A/N: Okay guys, I didn't think I'd be able to get a chapter out to you this weekend but my boyfriend got a bad case of swimmer's ear so we had to cut our plans short yesterday. Sucks for him, but his pain is your gain I guess. So here's the next chapter, a tad fluffier than normal but I figured we could use a break from so much drama. I also wanted to thank all of the reviewers from last chapter. You guys definetly helped in getting this chapter out this weekend. see you at the bottom.

S. Meyers owns all things Twilight.

Chapter 14

Moving Forward

"Daddy, where we go now?" Ayden questioned from the backseat. We had spent several hours at the lake and were on our way home. I hadn't felt this content in a long time.

"Yes son, were going home." The words were so simple yet the magnitude of them hit me like a ton of bricks. We're going home. I couldn't wait until I would be home for good.

It took every fiber of strength I possessed to look into Bella's big brown eyes and tell her I couldn't move back in. I wanted nothing more than to be back in that house. It hadn't even been a full week but I felt like I had lost a part of myself. It makes sense. Bella is a part of me, without her how can I feel like myself. I knew that I made the right choice, I just wish it didn't feel so wrong.

I pulled into our driveway to see several cars. Apparently everyone was already here. I got Ayden out of his booster seat and we made our way into the house.

As I opened the door every head turned and the place fell silent.

'Great, real subtle guys' I thought to myself.

"Hey, Edward" Bella said before walking over toward Ayden.

"Bella…" I mumbled while noticing that everyone was trying to act like they weren't paying attention to us.

"I'm going to go get Ayden in the bath real quick, before we get dinner ready." Bella replied while glaring around the living room.

Bella left with Ayden and Jacob stood up and walked toward me. I didn't know he was going to be having dinner with us.

"Edward" He said glaring coldly at me.

"Jacob" I replied while narrowing my eyes.

We stood glaring at each other for a minute before Jacob broke and smiled, pulling me into a one armed hug.

"It's been to long man, how have you been doing?" He questioned with a knowing look that irritated me a little.

"I've been alright." I lied; I wasn't going to discuss everything tonight with anyone.

"What have you been up to, Jacob?" I tried to divert his attention quickly.

"Well, I'd like you to meet my fiancé, this is Vanessa Wolfe." He gestured to the woman who was now standing at his side. I had never seen him grin so widely.

"Yeah Edward, Jacob finally found someone to scratch his belly, isn't that great." Rosalie said in a bored tone, not looking up from her nails she was filing.

I expected Vanessa to at least be annoyed at Rosalie's unfriendly attitude. To my surprise she just reached up and scratched behind Jacob's ear. "Only when he's a good boy, isn't that right Jake?" she said in a voice you'd only talk to a baby or a puppy with.

I swear I saw Rosalie fighting back a smile.

Jacob just gave his fiancé a look that clearly said 'Et tu, Brute" but it was obvious he couldn't be the least bit mad at her. Despite the fact that we had become friends overtime, I still felt relieved to see him finally taken with someone besides my wife.

I introduced myself to Vanessa, and said hello to the rest of my family before heading toward the kitchen to grab a beer.

As I stood in the kitchen with my longneck bottle, my mind raced. I wondered how long things would be this way. I had my first therapy session on Tuesday. I was extremely nervous about it. I'm not really big on the idea of talking about all my problems with some stranger. It didn't go so well last time. I was determined that this time I would try to be more open to the possibilities. Something had to give. I couldn't keep going this way and have my life back. I was jarred from my thoughts by Emmett's gruff voice.

"Edward, come help me check the charcoal." Emmett said in an unusual tone.

What? Since when does he need help checking coals?

"Um, Alright" I mumbled.

"Emmett" I heard Jasper say in a warning voice.

"Let's go." Emmett demanded walking out the back door onto my deck, completely ignoring Jasper. We stepped outside and headed toward the grill.

"So, what's the deal Em?" He was acting really strange. I've rarely seen him this serious.

"What the hell, Edward?" He nearly shouted.

"I came over early to try and talk some sense into my sister, to tell her to let you move back in, and what do I find out?" He said while glaring at me.

Oh…this isn't going to go over well.

"Well the thing is Emm-"

"I find out that she asked you to come back." He said interrupting me.

"I was finally able to drag the story out of her. She asked you to move back in and you said no. So again I'll ask what the hell man." He yelled.

