So you are all in agreement about what a wretched human being Tanya is.

We pick up right where the last chapter ended.

I kept Emma's head tucked securely into my chest as we quickly made our way to the car. I didn't want her to have to look at Tanya again. Bella opened the back door and I climbed in, holding Emma, while she got into the driver's seat. Emma began to push away from me, crying.

"It's okay, Babygirl, I got you."

"Bewwa!"

Bella turned in her seat and laid a gentle hand on Emma's head. "I'm right here, Emma. You sit with your daddy and I'll drive us home okay?"

"You not go away?"

Bella's heartbroken eyes met mine. "No, my girl, I'm not going away," she soothed.

Emma's hand grasped Bella's tightly, her little sobs hiccupping their way out of her throat.

"Bella, I'll drive."

She shook her head. "No, you need to hold her, Edward. I don't think you she'll let you put her in her car seat."

"Fuck it," I muttered and swung the door open and carried Emma around to the front passenger side. I climbed in and belted up both of us together.

"There, Babygirl, you can hold Bella's hand now too, okay? You're safe," I assured her as I lifted her hand and placed it in Bella's waiting one, wrapping my larger one around them both. Emma's head turned so she could watch Bella and I felt her relax slightly.

Bella pulled out, heading for home, Emma's eyes watching her the whole time, the occasional shudder racking her little body. I kept her pressed against me, trying to offer her as much security as I could with my embrace.

"You better hope we don't get stopped."

I shrugged. "I'd get a ticket even in the back, Bella. Emma is more important. She needs to touch you. She needs us both right now."

As Bella drove, I ran my hand up and down Emma's back and hummed into her ear, in between whispering words of comfort. Slowly, I could feel her sobs easing off, but she remained quiet otherwise. Inside, my gut was churning. Fucking Tanya. The rage I felt towards her was astonishing in its intensity, and I wondered what the aftermath of her visit would be.

"Edward."

I looked up at Bella.

"You're squeezing too hard."

I loosened my grip on her hand. "Sorry."

"It's okay, sweetheart. I understand. We're almost home."

I smiled grimly and nodded. When we pulled into the driveway, Bella lifted our hands and kissed them both. "Stay there."

Both Emma and I watched her come around and open the door. She opened her arms and Emma accepted her embrace easily, her little arms wrapped around Bella's neck tightly. Silently, I followed them to the door and unlocked it, letting them go past me into the house. We walked into the kitchen where I could see fresh cookies cooling on the counter. Bella's head tilted towards the cookies letting me know I should comment on them. We needed to distract Emma.

"Did you make those cookies for me, Emma?" I asked quietly.

She nodded and pulled away from Bella, leaning down to pick one up and handed it to me, her face sad.

"Victoria was sick and couldn't make the appointment so Emma and I came home and made you cookies as a surprise, Daddy," Bella explained quietly.

Emma just nodded.

I looked at Bella beseechingly. Was this the start of the silence again?

Bella picked up another cookie and handed it to Emma, then picked one up for herself and walked into the living room.

I sat down beside her and Emma on the couch. Bella took a bite of the cookie and smiled. "Wow, Emma! You did such a good job! These are great!"

She looked at me and I followed suit, taking a bite and smiling. "Good cookies, Babygirl! Did you have fun making them with Bella?"

Emma nodded again and I felt my heart constrict a little more.

Leaning forward, I spoke to her gently, "Babygirl, do you want to talk to us about what just happened? We want you to talk to us and it's okay, we'll listen. We need to hear your voice. Can you do that?"

Emma looked at me, frowning. She took a bite of her cookie and chewed thoughtfully.

"Me not yike her."

Bella met my eyes, nodding.

Encourage her.

"That's okay, Emma. You don't have to."

"I no want her hewe, Daddy."

"You never have to see her again, Babygirl. I promise."

"She not hab to be my mommy adain, Daddy? Wight?"

My heart clenched at the plea in her voice. "No."

