Author's Note:
Welcome back everyone! I hope you all enjoyed chapter 24! Thank you to everyone that took the time to read and review the last chapter or the entire story so far!
Thanks to my friend and BETA GAjujubee. If you haven't checked out her story "Coming Home", check it out!
Many of you that have reviewed the story have expressed concerns about the guys decisions. I want to clear up the concern many have voiced about them having feelings for two ladies. It happens. I know that we all have our idea of what it is to find a soulmate, and as a hopeless romantic, so do I. However, it is possible for someone to care/love two people. Especially when things are happening so fast and every feeling plays such a vital part. The question is who really is their one true love. Who makes them better people, makes them happy and makes the world a better place for them.
So as a thank you for the reviews this chapter is for my Edward/Bella fans. I hope you enjoy it.
When you are done reading, I would love to hear what you think of the story so far. Drop a review below. Thanks! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight. It all belongs to the talented Stephanie Meyer.
I arrive home bright and early on the first day of our hometown visits. It is the first of two days that I will get to spend with both my parents and my daughter and I am looking forward to it. I have enjoyed my time getting to know Tanya and Bella, but I missed home. I missed waking up to my daughters giggles as she tried to sneak up on me, her stories when she arrived from school and our lazy Sunday's lounging on the sofa and watching her latest favorite movie. The months leading up to my departure we watched Sleeping Beauty a total of 4 times a week. I wouldn't admit it to her, but I kind of missed watching the movie.
"Daddy!" Gabriella exclaims and flings herself at me as soon as my feet hit the ground outside.
"My girl! How long have I been gone?" I ask as I wrap her in my arms. "You've gotten so big."
"I'm 2 inches taller!" She giggles and hugs me tighter.
"Wow!" I laugh and walk towards my parents with her in my arms.
"Welcome home, my boy." My mother says as she embraces me and Gabriella.
"Good to have you home." Father says and pats me on the back.
We head into the house and stepping foot inside the foyer feels like coming home. I missed this.
As always, mother has breakfast on the table. We sit and eat as they catch me up on what's been going on at home. Throughout the conversation, Gabriella has not let go of me and if I was being honest with myself, I couldn't let go of her either. I missed my girl.
Hours later, we hear the arrival of the limo signaling Tanya's arrival. My mother and father both smile at each other as we head towards the foyer. Before we head outside, the bell rings which means that Tanya was faster than we were.
"Hi!" Gabriella cries out as she flings open the door.
Tanya is caught off guard for a second but then smiles down at Gabriella.
"Tanya, this little runt is Gabriella. Gabriella this is Tanya." I laugh as my daughter turns to hug me.
"Hi, Gabriella. It's wonderful to meet you." She says and holds out her hand to shake Gabriella's hand. My daughter shyly shakes her hand.
"These are my parents, Esme and Carlisle." I say gesturing to them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both." Tanya says as she shakes their hands next.
I'm shocked to see that my mother doesn't embrace her like she usually does. Then I look at Tanya and realize that she is nervous and I'm sure my parents must sense it.
"How was your trip?" Esme asks Tanya as we make our way back into the house.
"Oh, it was lovely. I was able to do some sightseeing and get a nice tan." Tanya explains and then goes into details about her time in Puerto Rico. She skips over our overnight and I give her a small smile. My parents will see enough of it on television.
Realizing that lunchtime is approaching, Mom and Dad stand up and turn to me.
"Tanya, Carlisle and I would be honored if you would join us at the club for lunch." Esme says.
"Oh, we aren't all spending the day together?" Tanya questions as she looks at me. I can see how much being alone with my parents terrifies her.
"Gabriella and I will meet you for dinner tonight." I assure her with a smile.
This seems to comfort her because she nods and gets up to join my parents in the living room.
"Enjoy your afternoon." I say and place a kiss on her cheek.
"You too. I will see you both tonight." She smiles and heads out with my parents.
"It's you and me now, kiddo." I say to Gabriella as we head out for the day.
She and I spend the afternoon at lunch before shopping for school clothes and later enjoying the warm weather at the beach. Returning home, we watch her new favorite movie, The Princess and the Frog.
Later that evening…
"Daddy, please!" Gabriella yells as we wait for Tanya to arrive at the house with my parents.
