Chapter 26

AN: So…I finally have an update for you! It is long overdue, as seems to be my usual mode of operation lately. But, it has arrived nonetheless. This is pretty short, but I just wanted to get something out there. Thanks for all of the new alerts, favorites, etc. I know how frustrating it is to get involved with a story that is incomplete, and I thank you for your patience with me. As always, I plan to see this through…eventually :) Happy reading!

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If I had loved the outside of Edward's home, it was nothing compared to the rest of the place. This was seriously my dream house. All the things I'd imagined having someday were here.

He gave me a quick tour of the main floor, which consisted of a spacious living room and open-concept kitchen, as well as a guest room and bathroom. Everything was decorated in a way that was tasteful and masculine - yet had a homey lived-in vibe too. It felt like home and I was immediately comfortable there.

Next up was the den, which was awesome. Large widescreen TV. Comfy looking leather couches. Pool table. Gorgeous aquarium. Dang, I could definitely see spending some time here with friends over, or just the two of us.

But, as awesome as that was, we then headed out back, to the most perfect place I could have imagined. The yard was huge and well-landscaped, with an in-ground pool to boot. But my favorite part was the wrap-around porch, complete with rockers and a bench swing.

I had always wanted that. To find someone to share my life with and to sit on the porch together, just chatting and enjoying one another's company.

Yep, I'm a sentimental fool. But I don't care.

Man, I hope tonight goes well. I want Edward to be comfortable with me and this is certainly a step in the right direction. But, if things don't work out between us, I know I will be devastated. I'm in too deep now and I really want this…want him.

Maybe it was crazy, but just standing here - I could picture a future life with Edward. Just the domestic bliss of everyday life, but one spent together. What a nice dream. And just about now, it felt like it could become an actual reality. Hopefully. If things continued to go well for us and we could sort through all our respective baggage.

I sensed Edward's eyes on me, and found him watching closely and gauging my reaction.

"Babe," I breathed. "Your place is seriously amazing."

"Thanks, Em," he replied quietly. "Come back inside, dinner should be ready by now."

I followed him in, enjoying the delicious smells of dinner wafting through the house. Edward was seriously besting me here, on all fronts, but I am a-ok with that. How could I complain about this beautiful home or a home-cooked dinner? Especially when they come from my man.

We sat down to a picture perfect meal. His cooking ability couldn't be further from mine. And the taste…it was heaven.

"Man, this is delicious Edward. Where did you learn to cook like this?"

He blushed a little before replying, "My Mom taught me. I used to love helping her in the kitchen as a child, and never really grew out of it."

"Well," I suggested, with a wink, "You can cook for me anytime babe."

That earned me the crooked smirk that I was waiting for. I never wanted to see it leave his face.

Our conversation flowed easily from there and it seemed that Edward had let go of his earlier tension. There were no new revelations, no heavy topics. But, I felt it was a huge step forward in our relationship.

After dinner, I waited on the couch while Edward cleaned up. He refused to let me help.

My eye caught on a photo of him with his Dad and a beautiful woman I assumed was his mother. They looked happy, standing on a beach with the sun beginning to set behind them.

"When was this taken?" I called out, holding the picture up for Edward to see.

He dried his hands on a kitchen towel and came to take a closer look.

I heard his breath catch before he answered, "Oh…that. That was the summer before my sophomore year of college…before I transferred to Chicago."

"I didn't know you transferred there," I mused aloud. "Were did you go before that?"

I turned to see his answer, but Edward was already heading swiftly back to the kitchen.

I figured he had some things to finish up, and went back to examine the photo. The lower half was shadowed, due to the setting sun. I was studying my man closely, noting the differences in his hair and build from his younger days. Something about his leg didn't look right. It looked misshapen or something - and I know that is far from the truth. I continued to peer at the photo and noticed an object lying in the sand, off to the side. After some scrutiny, I finally determined it to be a pair of crutches.

Then it clicked, Edward had a cast on. Now that I knew it, it was hard to miss. The shadow of the evening had hid it well, at first, but now it stood out starkly.

I wanted to ask, but for some reason felt that I shouldn't. I don't know why, but I put the photo back in its spot, just as Edward returned with some coffee.