Warning: Anything Twilight is SM's. No copyright infringement intended. TSS works are mine and Rated Mature. Story may contain some graphic content.

Chapter 27: From Here, Forward

Edward Cullen

Election Day.

I always loved Election Day. And now I love it even more.

Bella said she would marry me today.

Bella Swan is going to marry me! I felt like Will Ferrell in Anchorman when he shouts his feelings through the office.

I wanted to run around and shout it from the roof tops.

Wait I kind of already did that?

I smirked as I thought of our announcement only a few minutes after my father's speech. He gave us a toast on stage.

Bella blushed.

It was gorgeous.

Because you're a fucking pansy now Cullen and you think everything is cute or gorgeous.

I really didn't care though. We spent the rest of the evening dancing, drinking, mingling and accepting congratulations from friends and family. Alice about burst my ear drums when she practically tackled us as we came off the stage. Rosalie was a little more subdued but shot questions left and right, it was like fielding from a throng of hungry reporters.

Emmett of course gave me shit about "the old ball and chain." Jasper and my father just offered their congratulations.

But the worst was my mother. Dear God, the woman was crying like a child and kept kissing me on the cheek and hugging me. And then she would turn to Bella. And then back and start all over again. I had to tell her I wasn't five anymore and she couldn't be doing that shit in public. She of course slapped my arm playfully and said she was my mother and she could do whatever she wanted.

Unfortunately true.

I looked across the room just then and saw our clothes strewn about. After we left the celebration, more like snuck away, we barely made it in the door. I could see the destruction; it was like the path of a tornado from the door. Shoes, dress, tie, shirt, pants and then a moved TV, a tipped over coffee table, bed sheets on the floor, clothes on a lamp shade. I thought back to our celebration of the engagement and couldn't help but wish Bella was off the damn phone with her mother already.

We snuck away from the party, giggling and laughing as we jumped in the elevator.

I grabbed her waist and pressed her into the side of the elevator and ground myself into her. Her hands clutched the lapels of my jacket and I moved my lips along her jaw bone and tickled her with my nose. She shivered and worked her hands under my jacket and pulled me in closer to her.

"Jesus love, you're so fucking sexy in that dress, I can't wait to get my hands on you."

"Baby, we better save this for the room, we don't want any more public displays of affection." She said as she nibbled on my lip and tried to steady herself.

I bent down and took her earlobe in my teeth and smirked. "Says the exhibitionist." She moaned and her hands ran down my back under my jacket.

"You could have stopped me…" Her lips made her way to my neck and I knew she was playing along now.

"And miss out on that… not a chance." I growled into her ear and pulled her into my erection again and she whimpered.

"God, Edward, I want you so much." She tugged on my lip then and the elevator doors opened.

I grabbed her hand and all but sprinted down the hallway. Before I could open the door she pressed herself into my back and ran her hands along my shoulders.

I flung open the door and turned around and picked her up bridal style and she squealed.

"Edward! Your shoulder!"

I walked in the room and practically threw her on the edge of the table holding the TV causing it to wobble and turn. I crashed my lips to hers and she groaned as I stepped in between her legs and instantly thrust her hips into me. Her hands were all over my body working feverishly to undo my tie.

"I don't care Love. Nothing is going to hurt in a few minutes." I said as I hurriedly began to unzip her dress. My mouth locked to hers as our tongues battled for dominance.

"Only a few minutes?" She said coyly between heated kisses.

I growled again and lifted her up and in a flash unzipped her dress. She stood up and pushed her hands into me and the dress fell to the floor and she threw off my jacket. Her lips never left mine, and I was back on her in an instant.

"I think you know that's not the case. But don't worry, this, will only be round one, I am going to take my time with you later." I said as I bit down on the juncture of her neck and then licked it and she shuddered against me, the vibration causing me to become insanely hard.

Then finally I looked down at what she was wearing.

It was as black and white corset with garters and stockings.

"Jesus Christ woman!" I groaned and my hands immediately found her breasts, spilling out the top and she pulled my head down to her. I began to undo the ties to release her perfect breasts and then I bent down and took her pert nipple in my mouth, she moaned and she reached down and undid my belt.

But I never heard it hit the floor.

The next thing I knew it was around my neck and she was pulling me back into her, knocking the TV over further and causing me to fall on top of her.

"Fuck. Edward, I want you. Take me."

I crashed my lips to hers again and lifted her up and she bucked into me. Her move caused me to stumble and I knocked over the coffee table.

"Fuck Bella. I am going to fuck you like you have never been fucked before." I growled, partially from the pain in my shin and partially from the intense throbbing in my groin.

She bit down on my shoulder then and worked her tongue up my neck. "Promise?"

"Is that a challenge?" I smirked into her neck as I ran my teeth along her collarbone.

She wiggled against me again and I felt us hit the bed.

"I don't know Mr. Cullen, what do you think?"

In a second I lifted her up and tossed her on the bed and she squealed again. But she was like a tiger. She crawled back over kneeling on the bed and ferociously undoing my buttons. I finished undoing her corset and tossed haphazardly across the room. Her lips and her hands were all over my chest and then she ran her hand up my length outside my pants.

I groaned and my hands were on her breasts and I pinched her nipple and she yelped and I pulled her into me. I tipped her head back and worked my way up her neck to her ear with my lips.

"I think…I accept…soon to be Mrs. Cullen." With that I pushed her on the bed and dropped my pants and my boxers in one fell swoop.

She was splayed before me in nothing but her panties, stockings and a pair of five inch stilettos.

