So it took me longer than anticipated, mainly because I wasn't able to post while on vacation, but here is the latest chapter. 26 is with mizzdee now, and 27 is being written right now, so hopefully we can keep this pace moving.

Thanks for the patience and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 25

I woke up Christmas morning to a large breakfast prepared by Tyler. It had been a long time since we'd lived like this, but old habits die hard. It was great to spend the extra time with Tyler, and he was totally supportive of the whole situation with Edward. Age never mattered to him, and after knowing what it was like with Felix and then seeing the aftermath of James, he could tell that Edward made me happy, so the rest of it didn't matter.

I left soon after the dishes were done, arriving home a few minutes after my father.

Christmas morning was a quiet affair at home, gifts exchanged while sitting around the living room. I received mostly gift cards along with the items they had shipped home to me that I'd already opened, and they opened the gifts I'd sent ahead.

It was nice to catch up with my family, especially since Seth was off tomorrow for the beginning of the crabbing season, and in a few months Leah would be back overseas.

Hanging around with them was like old times, and for the second time that day I felt sad that I didn't see my family and friends on the west coast more often.

Sue refused to let me help with Christmas dinner, so I made a quick call to Esme and then Edward so I could speak to them and the kids. Before hanging up, Edward promised to call me once the kids were in bed.

Dinner that night was loud and boisterous, Seth getting in all his smart ass comments tonight since he'd be gone in the morning. When the evening wound down, Leah left to spend the night with Sam soon after dinner after telling us she'd meet us down at the water the next morning to see the boys off.

Seth and I were playing war when my phone rang, Edward finally getting the chance to call me.

"Hey, Love," Edward said sleepily.

"Merry Christmas, baby," I told him.

"How was your day?"

"Nice, I hung out with the family, Leah went to spend the night with Sam and I'm whooping Seth's ass at war until he decides it's past his bedtime."

"He's going to sea tomorrow?"

"Yup, we'll see him off first thing," I explained.

"Well, I'll let you enjoy your time with your brother, and we can talk tomorrow."

"Sure, Edward, talk to you then," I replied before we hung up.

"You two are sappy as shit, you know that, right?" Seth snarked.

"Fuck off, little brother," I answered, making him laugh.

We went to bed a little while after that, knowing we all had to be up early so they could head out.

The next morning, we were dressed and on our way to the marina, me driving Seth's car since I would be borrowing it for the rest of my week here. The gang was all there, saying goodbye to their family and friends, so with one last hug from Seth and Sam, we watched them cast off to get their share of the crabs out there with the official start of the season.

Once Seth was gone, it seemed that my last few days flew by much too fast. Leah had to get ready for her training in February, which would lead into her departure sometime between the middle of March and the beginning of April, and my dad was working extra with all the college kids home for break causing the normal small town trouble.

Sue reminded me to stay strong and when it was time to fly back to New York, she was the one to drop me at the airport.

"Next time, we'll fly out to see you. I can't wait to meet my first few grandbabies, even if they're your step kids."

"Jumping a little ahead of the game, Mama Sue," I teased her.

"It's coming, I know it is," she replied.

We hugged and I went through security, thankful that while I had a connection, I didn't have to get off the plane this time. Edward would be picking me up on the other end, so I texted him to let him know that so far everything was on schedule.

Hours later, I was walking over to baggage claim only to have a pair of strong arms grab me from behind. "I've missed you, Love."

"Missed you too," I turned in his arms and whispered the words against his lips.

We collected my bags and then drove home. With the kids in bed, so Edward took full advantage of our stolen moment.

"The trip is confirmed, I fly out on the eighth and should be gone a week, so by mid January we will be telling everyone. But for now I want to get you into bed. Since I know that you're going out for New Year's with your friends, I won't get to spend it with you, but next year will be our year. Everyone will know and we'll be free to enjoy ourselves."

"Are you nervous about telling Tanya?" I asked.

"Not too much. She can't forbid it, and she has a knack for reading people. I think she'll see that I'm happy for the first time in a long time, and that will be enough for her."

"Sue knows, and she's on our side," I told him.

"That's one more person on our side, and hopefully she will help convince your father not to shoot me."

Laughing, I looked around, realizing I hadn't seen the puppy yet. "Where's the dog, Edward?"

"Major sleeps in Jasper's room, the two of them are inseparable."

That night, after some very steamy shower sex, Edward returned to his room and I thought about where they next month would take me.

The following day was New Years Eve, so after unpacking and getting settled, I called Ang to find out what her exact plans were.