"Okay, kiddo. You win. We will go bowling." I give in to her demand because I want her to have a good time and I've missed spending time with her. I also want to see how Tanya interacts with her in a kid friendly environment.
"Yes!" Gabriella cries and bounces up and down as we wait for everyone.
When they finally arrive, Gabriella immediately takes her hands and leads her towards the car. Tanya laughs and asks her about her day.
"So Ms. Denali, Miss Cullen here has requested that we join her for an evening filled with a fun game of bowling." I smile and look over at her. "It's her favorite thing." I add in a whisper.
"Oh. That sounds nice." Tanya smiles and looks at Gabriella. This makes her happy and throughout the ride she is quiet and calm.
However, when we get to the bowling alley Gabriella has given up trying to stay calm. She drags Tanya and I towards check-in without waiting for my parents. I laugh while Tanya tries to keep up with her.
"Okay, slow down sweetie. Tanya has heels on and you are too fast for your own good. " I say as I grab Tanya's hand in mine.
Gabriella gets impatient and let's go of both our hands before joining my parents.
"I'm sorry. I thought we were going to dinner. If I would have known, I would have worn appropriate attire." Tanya apologizes as we join my parents.
"Don't apologize. I should be apologizing. This was very last minute." I assure her with a smile.
"Okay, daddy. It will be me and you against Tanya, nana and grandpa." Gabriella says when we reach our lane.
"I am going to sit this one out munchkin." My father says and takes a seat.
"Okay, how about you and Tanya against me and nana?" I suggest.
My daughter obliges and we begin our game.
"Okay Dr. Cullen, you are about to go down." Tanya teases as she lines up her ball.
Deciding that two can play that game, I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist.
"What was that?" I whisper placing my lips near her earlobe.
Tanya's shivers but then lines up her ball with more conviction. When she lets go the ball, she only knocks down 6 pins.
"You are a cheater daddy!" Gabriella shouts in frustration.
"I'm offended." I turn to her.
Tanya and my parents laugh as I pick my daughter up in a hug. She tries to wiggle free before she finally giggles and hugs me back.
"I apologize for distracting you." I tell Tanya as I place a kiss on her cheek.
"I don't know if I should accept your apology." Tanya teases. "What do you think Gabriella?" she asks.
"Hmm…" my daughter puts on her thinking face. "I think we can forgive him" She finally says.
"Then you are forgiven, Dr. Cullen." Tanya says and places a chaste kiss on my lips.
It is the first time she kisses me in front of my daughter and I am taken aback. In one way, I am okay with it but a part of me worries that this is to forward of a gesture in front of my daughter. I didn't want to confuse her any more than what she already was.
"Eww…" Gabriella giggles and wiggles out of my arms.
After the ten frames, mom and I lose to Gabriella and Tanya. We head over to a table and dive into our food as we discuss how mom and I lost to them.
"Daddy, ask her to dance. " Gabriella whispers when the music starts to play.
I laugh and ask Tanya to dance while Gabriella looks on.
"She likes you." I tell her as I wrap my arms around her.
"I like her, too. She is precious." She says and wraps her arms around my neck.
"Are you having fun?" I ask and spin her before lowering her in a dip.
"Surprisingly. Yes." She laughs and holds onto me.
"Surprisingly?" I inquire.
"I just meant that I was terrified of meeting your parents and daughter. I didn't know if they would like me." She clears up.
"I think they like you." I assure her and dip her once more.
She leans in and places her lips on mine. Her lips move slowly against mine before she pulls back. As a gut instinct, I instantly worry about Gabriella again but realize that it is dark in the bowling alley. I smile at her and lead her back to our table.
After a while, Gabriella falls asleep so we head towards the hotel where Tanya is staying. Arriving at her lobby, I bring her to me in a hug.
"I will see you soon." I say and give Tanya a kiss good night.
"I don't want to let you go." She whispers as she interlaces her fingers with mine.
"You will see me soon." I tell her and give her hand a squeeze.
"Tell Gabriella that I had a wonderful time." She smiles and then heads into the hotel.
That night, I think about the events of the night and Tanya's interaction with my family. She seemed very distant at times and that worried me. During the evening, she seemed to warm up to everyone and I enjoyed watching her interaction with Gabriella. They had hit it off. However, her aloofness earlier was still on my mind. Maybe it was just nerves, Edward. I think and decide to let it go for the moment.