I crawled up her body like a hunter closing in on its prey. Without notice, I grabbed onto her panties and ripped them off her body and she gasped and then gave me a smoldering look and bit her lip.

"I liked those."

"I like them better off." I said as I bent down forcefully spread her legs with my hands. I didn't wait, I just plunged my tongue into her and she thrust back.

"Fuck. Edward."

I pulled off for just a second. "That's what I'm going to do, I am going to make you scream my name." I said as I replaced my tongue with my fingers and she cried out again, her hands gripping the bed sheet and her eyes closed, head thrown back.

Then I noticed the belt next to us on the bed and without thinking grabbed it in my hand. I removed my fingers and she whimpered and I kissed and licked my way up her body as she squirmed beneath me. But I kept the belt hidden behind my back.

Finally I grabbed her hands in one of mine, and in a flash I bound them with the belt. Her eyes shot open and she gave me a wicked smile, letting me know she was all too willing to play along.

I worked my way to her pulse point, and roughly massaged her breasts. I could feel her heaving beneath me and I slowly made my way back down her body to her warm center.

I slowly teased her nub and plunged two fingers into her and she moaned again. "Fuck, baby, please." She looked at me with dark eyes. Before she could say another word I removed my fingers and drove into her.

"Ah! Edward!" I could feel her clenching around me and I growled, trying to keep my composure. I steadied and then drove into her again.

"Is this what you want Isabella?"

"Fuck, yes, Edward, fuck me!" I didn't let her come down as I thrust into her again and again and she screamed out in pleasure. Her legs locked around me and her heels dug into my back. I ran my hands up her body, across her flat stomach and to her breasts which were bouncing with the force of my thrusts.

The bed was shaking and I had driven us all the way to the top, the bed sheets moving with our rhythm. She was groaning and moaning and bucking against me.

Then I pulled out and flipped her over and moved us to the head board. I grabbed her around her waist and spread her legs and leaned down to her ear.

"Hold on tight Love." She shuddered and I bit down on her shoulder and plunged myself into her again.

"Jesus Christ Edward." She clutched the headboard and it thumped against the wall.

"Fuck Bella, you're so fucking sexy." I pounded into her again and again and sat back to take her in. Her perfect ass in my hands and I pulled my hand back and smacked it to her ass and then rubbed it.

"Fucking A!" She screamed and then thrashed back into me and squeezed herself around me. I growled and drove into her deeper and grabbed on to her shoulders for leverage. The headboard was thumping in time with my thrusts over and over.

Then I turned her slightly and slipped one leg between mine and the other over my hip.

"God. Edward, I'm so close." She cried out and I ran my hand down her neck and her side and to her clit as I teased her. I drove into her again, barely holding off my release.

"You want me to make you come?"

"Fuck yes. Please." She was gripping the headboard and I pulled all the way out and dived in again.

"Ah. Edward."

Barely able to take it anymore, the sounds of her screaming my name and her warm, perfect body around me I rubbed her furiously as I drove into her.

"Yes, yes….Oh my fucking…Jesus Christ…Edward!" She came hard, pulling me into her and convulsing around me.

"Fuck, Bella!" I yelled out, my body going limp as fire shot through my veins.

I dropped her leg and collapsed down next to her, pulling her down with me. I was dazed and panting and my heart was pounding like I just ran a marathon. I could feel her heaving next to me and we lay there spent.

I reached up and untied the belt and rubbed her wrists. Then I moved my hand slowly down to caress her ass where I slapped her.

"Are you alright Love?"

She was panting as well and trying to catch her breath when finally she steadied.

"To use your own words babe…that was fucking awesome."

I chuckled and squeezed her against me as we lay there satiated and happy.

Just then I heard the water running and I looked down.

Yup. Fucking hard again. That woman was going to be the death of me.

But what a way to go.

I jumped up and sprinted for the bathroom and poked my head inside. She was slipping her robe off and I groaned and she turned her head and gave me a devious smile.

"Want to join me?" She smirked.

"Definitely."

*&^%$#

I lay there running my fingers through Bella's hair and staring into her beautiful chocolate brown eyes.

"When do you want to start?" I whispered.

"Um…I don't know. On the honeymoon?" She said tentatively.

If only she knew.

"Love, I would be fine with starting right now." I grinned at her.

"Mr. Cullen you are insatiable." She slapped my chest playfully.

"Well when I have the sexiest, most beautiful woman in the world in my bed, and she will soon be my wife, I can't help it."

She blushed and I kissed her, but I decided to get serious again.

"Really though, I want to start trying as soon as possible." I gently brushed my lips to hers.

"Well when do you want to get married?"

"Also, as soon as possible." I said and she chuckled. "How much time do you think we need to put it all together?"

Her brows furrowed, "a few months maybe. I am sure Alice will help, and she's like a hummingbird on speed when it comes to planning a wedding." She joked.

"How about after Christmas, before things get too crazy. Then we can vacation somewhere warm while it's cold here." I suggested.

"Mmmm. I like the sound of that." She kissed me tenderly.

"So January?"

"January." She agreed.

"Then back to my original question…" I smirked at her.

"Well, I will have to go off the pill, and it usually takes a few months for things to regulate and you're supposed to have one before you try to get pregnant."

"Damn, that means I'm going to have to…" I pouted.

"Yup." She smirked again. "Don't worry, we can think of it as practicing." She winked.

"Well then by all means, we better start practicing now…Ms. Soon to be Bella Cullen."

"I like the sound of that."

"So do I." I pressed my lips to her and we lost ourselves yet again.

