a/n: so, I hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving, because I know mine sucked balls...And now my day just went to shit because I spent a whole half hour editing this chapter and writing an a/n just for FanFiction to sign me out SECONDS before I hit save and for me to lose everything I did. Yep. Shit...

Anyway, I'm going to skip over all of the unimportant stuff that I wrote and get straight to the heart of my author's note for this chapter. I wanted to thank all of you guys who are writing reviews, because I really appreciate hearing from you all. But there were two that really struck me, ones I'll probably remember for...a long time to come. And I wanted to share them with you. I received them both since posting the last chapter, though one of them was put on my Thanksgiving chapter :)

jteems:
"Please continue your story I need to know what happens. My girlfriend is
blind, and I've never read a love story from that angle. Let's just say I'm
obsessed."

Edward's Doll:
"...whenever im sad, i check my email and if im lucky u will hav updated. thankyou so much!
im so happy you chose to do this story, because its really been my support
systerm for the last three months, even tho u didnt know tht :-D ..."

It's reviews like those that really make writing truly worth the hard work. That make writing this something beyond just filling time and keeping busy. I don't know how to explain the feeling...but really, thank you to both of you, because it was just...great to hear those things from each of you. jteems, good luck with your relationship and be good to your girl, okay? and Edward's Doll, when times get tough, fight through the struggle and never give up. If there are things I've learned thus far in life, they're that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel, and what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. Keep going, keep fighting, everything has to get better eventually.

Anyway, let me explain a few things about this chapter and then those of you who haven't already can finally stop reading my ramblings and get on to the story. There are three different POVs, so don't get confused, and if you do, I apologize in advance, but they all just fit in. Next, at Edward's POV, I want everyone out there to go ahead and listen to "You and Me" by Lifehouse. That's what I was listening to when I wrote that part of the chapter (on repeat, yes, the entire time...) and I think that it really makes the difference in truly feeling the mood that I want to get across during that. Edward also flashesback a lot during his POV and they're all from past chapters, in case you don't realize that while reading. He's very...sappy and sentimental as he finally gets to show Bella his world. And, it's around the holidays and Edward is still a little... antsy after his and Bella's first big emotional "shit-hits-the-fan" moment... So, as you can imagine, he's just having all these moments where he recalls the times in the beginning where they were just...them.

Dedication: PattinsonGirl513 ... you rock girl. Thanks so much!!!!

So, I'll shut up now...

xoxo Jordi Brooke xoxo

Bella's POV

I could hardly hear anything. The sound of the plane - no wait, jet; the private jet that the Cullens owned and were flying us to Chicago on - drowned out everything. I felt vulnerable. I was vulnerable. I hated flying, but I was more than willing to do this for Edward. So I endured the pain in my ears, the constant need to pop my ear drums, the loud humming of the engines, the loss of my most important sense, and the worst of headaches because I knew it was nothing as long as Edward spent his holidays in Chicago with his family, where he should.

It helped that his hand gripped mine in a firm hold.

The jet was luxurious, I would give them that. I almost didn't notice the takeoff as I was too preoccupied with the comfiest seat I'd ever had the pleasure of sitting in. Almost.

I chewed on another ice chip. Did I mention that I'm pretty nauseated for the first half hour, at least, when I fly?

"Bella!" Alice sang into my ear and I cringed away, both in surprise and pain.

"Yes?" I asked, keeping my voice as even as possible. I knew that she was happily taking the seat next to mine which had been empty just a moment before.

"Jasper's asleep. I'm bored."

I laughed. That explained it.

"Don't you have a magazine?" I asked. It was all she'd talked about on the drive to the airport. Her brand new Elle.

"Well, yeah, but I really want to--"

I cut her off. "For the hundredth time, I will not tell you."

She'd been trying to guess her Christmas present since I'd told her I'd finished all of my shopping. It was getting on her nerves. I wouldn't tell her, and it was the only gift she failed to guess correctly.

"Pleeeease!"

"No."

She 'hmph'ed and then she was gone. I assumed she'd gone back to Jasper, because those two didn't separate often. I heard Edward's chuckle in my ear and felt his lips on my neck.

"You cannot begin to understand how thoroughly amusing this is..."

"What is?" I questioned.

"Alice and whatever the hell it is that you bought her. She's dumbstruck like she's never been before. I really need a camera so I might have photographic proof for future generations."

I laughed at that, though winced as my headache only seemed to worsen. The hum was getting louder and the pressure in my ears was increasing. Groaning, I put my head in my hands.

