A/N: I just realized I didn't warn you, but this is the final chapter of Suddenly. Eeeek.


It took Edward several groggy minutes to figure out someone was pounding on his door. He'd left the Do Not Disturb sign up. It was a safe bet that whomever was so eager to be in his room wasn't a member of the hotel staff. It might be his manager, but then she would have called first. That left…

Sure enough. When Edward peered through the peephole, he wasn't surprised to see his sister-in-law's face. He rested his forehead against the door and groaned. He counted to ten before he opened it. He didn't say a word, and neither did Rosalie. After an awkward moment, he stepped to the side to let her in.

After he'd closed the door, he and Rosalie faced off. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Say what you need to say, Rose."

Her shoulders slumped, and she crossed her arms over her chest. "Why are you doing this?"

"That is a question with a very obvious answer."

"You're making it worse. You're going to make it so much worse for her."

Edward took a deep breath to swallow down his annoyance. "You think moving closer to her is making things worse?"

"You're digging her hole deeper. She's already going to be devastated when you get bored of whatever game you're playing."

"What?" Edward balled his fists at his side and flexed. "Rose, I'll take you thinking I'm not good enough for her. I understand I'm complicating her life, but-"

"Complicating her life? Complicating her life? Do you realize what the last few months of her life have been like? People digging at her, and I'm not even talking about the reporters and the stupid asshole photographers. Her friends, other kids her age are either endlessly pestering her about you or calling her a whore for having got your attention. She pretends she's fine with it. She thinks I can't tell when she's about to cry."

"You think I don't know all that? Rosalie, I know how hard it's been on her. That's why I'm moving here, because I'm not going to let her deal with it alone."

"If you move here, it only guarantees more tears." Rosalie huffed. "I raised her, Edward. I don't like things that make my daughter cry. And you know I've never gone out of my way to shelter her. Life is painful; there's no point in pretending it isn't, but you're my husband's brother. You held her when she was a baby. You're not supposed to be the one who hurts her."

Edward threw his hands up. "What is it going to take to get you to realize I am not trying to hurt her? As if I would. As if I could. You've known me for as long a you've known Emmett. Why-"

"Exactly. I know you. One thing about you has never changed. Since we were all kids, all Bella's age, what was the one thing about you that remained the same? Always the perpetual bachelor. Emmett and I waited for you to get an attachment to one of the women you dated, but you never did. How many times did you tell us you had better things to do?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, I wasn't looking for this. It found me. I've changed. Everything has changed."

"The thing is, Edward, I don't think you have. See, I knew from the time I was tiny I wanted to be a wife. I wanted a doting husband. I wanted kids. You were the exact opposite, and I never understood, but I also appreciated the fact you weren't a pig about it. You do respect the women you're with. You talk about them respectfully. I think you've always chosen partners who intrigue you. I've been around your girlfriends before. You're a generous lover, they say. You understand. You listen. Genuinely, you enjoy these women for more than sex. I can't say I've ever understood the idea of casual girlfriends, but I've always appreciated that you made sure you were both on the same page, and the minute you were on different pages, that was the end of that.

"What I want to know is what makes you think you're any different with Bella? She's amazing, and now that she's legal, you can look at her that way. But she's Bella. You know casual sex is probably not going to enter into the equation for her."

Edward stared at his sister-in-law. "Do you actually believe the horseshit you're spewing right now? Do you actually think I'm putting us both through all this, moving here, doing everything because that's the only way I can keep her in my bed?"

Rosalie looked right back at him. "I think you're used to being generous to your lovers, and I think you know them well enough to give them what they want. I think you believe you're in love with her, that a part of your base personality has changed. But I think, after being single all your life, the novelty Bella presents will wear off. And you know, that's fine. That's what first loves are for. But you're not just her first love. This could destroy so much more."

"Look, Rose, I could argue with you until I'm blue in the face about how that's not going to happen, but you haven't listened yet, so I have no reason to think you'll listen now. Okay, here it is. I might hurt her. Is that what you want to hear?

"But the thing is, you're definitely hurting her. What's tearing her apart more than anything right now is the way you're treating her. She is getting judged by literally thousands of people all around the world, and she can't turn to the woman who raised her for unconditional love and support. You are hurting her so bad, Rose. I've tried not to say anything, because I get it. I understand you're worried and disappointed, but don't you dare talk to me like you aren't ripping her apart."

Rosalie looked stricken. She opened her mouth, but Edward wasn't done yet.

"You're right. You raised her. You raised her to be strong and smart. I can't guarantee what will happen between us in the future. I can't guarantee we're going to make it, because you're also right that we have a lot of obstacles in our way. What I can guarantee is I will work my ass off to make sure she's cherished and happy. As long as she chooses me, I'm not going to take that gift for granted. But she still needs her mother, Rose. She still needs you and Emmett. I am not leaving her. I wish you wouldn't either."

For once, Rosalie was quiet. Edward sighed. "I think what you were trying to say earlier is if Bella and I don't work out, it's not just a boyfriend she would lose. You're my family, and you're her family. But think about it this way, Rosalie. This is happening. If you make her feel unwelcome with your family, right now, that's on you, not me."

Rosalie raised her eyes to glare at him, but still, she said nothing. She tried a few times. She opened her mouth, but each time she closed it again.

Finally, she walked back out his door without saying a word.

~0~

"Celebrities are just like us. They ask their friends to help them move." Garrett grunted as he walked backward with his half of the sofa they were trying to maneuver around Edward's new house. "Even though they damn well could have hired someone to do this shit."

"Garrett, you're helping me move a couch, not a whole house." Edward smirked at his friend over the couch. "Everything was delivered. It's just the rearranging we have to do by ourselves."

