My oldest turned 16 on Tuesday. Where has the time gone?

Edward hated that he'd been gone for so long. One week turned into three faster than he could say fucked up shipments and incompetent idiots. The lieutenants shouldn't need Emmett up their asses to make sure they did their jobs properly, but that's how they acted. Edward went from thinking he'd rearrange management within the corporation, check a few properties and go home, to getting stuck in Port Angeles. It wasn't his intention to make a habit of business trips, but some matters required his personal attention.

As he promised himself he would, he took time out of the schedule on the last day to visit a jewelry store. Embarrassingly, he realized he had no clue what Bella would like, so he decided to pick out several styles and bring them back to her. The jeweler was quick to offer them on loan, making Edward grateful to be well enough known that he could do that. He would allow Bella to pick which set she liked the best and have the others sent back.

For himself, he bought a plain band in platinum. He didn't need diamonds or anything fancy and didn't feel the need to show off. It was as simple as wanting it known that he was a married man. Hopefully, Bella would be happy with his gesture, despite the way she constantly reminded him she didn't need things. It was a symbol more than it was decoration, and that was something he felt certain she would recognize.

Pissed that he'd officially missed more of Quinn's life than he'd been present for, he asked around for the best baby store and then spent an inordinate amount of time in it. Of course, he was surrounded by security men when he went shopping. Never again would he make the mistake of thinking he could go anywhere alone, even for a second.

As he browsed through the children's store, he wished for a brief moment that he'd hired a personal assistant, but he rarely saw the need. Besides, if he couldn't choose a few gifts for his child, then he was truly lost. The sales clerk followed him around, commenting on all his choices.

He picked up a soft blue blanket, and she said, "This one is perfect for a baby boy."

He rolled his eyes when he picked up two clip-on pacifier sets, one that said I love Mommy and one that said I love Daddy, and she commented, "You have such wonderful taste."

But her last comment made him pause. "Shall I deliver these for you?"

"That depends. Are you personally offering to bring them to my house in Seattle?"

Blushing, she dipped her blonde head. "Yes, I would be more than happy to do that for you."

"Then no. My men will take care of everything."

He didn't know what it was about that town, but women had put themselves in his path repeatedly. In Seattle, he had a distinct buffer which nobody crossed into, but here they went out of their way to put their feet in their mouths. Why would anyone offer such a thing to a man wearing a wedding ring and picking out baby items?

He was itching to leave that city behind and go back to a petite brunette and a little red-haired baby. It hadn't occurred to him until he left her, but he missed Bella. Even recognizing it as the same feeling he had when she was in Forks and he went back to Seattle, it was almost a shock to think he enjoyed her company. Maybe they could have something real if he worked on it.

Or maybe she'd be upset that he was gone for so long.

He spent the car ride home twisting his new ring around on his finger. It was an unusual sensation, but it also felt right. Maybe that alone could soften his tardy return.

He sent a text to Bella, letting her know they'd be home within the hour. He alerted Tyler so Bella wouldn't have to worry with their dinner plans, but she and the chef seemed to be on friendly terms. He was that type of man, anyway; someone easy to talk to. Edward had kept in touch with Bella a few times a week, and she sent him pictures of Quinn sporadically. According to Eric, she hadn't left the house except for the pediatrician's visit she'd mentioned.

There was a sensation building in the pit of his stomach as they drove through the streets of Seattle. For the first time, he anticipated going back home, the one filled with his family. They were people worth dying for; worth killing for. He would do anything to protect them, which wasn't a surprise, just a comforting idea which settled in his chest.

Even better to pull into the circular driveway and see Bella on the front steps with their son in her arms. His heart swelled at the sight of them.

"Stop here," he ordered Phil, opening the door before the car came to a full stop and rushing to get out.

The air was frigid enough to bite at his cheeks, but he didn't care. Bella wore her coat, and she'd wrapped Quinn in a blanket and put a cap on his head. They were the most heartwarming sight he'd seen in ages.

"Welcome home."

Edward grinned all the way up the steps, reaching for Quinn and cradling him in his arms. "He's holding his head up," he said in awe.

With a smile, Bella nodded. "Just be careful, he's wobbly yet."

All he could do was breathe in his son, kissing his face and trying not to squeeze him too tight. "Let's go in, it's cold."

While Bella removed her coat and hung it in the closet, he waited in the foyer. It didn't feel appropriate to take her into his arms, but he wanted to. "I apologize for being gone so long."

"It's fine."

Well, he might be a man, but he had a sister and a mother. Fine was never fine. "No, it's unacceptable, and I'll do my best to make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Okay."

He couldn't tell if she really was agreeable with his apology, or if she was just trying to be nice and not start a fight the second he walked in the door. "Thank you."

"What for?" she asked with a frown.

"Not yelling at me even though I deserve it."

"I'm sure you're sorry, and I don't want to fight."

There was an edge to her voice, but he didn't want to fight, either. For the time being, he would let it go.

"Dinner should be ready soon if you want to head to the dining room."

"I'll be right there. I want to change and wash my hands." He kissed Quinn, nuzzling his cheek before handing him to Bella.

When she walked away, he went back outside. The car he arrived in was still there, but the others had gone to the garage. Phil had opened the trunk and stood waiting for instruction.

