***IMPORTANT INFO AT THE BOTTOM! PLEASE READ!***

**Fiddling was had. All mistakes are mine.**

Songs:

"The Last of the Real Ones," Fall Out Boy
"With a Little Help From My Friends," The Beatles

Chapter 21

"Edward!"

The moment they lay eyes on my boyfriend, both Jake and Seth run for him.

"Hey, guys!" He opens his arms just in time to catch them. "I missed you. Did you have fun with Grandma and Grandpa?"

The kids monopolize his attention as they fill him in on all the things they've done during their visit, leaving me at the door. If I hadn't spoken to them daily and already heard all their stories, I might feel a little slighted. Instead, I'm merely amused.

Mom giggles. "You don't have to guess who their favorite person is right now."

"It's okay. I knew they were excited that he was coming with me." I turn around, watching as she closes the door. "Were they good?"

"You know they were. They're always angels for us."

"If only they could bring some of that good behavior home with them."

Mom leads me toward the kitchen where she has the beginnings of lunch spread out. "You and your sister were the same way. You were always better behaved for other people than you were for us. I think all kids are hardwired that way." She points toward the kitchen table, urging me to sit, before she opens the fridge to get more food. Lowering her voice, she asks, "So, how did it go meeting his parents?"

"Really well, actually. They seem great. And they're really excited to meet the boys, too."

"Good," she says with a nod as she lines up vegetables on the cutting board. "If not, I was prepared to drive down to Phoenix."

"Relax, Mom. They're good people."

She turns to me. "I had very little doubt they would be. After all, they raised the charming man sitting in my living room, who's patiently listening to stories about fishing and arts and crafts. That doesn't just happen by chance."

Since it's Garrett's week, I have to clear it with him to pick the boys up from his parents' so they can spend an evening with me. So, it isn't until Wednesday night that the boys get to meet Edward's parents. For the sake of keeping it casual, we opt to meet at a pizza place.

It's love at first sight. And I'm not sure who's more in love: Esme with the boys or the boys with Carlisle.

"He has that effect on people," Esme says as we watch them play on the pinball machines at the back of the dining room. "Young or old, no one is safe from the charisma of the Cullen men."

I chuckle. "It's funny you say that because they were instantly drawn to Edward, too."

"I'm telling you, it's genetics. I think the Air Force also teaches them some of it."

I turn my attention back to the men and boys as they laugh and cheer each other on. But when I glance at Esme, her eyes are on me.

"We should go to lunch before Carlisle and I head back home," she suggests. "Just the two of us. Maybe the day after Edward's party?"

"Oh, I'm not sure I could find a sitter on a Sunday afternoon."

She waves away my excuse. "Edward and Carlisle can handle it."

"Dad and I can handle what?" Edward asks as he comes back to the table for his drink.

Esme looks up at him with a grin much like her son's. "You can handle the boys while I take Bella out for lunch the day after your party."

"Yeah, we can do that." He smiles down at me. "They can hang out at my place. We'll wear them out in the pool."

She turns back to me, smiling triumphantly. "It's settled, then."

Edward's birthday is low-key and simple, just the way he wants it. His nearest and dearest are here, with everyone gathered inside or out in the pool. The boys, especially, are thrilled at having yet another place to spend warm days cooling off in the water. They're acting like they feel right at home, too. I'm sure it helps seeing familiar faces—namely the Whitlocks and a few others they remember from Ben's party—and I couldn't be happier at how comfortable they seem.

I'm in such a good mood that not even being formally introduced to Samantha Uley and her husband Emilio can spoil it. They're every bit as lovely as Edward told me they would be, and after one short conversation, I can see why Edward remained in touch with them over the years.

In lieu of gifts, everyone was asked to make a donation to Folds of Honor, a new charity that funds scholarships for the children of fallen service men and women. It doesn't stop Tex from bringing Edward a bottle of Blanton's, though.

