominations over at The Sunflower Awards - Feral has been nominated in 5 catagories!

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Esme POV

It's odd for me to be sitting here at the table watching someone else hurry around the kitchen - that's usually me.

Bella appears to be quite capable in the kitchen, so, for the first time in years, I sit enjoying a hot cup of tea, waiting for someone to serve me breakfast.

"How do you like your eggs?" Bella's question brings me from my musing and I shift my attention to her.

"However you're fixing them for everyone else is fine with me."

"The guys like theirs scrambled, is that okay?"

I nod. It doesn't matter to me what I eat, simply being able to sit here and look at my son is enough.

~xx~

The sun is giving me a bit of a headache. It's been years since I was in sunlight this bright. I move to the meager shade that hugs the side of the house, easing myself into one of the patio chairs.

Edward and Bella are sitting in the tiny patch of grass that makes up the backyard. Edward picks through the rocks that surround the island of grass, selecting ones that catch his eye and placing them in a pile. I'm intrigued by the interaction between Edward and Bella, and the way they move around each other, like the moon with the tide – when one moves the other follows.

It bothers me slightly to see how often they touch one another. Through the day they hold hands and touch each other's hair or arm.

I suppose I shouldn't feel that way; I owe Bella such a debt of gratitude for taking care of my son, and, from what I understand, being instrumental in finding me.

I can't seem to help myself, though. Every time he reaches for her hand or she brushes her fingers through his hair, it sends a little stab of jealous pain through my heart.

I'd like to be able to sit down and talk with Bella sometime, to find out her thoughts and feelings about Edward...if she's willing.

~xx~

BPOV

It took Edward a long time to fall asleep tonight. I guess having his mother around is going to take some getting used to. At least that's how I feel.

I let my fingers linger a moment longer before slipping them from his soft hair and placing a gentle kiss to his temple as I ease myself from his bed.

I'm not surprised when I tiptoe out the door and almost bump into Esme. All day I've felt like she's wanted to say something to me.

"Bella, do you mind if we sit and talk a bit?"

"In the kitchen?"

She nods and follows me.

"Can I get you anything? A snack...cup of tea?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine."

Esme and I sit in silence, her eyes shifting nervously around the room, while I pick at the placemat in front of me.

"Do you...always sit with Edward while he falls asleep?" Esme's question cuts through the stillness of the room.

"Yes."

She looks directly at me. "Do you ever stay all night with him?"

My face burns with embarrassment. "I have. Sometimes I fall asleep while I wait for him to doze off." I'm not comfortable with this at all. Does she think I take advantage of her son?

The silence falls around us again, heavy this time.

Esme opens her mouth to speak several times, but closes it again before she says a word.

I can't take this silence.

"I don't take advantage of him, if that's what you're thinking."

"Bella, I..." Her voice trails off, but her reddening face tells me it's at least crossed her mind. "I'm sorry, Bella. I...just...this is all so difficult to process. There aren't a lot of people in this world that would take on a challenge like Edward, so I'm trying to understand."

"Did you accuse Carlisle similarly?" My tone is harsh, and I mean it to be.

Esme looks taken aback by my question, and the color crawling across her face is all the answer I need – she has had no such thoughts about Carlisle.

"When I found Edward, he was alone and scared. I couldn't leave him there! My dad is a cop, I know what the process would have been if Carlisle and I had contacted authorities. He would have been taken to a hospital where he probably would have been restrained to a bed. Of course that's providing anyone could have gotten him from his cave without tranquilizing him. He would have been on the news, nothing more than a novelty story - nobody to actually care for him. I didn't want any of those things to happen to him. I care about Edward as a person." By this point I have risen from my chair and am speaking quite forcefully.

Esme is looking at me with a thunderstruck expression. I drop my gaze, fall back into my chair and go back to fidgeting with the placemat.

When I feel her hand on mine, it takes me by surprise.

