DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction for which we will receive no compensation, especially since all characters belong to a different Stephenie. But this story helped save the babies, which we are all for.

Big thanks to maplestyle even though BH failed to give her this chapter. Oops. LOL.

Happy Posting Day! Just so you know, we miss seeing you guys every week too. And it gives us so much joy that you're keeping up with this story and haven't missed a beat since we've gone biweekly.

Now let's check in with these crazy kids. It's the morning after Bella nearly drops the L-word on him...

Chapter 27

Bella was sitting on the couch, idly flipping through an old magazine. Edward had been quiet all morning, practically avoiding her, and she knew why.

She should have just kept her mouth shut.

She hadn't said the words, not really, but she knew Edward could read between the lines. He'd held her last night as they slept, and she woke up in his arms. But he left the bed saying he needed to use the bathroom and hadn't been back since. Bella finally got up to see where he was, but the cottage was empty, and he'd left no note.

Bella used the time alone to shower and change for the day, but as she waited in the living room for his return, she knew she'd have to make things right between them.

She just didn't know how.

The front door opened, and Edward came in, his chest drenched with sweat. From his attire, she knew he had gone on a run, but from the tense look in his eyes, she knew he was still on edge. "Hey," he said.

"Hey, yourself. Is everything okay?"

He shook his head, pulling out his earbuds. "I think we need to talk."

Bella closed the magazine with a sigh. "If this is about last night, then let me go first."

"Last night?"

"Look, I know I said... well, almost said... 'I love you' last night, but I also said, 'Holy fucking shitballs' the night before, so we should ignore anything I say during or right after sex."

Edward looked at her, his expression tight. "I think that's wise."

"Good."

"But that's not what I want to talk to you about." He came into the living room and stood by the fireplace, looking down. "Today is the anniversary of my father's death."

"Oh." Bella hadn't expected that. "I'm sorry."

"It's why we have this reunion this time every year, to honor him. And why today, nothing is scheduled until the barbecue and bonfire." He looked at her. "The mood at the house will be different tonight, and I wanted you to understand why."

"That's why you've been so distant," she said, crossing the room. "Edward, it's okay. I'm here for you."

"Thank you." He tried to smile. "That means a lot."

"Guilt can really mess with the mind, so try not to keep blaming yourself for..."

"What makes you think I blame myself?" he asked, watching her suspiciously.

"I just... children often feel guilty over the loss of a parent, whether to death, divorce, or something else. Even if they weren't to blame, it's a natural..."

"Don't talk to me like I'm a patient." He stepped back. "Did... did someone say something to you?"

Bella closed her eyes. "She was trying to help."

"Who?"

"Leah."

He gaped at her. "Is that what you were talking about at the fire pit?"

"Among other things, yes. Like you, she didn't want me walking in blind today." Bella approached him cautiously. "And I think she wanted me to know so I could understand you better."

"She shouldn't have gone behind my back." Edward clenched his jaw, trying to keep his rising emotions in check. "I was going to tell you about my father myself, and her telling you first undermines that."

"It doesn't. At least, not in my eyes."

"What did she say?"

Bella recounted Leah's words verbatim, omitting the part about Tanya. She watched Edward carefully as she spoke and was relieved as some of the tension drained from his face. When she finished, Edward sighed, running a hand down his face.

"I... I didn't know they didn't blame me for not being there," he murmured.

"No one blames you for anything. It was a terrible, unfortunate accident and no one's fault."

"But I was supposed to rake the leaves."

"In the rain? Honey, that wouldn't have been possible."

"I should have been there."

"You wish you had been there," she corrected gently. "Try to see the difference, okay?"

He nodded, and she patted his cheek affectionately, wanting to give him space. She was relieved her word vomit last night hadn't ruined the mood and hoped he'd taken some of her words about his father's death to heart.

They spent the day apart, Edward doing who knows what and Bella in her room, reading her book and enjoying the group chat shenanigans of her friends at Olympic Med. In today's episode, Jasper accused Alice of deliberately barging in his bedroom while he was changing. Alice denied it... and also denied giggling at what she saw. Rose and Jake were no help, chiming in with suggestive memes and GIFs just keep the foolery going.

Bella realized they were texting this discussion so she could be included, and the thought touched her. Somehow, despite everything she'd been through, she'd managed to carve out a life that included a good job, solid friends, and whatever the hell she had going on with Edward.