My boys also insisted on bringing him a gift, and I couldn't tell them no. I'm glad I didn't.

The anticipatory looks on their faces as they hand over the wrapped box are too cute for words, and Edward plays it up, making my kids feel ten feet tall.

"What's this?" Edward shakes the box at his ear. "Hmm … is it a new car?"

Seth giggles and Jacob rolls his eyes as he fights a smile of his own. "No," my oldest says exasperatedly.

"Is it a guitar? Oh, we can get Jake a bass and we'll start a band."

"Just open it," Seth says through his giggles.

Edward painstakingly unwraps the box and lifts the lid. The moment he realizes what he's looking at, his expression changes from playful to one that can only be described as awe. Inside, nestled in tissue paper, are two hand-painted frames, holding pictures of my boys sitting in the seat of his jet. The pictures I took on the day he met them.

"These … they're perfect, guys. Thank you." Opening his arms wide, he pulls them in for a hug, and if I had to guess, I'd say he's fighting back tears.

I have to wipe away a few of my own.

"Are you having a good birthday?" I ask, perched on his lap as we watch the kids play in the water with Tex and Brandon.

He grins. "I am."

"So, I know you told me no gifts—"

"Bella …"

"Oh, come on. It's my right as your girlfriend to get you something, especially on the first birthday we're spending together."

"But you already got me something." He squeezes my hand and brings it to his lips. "You and the boys are here, aren't you? I couldn't ask for a better gift than that."

"You're just saying that. Everyone likes gifts on their birthday." I reach into my pocket and pull out the tiny box, handing it to him. "Besides, it's not much."

He takes it from my hand and peels back the paper, pulling off the lid to reveal a silver compass keychain.

"I know it's a little corny."

"It's not," he says softly, lifting it from the box. When he sees the key dangling from the ring, his smile widens. "Is this what I think it is?"

"I know we spend more time alone together here at your place, but I want you to know you're welcome at mine, too, whether the boys are with me or not."

He tilts my chin toward him, capturing my lips in a tender kiss. "Thank you. And the compass?"

I look down at my lap, suddenly feeling shy. "I guess it's symbolic. Wherever you go, wherever the sky takes you, I want you to always find your way back to me." I huff a breath. "Like I said, it's cheesy."

"It's not cheesy at all. I love it." He ducks his head to catch my gaze. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

"You're wrong about one thing, though."

"What?"

"You said it wasn't much. But, Bella, it's …" He shakes his head, almost as if in disbelief. "I don't think you get it. Having you here, having the boys here and knowing you're part of my life, part of my future, it really is the best gift." He gently grasps my chin so I can't look away from him. "For the first time in a really long time, I have someone to share this day with … someone I hope to spend the rest of my birthdays with. That's not something you can wrap up and put a bow on."

I smile, happy tears clouding my vision. "No, I guess not." I press my lips to his.

When he pulls back, emotion shines in his eyes. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, baby. This will go down as one of the best birthdays ever just because you're sharing it with me."

There have been moments in our relationship when I've questioned everything, doubted his intentions and my own feelings, but this time, there are no doubts.

I can't wait to share more moments like this with him.

The restaurant Esme chooses for our lunch is a little café, and we're seated in a secluded booth. The server is polite and happily obliges all of Esme's requests, down to splitting a bowl of their famous soup into two servings, so that we can both enjoy a small portion. I've come to realize her charm rivals that of her son's and husband's.

After the server retreats with an amused grin on his face, Esme turns her attention to me. "Their soup is so good. At least it was the last time we were in Phoenix . You just have to try it."

"How long has it been since you were here?"

"It's been a few years. We visited a couple we served with who retired in the area. We actually met up with them last week."

"Were you ever stationed at Luke?"

She nods once. "For a short assignment, yes. He'd just finished a desk job at the Pentagon and had to come here to requalify after not being in the air for so long. But that was before Edward was born."

I play idly with the straw in my water glass, mulling over the questions that have been plaguing me for so long.