*&^%$#

The next morning we walked hand-in-hand down to the campaign brunch. The party the night before was more of a celebration for the entire staff of volunteers, workers and Democratic Party officials; but the brunch was something my parents put on for all of the paid staff. Essentially that includes the staff who up to two years ago gave up other jobs simply to help my father get re-elected.

I bent down and kissed Bella behind her ear and she looked up at with me with a breathtaking smile. I squeezed her hand and walked over to greet my father and mother.

My mother was still giddy with joy from the night before and I decided it would be best to steer clear of her for a while.

Bella and I walked over to a table to join EB, Jared, Rose and Emmett. We chatted as the server brought our food and I couldn't help but steal secret glances at Bella and secret touches.

"So, when are you two going to get hitched?" Emmett asked.

"We were thinking January." I answered.

"Wow, so soon? There's going to be so much to do." Rosalie said.

"I don't want it to be a big affair…" Bella said, but before she could even get the words out Rose and Emmett both started laughing and EB and Jared began to protest.

"Wait til Momma Cullen hears that." Emmett guffawed.

"Good luck." Rosalie said.

"Not a big affair, but Tinkerbell you are getting married!" EB exclaimed.

"You have to have it at the Fairmont!" Jared piped in.

"Stop!" Bella said abruptly.

They all looked at her sheepishly. I had seen that look I knew I didn't like to be on the receiving end of it. But I just sat back and smirked and watched her handle it.

"First of all. I have been married before, and did the whole big church thing. Not going there again." She shot a look at EB.

"Second of all, I realize that we will have to do something big, but I thought we could split it up a bit." She looked at Emmett.

"And lastly, we are going to have it at the Fairmont, at least part of it." She said with finality.

Everyone grew quiet and then the entire table broke out in snickers, myself included.

"What?" She shot everyone a look.

"You. I love it when fierce Bella comes out to play." Rosalie said.

"Well get used to it." She shrugged and popped a piece of fruit in her mouth.

I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I particularly like fierce Bella myself, especially last night."

She winked at me and I smirked.

We proceeded to calm down the crazies with our plans for the wedding. After deciding that we wanted to have it in January, we figured out a compromise on the whole big versus small wedding thing. I knew we would have to invite an absolute fuck load of people, but she didn't feel comfortable giving our vows in front of people she had never even met.

We were going to have a private ceremony at Canlis with only family and close friends, followed by an intimate dinner. Then we would have a large reception at the Fairmont with heavy hors d'oeuvres for the political, business and other friends and acquaintances I was sure we would have to invite.

I still remembered Emmett and Rose's wedding, they had to have it at the convention center to fit all the people. Of course EB and Rose were concerned about getting the invitations out and getting everything together. I could care less, I just wanted to be married to Bella and I agreed with her that if we had to do the public reception then I wanted a private ceremony.

"Any dates in particular?" EB asked with a glint in his eye.

"Well, something that works for both Canlis and the Fairmont, but at least most people don't get married in January so it shouldn't be too difficult." Bella shrugged.

"How about my birthday." EB offered. "January 8th."

"I know when your birthday is…" Bella grumbled. "Why would you want me to have it on your birthday?"

"Because that's the first night you two actually met." He said matter-of-factly.

"What are you talking about?" I was puzzled by his assertion.

"Tinkerbell, don't you remember when we went to the Governor's inauguration?" Bella nodded.

"Well Mr. Man Candy over there couldn't take his eyes off of you and bought you a drink. But you were too chicken shit to stand by the bar because you were afraid you would get caught drinking underage." He snickered and Emmett snorted, I am sure, at his nickname for me. I had learned EB was very…forward.

"It was my birthday that night." He added.

"Oh my God you have to be kidding me." Bella gasped and started laughing. I looked at her and then just shook my head. I thought back to the first day we spent together after we reunited. How we both remembered seeing each other at the inauguration, but couldn't place it for the longest time. All the crazy misses over the years and here we were.

"Well Love, if it works, I think January 8th it is." I smiled at her and pulled her into me and kissed her lightly. She held it longer than planned and I couldn't help but get into it a bit.

"Ahem…some of us are still eating here." Emmett piped in. Rosalie smacked him on the back of the head and the rest of us burst out laughing.

January 8th, in two short months, she would be my wife, and I couldn't bother to wipe the cheesy ass smile off my face for the rest of the day.

*&^%$#

Over the next few weeks Bella and I slipped into our new routine. It was great being able to be home with her every night. Bella set to the task of planning the wedding and of course with Alice and Rosalie's help, booked the venues, had invitations, a guest list, food, the reception hors d'oeuvres, and about a million other things already set.

I honestly don't think Alice sleeps. Like ever.

She would even call me and fire off a thousand questions in a matter of twelve seconds, to which I would rapid fire back "yes, no, maybe, no, yes, yes, no, two, no, four, yes, 989."

The last one was the number of guests we invited. Seriously.

I think we should elope.

Sometimes it fucking sucks to be a Cullen.

But the best part of the last few weeks, was that Bella and I were house hunting. We both felt strange being in the condo after everything that happened with Peter. And tonight our realtor called us with a home that had just gone on the market, and we were going to look at it.

Bella insisted she wanted to be close to either Jasper and Alice or Emmett and Rosalie. However, on our other walk throughs we couldn't find the one that just…fit. Finally, I suggested we look at some places in between the two. Ironically, it appeared that, for once, I was right.

We walked in to the beautifully refurbished classic Tudor and Bella's eyes instantly lit up. It had high arching ceilings and a large winding staircase open to the foyer. There was a large study, with floor to ceiling bookshelves and a sitting area that bowed into the windows. It had four large bedrooms, one of which was a master suite with a huge Jacuzzi tub.

