Chapter 31 – Words Spoken and Unspoken

EDWARD

I wanted to follow Bella into the bedroom, but I headed to the front door and let my parents in. They noticed my demeanor before they were through the front door.

"What's wrong?" Dad asked.

Swiping a hand down my face, I thought about saying nothing was wrong and I was tired. However, that wouldn't blow over with my parents. I gave them the highlights of what I learned from Charlie and read in the letter and court documents.

Mom stood and started fussing about the living room. I knew that was her way of processing. Dad said nothing as he sat back. What could either of them say? Hell, if I was honest, I didn't know what to say.

"It's strange how there is no little touches of Bella in here," Mom commented, drawing my attention.

My gaze moved around the room. The flowers I sent her were sitting on a side table and a couple of photos of us were on the mantle but nothing else. Nothing that indicated she lived her and had a say in the décor. The blanket she was wrapped up in earlier was oddly missing, and I had placed it in here myself.

"I don't think she knows her tastes yet, Mom." I related our little shopping trip. "She found a crib she liked but… hell, I don't know what happened. One minute she was running her hand over the rail and then her face fell when she saw the price. Never really got an answer."

Dad leaned forward. "First, I want to say I'm proud of you. Telling Bella what you did I'm sure wasn't easy and wasn't your job." He held up his had when I went to say something. "However, Charlie entrusted you with the information and you did what you felt you had to." He met my eyes. "Second, it sounds to me like Bella was overwhelmed. Whether it was cost of the crib or not, you may never know."

Mom had sat back down. "You did the right thing but giving her time."

Mom and Dad didn't know what happened at the doctor's office.

Mom continued. "You did purchase the crib, didn't you?"

I smiled. "Yes, I did. The crib set will be delivered in two weeks. I plan on clearing out the room next to ours for the nursery, but I haven't discussed it with Bella yet."

I looked at my watch. Bella should have joined us by now. Excusing myself, I made my way to our bedroom, not finding her. I heard her talking and found her voice, finding in the closet talking to her father, shocked and pleased that was had reached out. Not saying anything, I leaned against the wall, letting her talk. When she turned, I mouthed "Invite him to dinner."

I smiled when she did, accepting the phone a moment later.

"Charlie," I said as she walked out of the room.

"Where should I met you?"

Knowing my parents weren't picky, I said, "WildFin American Grill in Issaquah."

"Sounds good." He paused a moment. "How did you get Bella to call me?"

I rubbed my jaw. "I don't think did. All I did was tell her the truth about her mom."

"Thanks. It should have been me, but I'm happy she knows."

After agreeing and asking for him to give us twenty-five minutes before he heads out.

BELLA

There was no pitying looks from Edward's parent, no sympathy either, when I entered the living room with Edward in tow.

Esme had wrapped me up into her arms, whispering, "No parent is perfect, nor is a child."

Her words were sweet and uplifted me. She reminded me of Grandma Swan with the whispered words.

"My dad will be joining us," I said after I had stepped out of her arms. "I hope you both don't mind."

Carlisle chuckled. "Why would we mind, Bella?"

I smiled, not answering.

A look passed between father and son, and I didn't know what it meant.

After a moment, Carlisle continued, "I do insist on driving."

I wasn't about to argue. If Edward wanted to drive, I would leave it to him. Picking up my purse, I transferred the necessities from it to another.

"That's fine with me," Edward remarked. "We best be going if we want to get there around the same time as Charlie."

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

I fidgeted the whole drive to Issaquah. Uncertainty clouded my mind about what Edward told me, not that I didn't believe him. I had so many questions about what my mother did to me and the only person who could answer those questions was her. Not that I was going to go hunting for her. In that respect, Dad and I would agree without a doubt she was a bad seed.

"Something wrong, dear?" Esme asked as we idled at a stoplight. She had turned to face me.

"It's been over a month and a half since I last saw my father. I'm a little nervous."

Edward took hold on my right hand and gave it a gentle squeeze as his mom said, "That's understandable. I have no doubt he missed you."

I wanted to scoff but thought about the brief conversation I had with Dad earlier. He had asked me if I was okay. At the time I had thought nothing of it, but now, it could have been his way of saying he cared about me. "I think… I think you might be right."