"Look Emmett, we both have things we need to work on. I think it would be easier if we didn't place ourselves in the position to get-"I was interrupted once again.

"Oh save the crap. She is your wife. You have responsibilities here. You have a responsibility to take care of you family!" Emmett shouted while throwing his hands up in the air.

Now, it was my turn to get mad.

"I am well aware of my responsibilities! Don't you dare try to imply that I'm neglecting my family. It's none of your damn business, and you don't know shit about it!" I said in a tone I barely recognized as my own.

Emmett laughed without any trace of humor.

"It's none of my business? That's rich. She's my sister. Besides if you had been taking care of your responsibilities Rosalie wouldn't have been over here all night with Bella when she finally broke down. Rosalie didn't mind being there for her and neither do I, but you should have been here.

"Edward, I need you to go check on Ayden." I heard Bella's voice sound hard and cold as she stepped through the patio doors. She spoke to me but never took her eyes off of Emmett.

I brushed past her and headed inside. I was slightly relieved for the interruption because I really had no clue how to respond to what Emmett had just told me. Bella had called Rose to be there for her. She hadn't called me. I felt…hurt and inadequate. She had told me she finally faced Hannah's death but she didn't tell me Rose was with her through it. Why couldn't she have come to me? I had been waiting on her to talk to me for a year and she turns to Rosalie when I'm her husband…

Oh.

Oh.

How could I have been so stupid? I didn't even realize how my strongly actions affected her. I wanted to run and apologize to her for ever discussing anything with Tanya, but she was a little busy.

I stood and watched out the window as my Bella lectured her brother. If the context of the lecture wasn't so serious it would have been quite funny to witness.

Emmett's broad form towered over Bella's petite frame. I watched as Emmett stared at the ground nodding and Bella flared her arms. He looked like a child being scolded by a parent. I wanted to go out there and try and calm her down but I knew better. I had tried to interrupt her and calm her down once when she and Alice were having an argument. It did not end well for me.

Bella was generally a very docile person but when she did get mad you had better stay out of her way.

"You know, I'd like to say I taught her how to handle him like that, but I imagine she's been able to have that affect on him since they were kids." Rose said coming up from behind me.

"I'd imagine you're right." I laughed.

"Don't pay any attention to him. He's just trying to look out for her. You're his best friend and it's hard for him to see how you're both hurting and not be able to do anything about. He actually pays more attention then he lets on."

I nodded and looked to see Bella and Emmett come inside.

Bella walked up to me and wrapped her slender arms around my torso. I was surprised at first but quickly returned her tight embrace. It felt so good to be in her arms again.

"I'm sorry about Emmett." She whispered.

"Its fine, love. He was just looking out for you. I should have expected it." I told her truthfully.

We broke apart and began conversations with the family.

We talked for about an hour before we all gathered around the table. Dinner was fairly uneventful. We ate and talked avoiding any serious conversations. I was relieved to avoid any discussions about my marriage. I did however; receive a few sympathetic glances from my sister.

I couldn't wait until I could put this chapter of my life behind me. After dessert our guests slowly made their way home. Me and Bella were left with a sleeping Ayden.

I picked up my son and carried him to his bed. Bella came into the room and took my hand.

"When do you start therapy?" Bella asked quietly.

"I have my first session on Tuesday." I said taking her hand in mine.

"Do you think maybe you'd like to come over for dinner on Tuesday, after you get finished?"

I was a little shocked that she would ask that. Of course there was only one answer I could imagine.

"I would love to." She smiled at me and I wanted so badly to kiss her. I knew it would probably be rushing into things but my body craved hers. I took her chin softly in my hand and lightly kissed her forehead.

We didn't say anything and I was grateful. I didn't want to ruin the moment. I got up from Ayden's bed and made my way home. I was nervous of what Tuesday would bring, but I could not be more content with how things were progressing. With any luck I would soon be back where I belong.

A/N: Okay I know it's not my best work, but I had a little bit of writers block going on. I'm going to the lake for the weekend, because that's what you do in Texas when it's 102 degrees.

I would LOVE to come back and find that we've hit the 100 review mark. So please REVIEW! Oh and please forgive me for any typos or mistakes in this chapter I was in a rush to get it out.

Reviews make me smile, now hit the green button. : D