I could only imagine how we could use that…let the baby-making begin.

The yard was private and secluded; it was surrounded by trees and had a partially covered patio, perfect for Harper to run around in. But what sold it for Bella was the state of the art kitchen with Viking appliances. I could tell she loved it by the way she ran her hands down the corian counter tops and sighed.

I looked around the house and I could imagine Harper and other kids running around chasing each other like Emmett and I used to do. My favorite part of the home was the giant home theater in the basement set with a bar and room for all things manly. I could imagine curling up with Bella and watching a movie or having our friends and family over for a big game. There was even a room in the basement for a home gym.

I thought back to only eight months ago. I never thought I would want this, the big family home with all the amenities and the thought of coming home at night to my beautiful wife and kids.

But I did want it; I wanted it all because it was with Bella. I was completely ready to spend the rest of my life with her. The one good thing that came from the entire ordeal with Peter was that it pushed us more together than anything. We were closer and I think it made us both realize just how much we could have lost.

We told the realtor to draw up an offer and both stood there grinning like idiots.

"Did we really just offer to buy our first house?" Bella asked.

"Yes, Love, I think we did." I smiled at her and hugged her to me in what was soon to be, hopefully, our living room.

"Can't you just see it, Christmases and birthdays right here." She burrowed into my chest and sighed.

"Yeah, I can see it. I can see it all Love." I ran my fingers through her hair and held her closer.

"I love you Edward." She looked up at me under her thick lashes.

"I love you too, Bella, you have made me the happiest man in the world and I promise to spend the rest of my life showing you."

I leaned down and kissed her tenderly, the first of many in our new home.

*&^%$#

We drove down the windy road with rain pouring over the windshield. Harper was bouncing in the backseat singing along to the DVD we put on and I held Bella's hand.

She finally got a new car not long after the incident with Peter and I suggested she get a little bit bigger for car for any future "additions" we might have. So there we were in Bella's new Audi Q7 heading to Forks for Thanksgiving.

But she was tense, and I knew why. It wasn't because of Thanksgiving or the wedding planning or work. We were going to see Seth and I knew she was nervous about it.

I just wanted to be there for her. It should seem strange to think of going to a grave as going to see a person, but for me, it was the only place to see him. I never met him; I had no connection to him other than Bella and Harper. Yet, I wanted to go with her and I wanted to tell him, wherever he may be, that I would always love her and Harper and always take care of them.

By the time we pulled into Charlie and Renee's, the sun was peeking through the clouds but the wind was blowing up the fall leaves. We left Seattle in the morning, but with the holiday traffic, the drive took longer this time. We planned to drop off Harper and then continue to Montesano so we could be back by nightfall. It was completely out of the way, but we didn't want to burden Jasper and Alice with bringing her down. And I think Bella needed the time to prepare for the visit.

I stepped out to unbuckle Harper and she practically jumped out of the seat at me.

"Daddy! See Papa Charwe and Gamma Nee!"

"Yup Harps, we're staying at Papa Charlie and Grandma Renee's. C'mon little bud, grab Buddy and let's go inside." I started calling her little bud somehow over the last few weeks. Maybe because Bella said she was starting to take after my mannerisms, nevertheless she seemed to like it and giggled whenever I did.

Bella smiled at us, but it didn't reach her eyes, as we strode to the house and Renee all but jumped us the second we walked in.

"Gamma!" Harper wiggled out of my arms and Renee gave her a big hug.

"How's my angel? Do you want a cookie? Aunt Emily brought over some chocolate chip cookies."

"Yeah!" Harper clapped and Renee set her down and she took off for the kitchen. I couldn't believe how much she had changed and grown since the first time I met her. She wasn't so much of a baby anymore, but a little person, talking and running and playing. I could hear her little charm bracelet clinking as she ran off.

When I gave her the Cullen crest charm the day after the election, Bella cried and Harper loved it. I told Bella regardless, I was going to adopt Harper, but I would leave the decision of changing her name up to her. I knew she was still thinking about it seriously and wanted to talk to Jasper about it as well. I considered Harper my daughter either way, although deep down, I hoped that someday she would officially be a Cullen.

I turned back to Bella and she had a look of hesitation on her face. But Renee noticed as well and stepped forward and gave her a hug and then put her face in her hands.

"You two better get going if you want to be back for dinner. Jazz and Alice will be here around 6:00." Renee gave her a sad smile and Bella nodded.

"Go. This will be a good thing. It's time." She said finally and gave her one last hug.

I nodded at Renee and grabbed Bella's hand and walked over to open the passenger side door for her.

"Love, are you ok?" I asked as I got in the driver's side.

"Yeah." She blew out a breath. "Ok, let's get going."

I nodded and gave her a quick kiss and started the car and backed out to make the drive to Montesano.

*&^%$#

BELLA SWAN

The drive to Montesano was quiet. Edward didn't say much and he didn't try to make light conversation or even change the subject. He could tell I needed the quiet and the peace of mind to prepare. Instead, he just held my hand and gave me a squeeze and a small smile every now and then.

I looked into the back seat at the empty car seat. I debated on bringing Harper, but I thought she was too young to understand. I also didn't know how I would react going to his grave for the first time. I didn't want to scare her; thus, I decided we should just go alone this time.

I looked down at my engagement ring as it sparkled in the light. It was unbelievably beautiful, and when I found out the story behind it, I was even more astounded that Edward would give me something so precious. Then to give Harper the charm, essentially welcoming her into his family, I cried instantly. I knew how much he cared and loved us and how devoted he was to us.

