Another Thursday, another chapter.

This one may make you a little teary, but not because it's full of sads, but because it's got some touching sweet moments...

...and some other touching moments that are hopefully more sexy than sweet.

You get Edward POV for the whoooole chapter. That should make some of you happy.

Thanks Minna and Katmom. You make this worthwhile.

Edward

The party at Emmett's was a strange one, but good nonetheless. It was a given that Jaden would be overwhelmed and would tire quickly, so it gave us all a chance to sit and talk—just us grownups—about everything that was to come and maybe have a chance to just get caught up on our own lives.

We had all been keeping in contact, often crossing paths at the hospital, but with most of us writing exams and finishing up with school, our visits were often brief and most conversations revolved around Jaden. It felt as if we hadn't been together in months and I was really enjoying having everyone around again.

Mom handed drinks out to everyone as we lounged in the spacious living room at Em's new house. Quiet music played in the background as everyone decompressed. Well, that's what it felt like—it was if everyone took their first deep breath in ages when Jaden walked through the front door and didn't freak out. It had to be hard on him—I had no idea how he was managing to deal with everything.

"So," Mom said, smiling, "it feels good to have all my babies under one roof. Edward, are you done with school now?"

"Yeah, I have to fulfill a placement requirement in the fall, and then I'll be certified to teach in the new year."

"That's a little unorthodox, isn't it sweetie? I thought most placements took place in the spring."

"It was all the extra classes I took last year; it bumped me ahead of my class. So, instead of graduating next spring, I'll be graduating in the fall convocation."

"Oh, speaking of graduations; Alice, Jasper and Rosalie, you are all getting your degrees in a couple of weeks. Do you want a party?" Mom asked, looking at Alice and Jasper.

Alice rubbed her belly gently and laughed. "I'm always up for a party. I just hope that Sunnybubbles will be."

Emmett put a bowl of chips and dip down on the dark wood coffee table, sighing. "Another dry party—man, I thought being an adult meant we'd have some great rip-roaring keggers in our backyards while we barbecue and play Rock Band. Now it's all about leaky boobs, due dates and doctor's appointments."

"Emmett, you're essentially a father now, the days of keggers are over," Bella scolded, "but it doesn't mean we can't have a fun party with barbecue and Rock Band. I'm sure Jaden would love to play; he seems very musical."

"Being a parent isn't the end of the world, son," Mom added. "Think of the wonderful things Jaden will bring to your life."

"He already has, Ma," Emmett replied.

"So, are we all agreed that we will have a graduation party?" Mom asked.

Everyone nodded.

"Where?"

"Here. This place is big enough for everyone. Alice, are your folks coming?"

She smiled. "Yup. Oh, I can't wait for you guys to meet them. They're a real piece of work, aren't they, Bella?"

My girl nodded, chuckling. "They sure are. Em, Ali's mom is going to eat you up."

Mom turned to look at Bella. "Bella? How're you doing these days? I'm sorry we haven't had a lot of time together."

Jasper looked at Emmett, then Emmett jerked his head toward the kitchen. "Uh, Ma, while you guys get caught up and talk about mucous plugs and floppy snootches, we men are going to go get the barbecue fired up and the food ready."

The girls waved us off as they began to speak animatedly. I was thankful for the distraction and a chance to down a couple of beers away from our girls, neither of whom were allowed to drink.

Emmett strode purposefully toward the fridge, grabbing three beers, tossing one to each of us. Jasper and I were both quick to crack them open and pound them back.

"God," Jasper croaked before belching, "that was the best beer I've had in ages. Actually, that's the ONLY beer I've had in ages. Between not drinking around Alice and your kids running me ragged, I generally don't have much time or energy to even pick up a bottle."

"There's more where that came from. So, who wants to be on burgers?"

"I will," I volunteered. "I know how much you hate putting your hands in it. Is the grill hot? Want to put on the veggies? Maybe get the steaks on?"

Emmett pulled some plates out of the fridge. "I'm on it. Jazz, do you want to whip up some punch?"

Jasper smiled. "Sure do."

We worked in silence until Emmett walked over to the island where we were doing our prep work.

"Um…I…thanks, guys. I can't thank you enough for helping us out with everything. Jazz, you have been such a huge help for taking over my class. I can take my time going back because I know they're in good hands.

