A/N - Thanks again for all the great reviews! Sleepy Edward was cute, but he's so much more fun when he's awake! Enjoy!

Chapter 50 - Esme

I woke up at seven on Saturday morning and was happy to see a fairly nice day. I wanted nice weather for Jasper's game. I had a shower and dried my hair, opting to leave it down in long waves today. I pulled on a white ribbed tank, and layered it with a pale lavender plaid shirt. I rolled up the cuffs. I slipped on a pair of light wash jeans and a pair of flip flops.

I picked up my purse and Esme's gift and went down the stairs to meet my dad. He was surprised, last night, that I was home when he got here. I told him all about the recital and how excited Alice was with the tulips. "I didn't want to show favourites, by going to Jasper's game and not to Alice's thing." He had explained.

"Okay, Bells. You ready to go?" My dad asked, as he put on a Mariners baseball cap. I wasn't used to him in blue jeans and a t-shirt. He almost looked like a different person when he wasn't wearing his police uniform.

"I'm ready." I said. We walked out to his old, red truck and headed over to the Cullens'.

We got there at just before eight. Edward was sitting on the porch swing, looking as hot as ever. He was wearing a tight fitting black t-shirt and some torn jeans. He on a pair of black and grey running shoes. His hair was wild, and still looked wet, like he had just gotten out of the shower and towel dried it. There was a small bunch of lavender tied with some kitchen string laying beside him.

As soon as my dad put the truck in park, Edward was up and off of the porch, jogging over to us. My dad chuckled lightly under his breath. He got out and walked to the house. "Good morning, Edward." He said.

"Oh, hello, sir. Nice to see you." He said, nodding at my dad, before coming over to me. I just waited in the truck for Edward. He opened the door, and reached up to get a hold of my waist. He lifted me right out of the truck. I slid down and stood in front of him. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his chest. He put his face to the top of my head and took in a deep breath. "Bella. I know you're going to tell me to shut up, and my dad already passed on your message, but, I really am so sorry for falling asleep before I offered to take you home, last night."

"Edward?" I asked, looking up at his face.

"Yeah, babe?" He said.

"Shut up." I said with a smile on my face. I leaned up and kissed his chin. "I love you, Edward. I feel like it's my fault for making you worry about me so much, and it was nice to have a chance to take care of you, like you do for me all the time."

"Bella, nothing is your fault. You're allowed to be stressed. I want you to talk to me about things that bother you." He said seriously.

"I know, babe. I appreciate that. And, something is bothering me." I said.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You." I laughed, and took off running to the house.

"Bella Swan. Get back here." He laughed, chasing after me. He caught me around the waist and swung me around in a circle.

"Edward Anthony Cullen. Put me down." I screamed in between giggles.

"Why? Am I bothering you, Isabella Marie Swan?" He asked in an innocent voice. He set me down, but held onto me, with my back to his chest and his arms wrapped around my shoulders.

"No, Edward. Seriously, though, I love you, and I just don't want you to worry over small things, okay? You are the most courteous, loving, thoughtful, generous and giving man I have ever met. Nothing is going to change my opinion of you." I looked up over my shoulder into his glowing, green eyes. "Plus, I really liked helping you get ready for bed last night." I winked, and ducked out from under his arms and ran back to the truck to get my purse and Esme's gift. I shut the truck door, to see Edward standing where I had left him with a smile on his face.

I walked back over to him. He reached out and took my hand. "Okay, you win." He laughed. "I promise not to overreact." We walked up the stairs and Edward picked up the flowers from the swing. He passed them to me. "For you, my angel."

I brought them up to my nose. They smelled amazing. "Thanks, babe. I love them." I said, with a smile. He leaned over to me and gave me a quick kiss before we walked inside.

"Hey, Bella. You fixed my brother." Emmett teased, pointing at the smile on Edward's face. Everyone laughed, and Edward's cheeks flushed lightly. I squeezed his hand.

"Alright, let's not tease your brother." Esme said, walking into the dining room with a huge bowl of fruit salad. She had so much food on the table, it was almost funny. There were plates with sausage, bacon, hash browns, scrambled eggs, pancakes and toast.

"Thanks so much for having us, Esme. This looks amazing." I said, sitting down beside Alice as Edward sat beside me, on my left.

"Hi, Bella." Alice said with a smile.

"Hi, Alice. I had such a good time last night."

"Me, too." She said with a huge grin. She turned to face Charlie. "Thank you for the flowers, Chief."

"Oh, you're welcome, kiddo." Charlie said with a smile. He was so good with kids. I wished I was with my dad when I was growing up.

We all shared a great breakfast together. It was nice to spend this time with everyone, as we would be away for a week. I had only known them all for such a short time, but they were already such integral pieces in my life.

After we ate, we all went to sit in the family room, bunched together on the sectional. "Mom, because I won't be here for Mother's Day tomorrow, I wanted to tell you, today, how much I love you, and how amazing you are as mother." Edward said, smiling at his mom.

"Oh, honey." She said, tearing up. He got up and picked up a wrapped gift from a side table by the window and brought it over to her.

"This is from Em, Jazz, Alice and I." He told her, leaning down to kiss her cheek. She delicately opened the gift at the seams.

"It's beautiful, kids. I love it." She said, turning it so we could see. It was a beautiful, carved picture frame with an 11x14 photo of the Cullen children. The guys were all dressed in black suits, with white shirts and black ties, and Alice was in a frilly, white dress, with a black ribbon around her waist. It was an absolutely stunning shot.

"We had it taken when I was home for Spring Break." Edward added.

"Oh, there's more. Here, mom." Emmett said, passing her an envelope.

"Thanks, sweetie." She said. She opened it, and as she read the slip of paper, a smile stretched across her face. "Oh, thank you all, so much. It's a full day at the spa." She said, turning to me.

"That sounds great. You deserve it." I said with a smile. "Um, Esme. I know we haven't known each other for that long, but you've already become so important to me. I wanted to get you something, too, so Happy Mother's Day." I said, passing her the gift bag.

"Oh, Bella. You didn't have to do that, sweetheart." She said, her eyes tearing up again. She opened the bag and gasped, as she pulled out the jewellery stand. "It's beautiful, Bella. Where did ever find something like this?"

"Oh, Edward and I found it in an antique store, yesterday." I said, as Edward squeezed my hand.

"I love it." She said with a smile. She reached in the bag and pulled out the note that I wrote for her. It read: 'I've only known you for nine days, but in that time, Esme, you have shown me more love and acceptance than any other woman in my life. I treasure your friendship, support and, most of all, your hugs. Happy Mother's Day. I love you. ~Bella.'

She set the note down and got up. She walked over to me and pulled me a tight hug. "I love you, too, Bella. Thank you for your beautiful words." She whispered in my ear, kissing me on the cheek. When she let go of me, we were both wiping tears from our eyes.

She went around the room and hugged and kissed all of her kids. I got up and went over to my dad and gave him a hug, before running upstairs to wipe my eyes. I went in Edward's bathroom and splashed my face with water. I laughed to myself. I had done so much crying this week, thankfully, most were happy tears.

"Sugar, are you in here?" I heard Edward call from his bedroom.

I opened the bathroom door and walked into his arms. I laughed into his chest. "Your mom made me cry." He rubbed his hand up and down my back, laughing with me.

"It doesn't seem that hard to do." He teased, leaning down to kiss the top of my head.

"Okay, smarty pants." I said, smacking his butt. I looked up at him and winked. "Let's go watch some baseball."