I felt Edward moving, and then his hand slipped from mine. My brow furrowed as I wondered where he disappeared to, though he wasn't gone long. When he returned, he unbuckled my seatbelt and helped my from my seat. I stood on nervous legs, the pressure making my weight feel all wrong and my balance completely off. He slowly led me a little bit further into their jet and then sat down, pulling me down between his legs.

Okay, I changed my mind. This was the comfiest chair I had ever sat in. It only took me a moment to realize we were on a couch. I told you the jet was luxurious. A fucking couch!

Edward helped me to properly situate myself between his legs, the both of us stretched ourselves out. I leaned my back against his chest, my head comfortable on his shoulder. He settled something over us. A blanket. Something was put in my hands, and I realized it was a book. One of my books. Romeo and Juliet. Oh, did I love this man. I realized he must have pulled it from my bookcase when I was packing.

"Edward!" I squealed.

We'd spent over an hour after Esme and Carlisle had left talking seriously. There were a lot of things we had to talk about, mainly about both of us doubting each other's love. But now, we were both feeling a little lighter. We were good.

Now, Edward was doing his best to distract me as I packed. And he had already succeeded many times. I would have been done an hour ago if he wasn't here. He slipped his hands under my shirt and sucked on my neck.

"You can't fool me, Bella. You want to fool around," he teased. He knew I was getting annoyed because I knew he was only doing this because riling me up was amusing for him.

"Get out," I told him, serious.

His entire body stiffened.

I sighed. "Edward, not like that," I whined. "I just meant go into the living room and let me finish. I'm nearly done."

He pecked my neck and I could feel his entire body relax. "Okay. If you really want..."

"I just want to be done."

Once he'd left the room, I quickly threw in the last bits that I had to and then zipped up the suitcase. I pursed my lips, knowing I still had to get the Christmas gifts there. I grabbed the duffel bag I'd had my clothes in last night and went to my closet, removing the gifts I'd hidden behind the clothes. Esme's and Carlisle's were still there as Alice and Jasper were supposed to have been taking them to Chicago in one of their empty bags, but that wasn't necessary now. Alice's was in its envelope, and the other small package for her sat on top. Jasper's and Edward's were in their envelopes, and I pulled those out, putting all of those into the bag.

Finally, I reached the gift that had been most important to me. I place a kiss on the front, rubbing my fingers over it. It wasn't wrapped yet, and I wasn't planning on wrapping it.

"Bella?"

My heart beat rapidly as I hurriedly hid it in the bag and zippered that as well.

"Yes?" I asked.

I heard his footsteps and his breathing as he entered the room, wrapping his arms around me from behind. "Are you ready?" he asked me.

I nodded. He grabbed both of my bags off the bed and brought them out into the living room where mine were. I heard him zipper up one of his own bags and then he grabbed me around the waist. He pulled me against him tightly, pressing his lips to mine in a surprising, quick yet passionate kiss.

"Thank you for doing this, love. I promise, you won't regret coming."

I kissed his neck, giggling as I placed my hand on his face to feel his brilliant smile. I assumed his smile would look incredibly goofy, which only made me giggle a little more. "I love you."

"God, you're too good for me," I muttered as I turned my head to press a kiss to his chin.

He kissed my collarbone as I opened up my book. "Nope, but I just might finally be good enough." I began running my fingers over the raised bumps on the page as Edward traced lazy patterns over my thighs and buried his face into my hair. Not four scenes into the book, I felt his lips along the shell of my ear. "Let me know when you're at Romeo and Juliet's first meeting. I'll trade lines with you."

I nodded.

God, could this man be any more perfect than he already was?

Clearly, it was possible, as his velvet voice began to recite the words of Romeo, his lips caressing my ear as he spoke.

Esme's POV (a/n: bet y'all didn't expect that one)

I watched my son with Bella. I hadn't seen such a pure, perfect love ever before in my life. Even with as deeply and rawly as mine and Carlisle's emotions ran, I couldn't fathom having such a love that could withstand challenges like theirs at such a young age. It was...I couldn't put into words what exactly it was.

I still felt horribly guilty about what happened earlier. I had been a bit pushy, wanting to truly see the beautiful woman that had captured my son's heart and so easily befriended my darling daughter. I hadn't stopped to think that my actions could be rude or unwelcome. I hadn't stopped to think at all, really.

I'd been frightened as she stepped away and stumbled as I held her glasses, frozen. She had this terrified look on her face, and immediately scrambled to cover her own face. And then her face morphed as she let out a sob and wouldn't even allow my son to touch her. I just couldn't understand what was going on. It wasn't long before my son wore his own heartbroken expression as the beautiful girl stood and carefully went back to their bedroom.