"Edward, I'm sorry that I've been a dick to you and I can't thank you enough for not riding my ass about it. Thanks too, for letting us have Bella. I know it's probably been driving you nuts that she's been gone so much, but I don't know if you'll ever understand what a godsend she's been. She's good at this mothering thing, she knows what to say to make him feel better when we are stumbling around in the dark. I really don't know what we would have done without her."

Emmett walked over to the fridge and grabbed more beer. He raised his bottle. "To the two best friends a guy could have. To brothers!"

We clinked bottles and drank deeply. To brothers, indeed.

My mind was left to wander as I squished my hands through the ground meat, mixing in the spices and my own special secret ingredients. What WOULD have happened if Em didn't have our support? How would Alice and Jasper make out? How would I have survived those dark years alone?

I can't speak for the others, but for me it's clear: I wouldn't have survived. Emmett had carried Bella through HER dark days then helped me through the latter part of MINE.

He helped Jasper get a job to better himself and to help him, Alice, and their unborn baby have a chance at the life they deserve.

If we backed out on him now, in his time of need, we would be committing a grievous crime against him. It was our turn to rally behind him, Rosalie, and our newest family member, Jaden.

I had to deal with the resentment I had toward the little boy and I needed to do it soon. I had to stop blaming him for Bella's interest in him, her need to focus on someone else's child instead of getting us to a place where we could have one of our own again. She was still fighting me on it, saying that we still had work to do. Sometimes it felt as if she was using that as an excuse, and that she didn't want another child with me.

Note to self: Talk to Dr. D about this at our next session, then maybe bring it up during group.

"Yo! Edward! I think the shit is mixed up enough," my brother shouted from behind me.

I looked down at the gooey mess in the bowl. "Yeah, I guess it is. Sorry, I spaced out a little."

He looked at me, concerned. "You okay?"

I smiled at him. "Yeah, just thinking about shit. It's all good. So, uh, how many burgers am I making?"

He examined the contents of the bowl then shrugged. "Whatever—you know that leftovers don't last long around here."

"How's the new grill?" Jasper asked as he dumped ice into his concoction. I swear he could be a mixologist to the stars if he decided not to pursue teaching. I couldn't wait to try his latest creation.

"Fuck, man, I feel like I could challenge Bobby Flay on this baby. Come on out and I'll introduce you to the hot new woman in my life."

"Don't let Rose hear you say that!" I called out as they went out onto the large deck at the back of the house.

I had to admit that Emmett's new house was a beauty. It was only a couple of years old so it was pristine. It sat on the end of a cul-de-sac of modern, high-end houses in a gated community, where they had half an acre of land that had been well-landscaped, not to mention the two-level deck that led to a pool.

Mom and Dad had paid for a top-of-the-line jungle gym to be placed in the back yard. A crew had been hired to do it, but they were running out of time so Jasper and I helped them whenever we could. It was an impressive structure with swings, two slides, a suspension bridge between two towers big enough to hold several kids each, rope ladders and cargo nets, a fireman's pole and a sandbox.

Jaden was going to be the most popular kid in the neighbourhood based on his yard alone.

The timing of the house purchase had been perfect—a former colleague of Dad's had been offered a teaching position at Johns Hopkins and had to move quite quickly. He and his wife were more than happy to give them a great deal as they had no emotional attachment to it, and they didn't really need the money, not to mention he owed Dad for something.

The pair of them had fallen in love with the massive four bedroom, four bathroom home the moment they laid eyes on it. Rosie loved the aesthetic, and the yard reminded Emmett of home. Much like our yard back in Forks, this led to a forested area intersected by a small creek. "This is where we're going to raise our babies, Rosie," he'd said. "It's perfect."

The pool, workshop and man cave just sweetened the deal. Dr. Abernathy, who had set up the most ridiculously amazing theatre and games rooms ever, was more than happy to include the furnishings and equipment in the sale price. Although Rose and Em had bought some new furniture, they hadn't needed to buy much.

Now they could be a family here, or at least try. Emmett would have someone to play with and Rose had a place to call her home and raise her boys.

I had noticed a HUGE change in Rosalie. Where she had often come off as being cold and somewhat indifferent, she was now a lot more engaging and warm. Jaden had unlocked something in her and she now radiated with a motherly glow.

"Edward! Quit daydreaming and bring out the damn burgers!"

