Aw thanks so much people! It is really kind of you. The reviews and follows and favs. Cheers all over! X

NOW it feels like a tad bit of pressure, hope you stick with it and enjoy : - )


Chapter 28

Thursday 23rd August 2012

"Edward…I mean Mr. Cullen" Faith sits shocked.

"You must understand why Faith" He told her everything, he had to man up.

Faith lifts her eyes to her boss. She feels for Bella, her heartaches for what they went through little did she know all this was going on the past four years.

Edward didn't tell her about the rape, just the reason he is resigning. "I am…"

"You are trying, the both of you are" Faith gives him a smile. "That is all you can do…try, together"

Edward nods. "I love her so much"

"I know Bella loves you too" Faith smiles. "It is for the best"

"I agree" Edward nods.

"So I guess I will set that meeting with Mr. Volturi up for tomorrow"

"Thank you, and can you put my contract on my desk, I would like a chance to look it over before my meeting"

"Of course" Faith nods, she stands from her seat in front of his desk. "I'll be right back with it"

Edward smiles and lets her get to work.


"So I found your guy"

"Where is he?"

"Edward I want you to think this through"

"I have, tell me where he is" Edward demands.

"Down in Sacramento" Emmett says.

"I need an address Emmett" Edward pushes he knows Emmett is an amazing police officer, he knows Emmett has an address for him. "Emmett"

Emmett reluctantly reads off James' place of employment.


"Riley!" Masen shouts, he is with his mom and the girls getting school things.

Nancy Biers smiles and waves to Bella. "Hey, how has your summer been?"

Bella nods, her eyes dart around looking for James, she feels her body on over drive right now and she needs to try to relax all the kids are with her. She holds Ava close and watches Paget and Lucy skipping around together while Masen talks to Riley. "Okay"

"Ours was" She rolls her eyes. "His dad ran off a few weeks ago" Nancy confesses. "It has been hard on Riley but" Nancy shrugs and forces a smile. "We will cope, we always do" James has never really been a part of Riley's life, so it is better this way.

Bella nods, she looks at the little boy talking to her son. He is so unaware of what his father is capable of. And in this moment she loves Edward even more. Loves him for loving her, and loving their children.

"Getting ready for school?"

"Yeah" Bella nods. "We should get going and let you go" Bella says. "Mas, say bye to Riley"

"Aw man" Masen pouts. "Bye Riley" He says. "See you at school soon"

"Maybe you can have a play date before" Bella offers looking at Nancy. She gets a smile from her before nodding and heading off with her bunch.


Edward leaves work…content. No Jane run-ins, meeting with Aro set for tomorrow at 10. He has his contract read over and conferred with Jasper this afternoon and it should be fine but it is protocol to give 3months notice. Edward is hoping for a week…or less as a weeks' notice would have really been this past Monday. But he feels good leaving work today. He feels happy and ready to take on this new chapter.

This weekend he will know better what will happen next week and be able to talk to Carlisle with more information. He will need to talk to Bella also about what they really want to do.


Bella moves around the kitchen, the kids are scattered around the house really soaking up the last two weeks of summer they have left. She pulls the chicken from the oven.

She hears the choirs sounds of 'Daddy' ringing through the house. Smiling to herself she waits for him.

"Hi" He says to her, she is turned facing him and leaning on the counter.

"Hi" Bella shifts from one foot to the other. "How was your day?"

"Good, how was yours?" Edward stays still, but he wants her to come to him, or vice versa and just kiss her.

"I spoke to my dad today; he is worried about me…us still"

"What did he say?" Edward questions her.

"Just he loves me, and hopes I am doing alright, he hasn't told anyone but wants me to still"

"He is right sweet heart"

"I know" Bella licks her lips and gives him a little smile. "It was okay…ran into Nancy Biers"

Edward arches his eyebrows at this change of topic.

"He took off" She says, it is almost a statement of relief. She is relived.

Edward nods, he knows from Emmett but he is not going to tell her this information. She can't know anything.

"I-I" She stops when Paget runs into the kitchen.

"Hi Daddy" She bats her eyelashes at her father.

Edward laughs and lifts the little diva. "Hello my love"

Paget sits in his arms and rests her elbow on his shoulder propping her tiny fist on her cheek. "I missed you today"

"I missed you too Pag"

"Down please" She requests.