Emma sighed and looked at Bella. "I was bad? I saided mean fings to her. Daddy always say to be nice. But she was mean to my daddy."

"You're not in trouble, Babygirl," I assured her, as Bella shook her head no. "You were mad and it's okay to use your words to express yourself. You're not bad." Leaning over, I kissed her head. "Thank you for protecting Daddy."

Bella spoke up. "But you should always be polite to grownups, okay?"

"But I not in twouble?"

I shook my head. "No. This was a special circumstance."

Emma looked at me. "I not know what dat is, Daddy," she said, her forehead wrinkling in confusion.

Bella chuckled. "It means it's okay it happened just one time."

Emma glanced anxiously at both of us. "You still lub me? And you stay wif me?"

Both Bella and I answered in unison, "Yes."

Emma sighed and leaned back into Bella's chest, taking another bite of cookie.

"Otay."

We sat quietly for a while, my hand stroking Emma's little one, while Bella cuddled her. I was beyond grateful Emma hadn't pulled away from us back into the dark place she had lived in for so long.

"Why don't you call your parents and see if maybe they want to bring the pizza here, Edward?" Bella suggested quietly.

I nodded, thinking it might be a good idea to stay home tonight.

Emma sat up. "No! If we not go, I not get to pick tweet from da tweasha chest!"

I smiled with relief. She was going to be okay.

"Okay, Emma. We'll meet Grams and Gramps."

"Can I go play wif da kitties now, Daddy?"

I nodded and she slid off Bella's lap, then hesitated. "Bewwa?"

"Yes, Emma?"

"You live here soon?"

Bella nodded, her hand stroking Emma's head. "Very soon, Emma. I'm just sorting things out."

Emma leaned forward. "I wants somefin…" she trailed off.

"Tell me," Bella prompted gently.

"I wants to calls you Mommy now. I no want to wait no more. Can I?"

I heard Bella's soft gasp. She nodded and smiled brightly. "Yes."

Emma flung her arms around Bella and held her tightly. Bella looked at me with tears in her eyes as I smiled at the two of them, my throat tight with emotion.

Emma pulled back, happiness evident on her face. "Me is gonna hab pepperonis on my pizza- just like Mommy!" she crowed before running out of the room in search of her beloved kittens.

Bella looked at me, smiling despite the tears. "She is going to be fine, Edward."

"Because she has you."

"Because she has us."

I grinned. I like the sound of that. Leaning over, I pulled Bella onto my lap, holding her closely. I needed to feel her warmth. Her arms wound around my neck, her hands stroking my hair slowly and I sighed in relief.

"Edward?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay?"

I shrugged as I took in a deep breath. "I will be." I drew back and ran my fingers down her soft cheek. "Are you okay, QB?"

"I'm fine." She was quiet for a moment, before raising her eyes to look at me. "I wanted to hit her, Edward. If Emma hadn't been there, I think I might have. What does that say about me?"

I cupped her face. "It says you love us. It doesn't make you a bad person, Bella. She always seemed to cause the worst reactions in people. You were just protecting us." I pulled her forward, kissing her warmly. "I love you for that."

She drew in a quiet breath. "What did she want?"

I reached in my pocket and showed her the small package, as I told her what Tanya had said about her mother. "I don't know what to do with this."

"Put it away. Give it some time, Edward. You can look at it later and then decide on the right time to give whatever it is to Emma. Obviously it was important enough to her since she made Tanya promise that Emma would get it when she passed."

I nodded. "Should I read the letter?"

"When you're ready. Then you can decide when and if you share it with her. It's your decision. I don't think she would send her granddaughter something that would hurt her. From what you've told me she was a kind woman. She had no hidden agendas for hurting you or Emma."

"No. Her daughter is the one that excelled at that."

Bella pulled back and cupped my face. Her voice was low and filled with emotion. "She is an awful woman, Edward. Don't you dare believe a word of the venom she spouted off. Not one. She is a vindictive, nasty person."