Shit—spaced out again. I grabbed the plate of patties I'd managed to make while I was stuck in my head and headed toward the deck. I spotted a piece of paper stuck to the fridge and took it with me.

"Em? What's this checklist about?"

He took the burgers from me and began slapping them onto the enormous gas grill. You could feed an army with that thing.

"Oh, it's for the home study. This is all shit we have to do to be in compliance with DSS."

I looked down the list and was surprised by a few items on the list. "Medical report, autobiography, tax returns…a disaster preparedness plan? Wow, they don't miss anything, do they?"

He shrugged as he drew deeply off his beer. "Would you hand a kid to someone who hadn't been thoroughly checked out? Shit! That reminds me, I need to drag Rosie in for a full physical this week. Mom has to get hers faxed down too, since she'll be staying a while."

"Is there anything we can help with?" Jazz asked as he looked over the checklist.

"I might get one of you guys to read over the autobiography and help me draft the disaster plan."

"Just let us know, Em; we've got your back."

My brother swallowed hard, nodding. "I know. Thanks."

The screen door opened slowly and a little boy poked his messy head out, smiling when he spotted us.

"Got shoes and a jacket, buddy?" Em asked.

Jaden nodded, sticking out a leg and wiggling his sneaker-clad foot.

Emmett smiled and gesticulated grandly. "Well then, come on out! Join the rest of the boys. Hey, maybe Edward can take you around the yard and show you the present Missus Esme and Doc Carlisle put back there for you."

I held out a hand, cocking my right eyebrow at him. He reached out tentatively, but squeezed hard when he finally made contact.

"You ready?"

He nodded.

"Alright, follow me please," I said formally, extending an arm to him. He giggled as he reached up to hold onto my forearm.

I unlatched the top gate and laughed when I saw his reaction to the nirvana spread out before him. "Wow," he whispered.

"Yeah, it IS pretty wow isn't it?"

Jaden tugged on my hand so hard that I nearly fell down the stairs. Emmett, Jasper and the girls were all laughing as the little guy dragged me down the first set of stairs, across the lower deck, and to the next gate. As soon as I opened it, he let go of my hand and sprinted toward the jungle gym.

"Be careful!" Emmett yelled from above. "Don't fall and break your other kidney!"

I couldn't stop laughing at my brother's sudden shift from goofball man-boy to overbearing parent.

My attention turned to watch Jaden sliding down a corkscrew slide, a big grin on his face. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he took off toward the rope ladder, scaling it quickly for someone in a cast, and disappearing into one of the towers.

A window flipped up and out popped his smiling face. He waved for me to join him. I had to admit that my time with him had been limited because of school and my, er, frustration with the situation, so I was a little taken aback that he would want me up there with him. It would be a good chance for us to bond a little, so I climbed up the ladder and joined him on the floor.

"Pretty cool, huh?" I asked.

"Yeah," he whispered. This was the second time he'd spoken to me today and I was still amazed, since he hadn't really said much to anyone else.

We sat in silence as he took everything in—his head turning and his eyes darting everywhere.

"Mr. Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm not REALLY talking yet, I just need to talk to you about something, okay? Can you promise not to plant any nightmare seeds?"

"Nightmare seeds? What are…" I was stopped short by a very intense look from him. "Yes, of course, no nightmare seeds. Can you please let me know when you don't want to talk about something?"

He chewed on his thumbnail for a moment. "Mr. Edward, are Mr. Emmett…er…Emmett and Miss Rosie REALLY okay with me living here?"

"Yes, we ALL are."

He looked me in the eye. "Are YOU? Sometimes it feels like you…don't like me. You didn't visit me like they did. I mean, I love the music you gave me. Miss Alice and I like to draw when we listen to it, but sometimes you look at me funny. Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?"

Christ, this kid is too observant for his own good. He's going to know straight off if I try to lie. "Well, Jaden, one of the reasons I haven't been around is because of school. I've been very busy. It's not that I didn't want to be there…"

"Is it true that I make you sad? That I make you think about Emma?" He was very quiet when he spoke, it was barely a whisper.

I patted my lap for him to come sit. This was going to be hard for me and I needed to have him close. "It's not you exactly, Jaden. I like you—a lot. We have a lot in common and I hope that we can be good friends. It's just that sometimes when I look at you," I shifted him so we were able to look at one another, "I wonder if Emma would be like you, if you guys would have been friends, if she would sit and laugh at SpongeBob with you, and, well, sometimes it makes my heart hurt a little. I miss her a lot, Jaden. I'm sure you understand that.