I knew with all my heart that I was completely in love with Edward and ready to start our life together. But it was still hard to think of letting such a huge chapter in my life close. Seth had been a part of my life for over ten years. He gave me a beautiful, smart, funny little girl and he loved me unconditionally. He was a good man, and it tore at my heart to think that he would never meet her.

But the more I thought about Emmett's suggestion and talked it over with June; I knew they were both right. I needed to say good-bye. I needed to let him know that I was okay and we were going to be okay because we had Edward.

I directed Edward to the cemetery and to the spot on the top of a hill lined with several trees. I looked over to the tree under which his headstone lay. I drew a shaky breath and I could feel my chest constricting. I took another deep breath and squeezed Edward's hand harder.

"Do you want to go alone first?" He whispered.

"Um. I don't know." I pondered it for a moment. "No. I want you to come with me." I said.

"Ok."

I reached into the back to grab the flowers I bought in Seattle. They were red chrysanthemums. Seth always loved it when I wore red, and they were the same flowers we had at our wedding.

Edward walked around the side of the car and grabbed my hand. I took another deep breath and slowly walked over to Seth's headstone.

I just stood there. I wasn't sure how long, if it was seconds or minutes or an hour. But I couldn't speak, I didn't cry, I just stood there.

Finally I knelt down and wiped a few leaves off of the top of marble stone and lay the flowers in front of it.

"Seth…" I whispered and instantly tears flooded my eyes. I swallowed hard and continued.

"I miss you." I choked out.

"I'm so sorry I didn't come before. It was so hard with you gone. I have so much to tell you." I let the tears fall and I wiped them away. I could feel Edward's presence, but somehow I knew he stepped back and was giving me this time with Seth.

"Seth, we have a daughter. Her name is Harper Ray, just like we always talked about." I inhaled slowly. "She is so much like you. She's smart and funny and just so laid back and easy-going like you." I smiled at the thought.

"You would have loved her so much." The tears came harder now and I bit my lip and just let the emotion take over. I needed this; I needed to get it all out. I needed to tell him about her after all this time, after three years of bottling it up.

"She's two now. I am sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but I only found out the night you left us. I promise to bring her when she is a bit older. I know she won't understand it now. But I want her to know you; I want her to meet her father."

I drew a deep breath then and let it out slowly. I looked behind me and I saw Edward standing there watching me with glassy eyes and I gave him a small smile.

"Seth, I met someone and he's…he's wonderful, unbelievable really. And he's so good with Harper, he loves her like she's his own." I paused. "And I love him…so much." I sniffled, the tears subsiding.

"His name is Edward Cullen. Would you believe he's the Senator's son." I laughed lightly, like I was talking to my best friend again. Which I was. "We're getting married in January and we just bought a house, where Harper can run around in the back yard. I'm so happy. The happiest I have been since you left. I know you always wanted me to be able to move on and be happy…and it hasn't been easy…but, I want to let you know that I am now." My eyes grew wet again as I pondered my next words.

"That's why I had to come I had to tell you that I am ok, that we are ok. I had to tell you that Harper and I are living our lives and…" I blew out a breath. "I have to tell you good-bye."

I ran my hand down the cool stone again and a light breeze picked up ruffling the flowers. I bent down and kissed the stone and then pulled my wedding ring from my pocket. The ring I wore for over six years and then around my neck for another two. I placed it at the base of the headstone and sat back.

"I love you. I will always love you. Good-bye Seth." I whispered and stood up, wiping away the tears that streamed down my face.

Suddenly I felt warm arms around me and I welcomed the embrace. Edward just held me for an indeterminable amount of time until I turned and buried my head in his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer and kissed the top of my head and laid his head on mine.

Finally Edward cleared his throat and looked down at me. I looked up and gave him a small smile and I knew what he wanted to do.

He bent down and placed a hand on the stone.

"Seth, it's Edward. We've never met, but if we had, I am sure we would have been friends. I am sure you were a good man. And I know how much you loved Bella." He paused.

"I can't imagine not meeting my own daughter. But I promise you, I will treat Harper as if she is my own. In fact I already consider her part of my family. I just wanted you to know that." He took a deep breath.

"Bella is amazing, incredible, more than I ever could have dreamed of. She's my life, and I can't wait to marry her. I don't want to say thank you, because it's unfortunate that you were taken so suddenly. But I will say I am grateful for her every day and I thank you, for loving her as I do, and for Harper."

He stood up then and stepped back. "I love Bella and Harper more than anything in the world. I would do anything for them. You have my word; I will love them and protect them every day of my life."

I walked forward and grabbed his hand and he pulled me into his arms once again. I took a final breath and stepped back and pulled him towards the car. I felt cleansed, the sadness and the anger of the way he was taken melted away in those moments. I finally felt whole, for the first time in three years.

We walked back to the car in silence, when all of a sudden I looked up and stopped abruptly.

Under a tree next to us was Leah Clearwater.

Edward stiffened and I just stared at her.

However, she seemed…different than the last time I saw her, she wasn't angry or mad, she seemed anxious.

At last she stepped forward and cleared her throat. "Hi Bella…can I uh…talk to you for a minute." She said nervously, glancing back and forth between us.

I turned and nodded my head at Edward.

"I'll be by the car if you need me." He shot Leah a look and stepped away.

"He doesn't like me very much huh?" She said and sighed. "Can't say as I blame him."

I didn't know what to say to her. I wasn't sure what she wanted.