Leaning forward, she kissed me. "You are an amazing doctor." Kiss. "A wonderful father." Kiss. "Warm." Kiss. "Kind." Kiss. Her voice lowered. "An amazing lover." Her sweet kiss lasted longer after that declaration. "Sexy, sweet and mine," she whispered before capturing my mouth with hers again, this time kissing me deeply, her tongue claiming ownership of my mouth.

Groaning, I kissed her back. She was here. She was real. She was mine.

And she was right. Tanya's opinion didn't matter anymore.

Bella pulled back gently, but not before kissing me sweetly one last time. "Edward…" she breathed.

My fingers ran down her warm cheek. "Hmm?"

"How fast can we get a truck?"

I looked at her. "Really?"

"Yes, I want to be here. I need to be here. As soon as possible."

I dug in my pocket for my phone. I wanted that as well.

"Tomorrow."

She smiled. "I don't think I can pack it all up tomorrow."

I shook my head as I dialed Jake. "We'll bring what you need and pack the rest later. We need you here with us as well, Bella. Please?"

"Okay."

*()*

I pulled up in front of the house, smiling. Mom's car was there and I knew she would have things well underway and that Emma was with her, no doubt driving her crazy. She had been busting keeping this secret and I was actually amazed she had been able to do so. I somehow doubted the evening would go exactly as planned, but I was fine with that. I fingered the envelope beside me on the seat, praying tonight would turn out the way I was hoping and the two desires I expressed to Bella would be met with positive answers.

The past three months had been hectic, crazy and amazing. The practice was booming and the transition from the hospital had been surprisingly easy. We had hired a woman who ran the office like a well-oiled machine and allowed Jake and I to do what we wanted to do; provide great care to our patients and build up the practice. Already we were planning on bringing two more doctors on board and with the huge number of resumes we had received we would have our pick of the best. Heather had also hired great support staff for us; our nurses and technicians were well trained and treated our patients well. We had added an x-ray clinic and lab to the building making it easier for people who were already there to go for needed testing and ensure better controls. And, throughout the entire process Bella had been a never-ending pillar of support and strength. She and Emma were the brightest parts of my days and although I missed being able to run next door for lunch anytime I wanted, Bella made a point of bringing Emma to me once a week so I could eat with them and share part of their day. Jake and I split the on-call duties, but were both looking forward to sharing that with the new doctors we brought on board. If everything went according to plan, next year we would renovate the main floor with plans on leasing part of it to a pharmacy and converting the back half into a new location for Bella's daycare business. It would give her more space, more control, as well as the added bonus of her being so close to me again. She and Leah were full of ideas and plans and I loved seeing her so excited.

Jasper and his wife, Alice, had been to see the practice, scout out housing and we expected them to arrive soon. Both Jake and I were thrilled to have Jasper come onboard with us. When we had sat down with him, it was obvious he would be a perfect fit for the practice, as well as the added bonus of having my friend back in my life again. Afterwards, we went back to the house, Jasper stopping to pick up Alice and their son, and I was thrilled to see Bella, Alice and Leah instantly strike up a friendship. Emma fell in love with their son, Emmett, a waddling, shy, little boy who stared at her wide-eyed for a while from the safety of his mother's knee, before falling under her spell. From then on, he followed her everywhere, his chubby little legs going as fast as they could to keep up with her. Watching her reach out to this shy child was so wonderful to witness. Bella insisted it was a gift Emma had naturally; drawing people out of their shells, like she had once had happen to her. I personally felt it was a gift she learned from Bella.

The final divorce papers had arrived shortly after Tanya's sudden appearance and it was with a deep sense of relief that I signed them and sent them back immediately. I was free of Tanya. She was no longer part of our life, and Emma and I could move forward. That meant living our lives with Bella firmly entrenched in them. Her moving in had been the balm we needed. She made our house a home and we became a real family. Now it was time for the next step in that journey.