"Bella, I didn't mean to sound ungrateful; I can never thank you enough for everything you've done for Edward, and for me. I didn't mean to question your integrity...I'm sorry."

There is no doubting the sincerity in her voice; she is really sorry.

Taking several deep breaths to subdue my annoyance, I raise my gaze to hers. Her face holds nothing except repentance, and I can't help but push my annoyed feelings aside. I suppose her line of thinking isn't incomprehensible; we're not exactly in a normal situation here.

"Don't worry about it. I think I can see where you're coming from."

"You and Edward seem to have a real bond with each other, and I guess I'm feeling a little jealous."

I'm not really surprised by her confession. I admit that if Edward shifted his affections to his mother from me, even after the short time we've known each other, I would be jealous.

Empathy wells inside me. I want to help Edward and Esme be a family. "Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

"Do you mind telling me about finding him?"

Even though Edward's situation was horrific, the memory of his discovery makes me smile.

"I'm sure Carlisle told you why I was out there." A nod of her head confirms my words. "I was so shocked when my flashlight first caught his eyes; I was frozen - he was the last thing I expected to find."

Esme's eyes are bright with tears. "How did he react?"

"He was scared - made a sort of growling sound. I thought it best to approach him like a frightened animal - slowly, showing him I meant no harm, so that's what I did."

Esme's face betrays her sadness. I can only imagine how hard it must be to hear that your child was living like an animal. I leave out the details of how filthy he was, all the scrapes and bruises on his body, his long, matted hair and move onto his delight over the bits of chocolate I gave him.

"He has always loved chocolate." Esme laughs. "When I would bake chocolate chip cookies, Edward would always sit in the kitchen and sneak the chocolate chips. He always thought I didn't know... I'll never forget those little chocolaty smiles. I haven't made chocolate chip cookies since...well, in a long time." Her trembling voice tells me how difficult it must be for her to share that memory.

"Maybe it's time you make them again."

Esme looks at me, confusion in her eyes.

"Edward might respond to that...just a thought."

Her tears flow freely now, and she grips my hand tightly.

Any annoyance I felt earlier fades as we form a silent alliance.

~xx~

Esme POV

I never thought I would be so nervous standing in a kitchen. I spend most of my days in the kitchen, but today I'm terrified.

Bella's suggestion last night was like a gift...a way to connect with my son, but now that I'm here I fear it could all backfire.

"The sugar is in the canister in the cupboard next to the stove."

Bella's instructions remind me of the task at hand and pull me from my fearful thoughts.

Edward and Bella sit on stools at the counter, watching me work. Bella instructs me where to find the remaining ingredients, and Edward watches my every move - holding Bella's fingers between his hands.

T-he last thing I set out is the bag of chocolate chips.

"Edward, would you like to help me?"

His eyes drop from watching me, studying Bella's fingers intently. Taking a deep breath, I try not to let his actions discourage me.

I mix one ingredient after the other until only the chocolate chips are left. Edward's head snaps up, his eyes going straight to the bowl where the chocolate chips tumble over each other as I pour them in.

Wonder lights his face, his eyes wide, and, unless I'm hallucinating, there is recognition there.

I pinch a few of the chocolate pieces and stretch my hand toward Edward. Slowly, he moves one hand from Bella's and inches his fingers, exposing his palm underneath my out stretched hand. Dropping the morsels into his hand, he closes his fingers around them and pulls his hand back toward his body, popping the chocolate right in his mouth.

A joyful smile crosses his face, and his hand shoots back out for more. Placing a few chocolate chips in his hand I'm surprised when he turns to Bella and presses his palm to her lips. She seems equally surprised, but opens her mouth as Edward tips the sweets in.

Their interaction is easy and familiar and as I watch them I can see that they both have a great affection for one another. This creates new worries in my mind: will he ever be willing to leave her? I fear he won't. Maybe she would be willing to come to Washington with us. I could offer her a job. A conversation for later I think.

