All Normal Disclaimers Apply.

***This chapter especially will have MAJOR edits for content at FFN, you may read the unedited for content at TWCS or FicPad.***


Chapter: 11

The next day follows like the day before. I wake up, have breakfast with Edward, we share a few light kisses, before he helps me into the wheelchair, and run me down to Mia's room. The rest of the morning is spent with her. The only other task I have, is expressing breast milk for her to drink.

After lunch, I go to my room for a nap with Edward right beside me. After supper, he takes me back down until bedtime. We spend most of our time just talking, and getting to know each other even more.

Today is a little different, because Mia gets taken off the breathing support, and is doing it all alone now.

I grip Edward's hand, as Carlisle looks over our girl. When he takes the incubator away, I watch as her small chest keeps rising and falling. Everything's so quite I can hear the ticking from the clock on the wall.

"Well done, little Mia, you got it now girl," Carlisle says and winks at me.

"She's doing great, Bella, really well."

I let out the breath I've been clinging to, and sob in happiness. I feel Edward wrap his arms around me, and he holds me close.

"See, I told you she was going to be okay."

"I love you, and our girl," I tell him and his grin gets larger.

"And I love my girls."

The next few days pass by quickly. Mia is now on day five, and I'm able to get around easier. Edward has just brought me back up, and has gone to fetch us our lunch as my door opens. I frown knowing that it's too soon for Edward to be back. I'm shocked to see Charlie standing there with flowers and balloons.

"Hi," I say, and he walks in with his head down.

"Hey, Bells, I got you this and these here are for my granddaughter, you think you could get the nurse to bring her in?"

"I can't, Charlie."

"Come on, Bells, don't withhold my granddaughter from me because you are mad at me."

I take a deep breath not wanting to get upset.

"No, Charlie, I mean she's in NICU and she needs to stay there for a few more days."

"Why is she in NICU?"

"Really, are you really that stupid? She was born six weeks early. I almost lost her and she ... she needs help still ... that's why she's in NICU."

Charlie lets out a breath.

"I'm trying, Bells, this isn't easy, being a dad to a daughter."

"Edward seems to have no problems with it, he's there for Mia, and he's there for me."

"Bella, isn't he a little young for you?"

"You ... you're telling me that you think Edward's too young for me? Really? Well, pot meet kettle, what about all those barely legal girls you've dated?"

"Bells, I'm a good looking handsome man, it's expected that I date a younger woman. But people don't like it when old women date younger men. You're making your life and Mia's life hard."

"No, she's not, and please watch what you say to my future wife," Edward says as he comes in. "I'm a man, like you say, but no one will know my age unless I tell them. I can act like I'm nineteen or thirty, and I can even look both ages. I love you're your daughter and she loves me."

"A relationship needs more than love."

"I know that and so does Bella, and we're building it together. I'll be with you daughter, and I will love your granddaughter like a father should. You can either be part of our lives or not. But you need to know, I will not allow you to treat Bella the way you have in the past."

"What?" Charlie says, sounding like he's shocked that someone thinks less of him.

"Asking you daughter to do your breaking up, or having her come by so that you can use her as a shield, is wrong. I'm not sure how many ways you want or need to hear that, but it's wrong, Charlie. You're over fifty. Maybe you should start to act like an adult."

Charlie just stares at Edward and then looks at me.

"I'm sorry, Bells, if I've hurt you. I just ... you were so good at it, they took it so well from you, and maybe I have used you ... I'm sorry, can you forgive me?"

I close my eyes and nod at him. I'm just too tired to stay pissed at him.

"So, when can I see Mia?"

~FD~

The weeks have flown by. I was allowed home when Mia was a week old. Edward just stayed with me as I cried, because I was away from my sweet baby girl. On day ten, Mia was given the all clear and we took her home. By that time, Edward had been living with me for over two months, and it felt right. He knew that Mia would be up a lot during the night, so we thought it was wise for him to just keep living with me.

The month passed and both Mia and I got the all clear at our six week check-up. Edward had organized a day for Charlie and me to clear the air. It went well, and for the first time we talked about other things, staying clear of Charlie's love life.

When I arrive home, I find that Edward had decked out the living room. I see a note asking me to put on the dress that was on my bed. I walk up to my room, finding the most beautiful dress I've ever seen, even the size was perfect. After getting the dress on, I walk down find Edward standing there in a tux. He has flowers in one hand, and Mia in the other, and he's wiggling his brow at me. Before I get to him, he kneels carefully on the floor.

"You and Mia are my life my whole life. When she came into this world, I told you that I was going to ask you to marry me, so this is me, on my knees with our little one in my arms asking you to be my woman, to be my wife?"

I nod my head at him and he chuckles. He places the flower on the floor and digs in his pocket, pulling out a ring box.

"Can you take her so I can put your ring on your finger?" I chuckle taking my sleeping girl from him. He opens the box, and I see the most beautiful ring ever. He slides it on my finger, and stands putting his arm out. He leads me to the kitchen, where I see a candle light dinner waiting for us.

"I think she may stay down this time." he says softly, taking Mia and placing in her little bed that stays down stairs.

"I would take you out for a real meal, but none of the places looks like they would suit Mia well, and I wanted her to be a part of this."

"I'm glad that she's here with us, and this is prefect," I say, as I start to eat.

The night goes on and Mia cries a little, but we have time to talk to each other, we even share a dance or two. When Mia settles in for the night, I lead Edward to our bed room. Reaching the door, he swings me up into his arms and kisses me soundly.

"Bella, I meant what I said many months ago. I love the body of an older woman, and you are the most incredibly sexy woman I've ever seen. I'm glad you agreed to be my wife, now I'm going to show you a few of the perks to having a younger man in your bed."

Unsure how much time passes, I suddenly am aware that Edward is lying beside me, gently stroking my skin. As he murmurs words of love and devotion to me, I smile never feeling so complete.


A/N: Well what a proposal, huh? One more chapter left, see you tomorrow.