Last regular chapter, the epilogue will be posting in the very near future. Thank you for all the love and support on this story.

Chapter 30

Thanksgiving had passed and while Bella was physically better, Edward could tell she was still unsure in a lot of ways. She spent a great deal of time down in town with the various wives, but she was quiet around the house. It worried Edward, and he began to wonder if they should do something about it.

"Bella, how do you feel about remaining here?"

"What do you mean, here? Were you thinking of taking a job elsewhere?"

"No. We finally have Alistair settled in as a deputy, I wouldn't step away now. I meant the house. You seem sad and a little uneasy here, and I wondered if the memory of what happened was too much to overcome."

"He's dead and buried, Edward. While I do have the occasional nightmare, I'm more concerned with the things I've lost since then."

"Like what?"

"I wasn't able to nurse Caroline. It is the most basic need a mother provides and I was robbed of that. And there are other things, like riding Gotham. I likely won't be able to do that until the spring."

"Yes, but you do take him out with the buggy. I know it isn't the same, but he doesn't want for exercise or affection."

"I also miss us."

"Us?"

"Yes. I know you see to your own needs and it makes me sad that I can't take care of you either. I never wanted to be a useless wife, but that is exactly how I feel."

"I was waiting for a sign from you. I didn't want to push you before you were ready."

"I am more than ready, Edward. I crave your touch."

"There's nothing more you need to say then."

Edward scooped her up into his arms and carried her from the living room up to their bedroom.

They stripped out of their clothes and moved slowly, taking the time to relearn each other. Their fingers traced old scars and marks reverently before Edward bent enough to take her nipple in his mouth. Bella gasped and his hand found her bottom, massaging the flesh there as he pulled her close to him. He was hard and ready, pinned between them as they rocked against one another.

Bella ran her hands up his chest to his neck and up into the hair at the nape, tugging on it.

"Take me to bed, Husband. Make me yours once more."

Edward lifted Bella by the waist and she wrapped her legs around him, falling to the mattress as he knelt on it. With his wife laid out beneath him, Edward settled into the cradle of her legs and guided himself to her entrance. With measured thrusts, he entered her and found his home.

Edward worked to tease Bella to the brink before he slowed his movements and let the wave recede. It was maddening and amazing as he repeated the circuit over and over again.

When Bella couldn't take it anymore, she reached down and grabbed his buttocks, giving them a firm squeeze. "You are torturing me, Edward. Let me feel it all."

"I don't want this feeling to end."

"If it doesn't end, we cannot begin it again. Let go."

The words were all he needed before he drove forward to bring them both to completion. Edward groaned as he came, Bella called out his name and held him close as he collapsed on top of her.

"I'll never grow tired of you, Bella. Until my last day, I'll want you this way."

"That is excellent news, my love."

The last few weeks to Christmas were more relaxed at the Cullen House. Alice had helped Bella with the gifts Angela couldn't order, so by Christmas morning, she had everything she needed. Edward and Bella's house had become the meeting place for special occasions when the various families were coming together, and this was no exception.

After a quiet morning exchanging gifts in private, the extended family began to arrive. The house filled with the scent of good food, the sound of laughter, and the pitter patter of little feet.

Rosalie was well along on her pregnancy, Emmett proud as a peacock that his wife would be giving him another child. Bella could see the look in Edward's eyes that he wanted it as well.

The holiday surrounded by family and friends was exactly what the young family needed. By the time they were saying goodbye to their guests, their spirits were sufficiently lifted.

The winter was mild compared to the massive storm of the year and by spring, Bella was ready to reclaim her place in her kitchen.

Bree was happy to relinquish that duty to her employer and took on much of the other work around the house.

Bella's kitchen garden had grown to include many of the berries and fruits she used for her various jams and treats, so tending to all those kept her busy when she wasn't caring for young Caro.

Esme and Carlisle came to visit Bella and Caroline the week before Marie's first birthday and she was happy for the chance to talk to them both. She missed her more frequent trips into town, but it was impractical to bundle up Caro that often just to get out of the house.

An exception was made for her cousin's birthday, and the family rode down together to spend time with the Yorkies. Rosalie arrived with Hale and Emma in tow, her little girl was already a beauty like her mother.

Edward arrived just before dinner and found Bella sitting to the side watching the children play. He slid into the seat beside her and took her hand.

"Is everything all right, Dear Heart?"

"It is. I was just thinking about all the things that have changed in the last year and all the changes the next year will bring."

"And what changes are you expecting to come next?" he asked.

"Well, another child will bring with it a great many changes."

Edward's eyes went wide as he stared at his wife. "You're with child?"

"Your father confirmed it last week, I was just waiting for the right time to tell you."

Edward kissed her temple and whispered into her ear. "You make me so happy, Bella. I will forever be grateful that I was in Denver the day you were preparing the final leg of your journey."

"And I'm so happy that my sister found this town to settle in, otherwise we may have never met."

"A love like ours was destined to be. We would have found a way."