~Edward~

I walked into the bar on Thursday to a spectacle playing out for all to see—Emmett, on his knees, begging the "fair Rosalie" to marry him. I met Rose's somewhat confused, but not-quite-pissed gaze with a smirk.

"He belong to you?" she asked.

Before I could answer, he was on his feet, swinging himself around, his arms spread wide. "Edward, my man!"

I took a step back in shock. How was it possible he'd gotten even larger than the last time I saw him? His arms resembled tree trunks, and he wrapped them around me, lifting me from my feet and squeezing all the air from my lungs.

"I've been waiting for you!"

I gasped for air after he set me down on the floor. Then he slapped my back so hard, I had to grab the nearest chair in order not to fall flat on my face.

Emmett, of course, laughed. "I forgot what a girly man you were."

I shook my head, unable to help the grin on my face. "Listen, you idiot, I told these people you were a nice guy! You're screwing it all up!"

He grinned back at me. "Nah. Jasper and I are already friends, and Alice loves me! I used her earlier for some arm curls—she's perfect!" He threw Rose a wink. "And once the fair Rosie agrees to marry me, I am set!"

The image of Alice clutching his arm, while he chatted at Jasper and lifted her up and down made me laugh. Only Emmett.

"You were supposed to arrive tomorrow."

"I made good time!"

"You did." I slapped his shoulder, grimacing at the solid piece of granite under my palm. "I'll call Bella and let her know you've arrived. She's coming over later."

He smiled so widely, his dimples had dimples in them. "I can hardly wait to meet her."

Alice piped up as she came out of the kitchen. "You can use her for your other arm, Emmett."

He beamed. "Perfect!"

~o0o~

It was a lively crew that hung around the bar that night. Carlisle and Esme came over with Bella, and they sat around with Emmett until closing. Once we could join them, we all relaxed, drinking, eating, and talking. I looked around, feeling a sense of rightness. Carlisle and Esme were like proud parents, smiling at all of us. Jasper had Alice tucked beside him, laughing at something she said, Emmett was charming Rose who was being unusually giggly, and Bella was quiet, but happy, as she gazed at everyone. I caught her gaze and bent low, brushing a kiss across her cheek to her ear.

"Feels like we've created our own family, yes?"

She nodded.

Esme spoke up. "Emmett, your room is ready, so you can follow us back to the house when you're ready."

"You are too kind."

I laughed. "She has a list of jobs for you, trust me. The one thing that doesn't change in Esme's house ever is the length of changes she wants made!"

Everyone chuckled, even as she cuffed the back of my head. "Careful, Edward. Emmett might become my favorite."

Emmett cracked his knuckles. "No might about it. I will be for sure!"

There was more laughter and lots of good-natured ribbing before we broke up for the night. When we arrived home, Bella went inside, while I went across the street and helped Emmett carry his bags up to his room. He looked around with a low whistle.

"This is bigger than my whole apartment in Toronto."

"I know. It's on Esme's list—she wants to fix it up more, but you'll be comfortable. And she is a fantastic cook."

"I can't stay here for nothing, Edward." He ran his hand over the back of his neck. "You know what I eat."

"I'll leave that between you and Esme. I'm sure you'll work it out."

"So he's your uncle, eh?"

"Half uncle, yes. I'd call him a friend first, I think."

He became serious for a moment. "Thank you for this, Edward. When I was laid off, I had no idea what I was going to do. Jobs are hard to find right now."

"I know. I have more work here than I can handle, Em, and we have worked so well together in the past. I think you'll like it here."

"I think I will. So, Rosie . . . she isn't taken, is she?"

"No. I think she had a bad experience and she's pretty gun shy, apparently."

He nodded. "I can work with that. She's spectacular." He winked at me. "So is your little airport angel."

"That is an understatement. Bella is . . . everything."

"You look happy."

"I am—more than I ever expected to be."

"You hear from your dad?"

I felt a small twinge of sadness. "No. I wrote him twice, but he hasn't written back. He ignores my voice mails, too. His secretary just says he is unavailable when I call."

"Sorry, man."

I shrugged. "His choice, not mine. I found something here, Emmett. I feel as if this is where I was meant to be. I enjoy working, I get to play in the bar, I have new friends, Carlisle, Esme, and . . ." My voice trailed off, my throat becoming thick for some reason.

"Bella," he finished for me, nodding. "She's perfect for you."

"She is."

"You found your life."

I held out my hand. "I hope you find yours here, too."

He ignored my hand, dragging me in for another one of his bear hugs. "Me, too."

~o0o~

The next few days were crazy, and awesome. Between the bar, and the list of people waiting for jobs to be done, I was constantly on the go. Emmett and I picked up our relationship both personally and professionally without a glitch. Bella was a wonder, working on our schedules and looking after invoices. During dinner at Esme's on Wednesday, I looked over the calendar she had done up.

"We are booked solid."

Emmett beamed around a mouthful of potatoes. "It's great."

Bella frowned. "The only thing I'm not sure of is this Bird sink install next weekend. I can't find anything about it in your notes, Edward."