Carlisle had caught on before I had, and Edward just sat there, trying to figure out what to do. When Carlisle informed me, I felt even worse that I had before. My thoughts had been something along the lines of Oh, lord, what have I done?

I handed the sunglasses back over to Edward, understanding with sudden clarity the results of my actions and the thoughts that surely ran through the girl's head. Of course, I knew differently as Edward scrambled off to her room. My children had assumed the other had told us and that was all there was too it. But that surely wasn't what Bella was thinking.

I tried not to listen to them, but I could so easily overhear what they were saying through the thin walls.

I smiled often at Edward's words. He learned well from his father and I. He was certainly quite the romantic, though we both knew we couldn't take all the credit. He had come into his own, his style just a bit different than ours. Still, his words were so absolutely beautiful. Finally, after a long while, they reemerged. Bella wore a sheepish expression, though I didn't know why. None of it had been her fault.

Following that, we'd started over, and after a bit we had managed to get them to come home with us for the holidays. This year would be interesting, that was for sure.

I presently continued to watch Edward and Bella, who wore a pained expression as she gripped tightly to Edward's hand and chewed ice chips. Poor girl clearly hated flying. I could understand why Edward had chosen not to come originally. He had probably already known about this.

Alice plopped down beside Bella and loudly begged to know about her Christmas gift, causing Bella to cringe before responding negatively, the hint of finality in her tone. Good lord, no one told Alice no, but obviously Bella was never swain by the pout she couldn't see. Lucky little girl. Giving up, for now, Alice went back to her seat beside a sleeping Jasper and cuddled into his side, closing her eyes with a contented smile on her lips,

Edward and Bella spoke among themselves, and I couldn't hear what they said, but Edward finally stood and retreated to the back of the jet where we stored our luggage. It was only a minute or so before he returned, carrying what appeared to be a book. He helped Bella from her seat and over to the lounge area of the jet, sitting down against the arm and then settling her between his legs. He covered them with a blanket and she leaned back against him happily as he placed the book in her hands. Whispering words into her ear, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her hair. She wore a look of pure adoration as she kissed his chin and then settled down to read her book.

"To be young and in love," Carlisle spoke in my own ear.

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm still young, old man. I get that title too."

He chuckled and grinned, a smile that was just as crooked as Edward's. I just happily squeezed his hand and rested my head on his shoulder. He lifted the arm rest from between us and unbuckled both of our seat belts before pulling my into his side and wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"Love you," I whispered into his ear.

He kissed my temple. "As I you. Always."

Edward's POV (a/n: if you guys want to understand my state of mind while writing, go on youtube and pull up "You and Me" by Lifehouse, because that was what was playing as I wrote this part and it just...really fits and sounds right with this part.)

I held Bella close to my side as I helped her off the plane and into the black SUV parked not forty feet away. She nuzzled her face into my chest as we walked, her hand placed, as always, over my heart while her other arm settled tightly around my waist. She yawned loudly as we walked down the steps, and I chuckled at the sleepy expression on her face. Mom and Alice had already gotten themselves settled in the middle row of seats, so I helped her over the folded seat and into the back row. I reached for her seatbelt but she just laughed and swatted my hands away.

"I can do that all on my own, Edward Cullen," she chided teasingly.

We all walked out and Bella gripped onto me, not even bothering to try using her cane, which did not escape my notice, nor did it Rosalie's and Emmett's, judging by their surprised faces. I kept my arm raveled tightly around her waist and hers was the same around mine as she leaned into me.

"There's a bump," I whispered to her as I noticed the upturned sidewalk while I walked to the parking lot with her. She probably knew the way all on her own, but I didn't want to risk any mishaps, especially not with Emmett watching. When we reached my car, I opened the door for her and helped her inside. I buckled her seat belt for her, making her laugh.

"I can do that all on my own as well, Edward Cullen."

I grinned, pecking her cheek. "I know, but I needed another excuse to touch you."

She smiled in return and I closed the door gently...

"I know, love, I know."

I kissed her lips tenderly and then pulled back to see her wistful smile. I placed a quick peck to her temple and extracted myself from the car to get our bags.

Between Dad, Jasper, the driver, the pilot, and myself, we were able to get Alice's bags off the jet and into the trunk of the car in two trips. Dad got the small suitcase he and Mom had packed. Jasper grabbed Bella's suitcase and I took mine. The driver took Bella's bag of gifts and the pilot took mine. Everything was jammed into the trunk of the SUV, pretty successfully.