"I'll take the rings, and the baby stuff can go to the nursery. Thanks, Phil."

He took the bags upstairs to his room, setting them on the bed while he changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt. He'd hidden beneath suits for a long time, and he didn't think he'd spent more than a middle of the night feeding in casual clothes. It felt good to relax in his home for a change. He washed his hands and tried to tame his hair before grabbing the two bags and heading for the dining room.

"Bella."

She was fastening the safety belt on the baby swing when he walked in, and she looked up at the sound of her name. "Hm?"

"I brought you something." Setting the bags on the table, he continued. "Now, before you remind me you don't need baubles, I want you to look at what it is."

Without saying a word, she peered into the first bag. Pulling out a red velvet box and giving him the stink eye, she opened it and immediately dropped it on the table with a thud. "What in the world is that?"

"I thought it was obvious." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's ostentatious."

"There are seven of them. Choose the one that's right for you." He shrugged. "Or none of them. We'll go to a jeweler here to pick one. I don't care. I just want you to have a wedding set, Bella."

When she looked at him with tears in her eyes and her lip between her teeth, he took a chance and stepped forward.

"See, I've got a band." He held up his hand and said gently, "I want you to wear my ring."

Bella rested her hand on her chest. "You want me . . ."

"It's the right thing to do, and I hope you appreciate the gesture."

"I do, but I wasn't expecting it." She went back to the bags, pulling out the velvet boxes and lining them up on the table. "Are they all as big as that one?"

"No, I think that's the biggest. The jeweler kept trying to load me down with more and more and I stopped fighting her."

Bella nodded. "I'm sure she was persuasive."

"They're all on loan, so there's no obligation to you. If you find one you like, I'm more than happy to make it yours."

"I can't imagine what this must cost," she said, holding up a large oval engagement ring.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to someone who grew up solidly middle class, who doesn't know what spoiled means and never grew a taste for expensive jewelry."

"Shall I take you to Walmart for the finest CZ they sell?" he asked dryly.

Sinking into her chair, she twisted her fingers together and couldn't meet his gaze. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, Edward, because I'm touched by your thoughtfulness." She swiped at a tear. "Money is a stranger to me, and it's not easy to allow you to spend it without feeling overwhelmed."

He dropped to his knees in front of her chair and picked up her hands. "It's okay, Bella. I wanted to do a nice thing for you, that's all."

"It is nice, and I promise I'll pick one."

"Only if one of them truly makes you happy." Reaching around her, he fumbled through the boxes until he found a silver one. "Try this one."

Her breath caught in her throat when she flipped open the lid. It was a stack of three thin diamond bands, and it shocked her how much they suited her. "Oh, that's beautiful."

"I take it they're your choice?"

All she could do was nod. He took the rings out of the box and slid them on her finger, clutching her hand in his.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He cleared his throat. "You're welcome."

Tyler came in the door from the kitchen, and Edward straightened to move the shopping bags to the sideboard. Bella wiped her face, leaning over to tuck Quinn's trailing blanket back around his feet. The only sounds in the room were the whirring of the swing motor and Tyler moving in and out with the dishes.

Edward sat down and passed the first dish to Bella. "What did you and Rose do while I was gone?"

"Redid the room Angela stayed in. We started stripping its bathroom but realized we needed a plumber for some of the things we want to change. I didn't feel right calling someone from out of the phone book, so we moved on to planning the sitting room."

"The one next to my office?"

"Don't worry, we stayed out of your lair."

He chuckled. "I'm not concerned about that."

"I want an office, and it has great light during the day."

"You want an office?" he asked slowly.

"Um, yes." She focused on eating her salad.

"If it's not too offensive to ask, why do you want an office?"

It took her a minute to find her voice. "I signed up for online college courses."

There was a lengthy pause of silence while she braced herself for his reaction.

"That's a wonderful idea. Do you think you'll have the time and energy while Quinn is so little?"

She blew out a huge breath. "I can go at my own pace, so if I'm having a hard day, it'll be okay."

"Well. I'm, ah, impressed. And . . . proud of you." When she didn't respond, he risked a glance in her direction, horrified to see her crying. "Oh, God, what did I say wrong?"

She tried to wave him away, but he got up and pulled her out of her chair.

"I didn't mean to make you cry." He wrapped his arms around her, and she cried harder. "Bella, please, I'm sorry. Don't cry."

"No, Edward, you don't understand."

"I know I don't, so please tell me."

Stepping away, she stared up at him. "I can't remember the last time someone told me they were proud of me."

His brows went up. "Oh."

"I want to be a good mom, and I want to be smart and set a good example."

That shocked him. "You're all those things now, Bella."

But she shook her head. "I'm book smart, but I'm naïve. I want to know a practical skill, even if I can't use it."

"What skill?"

"General business management. Nothing fancy."

He brushed her hair off her face. "Sounds good to me."

Tyler came back in with the main course, and Bella backed up to sit down again.

Edward picked up his glass. "What if you could use your knowledge after you've gone to school?"

"Doing what? Alice made it clear my job is to take care of you and the house."

He bit his tongue. What Alice said was true, but when applied to Bella, it made him angry. "I don't know, but we have time to think of something."

"Okay. That would make me happy."

He smiled. It was a start.

I admit, I was a little surprised by the reactions to the teaser. I thought he did a pretty good job.