Author Note/
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
I woke with an ache so big in my head, I wanted to cry. "Owwww!" I whimpered, throwing a hand over my face. The light was streaking through the curtains and I rolled over to shield myself from the blindness, coming face to face with Edward. He looked just as fucked as I felt.
"Is your head about to explode too?" he asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.
I nodded slowly, making sure not to hurt my head any more. "Uh huh. What did we do last night?"
"I haven't drank like that in years."
"I blame your family," I muttered, dropping myself on his body. "They sure know how to handle their liquor."
"They've had more years of practice," Edward reminded me.
"You should be fine then," I joked. "You're twenty eight now. You're getting old."
"Ha, ha," he grumbled. "You'll be twenty two soon, won't you?"
I grinned, lazily. "Not till September! And if this is how we celebrate our birthdays every year, I'm not sure I can handle it. Last night got out of control."
"I don't remember most of it," Edward admitted with a yawn.
I wrapped my arms around him securely, feeling his nakedness as I brought myself closer to him. That brought a thought to my pounding brain. "Did we have sex last night?"
"Most likely," I could hear the smirk in Edward's voice. "Why?"
"You know why," I muttered, thinking of just feeling around my vagina just to see.
Edward laughed. "I guess we'll be getting a baby sooner rather than later, babe."
I smiled and found that it hurt my face. God, I was seriously hungover. "I need food."
"I need a shower."
"I'll get the food," I promised.
"I'll get the shower."
I kissed him quickly on the cheek and threw on one of his t-shirts that covered up all of my vag and most of my ass. I pulled on a pair of his boxers just to be safe.
"You do have your own underwear, Bella," he arched a brow and I winked.
"I know but I wear yours so much better," I teased. I was smiling all the way down to the kitchen where I was met with a hellhole of messes. No one was in sight, not even John so I knew I had to fend for myself for breakfast. I hunted out the ingredients for a large Irish breakfast and got to work. I decided to cook not only for Edward and I, but for the entire family. If Edward was as bad off, I could only imagine the rest.
As I fried the sausages, I tried to think back on last night's events. It was more or less blurred in my mind but some things came back to me. Like a beer game around the kitchen table, dancing with Rosalie on the couches… A conversation about babies…
"Oh god," I groaned, only imagining what was said on my behalf.
"Is your head bangin' aswell?" A voice startled me and I jumped, turning to face a dishevelled Esme. She, too, was dressed in one of Carlisle's t-shirts but she wore her own underwear this time. If I didn't notice already, Esme had the body I dreamt of having at her age.
"I'm sorry?" I stuttered, flipping the sausages and getting started on the eggs.
"Headache," she explained. I just nodded, unable to do much else. "I hate that the workers have a day off on Sunday. It always seems to be the day I need them most." I looked around the room and snorted, realising she was right. If this mess happened every Saturday night, how could she be so hungover?
"I don't think I'll ever keep up with my boys at drinking, no matter how much I say I can," Esme yawned, making her way towards me, picking up rubbish as she went along. "You shouldn't be cooking, darling, that's my job."
"I don't mind doing it," I said honestly. "I was making something for Edward anyway so I just thought I'd cook for the rest. I'm shocked you're worse off."
"I can handle drink until it actually settles in me system," Esme grumbled and I laughed, letting her join me at the stove, cooking up her own bacon. "I don't know why it's so hard for you to say rashers, Bella."
"I'll get around to saying it in time I suppose," I smiled down at the frying pan.
"Have you and Edward discussed where you'll be living?" Esme said and I heard hope in her voice.
"I really want to stay in Dublin," I said softly. "I love it here, you guys made me fall in love with it even more than before. And yesterday, spending that time exploring with Edward… I can just see myself here, you know?"
I looked up to find a smile plastered on Esme's face. Her mascara was falling under her eyes from sleeping with make-up on but she never looked more radiant. "I'm so glad Edward met you, Bella," she whispered thickly. "And after last night… how he described it to us all… the wedding will be perfect."
My eyes bulged out of their sockets at Esme's words but before I had a chance to ask what the fuck she was talking about, our conversation was interrupted.
"Morning ladies!" Emmett's booming voice entered the kitchen and I cringed against the loudness.
"Jaysus, Em, do you have to be so bloody loud?" Esme hissed, picking up her spatula to throw at him. Emmett just grinned and dug his hand into the frying pan.
"Are these rashers done yet?" He licked his lips.
