A/N - Happy Saturday! Fan Fiction was gliching up a storm yesterday, and the chapter I uploaded didn't show up until I took it down and reloaded it last night. So if you haven't seen Chapter 48, make sure to check that one first. Here's hoping this one works! Thanks for reading! Enjoy!


Chapter 49 - Fresh Start

Sitting at brunch with my three mother figures and Edward's baby sister was an interesting experience to say the least. My mom was still weepy. I had never really seen her this way. She was usually in control of herself.

It was true that, lately, she was a different person. She was really working on our relationship, acting more sensitive. But, still. I was a little concerned. When we placed our orders, we all ordered orange juice, except for Heidi, who had coffee, and my mom, who ordered a mimosa, champagne in her orange juice.

And that was why I was worried. I had never known my mom to drink. Yeah, maybe she had a glass a wine when she was out to eat, but this early? My mom must have noticed my face, because she grabbed my hand, and squeezed it.

"Bella, I'm just celebrating," she said. "Don't look so worried."

"Okay," I said, but I wasn't okay. Honestly, I was going to keep an eye on her. Which was going to be difficult with her living in Denver. Maybe I'd have to talk to Aro. Ask him if had noticed anything strange.

We all ordered our brunch, and I had a delicious croissant, two slices of cantaloupe and three strips of bacon. It was awesome. "So, tell us about this dress?" Heidi asked, smiling at me, and squeezing my leg.

"It's beautiful," I said, smiling. "It looks like it will hug my body, the skirt flares out, there are little flowers on the bottom, and a bow under the bust. I can't wait to get it on."

"A bow and flowers?" my mom asked, finishing off her drink. "You don't think that's too much detail on one dress?"

"You'll have to see it, mom. It really looks better than it sounds," I said.

Esme smiled at me from across the table. "You are going to look beautiful, Bella. I can't wait to see it."

My mom teared up, again. "Oh, mom," I said, pulling her into a hug. "Don't cry, okay?"

Heidi stood up. "Come on, girls. Let's give Bella and her mom some privacy. We'll just wait next door. There's a cute little shoe store I saw on the way in."

I smiled up at my step mom. She was amazing to do this for me. She winked and her, Esme and Alice all left the restaurant. I turned to my mom and held her hands. "Mommy, talk to me. What's upsetting you so much?"

"I had too much to drink this morning," she admitted instantly. "I'm sorry, Bella. I never do this. Trust me, honey. I don't have a drinking problem."

"I believe you, mom," I said. "But why did you drink so much today?"

"I was just upset about our fight on the phone last week. I wasn't sure if you'd forgiven me for being so selfish. I was nervous to come up here. I was so scared to disappoint you, again. It seems like all I can do." She sighed. "And it looks like I've done it, again."

"Mom," I said, wiping my eyes. "I love you. I want you here with me today. I need you. You're my mom. I don't care about any fights we've had. We're building a new relationship together. Let's make today our fresh start."

"How did you get so mature?" my mom asked, smiling at me.

I giggled. "I'm pretty sure I'm not that mature, mom," I said. "But, honestly, being with Edward, knowing what it's like to be in love, knowing how important relationships are, I don't know. He's just opened my eyes to a lot of things. He's an amazing man, mom. I'm proud to be his fiancé."

My mom reached up, tracing her fingers along my cheek. "You are a phenomenal woman, Isabella. I am so proud to be your mother."

"Thank you, mom." I leaned forward to give her a tight hug. "Now, how about we go see if we can get me a wedding dress?"

My mom smiled. "Absolutely."

I excused myself to the bathroom, while my mom paid for brunch. I hated that I had my period, but at least I wasn't cramping. I still felt a little tired, but having breakfast helped a lot.

I missed Edward's warm arms. We usually snuggled on the couch and watched movies when I had my period. And as much as I hated this time of the month, I really loved cuddle time with Edward. Maybe once our families went home tonight, Edward and I could just sit down on the couch and relax.

I checked my phone and smiled when I saw a text from Edward. 'Love you, baby girl,' was all it said, but it was enough to make me smile. He was always thinking about me, always letting me know how much he loved me. It was an incredible feeling.

I shot him back a quick message, 'Love you, too, big boy,' before I went back out to join my mom. She looked a lot better, now that we had talked, and I was glad that we had talked everything out, and could enjoy the rest of our day.

She linked her arm in mine and we walked out of the restaurant. "Are you feeling, okay, honey?" she asked. "You look a little pale."

"I have my period," I said, quietly.

"Aw, Bella. Are you still getting those awful cramps?"

"I'm not. The birth control pills I'm taking are a miracle. Really."

My mom laughed. "You can deny it all you want, but you are so grown up."

We walked into the shoe store and I giggled when I saw little Alice walking around in a pair of shiny red shoes. She was such a little diva. It was adorable. "Hey, Bella. Look at the shoes that mom is getting me."

"Wow, Alice. They're beautiful. I think Edward is right. You are a princess."

She giggled. "Then that would mean he's a prince, right, mom?"

Esme giggled. "All my sons are princes."

"And I get to marry one. I'm so lucky," I said, couching down in front of Alice to help her take off her shoes.

"Bella. Is your dress a fluffy fairytale dress?" Alice asked me, while we waited for Esme to buy the shoes.

"No, it's not fluffy. It's shiny and sleek."

"What does sleek mean?" she asked.

"Let's go see it, Alice, and Bella will show you," Esme said, as we got into the SUV.

Heidi drove us to the wedding shop, I Do Bridal. I was thrilled to see the dress, to actually put it on. I sort of knew that I would cry, but I could blame my period. I was always a little over emotional, anyway, never mind all the hormones.

When we walked into the boutique, I couldn't help but smile. I was so thrilled to show all the women I loved, except for Angie, my dress. But, I'd have Heidi take a picture of me in the dress and send it to Ang, so she didn't feel left out.

That was, if I actually liked the dress on my body. Kay, the consultant that helped Edward and I last time, was here, again. "Oh, Bella, right? You're back to try on the dream dress. And is this everyone?" I loved her. She was so nice.

"It is. Kay, this in my mom, Renee, my step mom, Heidi, my mommy in law to be, Esme and my beautiful almost sister and flower girl, Alice." I was so proud of my family, so I loved showing them off.

"What a beautiful group of ladies," Kay said. "And Esme, I've met the groom, your son. I have to compliment you on raising such an amazing young man. He and Bella looked so happy together. So, in love."

Esme's cheeks flushed and she was literally beaming at the compliment. Such a proud mom. "Thank you, so much. Aren't you sweet? We're very proud of him. And we couldn't be happier with Bella. They are the perfect pair. They bring out the best in each other."

I could feel the tears starting to prickle my eyes at Esme's sweet words. I loved her so much.

Kay led our group over to the seating area, and set out tea and water. I was just about to head to the dressing room, when the bell on the front door chimed as someone opened the door. It was a delivery man, holding a bouquet of a dozen roses, white and pastel pink. It was beautiful, but I assumed it was for a display in the store.

Kay walked up to him and smiled, talking the bouquet. She walked back over to us and passed me the bouquet. "For you, Bella. I think a certain groom just got sweeter."

I gasped in surprise. I had never felt so special. Another group of women looking around the shop looked over me, and I smiled. Yeah, I was a lucky girl. I pulled out the card, and, as I read it, lost my battle with my tears.

'Bella, I know that I have to wait ten months to see you in your dress, but I know you will take my breath away when I finally get to see it. I love you, now and forever, Edward.'

I passed the card to Heidi, and wiped my eyes. "I get to marry this man."