"I can see you have things you want to ask me."

I smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Only to someone who was once in your shoes."

"Well, not exactly in my shoes. You started a family with Carlisle after he was already an officer."

She nods in agreement. "True. But it doesn't make the challenges of raising a family any different. It may be the only life Edward has ever known, but the realities are the same." She reaches across the table, gently brushing my hand. "It's why I wanted to have the chance to talk, just the two of us. I want you to have the chance to ask me anything."

"I've talked to Alice about a few things."

"Yes, and I'm sure she had some sage advice for you. But, and you'll have to excuse my candor, her experience is a bit more limited than mine." She raises a brow. "Her husband didn't retire as a general. It was my life for many, many years."

"Do you think that's the path Edward will take? I know he feels a strong sense of patriotism … or maybe it's tradition, since his father and grandfather both retired as generals."

She's thoughtful for a moment, and her response is unhurried. "I'm not certain, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is. Have the two of you talked about it?"

"A little. The most he's said is that he goes where the Air Force needs him. He hasn't really given me any indication of his long-term plans."

She smiles softly. "That sounds like him. He's been duty-driven since he decided to go to the Academy. So, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he chose to continue his career and retire an old man like his father. Has he explained to you how it works? Even if he chose to stay in, there are no guarantees he would be chosen for that high rank. The field is fiercely competitive."

"He did mention it."

"And how do you feel about it all? If he were to choose to stay on that path?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure. It would mean a lot of changes, not just for me, but for my boys, especially."

"It would. How do you think your ex-husband would feel about long-distance visitation?"

I chuckle, but it's without humor. "At this point, I have no idea. He's been a little … I guess you could say resistant to Edward's presence in our lives. I'd like to think he'd be reasonable about it, but I have no way of knowing for sure. He's getting remarried in a few months, so his feelings about everything could change, especially if they decide to start a family."

She takes a long, measured breath, exhaling just as slowly. "It's not an insurmountable thing, navigating coparenting when distance is involved. The one thing you can absolutely count on is the network of families, wives and spouses that are a wealth of insight and past experiences. In fact, they're one of the few things I could count on while my husband was away, and I couldn't be with him."

I let her words sink in, and my mind drifts to the inevitable separations and how Edward and I might navigate them as a couple … as a blended family. And as I look at Esme, knowing she's lived that life for many, many years, I realize I may not get another opportunity for a long while to ask her questions face to face. If anyone can tell me how to make a future with Edward work, it's the woman sitting across from me.

"How did you make it work?"

Her gentle smile returns. "Do you love him?"

"I do. Very much."

"And he loves you."

"He tells me every day that he does."

"Then you have the right foundation. But I won't sit here and tell you love is all you need. There will be days when everything feels perfect, when he's home for dinner every night and able to take you out for a night on the town or to the squadron to dance the night away. There will also be days, months, when he's gone and you're so depressed you don't want to get out of bed. There will be lonely nights when you ask yourself if you made the right decision. But, after a few glasses of wine, maybe a good cry and a phone call to a friend, you will get up and you will forge ahead. Because you have to, and not just for yourself, but for the kids, and for Edward, too. That's part of sharing your life with someone who's chosen to serve their country, because when you marry a pilot, you marry the Air Force."

I recoil a little, sitting back in my seat. "I'm not sure we're there yet."

"I am, dear." Her simple statement is said with such certainty, I have no reply. "I've been watching the two of you for the past two weeks, seeing how much you care about each other, how much the boys love him and he, them. You fit together so well there's no doubt in my mind he's going to ask you to be his wife. And when that time comes, I hope you'll be prepared to give him an answer. One you've given thought to, because as romantic as it sounds, you need more than love to make a marriage to an officer work."

The corner of my mouth turns up. "And you're going to tell me all your secrets?"

"Every last one of them."

I take my own measured breath and exhale. "I'm all ears."

The server chooses that moment to bring out the appetizer, and once he's gone, we dig in. But it doesn't stop Esme from continuing the conversation.