"Clearly not!" Esme snapped. "Now fuck off and wake the others. Breaky's almost ready."
He nodded and trotted his half-naked ass out of the room once more. I took that as my chance to return to the topic at hand with Esme.
"Uh…" I licked my lips, putting the cooked sausages and eggs on a large plate. "What did Edward say last night…?"
Esme gave me a look. "You don't remember anything, do you?" she grinned mischievously.
"No," I admitted, wondering if it was a good idea to tell her that.
"Ah HA!" She laughed loudly. "Then I'm not telling you shite! It will have to come from my son, darling."
Big mistake telling Esme the truth. "Fine!" I grumbled and carried the food to the table. I put out some jugs of orange juice and water, along with separate plates and glasses. Forks and knives came next. As the table was just about set, Esme was finished cooking the toast and everyone seemed to pile in at once around the table.
Charlie was the last to come in, looking more dishevelled than the rest of them. I had to laugh at his expression. He looked like he'd just seen a ghost.
"Don't even let me come to Dublin again," he said, his voice hoarse. It sounded like he lost his voice completely. "And I thought I could drink." I snorted and set him a plate filled to the brim with food and left him to his own devices then.
Edward rounded the table to sit next to me and the sight of him looking fresh faced and handsome just made me wonder what he could have said about marriage last night. I thought over Esme's words and how she said the wedding would be perfect. Did that mean it was already being planned? Were we engaged without a ring to show for it? What did she mean?!
"Edward," I leaned closer as I dipped my sausage into my egg. Everyone erupted into conversation about last night's antics and Charlie discussed his flight home with Carlisle. I tried not to tune in on that talk, knowing I'd grow emotional.
"Hmm?" Edward replied, dropping his head lower to hear me whisper.
"We didn't get engaged last night, by any chance, did we?" I asked, nonchalantly and I winced when his fork dropped from his hand.
"What?" He choked on a laugh. I watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed thickly. "I don't think so… Why?"
"Your mom…" I tried to explain between bites, trying not to draw attention to us. "She said something this morning about you having a wedding talk. She sounded like it was already planned and I freaked out. I thought I'd ask."
"I really don't think I proposed, Bella," he assured me with a small smile. "I'd do it in a much more romantic setting."
I bit back a smile and nodded, glad to know we weren't tying the knot so soon. I couldn't wait for the day he did… But then again I could.
We continued as a family eating until there was nothing left and we all pitched in with the cleaning of the whole room.
"This reminds me of our family Christmas'!" Emmett grinned as he went around the room with a garbage bag. "It's going to be even bigger this year with Alice and Bella around!"
"And Charlie!" Carlisle added, still in conversation with my dad. I was beginning to think they'd elope soon since they spent so much time together.
"That means more alcohol!" Jasper snickered and my dad groaned.
"I think I'll stay on my side of the ocean for that," he said nervously and everyone laughed. I laughed louder at the thought of how crazy Christmas would be with the Cullen's. It had me jumping for joy.
"I hope it snows!" Alice clapped.
"Ew, no, that is a nightmare in heels," Rosalie said dramatically. "Not to mention how bad it will be pregnant."
"We haven't gotten snow in a while," Emmett pouted. "I miss it."
"We could go back to the Bahamas, like we did in 2013," Esme said. "But that didn't feel like a family Christmas, since we spent it on the beach."
"And I just said I miss the snow," Emmett rolled his eyes at his mother.
"You go to the Bahamas?" I whispered to Edward as we washed the dishes.
"Occasionally," he shrugged. "Sometimes I'm busy working with dad but we make it there for a few days. Sometimes we stay in New York for the Christmas vibes."
"New York sounds perfect!" Rosalie nodded in agreement. "More shopping for my little princess."
"Or prince," Emmett added, rubbing her stomach. I smiled at the perfect family picture they painted before me.
"I think we should stay right here," Carlisle announced, leaving Charlie to stand by his wife. "With our new family members, we should show them what it's like during the holidays."
"I like that idea," Alice beamed and I nodded in encouragement.
"Hopefully there'll be another wedding soon!" Esme clapped, her eyes heading straight for me. "We need to dress up more!"
"You dress like something off the runway, Esme!" Alice said, stunned. "But I wouldn't mind a big fancy wedding! Take the hint, Jazzy!" Ali wrapped her arms around Jasper and we all laughed at the expression on his face.