I shoveled in a mouthful of chicken, trying to buy some time. Esme spoke up. "Oh, never mind about a job for them that weekend, Bella! There's a craft fair in Calgary I am dying to go to, and Carlisle can't take the time off. If Edward is booked, will you go with me?"

Bella's eyes lit up. "A craft fair?"

Esme nodded. "It's huge. And Mousetrap is playing at one of my favorite little theatres. We'll take Shelly with us to see it. We can make a long weekend!"

Bella looked over at me, biting her lip. "I'd have to ask at the library for the time off; although I'm sure it's fine, but . . ." Her voice trailed off, sounding uncertain, and she looked at me.

I leaned forward, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "First off, Angel, you don't need my permission. Second, Esme is right. I have an install I promised to help with, so I'll be busy all weekend. If you can get the time off, go and enjoy yourself." I already knew she could, since I had called her boss and told him what I had planned. I had already done some work for him and he planned to use me again, so he was more than fine with her taking a couple days off. I made him promise to act as if he knew nothing when she inquired. I pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I'll miss you, but I want you to go and have fun. Buy some crafty things for our home. Give Shelly a hug and tell her I look forward to meeting her soon."

She beamed at me. "Okay."

I sat back, hiding my grin. She had no idea. She was going to be so surprised.

Perfect.

~o0o~

The minute the coast was clear we started. Alice and Rose came over and helped us pack up the cupboards. I had done a bunch the day before, taking Bella out for dinner and keeping her out of the kitchen so she didn't notice the empty cupboards. It had been easy to distract her when we got back—I helped her pack then made love to her until she fell asleep. This morning I had coffee ready for her and woke her up just in time to grab a shower and be ready when Esme arrived.

By noon, the kitchen was empty, and the old washer and dryer gone. The electrician was already wiring up a new outlet for where I was moving the newer stacking appliances I had bought for Bella that had been hiding in Esme's garage, along with all the other supplies. They were my biggest splurge, but the old ones were in pretty bad shape and the new stacking set fit so much better.

We worked tirelessly, Jasper being kind enough to have my two shifts covered at the bar. I promised to make it up with an extra set in the future. He was pleased since the crowds grew every time I performed, so the bar did well.

By Sunday night, the flooring was down, cupboards installed, the rooms painted, and we were busy in the newly converted laundry/bathroom. Monday the countertops would go in both rooms, I would add the hardware, and the new-to-us appliances would go in. Bella was going to flip. Esme had decided she "needed" new ones and insisted I take her old ones. I knew from Carlisle she had only bought them a year ago, but she claimed she wanted stainless and her white ones had to go. He just grinned and clapped me on the shoulder. "Let her do this, Edward. She adores Bella. Both of you, actually. I don't care if she buys a new set every month, if it makes her happy."

Once again, I was left reeling from their generosity. How I had gotten so lucky, I didn't know. But since meeting Bella, my life had changed, and all for the better.

Monday night, I looked around, pleased. The cupboards were a soft dove gray, the counters a blend of silver, gray and white quartz Bella had drooled over when I took her to look at samples for "another customer," and the floor a dark gray slate. Esme's appliances included a dishwasher which Bella never had until now, and I knew she was going to love the refrigerator with the French doors, and the self-cleaning oven. The bathroom was simple, but it would be a useful feature, saving lots of trips up and down the stairs, especially when we had guests.

Emmett clapped me on the shoulder. "We did good. This looks great."

"It does. I feel like I'm leaving a lot of work for Bella to put things back in cupboards, though."

He shook his head. "Nope. The girls are right—she'll want to pick where things go. I'll come help when she decides." He nudged me in the ribs. "She's gonna be busy with the thank yous for a bit."

I shook my head even as I bit back my grin. I had missed her terribly. I missed the sound of her voice, her teasing laughter, and the way she nestled into me at night. I missed making love to her before going to sleep, and waking up without her beside me felt lonely and odd. I wanted her home.

"You're so going to marry this girl, aren't you?"

"Yep."

"You plan on staying here? No more wanderlust of chasing music?"

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. "Bella asked me the same thing one day. I had that, Emmett. I lived in a big city surrounded by people and things. I was invisible—I wasn't happy. I loved playing music, but all the BS that went along with it? Hated it. Here people wave, and know my name. I can breathe. I feel welcome. And what we're doing? Some people, like my father, would find it beneath them—considering it grunt labor. But I like it. And I get to play my music. I have everything I never knew I was searching for right here. Most importantly, I have Bella. Wherever she is, is where I will be. For the rest of my life I want to be with her."

"I get that."

"We can build a life here. A simple one to some people, but to me, it's exactly what I want."

"I'm happy for you."

"How's it going with the fair Rose?"

"Slow." He smiled wide, his dimples popping. "But she is going to be worth it—I can tell."

"Then I guess we're set."

"Yep."

He waved as he left, hurrying back to Esme and Carlisle's. He and Carlisle were planning on surprising her with dinner for when she got home. The two of them loved to use the outdoor grill as much as possible.

I smiled, thinking about the conversation. I had a wonderful life here. Bella made it wonderful. And I hoped what I had done in her house—our house—made her happy.

Headlights flashed across the window, and I stood from my chair.

I guessed it was time to find out.

Thank you for reading. See you next week!