Edward presses a kiss to her forehead and puts her down, she runs off completely satisfied with her short one on one actions. She doesn't like to share that one. Edward smiles as she disappears. He turns back to his wife. "Finish sweetheart" He waits for her to finish her thought.

"I don't know how I feel"

"We can go after him Bella, and press charges"

"I can't Edward" She hangs her head and covers her face taking a few deep breaths.

"Okay" He says.

"I feel better knowing he is gone"

"Do you worry he will come back?" He watches her lift her head and then shake it telling him no. "Why?"

"He got what he wanted didn't he" She says so simply.

Edward looks at her with sad eyes. "He won't break you" He refuses to let that happen.

"No" She gives him a sad smile. "No he won't"


Lucy lies in bed, she has moved into her own room now. The guest bedroom belongs to her. She and Bella set it up this week. She wanted to start the school year off 'a big girl'. So sharing with the two little ones was not going to work.

Edward got her a laptop for her desk, which was nice of him.

Sitting on the bed Bella smiles tucking her girl under. "Goodnight sweet girl" Bella leans in and kisses Lucy softly. "I love you"

"I love you too…Mom"

Bella smiles and strokes her cheek.

"Do you think my real mom would be mad if I call you Mom?"

"No" Bella smiles and shakes her head. Her finger tips trace lightly over Lucy's stunning features. "I don't think she would be mad or upset at all"

"I still love her"

"Of course you do" Bella says.

"I love you and Edward as well…do you think I can call him Daddy?"

"I think he would love to hear that" Bella smiles. "We love you so much Lucy, so much"

"Even though I am not your real kid?"

"Oh Lucy, you are ours in every way that matters, every way"

Lucy smiles and shuts her eyes. "Night mom, can you send daddy in?"

Bella smiles and leans in kissing her daughter again. "He will be right with you" She stands tucking her more under the covers and heading to get Edward.


"Lucy just called me dad" Edward announces with a shocked expression.

Bella is in bed with her laptop and smiles; he looks so shocked, and happy. Very sweet.

"Do you think she wants me as her dad?" Edward looks at his wife in sleep pants and a tank top, her cute bare feet up on the bed and her laptop on her lap.

"Yes" Bella says softly watching him with a tiny smile. "You are the best Dad"

Edward smiles at her. "I feel, so many feelings, I was worried when we took her, she is 7 and that's a lot of years with her mother and to want us"

Bella smiles as she powers down her computer and shuts the top to set it on her night table. She stretches out her legs and looks at him still against the door happy, beaming like a goof.

Edward finds her eyes. "She calls you mom"

Bella nods. "She was worried, normal stuff, but I told her it was okay"

"Yeah" He breathes moving and climbing onto the bed with his wife. He lies next to her sitting body. Edward watches her wiggle/scoot downwards to lie out stretched next to him. "I love you Bella"

She turns into his warm body. His clean white shirt fits him perfectly. His boxer briefs are black and his hairy legs grazes hers lightly.

"Tell me you love me" He whispers as they lie face to face.

Bella smiles. "I love you Edward"

"Say it again" He demands softly.

"I love you so much, so damn much"

He smiles. "Can I kiss you?"

"Please do" She mutters shutting her eyes ready for the kiss.

Cupping the side of her face that is not pressed into a pillow, he leans in and presses a few soft pecks on her pouty lips.

"That's nice" She whispers giving him a kiss back, both pull away and rest watching each other.

"How are you feeling?"

"Um…"

"About everything…yourself, me, us"

Bella smiles. "I feel alright" She moves her hand under his shirt and strokes his chest. His hair there is downy and scattered around. She smiles just touching him lightly.

Edward sighs and shuts his eyes enjoying her loving touch. "My meeting with Aro is tomorrow" He says softly, he thinks her hand will stop, but it doesn't.

"Good luck" She whispers watching him, his eyes are shut lightly. "It will be fine" She continues to touch him and hears his breathing increase. She knows she won't be able to make love to him but hopes this is enough for now. "Do you want me to stop Edward?"

"No" He pushes out hoarsely. She feels amazing, her touching him even if he isn't touching her back. He loves her so damn much.