I could tell Edward was nervous about us being out all night, but he wasn't going to say anything.

"Edward, if I need a ride, I promise to call you. I will be home when you wake up in the morning."

"You know that I'll be sitting here waiting for you, right?"

"Or, I could just stay home with you," I offered.

"Or, I could call Carlisle and ask if they can take the kids?" Edward countered.

"They have plans tonight. The girls are at a sleepover and they're going to some party," I explained.

"Well then, we'll celebrate New Years with the West Coast when you get in."

Smiling at the sentiment, I went upstairs to get ready. It took a while, but when Angela called to say they were about to head to the bar, I was all set.

Edward's eyes smoldered as he caught a glimpse of me from his place at the kitchen island, but with a quick goodbye to everyone as I put on my coat I was out the door.

I took the subway to the Japanese restaurant where we were starting our night, and over sake and tempura, we talked about our hopes for the New Year.

"What about you, Bella? Any big plans?" Ben asked.

"I'm just anxious about everyone finding out about Edward and me. Sue knows and she's okay with it. My dad knows that he's older and has kids, but not that it is Edward. He was a little upset, but I promised that he's good to me and that it isn't like the other men in my life."

"Besides the fallout?" Angela asked.

"I'm excited to go out with Edward without worrying. Work functions, dinner…he even said we could go to a Ranger game. The last six months have been really trying, but it has also proven to me without a shadow of a doubt that he's it for me. When he proposes, I will say yes."

"When? Not if?" Ben pushes.

"His mother's ring is a family heirloom. Rosalie will get Tanya's ring when she is old enough, which had been my worry with it, but we've had the conversation. Marriage, adding to his family, we needed to know we were on the same page before we got in this deep and we are. So, Ben, it is definitely when."

"Good, I'm glad. You know we only want you happy, right?" Ben asked.

"I do, and with that in mind, I need your help with something," I told them.

After the heaviness of our dinner conversation, we headed to 1849, a bar on Bleecker Street, and begin to cut loose.

The drinks kept coming and the music was blasting, and besides the fact that I wished Edward could have been here, I was enjoying my night. We danced and joked until the countdown started, everyone slurring out the last few seconds of the year. I pulled out my phone, ready to text Edward the minute the clock struck twelve-.

Happy New Year, Edward. Love you.

Happy New Year, Love. Are you having fun? He shot back almost immediately.

I am, but I'm not going to stay out all night. Can you come get me around 1:30?

Sure, just text me at 1 with the bar you're at and I'll be there.

Looking back at Ang, I told her we had ninety minutes left to party, and she made good use of that time. My phone buzzed one last time at one, when Edward asked where he was heading, so I told him where we were and then waited.

Ang and Ben decided to stay out a little longer, so when Edward pulled up on the corner, I gave them each a hug and walked down to where he was almost out of the car.

"I would have come in to get you, Bella," he said as he helped me into the front seat.

"I know, but I had already said my goodbyes and was waiting by the bouncer for your car," I explained.

"I'm glad you were smart and waited with him, and now I'd better get you home."

We drove back in a comfortable silence, Edward shooting me quick glances to see if I was still awake. When we arrived at the house, he helped me upstairs and then offered to help me get ready for bed. I showered while he was out in the main room, Edward helping me on my clothes for a change when I reemerged before he handed me some Advil and a bottle of water.

"Sip this and take those pills, and then drink some more water when you wake up. Call me if you need me," he whispered.

His actions were so sweet, it made me wish we were already married, because then he wouldn't have to leave me here alone.

I woke up the next day to everyone already awake and in the kitchen while Edward scrambled eggs for breakfast, the bacon already done and waiting on their plates.

"Bella," the kids cheered. Even Rosalie looked to be in good mood, something that was still a little hard to get used to. She had made the comment at Christmas about not being overly rude, but that was over a week ago and she was still playing nice, I didn't know how much longer it would last.

Major jumped and yipped at me, saying good morning, so I rubbed his head before he ran off to play with Jasper again.

Edward served up our breakfast and then passed me some OJ and coffee, which I was so grateful for. Today he was off, but when he returned to work tomorrow it would be a busy week of final trip preparations before he was off to Chicago to solidify his place as the VP of Creative by meeting with his team, and also removing the final hurdle between us being together.

The day was leisurely; Edward watched movies with the kids, while I spent the afternoon outlining the book I had been researching slowly over the last several months, finally feeling ready to get the story out.

I ate lunch in my room, the kitchen area I rarely used coming in handy as I worked, but dinner was my meal, so I headed down to get that started.

"Bella, I can manage that," Edward offered, but I shook him off.