"The most important thing to remember is that with the right person, home is wherever your spouse is. If he's across base or across an ocean, the bond between you is what you need to hold onto. And that can be hard when the only communication are emails and two phone calls a week." She laughs. "Years ago, we were limited to letters and only occasional phone calls. That was difficult."

"How did you manage?"

"Well, like I've said, the network of wives is invaluable. There's always someone to talk to who is in the same boat, so to speak." She tilts her head in contemplation as she spears another bite on her fork. "I will say that the further up in the ranks Carlisle got, the smaller that circle got. With Edward already being a lieutenant colonel, there might be fewer chances to get truly close to some of the wives."

"Why?"

"You've heard the expression that it's lonely at the top, haven't you?" At my nod she continues. "Well, there are some who feel like once your spouse outranks theirs you have less in common. That you're somehow above them. That's not at all the case, but some do truly feel that way. Those are the people who you may work alongside for different reasons or rub elbows with at different functions, but the conversations and connections never go very far beyond the surface."

"I've already met a few of the wives who are very welcoming. You got to meet Angela yesterday."

"I did! She seemed lovely."

"She is. We really hit it off."

"Can I assume you've also met a few who fit the other profile?"

I think of Jessica, and to a lesser extent, Victoria and nod. "A couple."

"And that is a good example of what to expect anywhere you might go. But I can guarantee that you'll be able to call one of those welcoming wives years from now and meet up for lunch like it was just yesterday that you were last together."

"That's a nice thought."

"As far as the other wives go, my best advice is to keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Killing them with kindness always seems to throw them off balance." She shoots me a wink.

When the server returns, he exchanges our empty plates for our entrees and the specially divided soup.

"And there is always some kind of fundraising or charity event that needs volunteers. There was never a time when I wasn't busy."

"You worked, too, right?"

She nods. "I did. Between my job, the various committees I was on, and raising Edward, I was never bored. And you don't have to volunteer for anything. It's not required. If you want to work full time, you should continue to do so. But I will say it boosts morale if the wives of higher-ranking officers are involved. And with your beautiful personality, I can see you being asked to be the lead for all sorts of projects, especially if Edward makes it to the rank of general. Your involvement would show a united front." She waves a hand. "But all of that is down the line."

My head swims with the possibilities, and I shake it to clear the overwhelming feeling crashing over me.

"I'm giving you too much, aren't I? Information overload?" Esme asks.

"No … well, maybe. It's a lot."

"It is. But, dear, I'm just a phone call away. Day or night, you can call and ask me anything."

"I appreciate that. And I'm sure I'll take you up on it sooner than later."

"I hope you will."

"How do they expect wives and spouses to remember all this? Or even know it in the first place? Is there some kind of handbook?"

"Not exactly, but if you were married to Edward now, you would have gone to what we affectionately call 'charm school'. It's to help you learn more of the inner workings of the Air Force and how you can be a resource for others and to provide information for other wives. You'll help guide them, just like others will help guide you. And each rank that he makes, as he becomes a commander of some sort, you'll be given the opportunity to go with him to help become a unified team, because that's what you are—a team."

She puts her fork down and dabs a napkin at the corner of her mouth. "But I do have a short list of very practical things you can do that will help get you started. Think of it as Air Force Wives 101. First, you need to have at least one, ideally two, little black dresses and just as many formals. There will be events you'll have to attend with my son and having those things in your closet ready to go will avoid any last-minute scramble to find something to wear. You should also have a tried and true signature dish to serve whenever there's a birth, injury or illness, or, god forbid, a death. Something you can whip up in a snap to deliver to anyone who needs it."

Angela's quick action to organize meals for Mike and Jessica after his crash comes to mind.