It doesn't take long till the first batch of cookies is on the cooling rack. Edward's eyes are filled with anticipation, and I know that without Bella's warnings he would already have popped one of the piping hot cookies in his mouth.

Once the cookies are cool, I set some on a plate and move to place it in front of Edward.

I stand watching him in fascination as recognition dawns on his face, and I can see he remembers – a miracle, a true miracle.

Shoving the remainder of the cookie in his mouth, he turns to Bella, eagerly pulling on her sleeve. "Bella, Bella - Mom!"

"I know, Edward. That's your mom."

Enthusiasm shines on Bella's face as Edward turns toward me. "Mom."

It's not a question this time, it's a statement – he knows me.

With only a moment's hesitation, and keeping one hand on Bella, Edward leans forward, placing his head on my shoulder.

Looking over him, Bella gives me an encouraging smile and a nod.

Slowly, not wanting to frighten Edward, I wrap my arms around his shoulders, pressing him to me.

My boy...my boy. So many nights I longed to hug you again, to see your sweet smile, to hear your voice. Please let this be a second chance for us; I know you can't be my little boy again, but I hope we can rebuild some of what we lost.

All these thoughts swirl in my mind while overwhelming emotions fill my heart. Through my tears of joy, Bella and I catch each other's gaze, and I mouth a thank you to her. She smiles widely at me.

The moment is perfect.

~xx~

BPOV

This is the first time since Esme got here a week ago that we have all been able to sit down and talk – Carlisle, Tanya, Charlie, Esme, and myself – a serious talk about Edward's future.

It feels weird to be sitting here helping decide the fate of another adult, especially when said adult is sitting right next to me. Thankfully Tanya seems to be quite at ease and jumps right in to get the ball rolling.

"Esme, I'm sure you must be getting anxious to get Edward home, have you thought about the steps you will need to take to do that?"

Esme smiles weakly at Tanya. "I have a bit, but honestly, I'm at a bit of a loss. Do you have any suggestions?"

"I would like to do another round of hypnotherapy on him. I'm hoping you can provide some details that will help recover even more memories."

Esme nods. "I have some family photos with me, will those work?"

"Perfect."

Charlie clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

"Mrs. Masen, I need to talk with you about a few things...about Edward's case, anytime that's convenient for you."

I don't like the sound of that. I know my dad, he is cop through and through, I know he'll want to update Edward's case file, report him as found. I hate thinking of the possibility that the action could lessen the sentence for the perpetrator of the crime against Edward.

Esme acknowledges Charlie's words, stating that she will stop by the police station tomorrow to speak with him.

"Do you have any family that could help you out with Edward for awhile?" Tanya asks.

Esme looks slightly nervous. "Actually there is something I wanted to ask Bella." She turns her attention from Tanya, looking me in the eye. "Bella, I have given this some thought, and at this point I just can't bring myself to separate you and Edward. Would you consider moving up to Washington with Edward and me?"

I feel my eyes widen and my mouth fall open, all eyes but Edward's on me. I'm in such shock, I can't even process her question. "What?"

"I have plenty of room. I can clear out one of the guest rooms for you to have, or if you prefer there is a small stone cottage on the property." Esme's voice is pleading.

Charlie gets to his feet. "Wait just a minute here, Bella, you're still in collage, and this is your home." Emotion is starting to creep into Charlie's voice; he is visibly upset.

Carlisle motions him back to his seat before turning expectant eyes back to me.

"I...can I think about..." I start, but movement from Edward catches my eye. He is running his fingertip over the back of my hand, following the veins. He is completely intent on his task, his tongue peeking out between his lips in his concentration. My heart constricts. How can I possibly just let him walk out of my life?

All eyes are on me.

"Yes." "I'll move with you."

~XXXX~

A/N: Yes, I know...I'm mean. I can't thank you all enough for the amazing response to this story, you have all truly touched my heart!