Good morning, all!

Sorry I didn't upload last night. I've been a bawling mess, but an extremely HAPPY mess!

My brother made it through the surgery and by some miracle, he has the use of all his limbs and he can talk! I don't know how and I don't know who, but someone was obviously looking down on him because even the surgeon was shocked that he could at least talk okay because where they had to go into his brain, he should have come out with at least some speech problems.

I honestly can't thank you all enough for your thoughts and prayers, seriously!

6th December 1843

Isabella Swan

It had been such a long few days, but they were worth it when I stood back and admired my work in the barn.

The stalls were now spotless, and all the tools and provisions were back in their proper places after they had been brought back by Master Emmett. Winter was the season of fixing everything and we had been busy enough over the last three days since my return from town.

I came back from that place with more than I ever thought possible in the way of goods, presents, and kindness from all, but it was meeting the Queen, by Edward's side, that had me grinning like a fool in April.

Once we were home and I questioned Esme on what the Queen had said, I was made to understand that she had given us her blessing to marry! I could not contain my shock and also a little excitement when Esme explained it all, and I went to bed that night with the biggest smile on my face I had ever known.

My grin was still in place as I thought about the next few weeks that were ahead of us.

So much was happening at once that it was hard to keep up, but it was all good.

Edward would be coming home from town for Christmas, Charles would be starting to learn more with Lottie in the New Year, and the finishing of the Oast houses would be done by Candlemas. On top of that all, the hunting season would pick up again after Christmas and Lord and Lady Cullen were hosting a hunting party, which I was also asked to attend.

Although the men would spend countless hours away from the house, their wives and family members that did not hunt also came to stay.

Esme had admitted that she normally did not like to hold such events, but if I were by her side, she would be happy. I agreed, of course, not knowing how to decline her just yet. It was a trick that I longed to practice.

Edward was now sending me letters daily and only yesterday he sent me three. Even if they were very short and to the point, I loved every one of them.

I missed him terribly, even though it had only been a few days since we had seen each other. I knew in my heart that by Candlemas, I would be his. He had already told me that the day after Candlemas he would be on my doorstep and asking for my permission for him to court me.

Hence the grin on my face, because I told him that I would accept.

"Bells, when you marry Edward will we stay here at the farm?" Charles asked from the other side of the fence, and I stopped in my tracks.

What would we do? There was no way that Edward and the other children would live here. For one, there was no room and two, Edward was the future Lord — he could not live here.

That would mean that we would have to leave the farm, our birth home.

That would be hard, I knew it would be so, but it would be worth it if Edward was to love me.

I would give him anything; sacrifice anything to make sure that he was happy and content.

"I do not think so, Charles, but there are only memories here and we can take them with us wherever we end up." I smiled as I climbed over the five-bar gate and winked at Charles.

Yes, I was now a young lady, over the age of a child, and now that Edward had shown a great deal in me, I expected that more would be required of me, but I was still Isabella Swan, a farm girl at heart — five bar gates included.

"You best make sure that Lady Cullen does not see you doing things like that, young lady," a voice made me smile and turn on the spot.

"Rosalie! Oh, how I have missed you. How are you, and the babe?" I asked as I rushed over to the side of the farm to greet her properly.

"I am well, and the babe seems to have settled in, if the sickness is anything to go by," she laughed and linked her arm in mine.

"We have so much to catch up on." I grinned, walking us over to the house.

Rosalie stayed a little over an hour, which was so much longer than normally allowed in normal circumstances, but we had a lot to talk about with the farm and ourselves.

Charles was feeling tired from having his routine so disrupted over the last week or two, so she offered to sit with him tonight while I dined yet again with the Cullen's.

It was now almost ordered that I was to dine with them at all available times and although I still felt somewhat out of place with them, I also loved to spend time with them.

Tonight would be different though.

Although it was not exactly permitted until it was made official, Alice had sent me a small letter this morning to say that she and Jasper would be announcing some big news tonight at dinner, and I did not have to guess what that would be.

I was so happy for her, and for him. I only wished that Edward could be here to hear the news.

"I will go and find that husband of mine and let him know of the plans for this evening. Honestly, Isabella, I am so happy for you and Charles. I have always known that you were meant for better, and this is your chance at true happiness and love. We could not be happier for you if we tried," Rosalie said at the door while I was showing her out and again and I smiled widely.

"I find it hard to contain the happiness, Rosalie," I giggled, and we bade our goodbyes.

…

"Thank heavens for that," I sighed as I finished all the chores and put down my rag.

I was so grateful that Carlisle had stepped in not so long ago and told me of his plans for the farm. I think that if he had not, I would have worked myself into true exhaustion. Who knew that winter times could do so much to one's body?

Charles had gone to Master Emmett's earlier this afternoon, so all I had to do was clean myself up and wait for the carriage being sent from the Cullen's house.

I was still loathed to use that contraption, but I did not want to offend them by refusing.

The carriage came to a stop out the front of their house a little after four in the afternoon, and they were quick to come out to meet me, including the children.

"Hello, everyone. I hope you do not mind, but I have brought some cookies with me," I grinned as I held out the small box. I had made them this morning with the leftover dates that I had brought back with me from town, and I did not want to have to throw them out if they went bad, so I rustled up a recipe for them.

The children eagerly took them from me making us all laugh.

"Where is Charlie?" Charlotte asked when we walked through the door, and she looked so sad.

"He is resting with the McCarty's this evening, Charlotte. He has been kept on his toes by staying here and he needs to rest a little," I said softly and was surprised that she nodded and took up my hand. Soon after, Henry did the same with my other one and they led me to the nursery.

We spent some time in there coloring with the set that Edward had sent back from town with us, and I was happy to spend some time with them.

Charlotte had come out of her shell quite well once she had gotten to know me a little, and Henry never showed a problem with expressing himself. He liked cuddles and attention more than Charlotte, but she had her moments when she would sit by my side and encourage me to play with her pretty hair.

"Isabella! You must hurry yourself; Carlisle has just received news that Edward is gravely ill in town, and we have all been called to be with him," Esme said tearfully as she rushed through the door to the nursery.

My chest ached and my stomach turned as I looked at her.

"What is it, Esme?" I asked through a quiet sob.

"They fear it is smallpox."

Someone asked about the Queen's actual name. She was christened Alexandrina Victoria. She took the name Victoria when she became Queen. She had a fascinating life and one I love to learn about all the time. She was only 18 when she became queen and still shared a room with her mother up to that point.

See you later! xx