She inhaled deeply and began before I could ask her. "I called your parents house, I was hoping you would be home for the holiday and your Mom said you came down here."

I nodded.

"Bella, I just wanted to talk to you…about the way I acted. I never should have come up to Seattle and said those things to you. I just…" She trailed off and her eyes settled on Seth's grave. "I miss him so much sometimes."

"Why? I mean, why did you do it?"

She exhaled. "I know I haven't been very nice to you. And I should have found out the true story behind everything in the article, but…I was jealous and angry…I wasn't thinking clearly." She shook her head and looked down.

I was baffled. Jealous? What could she be jealous about? "I don't understand."

She fidgeted in front of me and wrung her hands. "Bella, I have always been jealous of you. Seth and I were only sixteen months apart and we were always super close growing up. He was the only one there for me when I got pregnant with Quil. I was only nineteen and Quil's father ran off. I didn't have anyone. My Mom was pissed at me, my Dad was pissed at me and they withdrew. Seth was the only one there for me. But, I wasn't able to finish my degree and pursue the things I wanted to and so I pushed Seth to get his." She blew out a breath.

"Then you came along, and completely consumed his world. We were never as close after that. I felt like I lost him then too; like I had no one. And I blamed you for him not going to medical school and us growing apart. But mostly I think I was jealous of what you had since Quil's father was never in the picture."

I couldn't believe my ears. I couldn't believe after all this time, over thirteen years of knowing her, Leah was apologizing to me? I just stared at her in disbelief.

"So when I saw the article in the paper, I was pissed. I was jealous that you apparently moved on and especially when I saw who you moved on with…I thought you forgot Seth, even though he had given you everything and you took him from me." She shrugged. "I know it was stupid and…I know it wasn't really like that."

I stepped forward and swallowed. "Leah, I could never forget Seth…But, I have to move on with my life. I loved your brother very much. I will always love him. But I love Edward and we are getting married and I need to have closure so I can live my life."

She nodded. "I understand that now. That's why I wanted to come see you…to apologize." She grimaced as she said the words. I knew how hard it had to be for her. If there was one thing I knew about Leah Clearwater it was how proud and tough she was. She never let her armor crack, but she was bearing herself before me.

So I did the only thing I could think of; what Seth would have wanted me to do. I stepped forward and gave her hug. She awkwardly returned it and we stood for a moment. I stepped back and just gave her a small smile.

"If you ever want to see Harper, just give me a call, you are always welcome. I would like her to know you and Quil." I said quietly.

"I would like that." She smiled and looked over at Seth's grave again.

"We better get going, we have a long drive back." I started. "It was good to see you Leah. Take care."

"You too."

And for once I actually felt like it was good to see her.

I walked over to the car and Edward pushed off the side where he had been standing.

"Everything okay?" He had a concerned look on his face.

"Great actually." I gave him a light kiss. "Let's get back to Forks so we can celebrate Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be thankful for this year."

He placed his hand on my cheek and gave me another tender kiss.

"Me too."

*&^%$#

By Christmas we closed on our new home, moved our things in from storage and picked out new items for the house. I was ecstatic. I loved my condo, but as soon as I saw the house, I absolutely fell in love with it. It was perfect. I could see Edward and I sitting by the fireplace sipping a glass of wine, or reading a book to Harper in the study. I could see our children playing in the backyard and having friends and family over in our huge new dining room and kitchen. It was everything I ever wanted and more, because I had it with Edward. Our first true home.

We were able to close early on the home because of the unfortunate real estate market, which was not so unfortunate for us. Instead of selling the condo, we decided to simply rent it out. When we first started looking at homes, I balked at the price range and areas Edward suggested.

But then I found out he had more money that God.

Like literally more money than God, and that was just in his trust fund. Not to mention the stock he held in Cullen Enterprises.

It was crazy to think that once we were married, I wouldn't have to be concerned with money anymore. But I was never one caught up on it anyhow.

Edward never acted like he had a lot of money. He worked long hours like everyone else and enjoyed the simple things like I did. So I never gave it much thought as to how much he was really worth.

I still insisted that I would pay for half of the mortgage and he rolled his eyes at me. To say we had an intense conversation about how to move forward with our money situation is a bit of an understatement. He knew I wanted to work and I wanted to contribute and he never suggested that I shouldn't.

As he mentioned, on more than one occasion, he had seen the wrath of "fiery Bella" at the Primary and decided he did not want to be on the receiving end of that. Still, however, he had some intense need to buy and do everything for me and the independent woman in me bucked against that. But he wouldn't take no for an answer this time.

"Love, why won't you just let me buy the house. You already own the condo and you can take care of that. Deal?"

A compromise; I could handle that. But I absolutely refused to let him buy me a new car. My new Q7 was coming straight out of my paycheck and when I shot him the "don't go there" look after he suggested it would be an "early wedding present" he snapped his mouth shut and didn't utter another peep.

On December 23rd we found ourselves in our new home surrounded by friends and family, both to celebrate the holiday early and as a housewarming party. Because we went to Forks for Thanksgiving, we were spending Christmas at Carlisle and Esme's. I decided, however, to have everyone over that night to see the new house.

I could hear the buzz of everyone around me. I loved having the space to have so many people over. I knew Edward loved it as well, especially the man cave in the basement where he and Emmett disappeared to almost immediately.

