Happy Australia Day, I'm sure someone will pull RP out of the bars he has been frequenting, and take him on a beach bbq in the usual Aussie Day tradition. As to why he arrived a week before he had to, (Guy is not even in the country yet) rumour says it was to acclimatize, which appears to mean 'get used to our beer.'

Safe

Chapter 11

BPOV

"I really think Edward prefers my hair out," I grumbled as Rose and Alice tortured me with their brushes and hair irons and twirly thing that made my hair sit in corkscrew curls down my back.

Half of it was elaborately braided on top of my head..

"Bella, it's Edward. He isn't going to order you to wear your hair the way he likes it. You have free choice. How do you prefer it?" Rose asked.

She's an amazing mother and that kind of surprised me because Rose was always very vain and almost conceited, and to see her still carrying some baby weight and not caring is kind of unexpected. I thought she'd be living on celery and liquid grass until she got that tiny waist back, but instead, she eats like a horse and insists baby Emerson needs her to do that so she makes 'good' milk for him.

Apparently he likes chocolate flavoured milk and Emmett pops in and hands her a box of her favourite brand from Switzerland just to make sure she doesn't expire from starvation while she messes with my hair.

"Thank you, Baby," she says, wrapping herself around him so closely I'm scared they may forget Alice and I are in the room.

"Whoa," Alice says suddenly, folding back a page of the newspaper she is reading while waiting her turn to torture me with her make-up kit. "He beat you."

"Who beat me?" I ask, loosening the hair clip Rose buried into my skull so I don't end up with a migraine before Edward and I say our I do's.

"Listen to this.

The Volturi family celebrated the nuptials of one of their own yesterday, just months after the loss of the well known business tycoon, Aro Volturi.

His widow, Rose Volturi gave away their only daughter, Rosanna to Jacob Black, partner in Uley and Black , New York, in front of the entire Italian clan.

The couple intend honeymooning in Hawaii and Mr Black will be joining the Volturi firm on their return. Mrs Volturi will accompany the couple on their honeymoon and use the opportunity to catch up with friends on that island.

The bride wore blah blah"

Huh, that dress is not even attractive, with her black hair. And she is kind of pudgy. Look."

I looked.

I don't know why I even felt shocked.

Jake and Sam were going under and I guess the only surprise is, Jake managed to nab the daughter and didn't have to resort to marrying the cougar.

"Who goes on a honeymoon with their daughter?" Alice grimaced.

Rose detached from Emmett and grabbed the newspaper.

"Fuck, a bride/groom/mother-in-law threesome on their honeymoon, do you think?"

"Rose, don't be gross," Alice replied.

"Well, if he's any good in the sack, Rosanna will have to thank Mommy Dearest for teaching him his tricks."

An awkward silence fell as it occurred to them that this conversation was pretty inappropriate in the circumstances.

"I'm glad he has moved on and found happiness," I said, rubbing the bump and soothing the baby who seemed to be trying to kick her way out.

Actually, I will just file this information away and think about it later.

Our own honeymoon won't be happening until after the nudger is born, because I want to enjoy it and not feel so nauseous. Edward and Carlisle assure me this all day morning sickness is common, though women still feeling off by this stage usually have not had the few months break I did, so I'm theoretically lucky.

It's taking some getting used to.

Alice ordered me to sit back with my eyes closed and I happily complied as she painted my wedding day mask into place.

Okay, she is a genius with a make-up kit and even I fancied myself when she announced I was done.

Tomorrow we have the first scan, delayed until then at Edward's request. I'm not sure why he wanted it done after the wedding; maybe in case there is some type of clear evidence the baby is Jacob's. Maybe she was conceived around a time we had not been together so it would have to be Jake's.

He has assured me a hundred times if that proves to be the case, he doesn't care but does he?

I know how badly I want this child to be Edward's and I will bawl my eyes out if it isn't.

It's not that I wouldn't be able to love a child of Jake's, but how much easier if she comes out with copper hued hair and green eyes.

"And it's time," Alice announces so I gather my ice blue skirt and rush off to pee so I won't get the urge during the ceremony.

"Please behave, infant child, and don't jump on my bladder until I put the ring on your Daddy's finger, okay?"

She kicks me , hard and strong and I rub my belly to soothe her. I feel a softer, more gentle movement in an entirely new spot and I am surprised she has the room to still be doing somersaults in there. I hadn't felt her move across to this side.

My belly is not large at all, just rounded and firm, and only noticeable because of the weight I lost of the rest of my body.

I want to eat and regain some bodyfat but the nausea makes anything but plain crackers unappealing and even Edward's constant encouragement isn't making eating easier.

xxxx

Charlie is almost bursting out of his skin with joy as he marches me way faster than convention demands down the aisle in the backyard, where Emmett and Rose tied the knot.

To my disbelief, he and Edward exchange high fives as he hands me over.

This is clearly what my Dad always wanted and is a victory for him.

People are laughing quietly at their antics and I feel a little lost until Edward rubs his thumb against my palm and I look into his eyes.

He was right all along. This was always the way things should have been. He smiles as he reads my eyes, and as he leans in close to slide the plain gold band on my finger, he whispers in my ear.

"You should have listened to me from the start. I have always loved you and known you were made just for me."

I should have listened.

I know that now but hindsight is easy.

Why my heart longed for Jacob is impossible to understand now and all I can do is be eternally thankful that Edward waited and still wanted me, even like this.

The baby is still and must be sleeping. I'm glad. Grabbing at your nether regions because you think she is going to drop out when she kicks so hard is hardly the look we are going for.

Edward kisses me and I feel so safe in his arms.

They are not the arms I originally craved but I feel so safe in alternate arms that I know now these arms were always the right ones.

How many times did they surround me and bring me peace?

Jake rarely held me like I was precious. With him, I always questioned my worth, but Edward has always let his feelings show in his touch.

I grieve for not acknowledging earlier how right he was.

xxxx

The night is still young but my husband can see I'm done and he stands and taps his spoon on his glass.

"My wife and I would like to thank you all for coming here today to witness this momentous occasion. We are grateful you all got to share this special time with us, but our infant demands I get her mother into bed, so, please, stay and enjoy yourselves, and we will see you again soon."

There are hugs and kisses and kind words but we manage to escape and head down the path to our new home, finished just in time.

Esme has furnished it with the necessary basics but once this pregnancy is over, Edward and I will choose whatever furniture we prefer.

I haven't been allowed down here since my return, so the big reveal is amazing.

Edward carries me over the threshold and up the staircase, assuring me tomorrow is soon enough to explore the downstairs rooms.

Our bedroom shines with rainbow colours as the moonlight seeps through the stained glass windows and it feels like it originally was; like a holy place. We feel the blessings and comfort of the very building as Edward unzips my frock and starts pulling the combs and hairpins from my hair so I shake my tresses out free.

He stands before me, his eyes roving over my body, his hands cradling my face.

"Thank you, my Bella."

"No, Edward. Thank you. For always having hope and faith."

"You have made me the happiest man in the universe."

I know that is true and I know that I alone can hurt him, and I am determined never to do that again.

No matter what.

He deserves the best, but instead, he got me.

All I can do is strive to be the very best me I can manage.

He kisses my lips so tenderly I feel tears well in my eyes and he wipes them away with his thumb.

"Don't cry. It's all good from here on."

I trust him completely, but some things are out of our control, and I'm glad, so glad, we had that one perfect night before the rest of the drama began.

xxxx