Grabbing the bags off the seat, I quickly went into the house, frowning at the grey skies. Luckily rain was forecast, but no storm. The weather had already forced me to move my plans indoors, but a storm would totally put the brakes on them. Bella was still petrified, although perhaps not as badly as she had been when I first met her five months ago. And, with Emma in the same room with us, there was no way I could distract her the way I usually did now when a storm blew through. I followed the excited voices into the kitchen, grinning as I saw the hub of activity in the kitchen.

"Daddy!" Emma squealed when she saw me come in.

I went over and dropped a kiss onto her head of curls. "How was your day, Babygirl?"

"I had fun today! And I nebber saided a word, wight Grams?"

Mom laughed and leaned over for her kiss. "Neither of us did. Bella has no idea."

I looked at the feast spread out on the counter. "This looks amazing, Mom."

She smiled at my praise. "All Bella's favorites. Just like you asked."

"She's gonna love it."

Mom's eyes were dancing. "Did you get…everything?"

"Yes, all set."

"Go look at the living room. Tell me what you think. Emma and I worked very hard on it!"

"Me too, Daddy!" Emma's arms reached out to me.

I scooped her up off the counter and walked into the living room and stopped short. It was beyond what I had hoped. Earlier in the summer we had a picnic and spent the day as a family enjoying the fresh air and delicious food Bella had packed. She had declared it her favorite day ever and I had wanted to recreate it for her. When the weather threatened to squash my idea, Mom had stepped in and insisted she could fix it. And fix it she had.

The living room was transformed into an oasis of summer. Flowers, plants, leaves and soft twinkling lights festooned the room. The furniture had been pushed out of the way and the same blanket we had used that day now covered the floor with some cushions for softness. A picnic basket was sitting on the edge filled with even more food than was waiting in the kitchen to be brought in. And somehow she had even found a recording of rushing water and soft breezes that played from the iPod in the corner. The room was magical in its beauty. And, a perfect setting for what I wanted to happen tonight. Bella would be spellbound.

"Well?" Mom's voice was anxious.

I pulled her into my side and kissed her forehead. "Mom, it's beyond perfect," I said quietly, not trusting my voice to say much more.

She sighed in satisfaction. "I rather thought so."

"Bella will love it."

Emma giggled. "Me can'ts wait for her to come home!"

I squeezed her in agreement. "Me either, Babygirl."

Mom reached out and took her from me. "Okay, let's go get you dressed, Emma. Edward, please tell me you're not planning on wearing scrubs. I hope I've brought you up with a little more sense of occasion than that?"

I laughed. "No Mom. I'll go grab a shower and change. Bella thinks we are heading out for a business dinner as soon as she gets home so she is changing at the daycare. We won't let you down with our lack of style. Promise."

"Okay. Quickly, then. We still have a lot to do and then I will get out of here. Dad and I will be back in the morning to pick up Emma so you and Bella have the whole day, right?"

I smiled happily. "Thanks, Mom. "

She grinned back at me. "Go. Clean yourself up-tonight is special! Be sure to scrub behind you ears!" she teased playfully.

Emma's brow furrowed. "Mommy is always kissing Daddy's ears, Grams. I catched them lots. And Daddy hums." She shook her head. "They kisses all da time."

Mom laughed as I felt my face grow warm. "Is that so?"

Emma nodded, frowning. "I no kiss boys. It's ewww. I not sure why Mommy kisses Daddy so much." She looked at me curiously. "How comes Daddy? Does she hafta?" Her eyes grew wide. "Is it yike a wule?"

I stared back at Emma blankly. Then at my mom, who was holding in her laughter.

"I've got this one, dear," she said kindly. "Go have your shower."

Silently, I turned and made my way down the hall; grateful I didn't have to answer the question, yet slightly worried about what information my mother would share with Emma. But, I did like the idea of Bella kissing me being a rule. A strict rule she had to follow daily.

Bella kissing me every day. Anytime I wanted. What a great rule.

Just the thought made me smile.

It would be my favorite rule.

Hmmm. I wonder what he has planned? LOL... we'll find out soon.

Two more chapters my friends. Then we say goodbye to this little family we have all come to love so much. Thank you for that. See you mid week.