My parents, Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Alice, Sam, Emily, Rosalie, a very pregnant and overdo Kate, Garrett, Angela and Ben along with all of the kids were milling about the house chatting and eating appetizers and simply enjoying the time off. Even EB and Jared and Tanya were planning to stop by later. Tanya apparently had a new boyfriend and according to Edward was head over heels for him. He and Tanya had become good friends after the whole Peter incident and I grew to respect her and like her as well.

I was pulling some hot artichoke dip out of the oven when Jasper walked into the kitchen.

"Hey Bell, do you need any help?"

"I'm good Jazz, but thanks."

He leaned against the counter and sipped his beer and I could tell he was pondering something. Jasper always scrunched his eyebrows together and pursed his lips when he was trying to decide how to bring up a topic. It was the savvy politician's one tell, and I knew it all too well.

"Something going on Jazz?"

He blew out a breath and walked around to sit at the island. He patted the spot next to him and I tossed the mitts on the counter while I let the dip cool for a minute and walked over to sit by him.

"Bell, I just wanted to say…well… I'm proud of you."

I shook my head. "For what Jazz?"

"For how you have handled everything. Raising Harper, moving here, everything that has happened in the last few months…well, last few years actually."

"Oh."

He took another sip of his beer and set it on the counter and turned to look at me.

"Bell, I never told you this because I could see how much pain you were in, but I was worried. We all were. You weren't the same after Seth died for a long time, and I finally felt like I was getting my sister back these last few months. I think that is in large part due to Edward."

I smiled. He was right. I was happy and I knew it was because of Edward.

"He's a good man Jazz." I whispered.

"I know." He took another sip. "You're lucky you know. You've had two good men in your life."

"I know." I nodded and looked down. It was something I was amazed with all the time.

"When Seth was killed…" Jasper took on a dark look then. "I was so furious. I was hurt and angry and sad. I missed going to U-Dub games with him or just shooting the shit over a few beers. He was like the brother I never had."

"Jazz…" I whispered. I could feel my eyes well up. Jasper never got emotional, ever. He was always even keel.

"That's why I pursued the lawsuit so much. I was pissed as hell and I had to find a way to channel it. The grief, the anger, I put it all into getting back at Marconi." He sighed. "I'm sorry if I forced you into it. I realized later that I felt better after the settlement, but I knew you didn't."

"Jazz, you didn't force me into anything." I shook my head again.

"No, Bell, I need to say this. I am sorry for not being more attentive to what you needed in the early months. I know Alice was, but I should have been too. And I can't help but feel like some of the whole situation with Peter was partly my fault. Maybe if I hadn't been so relentless in going after Marconi then it wouldn't have caused him to do the things he did and have Peter take it out on you."

He swallowed. "I was so worried about you after Edward's accident and the incident with Peter. I couldn't help but think if something happened to him, how it would kill you. I would have felt completely at blame."

"No, Jazz. Stop." I put my hand on his face and turned him to look at me. "I've realized over the last few months, we couldn't have done anything about it. Regardless, Peter was jealous about the Senate seat, Marconi had his own issues. But the way they responded is by no means your fault." I squeezed his arm then and he nodded.

We sat in silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of our friends and family around us.

"Well, I just want you to know I'm happy for you. Edward is really great for both of you. I can see how wonderful he is with Harper and I am so glad that you both have him in your lives." He said sincerely.

"Thanks Jazz. I'm really glad too." I gave him a hug and then sat back after a moment.

"Jazz there's something I have been meaning to ask you..." I trailed off.

"Shoot."

"Well, you know we have moved up the adoption and everything?" He nodded. "I had Jenks file the papers on October 12th and the petition hearing was a week ago so we are just waiting for the judge's order."

"That's great."

"Yeah, I am keeping it a secret though; I want to surprise Edward when it gets finalized. But I'm not sure what to do about Harper's name?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Edward is the only father she has ever known, even though Seth is her biological father." I paused. "I guess I was wondering how come you never changed your name, even though you really considered Charlie your father."

"Ah." Jasper nodded knowingly and took a sip of his beer. "Well, Charlie didn't officially adopt me until I was ten, right after you were born. And by that point, I was old enough to know what was going on and Mom and Dad asked me if I wanted to change my name. It seemed like a big deal at the time to do it, so I said I was fine remaining a Whitlock." He stopped for a moment. "I kind of regretted it once I got older and I realized how important Charlie was to my life, but by then, I was used to my name and I figured everyone else was as well."

He blew out a breath then. "But, I'll admit part of the reason I didn't change it was because I wanted to prove my real father wrong."

"How so?" I was perplexed by his statement.

"I have always had political aspirations, as you well know." He smirked at me and I laughed. Jazz was Class President, Student Council President, pretty much an officer in every club he was ever in for as long as I can remember.

"And because of that, if I ever made it to become Governor or a Congressman, I wanted him to know just how well I did without him, in spite of him." He took another sip and thought for a moment. "It sounds trite now. Now that I'm older and I understand it. I do consider Charlie my father in every way possible and you and Emily my full-blooded sisters. Maybe it's my competitive nature or something, but I can't help but still feel that tinge of smugness you know."

I could understand that. I learned in talking to June that it was part of the reason I was so closed off after Seth died. Once I made the decision that I was going to raise Harper by myself, I wanted to prove to people that I could do it, that I was strong enough to do it on my own. It only showed how much Jasper and I were alike in a lot of ways.

"I can see that." I said and paused. Then I asked the million dollar question. "What do you think I should do with Harper?"

"I can't tell you that Bella." He said. "But think of it this way: what's holding you back from changing it?"