"So, no, it's not you, it's me."

Did I just say that to a seven year-old?

"But now, Jaden, I look at you and I am happy because you make all the people I love so happy, and I know in my heart that you and Emma would have been best friends if she was still alive, and maybe it's time for me to let that go."

"Do I make you happy too?" he asked, frightened.

I hugged him tightly. "Yes, very much."

"Good, because I like you, Mr. Edward."

I couldn't help the smile that etched itself on my face as I held the little boy in my arms. We hugged in silence until he started humming a tune that I didn't recognize.

"What song is that?"

"It's one I made up—actually, me and Mommy made it up."

"I'd love to learn to play it on my piano. Let me know if you want to try sometime. Maybe we can record it—it's too beautiful not to let other people hear it."

"I like to hum it to Sunnybubbles. It makes her happy."

I rested my cheek on his head and sighed happily. "I'm sure it does."

Soft crunching gravelly footsteps moved toward our hiding place. "Supper's ready, you guys!" Bella called out from below.

Jaden gave me a big hug. "Don't tell," he whispered.

"I won't breathe a word."

We climbed out and took turns sliding down the fireman's pole. Bella was smiling and holding her hands out to us. We each took one and made our way back to eat dinner with our family.

Dinner went really well, except for when Emmett biffed a dinner roll at my head, which sent Jaden into gales of laughter, which caused him to choke on his milk a little. It would have been nice if Dad could have been there with us, but he was saving up some vacation time for the upcoming graduations. He would be joining us in a couple of weeks and would stay as long as he could possibly manage. I knew that he and Mom were missing each other, but she refused to leave Emmett and Rose until she was sure that Jaden was well-settled and they had completed their home study requirements.

Bella read to Jaden when it was time for him to go to bed, and as soon as I was able to steal her away, I did. I held her hand in the car, relishing the quiet, and feeling my need for more adult alone time growing with each mile we drove. It felt like it had been ages since we'd last made love or even fooled around. She'd been so tired lately after being at the hospital or at the university that most nights she flopped into bed and passed out immediately. In a way it was good because it gave me more time to work on my compositions, and a place to channel my sexual frustration.

I was also feeling a little guilty after my conversation with Jaden just hours before. Not only did I want to make it up to him somehow, I also needed to make it up to Bella. He wasn't the only victim of my resentment and frustration.

Bella smiled over at me. "Tonight was good. I think Jaden's going to settle in with us just fine."

I squeezed her hand. "Yeah, I think so too. He's a special kid."

"What were you two getting up to in the jungle gym?"

"I'm sorry, Bella, but what happens in the tower stays in the tower."

She laughed, swatting at me. "Oh, so we've been reduced to bros before hos have we? I get it. I know where I stand."

"I love you, Bella." I lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I'm sorry."

I pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. Taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly, I gathered the courage to continue. "I'm sorry that I've been so resentful of Jaden and have taken it out on both of you."

The silence in the Volvo was about to make me crazy when she finally spoke. "Edward, I really understand what you're saying—I get it, I've had moments like that myself, but I've come to grips with it and I've decided to try to make his life as wonderful as possible because unlike Emma, he ALMOST lost his life, but he didn't. He's got so much stacked against him that we need to take any of that hostility, frustration, sadness and anger and channel it into giving him the life that Emma couldn't have.

"I know he's not Emma, I know he's not ours, but in a way, I almost feel like Emma sent him to us to show that life does go on. It's not his fault that she died, Edward. He doesn't deserve our anger. He needs our love." Bella sighed. "I don't know if that made any sense at all, but it's how I feel."

I turned in my seat so I could hold her face in my hands. "I know that now. I get it. I think you're right."

She smiled. "Let's go inside, baby. I want to kiss the hell out of you and it's too uncomfortable in here."

Bella didn't have to ask me twice. I jumped from the car, raced to her side, and dragged her from the yard to the house. The moment we got in, I was pushed up against the wall and Bella plastered herself to me. Our mouths moved erratically, breaths coming out as unsynchronized panting and our clothes miraculously disappeared.

