Everyone seems to want their own Chocolateward. One reviewer
even wants to clone him. I reminded her that since he doesn't
actually exist, we have to create him first. I said he might be
ready for cloning by the time our great granddaughters are of
marriageable age! LOL

His gift giving prowess is actually based on my dear hubby. He
is an AMAZING gift giver but alas, he SUCKS with his words! LOL
If I could get him to give me the occasional compliment when he
knows I have taken the time to doll myself up, that would be enough.
Instead, I get 'What took you so long?' or "Why are you so dressed up?'
*sighs* I guess we aren't allowed to have it all, right? LOL

Thanks to Fran for tackling this project … twice!

I don't own Twilight but I am pretty certain you all know this by now!

-LWTC-

Chapter 21

Alice and Rose took Esme 'shopping' with them that Sunday. They hadn't told her that their shopping trip was just a ruse to get Edward and Carlisle to watch the kids while they went to pick Bella up from the airport. They took Esme to Red Lobster for supper, and told her over the course of the meal what the true nature of their outing was. She was—of course—thrilled that her adopted daughter was coming home.

"So, when is she planning to tell Edward she's home?"

"Oh, that's the best part," Alice squealed like a little girl. "Bella is going to the shop tomorrow morning. She plans to waltz in like it's a normal day."

"Oh, I wish I could be there to watch the surprise without arousing suspicion," Esme sighed, and Rosalie nodded in agreement.

"I may have a way for that to happen," Alice offered, "but it requires assistance."

"Let me guess," Rose rolled her eyes as she chuckled at Alice's devious nature, "you already planned on asking Mom and me to get up early to help you in the kitchen because you are here instead of preparing for the morning pastries." She wasn't questioning; she was assessing the facts.

"Ummm," Alice grinned, as she turned pink, "maybe?"

The trio of women laughed together as the check arrived to their table.

"Can we get a cup of clam chowder and a couple of biscuits to go?"

"Are you taking food home to Dad," Rose asked.

"Heck no," Esme exclaimed. "My daughter is going to be hungry when she gets off that plane, and I intend to feed her."

"Have I told you lately that you are the absolute best Mom, ever?"

"Not lately, Alice," Esme grinned mischievously, "refresh my memory."

Alice giggled at Esme, and leaned to kiss her mother-in-law on the cheek. "I'm so glad I can call you 'Mom.' So many people have terrible in-law relations, but you are so much more of a mother to me than my own ever was," Alice said sincerely. "I love you."

"I love you too, Ali," Esme smiled indulgently, reveling in the love of her family. "Now, let's go get our girl."

-LWTC-

Bella trudged off the plane, and through the small concourse. She was grateful to be on Michigan soil. In order to trade to an earlier flight, she had to accept a dreadfully, circuitous route. She'd flown out of Sheffield International, and had a quick change in Boston, followed by a two-hour layover in Minneapolis, another quick change in Detroit, and finally landed in Muskegon almost eighteen hours after her journey began. Exhausted and hungry as she was, Bella became excited when she caught a glimpse of Esme and Alice.

-LWTC-

After gratefully devouring the clam chowder and biscuits, Bella fell asleep beside Esme for the duration of the hour-long drive home. She woke up when Esme started to talk softly to her, and to pat her cheek. A blush bloomed when she realized that she had leaned against Esme at some point during her nap.

"I'm sorry Esme," Bella began to apologize for sleeping against her.

"Nonsense, sweet girl, what kind of mother would I be if I never held my daughter while she slept?" Esme smiled as she stifled a yawn of her own.

The girls helped Bella carry her luggage into her house, and even to put it all away in short order. Alice—who, being ever resourceful—had grabbed a swing-arm towel bar while they were in Muskegon, and made quick work of installing it in the far corner of Bella's bathroom, nearest the shower.

"Alice," Bella inquired, "whatever are you doing that for?"

In answer, Alice marched directly into Bella's closet, and grabbed the beautiful dress that she had handpicked for Bella to wear to the Gala next evening. She grinned smugly as she swept past Bella and Rosalie to hang the garment from her purchase.

"Oh!" Rosalie caught on quickly. "When she showers, the wrinkles and creases will steam out."

"Precisely." Alice declared with a self-contented nod.

"Thank you, my besties." Bella gave Alice and Rose, each a tight hug, and then turned to Esme. "Thank you," she started to tear up as she choked out a word she had been holding back for what seemed like forever, "Mom."

Esme pulled Bella into a fierce hug, and the two women sniffled and giggled together as Esme cooed soft words of love and acceptance into Bella's ear—tender words that her own mother had ceased to give to her once she had entered puberty, and 'chunked out,' much to Renee's disappointment. "Now, take your shower and get to bed," Esme ordered. "Six o'clock is awfully early, and you have a man to appease."

"Appease?"

"Yes," Esme confirmed, "appease. He didn't fully buy our excuses about your being inaccessible to the phone. At least the emails you had Katy send throughout the day seemed to keep the questions at bay."

"Yeah, I knew I had to make sure he wasn't completely without contact from me today," Bella said. "After my lack of communication last weekend, I figured he would freak out if he didn't hear something today. Thank God, Katy came up with the idea of pre-writing a few emails, so that she could send them periodically throughout the day."

-LWTC-

Edward was surprised to see his mother and sister in the kitchen so early, especially after they had been out 'shopping' so late the night before. He knew they were hiding something; nobody goes shopping at seven pm on a Sunday … not in December … not in Western Mishigan! Meijer's and Wal Mart are the only stores open so late, and they only went grocery shopping at those particular stores. No, he thought, they're definitely up to something.

"What brings you ladies here so early, after such a late night?"

"Alice didn't get any prep-work done last night, so we volunteered to help her bang these pastries out," Rose offered.

"Volunteered?" Alice asked in disbelief.

"Whatever," Rose growled at her, "don't you get pissy with me … not at this early hour."

Alice rolled her eyes and continued rolling out the dough for her famous éclairs.

Edward excused himself, chuckling under his breath at their antics when the bell chimed, letting him know that a customer had walked in. He glanced at his watch as he stepped behind the counter, before looking at the patron. His eyes opened wide as saucers as he beheld the beautiful creature standing before him.

Bella barely managed to maintain a passive expression as she watched Edward react to her presence.

"I'd like a large, house-blend, please," she said casually, "extra light, no—"

Her words were cut off as Edward—who had practically flown to the other side of the counter—picked her up, holding her tightly to himself in a tearful embrace.

"You're here," he choked out, "you're really here."

Bella nodded against his neck, and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him back, just as tightly as he was holding her.

-LWTC-

Yayyy! She's home, and in his arms. And she called Esme Mom!
How are we feeling, now?
*huggles*

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