Not bad for the shy, forsaken daughter of a world-renowned surgeon.

***STYB***

Bella rubbed her stomach, feeling as if she might finally be full. While Elizabeth and Charlotte took care of the sides and salads, Peter and Brad provided a grilled feast the likes of which Bella had never seen. There was so much steak and seafood, she wondered if they'd cleaned out the state of Connecticut.

"We'll have dessert afterwards," Elizabeth said as the ladies tidied up the kitchen. Bella noted the hitch in her voice, and her heart went out to the woman. Bella had never met a happy wife, didn't know they existed, and couldn't imagine how Elizabeth had felt after her husband died. Bella wanted to ask if she was okay, but the answer was "obviously not," so she focused on helping Rachel rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

Bella made her way outside with the rest of the Cullen women and found the gentlemen setting up chairs opposite the stone bench arcing around the fire pit. The kids raced to the bench, the girls snagging the provided pillows and cushions, and Leah said Bella could take any chair she liked. She headed toward the lounger she'd sat in yesterday, expecting Edward to sit in the chair beside her.

But he sat in the lounger himself, opening his legs and patting the space between them. "And grab that blanket too," he said to her.

Bella hid her surprise as she took the blanket from the adjacent chair. She sat on the lounger and scooted back, resting against Edward's chest. For every physical line they'd crossed this week, this position seemed exquisitely intimate.

"Is this okay?" he murmured in her ear.

Bella nodded, pulling the blanket over their legs. "Better than."

"Keep those hands where I can see them," Leah said as she plunked in the chair beside them. Bella blushed, feeling self-conscious, until she noticed Nick and Rachel were sitting the same way.

"Hush," Elizabeth said, beaming at her son. "I think it's adorable."

She walked around to each of her kids and grandkids, paying similar compliments, and Bella realized the tribute to Edward Sr. was starting. Elizabeth's sons-in-law and grandchildren had no memories of him, but they understood his importance to the family.

Bella listened reverently as Elizabeth told the story of how they met, her green eyes lighting up as if she were reliving the details right in front of them. As she described their early days together, Bella leaned back against Edward, wrapping his arms around her waist. He rested his head against hers while Elizabeth shared her favorite stories of her husband in his role as father.

"We were going to name you 'Harold' after his favorite uncle," Elizabeth said, looking at Edward. "But I said you could have no finer name than your father's and made the decision while he was getting me something from the cafeteria. When he found out what I'd done, he teared up, and I knew I'd done the right thing."

Bella felt Edward tremble, and she squeezed his hands where they lay in her lap. "It's all right," she whispered.

Elizabeth didn't mention her husband's death, instead inviting her children to share their favorite memories of their father. Bella's heart ached with each story, nearly coming to tears as Kate described their ritual of watching the Miss America pageant. Edward Sr. made her a different sash every year highlighting a quality of hers he loved. Kate kept them in a special box, but after he died, she couldn't look at them.

"I thought he'd be ashamed of who I've become," she whispered, looking in our direction.

"Your father loved you," Elizabeth said, walking toward her. "Loved each one of you with his whole heart. There was nothing you could do or become to change that."

Elizabeth kissed Kate's forehead, glancing at Edward. He shifted behind Bella, and she thought he wanted to get up. Instead, he cleared his throat.

"I don't talk about Dad," he said, his voice shaking. "Because it's been easier not to. But if he were here, I think he would be proud of us for sticking together as a family, for doing this every year. And thinking about that makes me happy."

Leah reached for his hand, and Edward squeezed hers. "Well said," she said.

"Hear, hear," Rachel said.

"On that note..." Elizabeth smiled. "I think it's time for smores. Who's gonna help me?"

Her grandkids jumped up from the stone bench and ran toward the kitchen while Peter, Brad, Nick, and Jackson went to gather sticks for roasting. Bella chuckled at the commotion and turned Edward. His eyes were glassy, but Bella pretended not to notice.

"I'm going to help your mother," she said, patting his knee.

"Thanks," Edward said, looking away as he released his grip on her waist.

Bella stood and looked at Leah. The four sisters gathered around Edward, and Bella hurried to the house to give them some privacy.