Okay, that's a lie—we tore our clothes off as we frantically tried to find some sort of rhythm. My lips sought slow, slippery caresses, while hers fought frenzied and frenetically for something more feral and urgent.

"I need you, Edward," she groaned as she rubbed herself against my cock. "Here—fuck me here."

"In the…uhhhh…mudroom?"

"Please," she growled as she nipped at my nipple.

"Oh, uh, okay."

I reversed our positions so she was against the wall, her body trembling in anticipation as she stared at me through lust-heavy eyes. My own eyes slowly raked in her quivering body, her breasts jiggling with each labored breath, her nipples were hard as beautiful pink diamonds and just begging to be suckled. My mouth gave in and descended; my tongue flattening as I took a long, firm lick from the underside of her beautiful breast, up over the bumpy terrain of the puckered areola to the nipple, across the peak, and upward until I reached her delicate collarbone.

The trembling in her body shifted to full-on quaking. Afraid her legs might give out, my hands moved from one hip, beneath her milky thigh, to the sensitive skin behind her knee. I hitched it up over my waist, my cock grazing the wetness of her sex. We shuddered simultaneously before Bella took the initiative to thrust her hips until my tip nestled in her warmth.

"More," she cried out.

I dipped a little further, but pulled back. Bella's protesting grunts were fuel for the fire burning within me; a fire created by lust, love, hope, and a burning desire to consume her.

Without warning, I plunged forward until our bodies were pressed impossibly close. I pulled back before I could get lost in her silky depths and come too soon. I pumped hard, in and out of her, again and again, her head banging against the wall as I pushed her harder and harder. Her other leg gave out, buckling, so I grabbed it, wrapped it around my waist with the other and prayed that she would come soon because at this new level of penetration I wouldn't last long.

Bella's hands found my hair as she clung to me, crying out nonsensical oaths as I moved a hand down to stroke her clit. Manual stimulation was still the best, and sometimes only way, for her to reach orgasm. My stupid male ego insisted that she get an orgasm with every ride, so I had pretty much mastered the art of, how did Emmett put it… buffing the button?

When my thumb grazed her swollen clit, she contracted her muscles, squeezing me. "Yes, please. Harder!"

One of her hands joined mine for a moment as we stroked her together. Our eyes connected and I was thrown for a loop by the love that burned in the brown eyes before me.

"I love you, Bella, God…" my emotions threatened to swallow me whole, but she grounded me again.

"I love you too, Edward. Now quit diddling me and fuck me like you mean it!"

Wow. My rhythm faltered momentarily before the shock of her words wore off. Sometimes Bella could be VERY bold. I removed my hand from her, moving it to the wall to brace myself as I pounded her into oblivion. My eyes darted between her face, contorted with euphoria, and where we were joined.

"Oh, fuck yeah!" she cried out as her body clenched, tightened, and constricted around me. This fueled my frantic thrusts until I felt the buildup finally cresting, my cock pulsing powerfully inside her.

After a few very ragged breaths, she opened her heavy eyes and smiled at me a little. "Hi," she said softly.

"Hi back."

Her arms moved slowly to circle my shoulders, pulling me closer for a kiss. It was softer, sweeter, as our tongues swirled slowly.

"Marry me, Bella."

It came out before I realized what I was doing. We had discussed it before, but I had never officially asked, figuring if we were just going to wait a while, then what was the point of asking. God, what if she freaks out?

Soft hands in my hair reminded me that I wasn't alone. "Edward? Did you just propose?"

I rested my forehead on hers, closing my eyes in an attempt to prevent the inevitable heartache of her refusal.

"Baby, look at me, please."

After a moment of hesitation, I slowly allowed my lids to move up. Her brown eyes were wet with unshed tears, but they were smiling.

"Yes, Edward. I will marry you."

Did I hear her correctly? "What did you say?"

"I said yes."

What is it with these people and post-coital proposals?

As always, I LOVE to hear what you're thinking.

For those wondering, as of today, Nov 11, I am STILL not back in my apartment. Paint fumes are too toxic for my sad lungs at this point, but I'm hoping that maybe by Sunday I'll be able to go back. I'm chilling with Knuckles out at Sophilia Tantrum's for the weekend, which is really the best medicine...an amazing friend and an awesome kitty.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, so my fellow Canucks, don't forget to take a few moments today to appreciate all that our veterans have done for us.
Wear your poppies proudly.