I furrowed my brow and pondered it. What was holding me back? Seth never met her, and she never met him. They had no emotional ties. Sue and Leah were never involved in her life. She considered Edward her father, Carlisle and Esme her grandparents and Rose and Emmett and their kids her Aunt and Uncle and cousins. For all intents and purposes, she was a Cullen as much as I would be once we were married.

"I guess the fact that it's the only thing tying either me or her to Seth."

"There are other ways to do that."

"True." He was right. There were other ways. And even though I thought I would never change her name, I wanted to now. I wanted to move forward as a family. If we had more kids, I wanted them all to have the same name.

Just then I heard a commotion in the other room and people shuffling about. Edward and Emmett came running upstairs from the basement and Garrett was frantically looking for his keys.

"What's going on?"

"Fucking hell, my water just broke all over your new rug." Kate screeched.

"Holy shit Kate you're in labor! Do you need me to call an ambulance or something?" I said abruptly running over to her.

"Aunt Bella you said a bad word." Avery chimed in. Crap forgot about the kids, but I seriously didn't care about swearing at a time like this.

"No Bella. Garret will take me to the hospital."

Emily and Sam were instantly by her side and Ben was trying to calm down Garrett and help him find their keys.

"Got em!" Ben yelled.

Kate hurried into her coat and Garrett and Edward helped her to their car as I followed close behind.

I gave her a quick hug to send them off. I was so excited for her, but I knew Kate, she would not want a big commotion. She didn't even want anyone at the hospital until after the baby was born. It was something she made very clear to everyone for the last few months.

"Good luck Katie, call me when little M gets here!" I closed her door for her and Garrett all but peeled out of our driveway and I watched as they drove away.

Edward wrapped his arms around me and bent down and whispered in my ear. "I can't wait 'til that's us." He kissed just below my ear.

I sighed and melted into him. "I know."

*&^%$#

Makenna Belle Monroe was born at 11:31 that night. Garrett called to tell us that mother and baby were doing well.

I almost cried, however, knowing that their little girl's middle name was after me. I was going to be a Godparent for the little one, before we knew it was a girl, but I never knew they were considering naming her after me. I was touched. Especially since Kate was a person of few words. But she didn't need words, she acted and it meant even more.

The next morning, the morning of Christmas Eve, I stepped on the porch to the mailbox and found a letter from the King County Court Administrator. I drew a breath and opened it quickly.

Inside was a letter from the court administrator and the Order for Adoption from the judge.

It was official. Harper was Edward's daughter.

Now, I just had one more thing to do.

After I spoke with Jasper last night, I was positive I wanted to change her name. She would be a Cullen in every way possible. As a surprise for Edward, I cornered Alice and asked her to make me a little present that I could give to Edward at Christmas.

Ali of course squealed with delight and I had to shush her before someone asked us what we were doing. But now that I had the order as well, it was perfect.

We celebrated Christmas Eve with my family and then on Christmas morning went to Carlisle and Esme's for Christmas Day. We let Harper open her presents from us at home that morning and the five that he was originally going to give me as part of the proposal. But Edward was adamant that we had to open the rest of ours at his parents.

Rosalie and I helped Esme prepare the Christmas meal of Turkey and stuffing and all the other trimmings. We sat down to a wonderful late afternoon feast and laughed and joked at Emmett and Edward giving each other crap and Esme and Carlisle even joining in.

I loved this family. I considered myself so blessed to be a part of it. I smiled as I thought about the fact that in only two short weeks Harper and I would officially be Cullens.

Afterward the men cleaned up and Rose and Esme and I sat in the living room by the fireplace while the kids played. Finally the guys made their way in and Riley, Bree and Harper, pumped full of sugar from dessert, insisted it was time for presents. The kids tore into their presents first and we watched and laughed as the three of them squealed in delight.

Harper and Bree saddled up to a new LeapFrog game together and Riley was playing with his new truck. The adults decided to open their presents then.

"Here Love, this is for you." Edward handed me a box and I opened it and gasped.

It was a platinum ring with three types of stones. In the center was a sapphire and pearl and then there were four branches of platinum out into the wide band. Down one of the branches was a string of rubies.

Edward bent down and whispered in my ear. "Do you like it?"

I bit my lip and tried to look at him through blurry eyes and nodded.

"Look on the inside."

I turned the ring over so that I could see it in the light and on one side were three letters. E-B-H. On the other was "Cullen."

"I love it." I whispered and leaned up to give him a tender kiss. Edward smiled and I looked back down and put it on my right ring finger.

"There's room to add more too…" He murmured.

"I know." I smiled and kissed him again. "Does that mean you want four kids then?" I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"I want as many as you will give me." I laughed. Then I reached for the box that I had been almost dying to give him for the last twenty-four hours since Alice brought it to our house.

"Ok, your turn." I handed him the box and bit my lip as he ripped off the paper. He pushed aside the tissue and then stopped.

He looked at me and then back down at the box and pulled out the little girl's shirt. It was a little t-shirt with a donkey on the front. Then on the back it said "H. Cullen"

"Bella?" He swallowed and looked at me.

"Keep going." I said as I smiled.

He reached into the box and pulled out the papers with a shaky hand and looked at them. I could feel the room get quiet as everyone was staring at us.

"But how did you…when?" He said with wide eyes.

"The hearing was a week ago and I just got the Order yesterday. It's official." I smiled.

He engulfed me in a huge hug and kissed me soundly. "Thank you." He whispered and looked over to her as she was playing on her new LeapFrog learning game.

Just then she looked up and gave him a big grin. He scooped her up and gave her a kiss on the head and held her close and I wrapped my arms around both of them, knowing from here forward we were truly a family of three.