"Not there, boys. I want it up against that wall," Esme said.

Beside her, Alice mirrored her cross-armed look of exasperation. "It's like we're the only ones with vision, Grams."

When the room was arranged to Esme's liking, Edward flopped down on the couch, exhausted. His mother came to sit with him, and he rested his head on her shoulder. She scratched his hair like she used to do when he was a little boy.

"Thanks, Mom. You always know how to make a house a home."

"I'd say anytime, sweetie, but I'm not sure how many houses one man needs."

He raised his head. "Mom, you've always been supportive of me and Emmett and our decisions, but I want you to tell me the truth. This whole thing with Bella and me… what do you really think?"

Esme hummed as she considered her answer. "I think life rarely happens in any way that makes sense. I worry for you both, but that's nothing new." She touched his cheek and smiled. "Are you happy?"

Edward's lips turned up. "Deliriously."

"You know you've even started enjoying your work again."

"It's different now that I have someone to share it with. I come home, and even over the phone, it's easier to be excited when Bella's excited. She's proud of me."

His mother patted his hand. "She's very young, but she knows how to be a good partner. That's important for longevity in a relationship. That's something most people learn only through mistakes." She kissed his cheek. "You're a good man, and she's a lovely girl. I have faith it will work out, if it's meant to. As long as you're happy, I'm not going to complain just because something's complicated."

They were interrupted by the door opening. "Honey, I'm home," Bella called.

Edward gave his mother one last squeeze before he got up and all but sprinted to the foyer. There, he picked Bella up, bags and all, and spun her around.

"Hey, watch it! I come bearing dinner." She giggled as he set her back on her feet. "I have enough food in here to feed the legions."

The legions joined them then. Garrett, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Renee had all showed up to help Edward get his house in order. Garrett kissed Bella's cheek as he took the bags from her. "Ah, Bella. Don't let anyone tell you you're the lucky one. You're a catch."

Edward encircled her in his arms and pulled her away from Garrett. "Get your own."

A few minutes later they were gathered around the dining room table, unwrapping subs.

"I don't get it," Alice said. "Mom and Dad are being a pain in the ass. Why wouldn't you just move in here? I wouldn't mind that… being with my guy all the time."

"Oh, don't start that, Alice," Carlisle said without malice.

Edward reached over and took Bella's hand, giving it a squeeze. She was blushing, not so far away from being the sixteen-year-old her cousin was, still affected by her grandparents' admonition. "Um," she said. "That's kind of a big step, you know?"

"Because moving all the way up here isn't?"

"Bit of a difference, Alice. Just because we don't want to be in a long distance relationship doesn't mean we're ready to move in together," Edward said.

Garrett grinned at Alice. "A little space isn't a bad thing, sugar."

Alice didn't look convinced, but she let it go.

~0~

Edward squirmed with impatience. Bella was saying goodbye to her mother - Renee was going back with Alice to Emmett and Rosalie's house - and Edward was eager to have her to himself. He tapped the arm of the sofa, listening to what had to be the third time Renee said, "Well, I guess I'll get going then."

Finally, he heard the door close and Bella's footfalls heading toward him. He tried to play it cool, but he had to grab the edge of the couch not to attack her right there. He was hungry for her, but he felt foolish. It was silly he should feel so elated at the idea of being closer to her. They could build a life together now.

When Bella entered the living room and saw him her face lit up. Her steps fell quicker, and he opened his arms. She straddled him there on the couch, her hands going to his face and his looping around her. He rubbed her back as his tongue slipped in her mouth. She whimpered. The little noise sent a thrill through him. He bucked his hips up and sighed.

He had his doubts. He wasn't impervious to the accusations being hurled at him. It was true he moved to Seattle for Bella, but he'd also done it for himself. Too many days had passed without her, and even her voice on the phone or computer wouldn't chase away the doubt that started to creep in around the edges of his heart. Had he taken advantage of her? Was she too immature? Was he fooling himself?

But holding her in his arms, the contented joy in his heart could not be doubted. Their love was true. What he felt for her was honest. This wasn't only in his head or hers.

Edward broke their kiss so he could look her in the eyes. "I love you."

Her smile never failed to make his heart skip a beat. "I love you, too." Her hands were soft against his cheeks. "I'm glad you're here."

They kissed again, soft kisses now. Languorous.

"Did your mom give you any last minute advice, tell you to run as far away from me as you can?" he asked when they broke for air again.

She trailed kisses along his jaw. "You really want to talk about my mom right now?"

"No, but I am curious. I couldn't get a read on where she stands with us."

Bella straightened up. "She's okay with it."

"Really? I thought of everyone, she'd be against you settling down so early."

"No. She and Aunt Rose had a fight about it actually. Aunt Rose wanted her to be a mother for once. Renee said the best choice she'd ever made as a mother was leaving me with Rose. She said Rose could teach me everything I needed except for one thing. She wanted to teach me that having what you want takes bravery. It means taking a chance. She said she didn't want me to have her life; she just didn't want me to play it safe." She kissed the tip of his nose. "Besides, let's get real here. It's not like life with you isn't going to be short on adventure.

He threaded his fingers into her hair and kissed her again. "Baby, we can do anything." His hands followed the line of her hair to her shoulders her back. He pulled her tighter against him. "You'll stay tonight?"

"Afraid of the dark in your big new house, little boy?"

"That must be it." He undid the button of her jeans and slid his hands under her shirt. "So you'll stay?"

"Yes. I'll stay."


A/N: Many thanks to barburella and jessypt.

There will be an epilogue, of course. We have to see if these kids made it! Bets?