Dad sat up front in the passenger seat and Jasper sat beside Alice, behind the driver. I took my place in the back row and wrapped my arm around my drowsy Bella. She leaned her head on my shoulder and we began whispering back and forth about random things. The heat in the car blasted warmly, blowing across our shivering bodies as Bella snuggled closer to me.

The car moved slowly, traffic and snow keeping us from our usual speed. I forgot how much I always missed Chicago when I went away. It was my home, the place I truly loved. I looked down at the woman tucked into my side, her fingers toying with mine.

No, I corrected my earlier statement, Bella is my home, my only true love. Chicago is just a place, and without Bella I have no doubt that right now I'd be missing Seattle with all my heart. Bella is home.

I felt her hand on my face, stroking my cheek reverently. I smiled down at her, even if she couldn't see it. Her thumb passed over my lips, and I pecked it.

"Edward?"

"Yes, love?"

"What's your home like?" she asked me.

You, I wanted to say, wanted to admit that my home was just a house if she weren't nearby, but I knew that wasn't what she meant.

We sat down on her couch afterward, me leaning against the arm with her between my legs, leaning back against my chest. I ran my hands up and down her arms as she continued to hum with the music. Her fingers ran along the tops of my thighs in a gentle manner, causing me to release a relaxed sigh.

"Edward?" Bella asked, getting my attention.

"Yes, Bella?"

She moved so that she sat in my lap sideways and I turned so my back was against the couch. She tucked her head into my shoulder and removed her sunglasses for the first time of her own accord, folding them and tucking them into the neck of my shirt. She placed her hand on my chest as I could feel the heat of her face seeping through my shirt and I caught sight of the red blush on her cheeks. Her eyes were opened, so I pulled my back just a little so I could look into them.

"Edward...what...what do you look like?"

I hummed as I tried to think of how to describe it to her.

"It's...big and open and welcoming and filled with memories and warm feelings and smiles and family," I answered. I knew that she didn't care what it looked like. She didn't care about whether the house was white or neon orange or if the columns were covered in ivy or vines with flowers. So I gave her the answer she wasn't expecting to get, the answer that she would understand.

Her hand returned to my chest and her head came up off my shoulder as she looked me in the eyes, as if she could really see me.

"Thank you."

"For what?" I asked her.

"For telling me."

I smiled, bringing her hand up off my chest and running her fingers over my lips so she could feel the expression. She tilted her head to the side for a moment. "Is your smile crooked, Edward?"

I chuckled. "Just a bit." She laughed and pressed a kiss to my lips as she brushed her thumb over my cheek like she would do occasionally.

She paused her stroking for a moment before taking her other hand up and cupping my other cheek. "I truly love to do this," she whispered, running her fingers over my face as my eyes closed at the small electricity humming through my skin with her touch.

"This is heaven," I muttered incoherently, and she laughed...

She giggled and I grinned at her. She rubbed her thumb over my smile again and grinned back at me before her hands moved back into my scalp and combed through my hairs. Her nails sparked electricity in my skin as I let my head fall back and my grin became lazy with satisfaction.

"This is heaven," I whispered to her, pulling her closer to me as she pushed herself up just a bit and kissed my cheek. Hitting a bump in the road, the car jumped and Bella fell back into her seat with a yelp. I chuckled loudly and she pouted at me, pulling her glasses down her little nose and leveling me with a glare.

I just continued to chuckle while she 'hmph'ed and crossed her arms over her chest, turning away from me.

After over an hour in the car, we finally pulled up the the house. Well, if you could call it a house, because I knew my home was no mere house. It was an oversized mansion that my mother loved with all of her heart and had spent years perfecting and refurbishing until it was perfect in her eyes. She would die before she sold this mansion.

Once Jasper folded the seat forward, I jumped out of the car and helped Bella down. The snow flattened below our feet and Jasper and I snickered as we heard my mom getting on my dad's case about the driveway not being cleared.

"I mean, honestly, Carlisle. Someone could slip and fall or, heaven forbid, Alice could get her favorite Jimmy Choos wet."

I tried to hold back my laughter and Bella snickered lowly beside me. Even Alice had to stifle a giggle as Dad promptly pulled out his cell phone and called up the service we usually got to come and clear the snow from our driveway.

Mom scurried into the house and the first thing I did was lead Bella up the stone steps, holding her tighter when she slipped, and into the front foyer.

"Home, sweet home," Alice sighed behind me.

I leaned into Bella's ear and whispered, "With you here, it finally, truly is."