Bella watches his face and both hands are touching his chest. "Roll on your back" She whispers and she goes on her knees when he does her hands still under his white tee. They stroke up and down his chest. Through the soft hair she finds so sexy. Around his nipples.

Edward growls and arches his back. His hands behaving themselves flat against the bed.

She can see his erection and wants to help him so much. "Edward…tell me what you need"

"Nothing sweet heart" He grunts out not wanting to push her.

"I can't" She leans down and whispers. "But I want to help you"

Edward gets brave and touches her face trapping it with both hands, her eyes widen in fear and her hands still under his tee. "It's okay Bella" He whispers bringing her face to his, her hands press into his chest bracing herself, keeping some distance so she didn't topple right against his body.

She kisses him slowly, lightly, softly, lovingly. Her finger tips lightly brush his skin again; she swallows his groans as she flicks his nipples.

He is going to kill her that he is sure of. "Enough" He pulls back from the kiss.

"I'm sorry" She pulls away quickly and sits back on her legs, her hands slip from under his tee and rest on her thighs. She hangs her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…I'm so"

"Bella you're not" He stops her there, pushing up he touches her claps hands. Bringing them to his lips he kisses them. "I love you"

Lifting her eyes. "I'm sorry"

"For what?" He says looking at her like she is silly.

"Doing that to you and not following through"

"I enjoyed it Bella"

"Now you are being crazy"

"I did, because I know when we do make love again, it will be so amazing and special" He whispers kissing her hands again as he still holds them.

Bella sits with heavy eyes looking at her husband sitting next to her.

"Let's go to sleep?"

She nods and scoots down when he does. She feels him pull the cover up around her then himself. Lying on her side she looks at him lie on his back. He last thing she sees is him next to her the last thing she hears is a faint 'I love you' in the night of their bedroom.


Friday 24th August 2012

"Oh my" Aro says, his hands claps on his desk, his elbows bend and propped up. Both of his index fingers pointing up as his fingers link together. He looks at his prize. Edward Cullen.

"I'm sorry, I know this isn't what you want to hear" Edward has not told Aro the 'real' reason for this. Simply that he needs a change in his life and leaving Volturi is what he feels he needs to do.

"No Edward, when you called this meeting this is not what I expected, nor wanted to hear" He stares at the man.

"Again Aro, I'm sorry, but I need to do this"

"I deserve a reason don't you think?" Aro cocks his head to the side and taps his pursed lips with his two fingers as they still are joined together.

"I'm afraid the only reason I can give you is Bella, and that is all"

"Hmm" Aro makes a sound looking at Edward. "I am less than thrilled to say the least Edward, you have made this company a lot of money, and you have made a lot of money"

Edward doesn't remark on that truth.

"How will you live?"

"We will make it"

"Hmm" Aro says again.

"I will finish up the deal that closes next week, and attend the party on Saturday if that is what you wish"

"That is commendable" Aro speaks.

Edward only nods. He feared going into the unknown would be hard, but right now he feels ready and more alive than ever to start his life again with Bella and his family. Really start it with all this in the past and gone.


Edward walks into the house, it is very quiet. "Hello?" He calls out.

"Hey" Bella appears coming down the steps. "They are watching a movie" She whispers smiling at him.

"All of them…together?"

Laughing she nods taking his hand and pulling him to the living room to see.

"Well" Edward says shocked as there is a half empty bowl of popcorn and the kids sitting watching a DVD. "I can't believe they are watching the same thing…and Masen watching Tinkerbell…huh?"

Bella laughs. "It is not just a girl movie" She rolls her eyes and pulls him off. "How did it go?" She wants to know; she wanted to call him all day but didn't want to bother him at work.

Edward watches her pour him a glass of wine.

When she turns he has untied his necktie and it hangs loose around his neck with his top button undone. She waits for him to sit at the stool and slides the wine glass slowly across.

Taking a sip he rests it back down watching her. "He was Aro" Edward shrugs. Aro's reaction was to be expected, he is a very controlled man. He doesn't show his Aces if you will. He knows backlash will come but in what form he is unsure of.

"So you don't know his true feelings" Bella elaborates. She watches him take another sip.

"Correct"

Bella nods. "Edward, are we doing the right thing?"

"I don't know, how do you feel about it?"

"I feel relieved that you won't be working with her anymore"

"Then we are doing the right thing, I only care about how you feel Bella, how our kids are…that's it"

"But you need to be happy as well right?"