"To go along with that, being an officer's wife means you'll probably do a fair amount of entertaining. So, my next suggestion is to keep a notebook to keep track of what you serve so you don't make the faux pas of making it twice for the same people. In your case, having a sitter you can count on is essential. Have them on speed dial. There may be last-minute events you'll need to attend, and knowing you have someone to care for your children will be one less thing to worry about. But keep in mind, there will be things that come up that you won't be able to or won't want to attend. And that's okay. Skipping some stuffy awards ceremony because one of the boys has a soccer game is perfectly all right."

She sighs. "The rest I don't have to worry about, because these things seem to come to you naturally. As a high-ranking officer's wife, you'll need to be a leader, not someone who gossips. And you shouldn't say anything out loud that you don't want talked about or shared, because not everyone will keep themselves to that same standard of not gossiping. And that goes for talk between you and Edward, too. Pillow talk can get you into some serious trouble. There have been times when I know this or that couple are having issues between them, but that was something I kept to myself. It would have put Carlisle in a difficult position, and I never wanted to do that to him."

"It's not much different from any other group of women, is it? There always seem to be catty ones and people who talk too much."

She breathes a laugh and nods. "You could say that. But it's up to you how to navigate through it. Even now, this early in your relationship, being at Edward's side means those women will look up to you. They'll look to you for how to conduct themselves. Remembering the golden rule—treating others the way you want to be treated—is the best way to approach every situation. One of my biggest pieces of advice is to think before you speak, always, and remember that being with Edward means you will always be under a microscope. But I already know that everyone who crosses your path will remember your kindness. They'll see your genuine, generous heart and fall in love with you."

She reaches across the table and grasps my hand. "No matter where his time in the Air Force takes him, he'll always want you by his side. And always, always remember you're a team. You're stronger together—even if you're not physically together—than you are apart."

"I already feel that way," I admit.

Her grasp on my hands tightens. "There's no doubt in my mind you're up to the task, Bella."

As overwhelming as hearing all of Esme's advice has been, for the first time since I told Edward I loved him and saw myself having a future with him, I feel a little more confident that I just might be.

A/N: Do we all love this Esme? What do you think of her pearls of wisdom for Bella? And Edward's gifts from the boys. How sweet was that? Maybe I'm biased. Hehe. Can't wait to hear what you think!

**IMPORTANT NOTE!**

The following is (mostly) what I shared in my Facebook group yesterday …

Okay, I've made a decision, and I hope y'all can bear with me for a bit.

I've just sent the rest of the chapters I have written to my beta, which was only chapter 22 and 23. Chapter 24 is … about halfway done, but it starts a second story arc, I guess you could say.

But I have a plan.

I'll post 22 and 23 as they come back to me—that may take some time, as RL has been unrelenting—and then I'm putting A Soft Place to Land on a brief hiatus.

And here's why…

My oldest kiddo is, just a few hours after I post this, actually, embarking on the big, life-changing event of buying his first house. Today is closing day, and we couldn't be more proud of and excited for him. It's a fixer-upper project that will require mom and dad's assistance, so we'll be tied up with that for the foreseeable future. I have a wedding to officiate in a week and a half, and we're celebrating our 25th anniversary in December. Finding time to focus and write will be difficult, and I don't want to half-ass the rest of this story. I really want to give this one my best because I adore these characters. I owe it to them and you to give it my best, and I can't do that right now with everything else going on in my life.

So, once 22 and 23 post, I'll be shifting my attention to RL for a bit. Maybe a few weeks weeks, maybe a few months, but I will return to these beloved characters as soon as my focus is back.

Thanks for sticking with me!

I'm not officially participating in NaNoWriMo this year, but I do hope to steal away during any downtime and make some words, I just won't be posting anything for a bit. Buuut … I will be around. Remember, the best way to stay up to date with what I'm up to, join in the discussion, and to see exclusive teaser pics, check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. I'd love if you all could join us. I'm also on Twitter at CSunshine1220 … for now. Still weighing that one. ;)

I will "see" you soon!

Be kind.
Stay safe.
Stay well.

Lots of love
~Sunshine