_
The next day Bella arrives in time for lunch with my parents. When she walks through the door, I automatically wrap her in a hug.
"I missed you." I tell her as she hugs me back.
"I've missed you more." She smiles at me as I grab her hand and lead her into the living room where my parents are seated.
"Isabella Swan, this is my mother Esme and my father Carlisle."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Cullen." She says and goes to shake their hands.
My parents, however, immediately enveloped her in a hug. Bella is startled for a moment before she hugs them back.
"None of that Mister and Misses. Esme and Carlisle will do." Mom tells her.
"Okay. Esme and Carlisle." Bella smiles at them.
Gabriella pulls on my shirt to get my attention and gives me a glare before her eyes move to Bella.
"And this here is my impatient little girl. Gabriella." I say as I hug my daughter to me.
"It took you long enough, Daddy." Gabriella exclaims as she lets go and wraps her arms around Bella.
Bella hugs Gabriella back and places a kiss on her head. "It is wonderful to meet you, Gabriella. I have heard so many wonderful things about all of you." She says to everyone.
"It's wonderful to meet you too." Gabriella laughs and pulls back.
"Okay, Edward, you've had her all to yourself for weeks and we gave you time to introduce us. It's our turn with the girl that may become our daughter." Esme teases as she and Carlisle turn to take Bella away.
As she laces her arms with Bella, I see the blush rising on her cheeks at my mother's comment. That blush stops my heart every time.
"Bella, Carlisle and I have made lunch reservation at La Petite Italia. In the meantime, Edward will be spending some time catching up with Gabriella. We will meet you both later in the evening." Mom explains and loops her arm with Bella's.
Bella smiles and looks down at Gabriella as she holds on to me.
"Gabriella, I hope you have a wonderful time with Daddy. I'm sorry for taking him away from you."
"It's okay. He will be home soon. And...I like you." Gabriella smiles up at her.
"I promise you will have a nice time. I get some time with this little princess and they get you." I explain to Bella. "Gabriella and I are told to meet you here tonight. Some type of surprise?"
"Ah, yes. I will see you both later this evening." Bella smiles and turns to Gabriella. "Enjoy your day with Daddy, I look forward to tonight." she smiles down at her.
"Thank you!" Gabriella says and looks up at me with a smile on her face.
When my parents and Bella head out, Gabriella turns to me. "I like her." She simply says and runs to prepare for our day out.
Later that night….
"Bella, where are you taking us?" I say as I sit in the backseat of the car.
"Are we there yet?" Gabriella shouts excitedly. She is also in the dark about Bella's surprise but excited about the prospect.
"I can't see anything and I don't know if you are kidnapping us or driving us to a mysterious location to dump our bodies." I laugh as I picture Bella shaking her head and smiling.
"Daddy!" Gabriella exclaims and grabs my hand.
"Your daddy is joking Gabriella. I promise it's a good surprise." Bella laughs as the car comes to a stop.
"Here we go, Daddy!" My daughter exclaims as she bounces in her seat.
"Here we go." I smile and give her hand a squeeze.
Once we are both out the car, I hear Esme and Carlisle come up behind us.
"I will lead this one in, if you ladies lead the little munchkin." Dad says as he places his hands on my shoulder.
"We've got her." Bella and Mom both say.
A few steps later, we are led inside a building and I hear slow, classical music playing.
"Okay." Bella says, but I hear the nervousness in her voice.
She must have taken off Gabriella's blindfold because I feel her next to me and next I hear my daughters gasp.
"Daddy!" Gabriella cries out in what I know is joy. "It's magical!"
Hearing my daughter's giggles and awe, I know that whatever the surprise is has made her day. It has made her happy and that is all I want for her. I want her to see that even though I am away I am doing this for her and I.
Bella laughs and places her hands over my blindfold. Before she removes it, I turn to her and wrap my arms around her.
"Thank you." I whisper.
"You don't even know what it is yet." Bella says with what I'm sure is a smile on her face.
"I know but my daughter's reaction tells me all I need to know. So thank you." I lean down, bringing her closer and place a kiss on her forehead.
"You're welcome." She whispers and turns me back around.