"I'm most happy when you are happy sweet heart, don't you get that by now…you are my life"

Bella smiles at him, her head tipped to the side. "I love you" She says softly, her eyes connected to his. "How can I love you so much?"

Edward smile and twirls his wine glass just looking directly at her. "I ask myself that question all the time" How can she love him he doesn't know but he is so lucky that she does.

The doorbell brings them out of their personal connection and both turn towards the way the main door is.

"Who is that?" Edward frowns. It is 6:30 at night.

"I don't know" Bella moves to exit the kitchen. They have a flick lock much like hotel room doors at the very top of the door so the kids can't open it when they see fit. And a dead bolt which they can't open either. But Edward had the flick lock installed.

"Stay" He growls standing and looking at her. She stands still watching him leave the kitchen.

He unlocks the door and opens it.

"Hey Cullen"

"Jacob" Edward says with a small sigh. He is not in the mood for this right now. "What are you doing in the city?"

"Have some business on Monday thought I would drive in for the weekend, see my favorite family" He smiles.

"Jakie!" Paget runs out and leaps into his arms. "Hi!"

"Hi beautiful" Jacob kisses her cheek making her giggle.

Edward watches Jacob tickle and toss his little girl around.

"Jacob?" Masen comes out.

"Hey buddy" Jacob gives Masen a high five.

Masen jumps to hit his hand. "Why are you here?"

"On some business and I wanted to see my favorite kids"

Bella walks through holding Ava on her hip. "Jacob?" She says confused, she looks at Edward who looks less than thrilled.

"Hey Bells" He smiles staring at her. She is so wonderful, and beautiful, kind and funny.

"Hi Jake" She gives him a smile before looking to her husband who rubs his forehead. "What are you doing here?"

Lucy walks into the entrance hall and looks around, she frowns. "Why are you here Jacob?"

Edward throws his eyes to this 7 year old as does Bella.

Bella looks embarrassed. "Lucy" She scolds lightly, her tone wasn't welcoming.

"I'm just asking' Lucy shrugs and tucks herself into Edwards side. His protective arm goes around her and he rubs her back lightly.

Edward loves this kid, she doesn't take bullshit.

"Work stuff Monday and was hoping to spend the weekend with you guys"

Bella licks her lips. "You should have called" Bella urges feeling like she is in a tough spot. Ava is falling asleep in her arms not caring about Jacobs presences. Paget is beaming in Jacobs's arms exciting he is here. Masen ran back to the movie, and seems to be excited. Lucy doesn't give a damn, she seems like she would rather him not here.

And Edward. Bella looks at her husband. He wants him gone; they have never been great friends and never will be.

"Aw come on Bells, give a guy a place to stay" Jacob pouts making Paget giggle.

"You can stay in our princess room" Paget pats his head with a giggle.

"Thank you"


While Edward was happy Jacob was with Bella when James was bothering her, he is not so happy right now Jacob is here staying in Lucy's new bedroom…neither is Lucy.

"I'm sorry" Bella says shutting their bedroom door.

"Bella let's not fight, it is only for the weekend" He sighs pulling his shirt off.

She looks at his back and nods. "Okay" She whispers. Neither says anything more as they undress quietly, his back is turned giving her privacy she is grateful for.

"Done?" He questions.

"Yes" She whispers watching him turn to look at her. "Edward I'm sorry"

He smiles and shakes his head. "I'm fine sweet heart" He mutters.

"I don't want you to be mad"

"I'm not; I just wanted a quiet weekend with you, alone, and the kids"

"I'm sorry" She sighs softly.

"It's fine" He steps closer. "I'm going to kiss you now"

Bella stares at him unafraid, wanting. "Yes please" She whispers, her eyes on his lips.

Edward cups her cheeks and tips her head up. He lowers his mouth to hers and she gasps softly. He loves how she always reacts to his touch. "Soft and sweet" He mutters before pressing his lips against hers again.

Bella's fingers grip his white shirt and hold him close. When she needs air she pulls her mouth back and rests her head on his chest. "God" She sighs softly. And in this moment she knows that she wants him in every single way.


OKAY we didn't get to Carlisle BUT we will next part & a bit more drama, drama nothing too crazy *I think*