"One step at a time, Ali," he laughed with the nerves, though he kissed her softly.
I ducked my head and went back to scrubbing, laughing occasionally when something funny was said and helped wherever needed assistance. All the while I thought about our future as a family and how many occasions we'd have together. A christening for Rose and Emmett's baby, then Alice and Jasper's, then mine and Edward's… Not to mention weddings and birthdays and Christmas… There was so much to look forward to.
"I better get washed and ready to head the airport," Charlie broke through my happiness and my heart dropped to my stomach.
"Already?" I choked, swallowing deeply.
"My flights at four but Carlisle said to leave by one to get through security. It's a pain."
I nodded, putting down the dish rag and wiped my hands in Edward's shirt. "I'll help you pack."
"Already done, kiddo," he smiled sadly.
"Oh," I said dumbly. "Right."
"I'll uh… just head to the shower."
"O-okay," I breathed, throwing him a smile. Once he left the room, I let out a harsh breath and wiped roughly at my eyes.
"Hey, babe, you okay?" Edward wrapped me in his arms.
"I'm fine, I'm sorry, it's just hard to see him go after so long being apart," I whispered brokenly. Everyone seemed to rush around me to comfort us but that made me want to cry harder. "I know what it done to him when I went missing so to see him go back to Seattle alone… it breaks my heart."
"He's genuinely happy for you here, Bella," Carlisle told me, breaking through everyone else. "He told me himself. He'd rather to see you happy here then miserable back in Seattle with him. He doesn't want to take you away from someone you love."
"I know he'll be okay," I sniffled. "I'll just miss him so much."
"We can always visit," Edward gave me a little squeeze. "Whenever you want- my private jet is at your beck and call whenever you need it."
"I thought all you had was a boat?" I said, glad for the distraction.
"I've a lot more in store for you, babe," he winked and everyone laughed again.
"I love you," I grumbled with a giggle and wiped away my tears. "Thank you. All of you."
Charlie left an hour later with Carlisle driving him in his SUV. We had a hug that lasted longer than any of our ones before in my entire twenty one years of living and I stood at the porch steps to wave until the car was out of sight. I didn't cry anymore, knowing he was happy to leave me in a safe environment- or so he thought. His suspicions on Edward and the Hales never came up again so I had no reason to worry about him tell-tailing to police Newton. Our asses were safe for the time being.
The rest of my day was spent with Edward, transferring my bank details and hospital files through the phone and internet while I set my new address to the Cullen estate. Rosalie and Emmett were out for the day shopping, Esme and Carlisle were still busy cleaning up and Alice and Jasper were upstairs doing god knows what.
"Once you're really settled in Ireland, I'll start looking for a place of our own," Edward said as he held me close on the couch. "Then, when you're ready, you'll let me take you to every other apartment and condo I have around the States."
"I hate you," I said as I snuggled closer to him. "I don't want you to shower me in gifts, Edward."
"I can't guarantee that but my homes aren't gifts, they're your homes too."
"I want a job, Edward," I sighed. "I want a career! A steady job that would help our child in the long run."
"I'm financially capable to"-
"But I want to contribute too, Edward," I interrupted him softly. "I want independence."
He took a breath and nodded, obviously seeing where I was coming from. "A job. We'll get through that first and then a house. Agreed?"
"Agreed," I nodded. "Your parents won't mind us staying here?"
"Nah, Em and Rose always stay over a few nights a week instead of driving home. They'd kill for my Ma's cooking so they're always over for that. Ma loves the company."
"Have you talked to Jasper about what his plans are?"
"I think they'll be heading back to Seattle to sort out a few things on my behalf actually," he muttered and my ears perked up. "I didn't want to leave you here so Jazz agreed to ship all my work over while he's at the company."
"Shit, I didn't know you had to go through such lengths!" Now I felt bad.
"Its fine, babe, I'm always at it whenever I move from state to state. Now it's just country to country. But back to Jasper. After his business is taken care of, I think he and Alice like the idea of Dublin. Alice doesn't really want to leave you and since her parents aren't itching to see her too, she's all for shipping her life here."
Yeah, her parents weren't the best of people. I never tended to think of them often. And neither did Alice.
"So we're all living in Dublin," I grinned, clapping my hands in excitement and Edward chuckled.
"Yeah, baby, we're all living in Dublin."
Epilogue next. *Sniff sniff* I'm gonna miss this story dearly. I love you all.
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