In the kitchen, the kids buzzed around the kitchen, the promise of smores making them eager to do whatever Elizabeth told them. In seconds, they flew out the back door with napkins, graham crackers, bagged marshmallows, and bottles of water.

She didn't trust anyone but herself with the chocolate.

"That was fast," Bella said, looking around. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Oh, you've done enough." Elizabeth crossed the room and took her hands. "And I don't know how to thank you."

"I don't understand."

"Edward has never..." Elizabeth closed her eyes, trying to get herself together. "He never participates in this part of the reunion. He sits around the bonfire in sunglasses, so he could be asleep for all we know, and never says a word. Tonight was the first time he's ever said anything, and I know that's because of your influence."

"I doubt that," Bella said. "He didn't even tell me about his father's death. Leah did."

"No, but did he get angry with her for it? Or at you for knowing about it?"

"No, but..."

"And he sat curled up with you in front of us, shamelessly demonstrating how much you mean to him."

Bella turned away, swiping some errant crumbs from the kitchen table. "I'm sure he was like that with Tanya."

"No, he wasn't," Elizabeth said firmly. "They sat in different chairs, not always beside each other, and she never paid any attention to my old stories."

"They're not old stories! They are precious memories and the core of what makes this family special."

"Oh, honey, what's wrong?"

Bella sniffled and looked away. "It's nothing."

"If it's made you this upset, it's not nothing. If you'd like to talk about it, I'd be glad to listen."

Bella couldn't look at her. "I didn't think it would be this hard."

"What?"

"Being around your family."

"Why? Did Edward suggest we were mean or..."

"No, nothing like that. He only said good things about most of you. And even with Kate, he didn't say much." Bella sighed. "Your family is the opposite of mine, if I even have a family."

Elizabeth didn't say anything, waiting her out.

"My mother is a famous surgeon. She's been gunning for greatness since before I was born, and... well, let's just say she made it clear that my existence wasn't going to get in her way."

Elizabeth frowned. "Was she... I mean, did she hurt you?"

"Physically, no. But her cruel words and lack of affection packed their own punch."

"What about your father?"

"He left when I was young. My memories with him are the best parts of my childhood. The only parts, really."

Elizabeth looked at Bella with sympathetic eyes. "I didn't know."

"How could you?"

"I just wish I would have."

"Don't do that," Bella said with heat. "Don't pity me."

"I'm not pitying you. I'm saying that I care about your feelings and I'm sorry this is hard." She laid a hand on Bella's hand where it rested on the counter. "There is a difference between pity and compassion, you know."

"I'm starting to understand that."

"Listen, and I hope this isn't too forward, but would you mind giving me your number and address? I promise not to pop by or 'blow up your phone' as my grandkids say, but I would like to be able to check in every now and then, just to say hi."

"Sure," Bella said as Elizabeth pulled out a pad and pen from a drawer.

"Plus, I send really nice gift baskets around the holidays." As Bella scribbled down her information, Elizabeth looked at her. "You really are a gift."

Bella snorted. "I wouldn't go that far."

"No, you are. You care enough to try and give Edward what he needs. In everything you do, your heart is in the right place." She waited for Bella to look up from her writing. "It gives me great peace to know he has you in his life."

Bella's heart clenched. "I don't know what to say to that."

"You don't have to say anything. Just know that how glad we all are to have you here."

"I'm glad to be here too. Hopefully not for the last time."

"From your lips to God's ear. I'm going upstairs to grab a thicker sweater."

Bella nodded, face-palming herself after Elizabeth left the room. She hadn't meant to say that last part aloud. But she got so caught up in Elizabeth's kindness that the words slipped out. No one else heard her, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. But Bella meant what she'd said, and that was a double-edged sword. Being accepted by Edward's family proved their relationship ruse had worked like a charm, and everyone believed they were a real couple.

But as Bella was becoming attached to the Cullens – and they to her – she wondered if their brilliant solution had created a bigger set of problems.

As Edward walked away from the back door after hearing the tail end of their conversation, he began to wonder the same thing.

Oh, what a tangled web they've weaved...

Voting closes for The Golden Onion Awards on Friday. Scars is up for WIP of the Year. We also (unofficially) placed 12th out of 480 fics in ADF's Fic Dive of The Year! We thank you all.

We love you guys bunches and bunches - see you in two weeks! XO