"No, I want to cook tonight, and besides, you'd probably burn your hand on the cast iron skillet," I teased.

Steak and potatoes was a favorite of mine to cook, because it always got a big reaction. I remembered when I made it for my dad the first time since I'd graduated culinary school; he went out and bought a cast iron skillet the next day.

The meal didn't disappoint tonight either as everyone dug in. Edward smiled at me while he ate, the look in his eye a little hard to place, but it almost seemed wistful.

That look nagged at me over the next week as we resumed life as normal, his nights at work as late as when he first started and he would hang around all hours trying to impress Eleazar and get himself all set up in his new office with the new team.

The night before he flew out, he told me not to make plans, and then to my surprise, Carlisle stopped by right after five o'clock to pick up the kids.

"Hey, Bella, hot date tonight, I hear," Carlisle teased.

"Yeah, I'm gonna be heading up to get ready any minute," I answered.

With school about to start back up, I would be back to my routine with all the kids, so I was excited to see the girls again and especially show Lottie the pictures I'd taken for her.

Running upstairs, I got in the shower, and by the time I got out, Edward was waiting for me in my loft.

"Why does Carlisle think I have a hot date tonight?" I asked.

"Because I told him that I had a last minute business dinner before my trip and that you had a date so I couldn't ask you to watch the kids, so I asked if he and Es could watch them so that we could enjoy our last night before I'm gone."

"That was a sweet thought, especially with how you've been acting lately," I remarked.

"How have I been acting?" he questioned.

"You've just been a little cool towards me since New Year's Day, that's all," I explained.

"That wasn't my intention, Bella, I was just trying to figure something out," he answered and my heart dropped.

"Oh."

"Hey, it's nothing like that I promise you," Edward said, moving closer. "You made a comment on New Year's Eve and it just pulled me up a little short. I thought we were okay, but that made me wonder."

"What did I say?" I asked, panicked.

"You said that you wished we were married, because then I wouldn't be leaving you alone."

"Edward, first, I was drunk and thought that I was thinking it, not saying it. Secondly, I meant that we'd be sleeping in the same bed, in the open with no one to judge. I'm just worried for what comes next, not because of us, but because of everyone else. I know what's coming next is hard, and I'm so thankful that you think I'm worth the drama."

"You are, and I know you're going to get a little annoyed, but I did this so that you'd understand how I feel. We've talked about marriage, and I'm being honest with you and with Tanya when I tell her that I expect a wedding before the year is over. Because I will ask you, and I know you'll say yes. But this is for the time being," Edward said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an all too familiar blue box. Opening it, I saw the word 'love' scrawled out in silver forming the front half of the ring before it wrapped around to form the band. "The first ring I gave you was a reminder of my love when I couldn't openly show it. This one is a promise that the next ring I put on your finger will be my mother's."

"Edward," I whispered as he slipped it onto my right ring finger.

"Come downstairs and let's eat something, then we're going to enjoy our night, because I'm going to miss the hell out of you next week."

Heading downstairs, there was something in the oven and the table was set with a lone candlestick.

"It's one of your smaller pans of lasagna, so I cheated, but I wanted tonight to be special."

Taking his hand, I gave it a squeeze. "This is a lovely thought, Edward, and I'm going to miss you too."

While the lasagna finished cooking, Edward took advantage of the fact that it didn't require us to watch it, and we made out on the couch. Dinner was delicious and very sweet, and when it was done, Edward helped me load the dishwasher before leading me upstairs.

He pulled me into his bedroom, coming to stand behind me. "We're going to have to make some changes to this room when you move down here; maybe while I'm gone you can look for some tall dressers so we can replace this one and fit both of our wardrobes down here."

"I like that idea," I told him.

"Good, but for now, I want you naked and in our bed. Because we don't have to be quiet and we don't have to be fast."

Giggling, I striped quickly, Edward doing the same before he almost pounced on me.

Our love making was everything he promised. It was loud and free and it lasted long into the night. Even after exhaustion finally claimed Edward and he fell asleep, I stayed awake to look down at him. The grey hairs at his temples the only hint that he was a worrier when he slept, and seeing his ease, I knew that we'd be okay when we told everyone.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up to Edward's kisses around six-thirty.

Edward and I showered separately, since we had to get moving, and then we dressed and I drove Edward to the airport. Because I had to be home for when Jared dropped off Alice, I couldn't walk him in like he did at Christmas, but with my new ring, and a promise of a fresh start when he returned, I said goodbye to him in the car and drove off to start my week alone with the kids.