When she finally removes the blindfold, I am at a loss for words. We are standing in my daughter's school gymnasium. It would be just another gymnasium if not for the decor that adorns it. There are snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, balloons in white, silver and blue, white lights streamed around a stage where the music is playing softly. And in the very middle shines a spotlight shaped as a snowflake.
"Welcome to your father/daughter dance." Bella smiles up at me.
"Daddy!" Gabriella squeals and turns to Bella. "Thank you, Bella. This is the best gift ever!" She says and wraps her little arms around Bella's waist.
"No girl should ever miss her daddy/daughter dance." Bella smiles and grabs Gabriella in a tight hug.
"Daddy, may I have this dance?" Gabriella turns to me.
"Why, yes you may. You can have them all."
"Okay, but I need to leave some for Bella too." she smiles over at Bella and steers me toward the dance floor.
For the rest of the evening, my daughter and I dance along to the music. We waltz, we tango, we do some funny form of a Cha Cha and spin throughout the dance floor. She is having such a wonderful time that I can't help but feel like all is right in the world. This was something that I was sad to miss but, because of Bella, we were able to make up for it with this special evening.
When a slow song starts, Gabriella huffs and declares that she is thirsty. My mother and father offer to get her something to drink and eat as they lead her away.
This gives me a chance to turn to the woman that made this all possible. Bella sits at the only table in the gym looking over at me with a smile.
"Can I have this dance?" I ask her as the next song starts.
She nods and we make our way towards the dance floor.
"You don't know how happy you've made her." I tell her as I bring her closer.
"I heard the sadness in your voice when you spoke about missing it. I wanted to take away that sadness, for both of you. I spoke to the producers and they helped put all of this together. I didn't want either of you to miss out on this moment." She says as looks up at me.
"What did I do to deserve you? Whatever it is, I thank my lucky stars." I tell her and place a kiss on her lips. She returns the kiss and then leans her head on my shoulder.
Bella and I dance in each other's arms until we hear Gabriella and my parents coming back.
Gabriella pulls on Bella's dress to get her attention.
"Oh, I'm sorry for stealing your daddy." Bella apologizes and pulls back.
"No silly. Would you…" she starts but pauses. "Would you like to dance with me?" she asks timidly.
"Oh!" Bella exclaims. "I would love that." She smiles and turns to grab my daughter's hands.
They both giggle and start waltzing around the dance floor. Looking at both girls on the dance floor, I feel the rightness in this moment. I can picture years of dances and family outings. They are both so taken with each other and I'm absolutely taken with the lady that holds my daughter in her arms.
"She is a good woman." Esme says as she invites me to dance.
"She is incredible." I whisper as I watch the girls on the dance floor.
"You love her." mom says matter-of-factly. It is not a question but an observation.
"I think I do." I say and then turn to her. "I know I do." I correct myself. There is no thinking about it. I am in love with her.
"But you care about Tanya, too." she adds.
"Yes." I sigh and look at my mother. "What do I do, Mom?" I ask her.
"That, my boy, I can't answer. You have to follow your heart. What does your heart tell you? " She says and then places a kiss on my cheek. "I think you've known the answer all along." She smiles at me and turns to find my dad.
However, my dad is not sitting down. Instead, I see him dancing with Bella and Gabriella on the opposite side of the gym. I see Bella smile as he leans in to tell her something. She then looks up at him and nods her head before turning to look at me.
"I think your father is smitten with her, as well." mom laughs and heads to meet my father in the center.
That night when I drop Bella off and I don't want to let her go. After realizing, or maybe accepting, that I loved her, I didn't want to spend another moment away from her. I wanted her to know that what I felt was real.
"I will see you soon." She smiles sadly.
"I don't want to let you go." I admit as I hug her to me.
"I know." She sighs and leans her head on my shoulder.
"Bella…" I start at the same time Gabriella startles.
"Daddy." She cries out from the car.
Reluctantly, I pull back.
"Sleeping Beauty calls." I smile and give her one last kiss. "Thank you for tonight."
"Thank you for everything, Edward. Tell Gabriella I said goodnight." Bella and squeezes my hand before turning to the head up the stairs.
That night, I fall asleep thinking about the girl that has held my heart in her hands since the very first time I saw her.
My choice was always clear...