Edward shifted and looked over at me.

I ignored him, going on, but directing my comment to Edward instead of his mom. "I wasn't ready to hear it weeks ago. Something you said today resonated in me. Telling me what you were saying, had been saying was true about him. And, I believe I was ready to hear it."

"And what was that?" Carlisle inquired.

"My dad was protecting me. In that one act, he was showing his love, his affection to me. I wasn't seeing it when I was in high school. Looking back, I see it."

I shifted as much as the seatbelt would allow. "I would like to hang the portrait my father gave me. Not sure where yet."

Edward reached over with his free hand and cupped my cheek. "We will find the perfect place together."

A smile split my face and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Esme smiling.

"Edward tells me the baby furniture will be here soon. Have you any thoughts on what room you want to redecorate?" she asked.

"Mom!" Edward exclaimed with a laugh.

"Oh hush. Call it the decorator in me. I'm just curious."

Carlisle was pulling into the parking lot.

"Next door or across the hall," I remarked. I was sure Edward had thoughts, so I wanted to discuss with him before committing to a room.

"Either would do, love." Edward leaned over and kissed my cheek.

~~ Reaching for Love ~~

Dad was standing outside the restaurant, hands stuffed into his jeans pockets with his head down. He looked like some baseball player who missed a pop fly causing his team the game. Devastated. Tired. Lost.

"Charlie," Edward called, lifting his hand.

Dad turned toward us, and I could see how tired he was. Dark circles were under both eyes. His shoulders went up and down as he took a deep breath before he moved toward us.

"Isabella, Edward," he said, stopping in front of us.

He still had his hands in his pockets. The person in front of me was not my father, at least the one I remembered. He was nervous, unsure, not his usual confident, commanding self. I didn't know what to make of it.

"Dad," I remarked. I took a step forward, not knowing what I was expecting.

I watched as he took one hand out of his pocket and drew me into a one-armed hug as gentle as snow falling on a rose. If I hadn't already noticed how nervous he was, I would have thought his hug was ––strange. Instead, he was projecting his feelings. Giving me the option of staying or fleeing from his touch.

"I missed you, kiddo." His voice was low and as tender as his hug.

His whispered words were something I never thought I would hear. They had me stepping closer and wrapping my arms around him. I held on for a long minute, well maybe longer. He eventually encased me in an embrace.

~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~

Dinner was not the awkward event I had thought it was going to be. It was relaxed and more than once Dad and Edward's parents had us all laughing as he regaled with stories of their college days.

After we were done eating, Dad sighed and reached across the table, placing his hand on top of mine.

"Bells, I wish I could go back and talk to my younger self. Tell myself about everything I missed out on. About the amazing and wonderful and brave daughter I have." His free hand drew something out of his shirt pocket. "I might not always express my feelings in words or show them physically, and I am working on it. When I found this"–he opened his hand and the flame pendant appeared, dangling on a new chain off his middle finger–"in your trash can, I was at a lost. Your grandmother couldn't even explain it. I thought you had wanted it." I made to say something and he shook his head. "Let me finish, Bells. Recently, someone told me how you felt. It was an eye opener." He rubbed his face. "I love you, Isabella, and want to be a part of your life. A part of my grandchild's life."

Words failed me, and I felt Edward's eyes on me, as well as his parents'. I knew I had to say something.

"You being here tonight shows me you are changing. And as much as I wish we could turn the clock back, I wouldn't want to. The past is the past. All we can do is learn from it and move forward."

Dad held out the pendant for me to take, and with a smile, I accepted it. And, even though it didn't match my outfit, I tried to put it on. The clasp and catch on the new chain was smaller than the original.

"Allow me," Dad said, standing and moving to stand behind me.

He pecked my cheek before taking his seat again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward slide his credit card on top of the bill.

~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~

It was as we were outside, Dad motioned me over to where he parked. I eyed the car.

"Sue let me borrow her car," he said, unlocking it.

"Oh!" I bit my lip, considering what I was about to say. "I saw you leave with her. Are you dating her?"

His chin met his chest. "I'm not sure. She and I have been talking a lot since I kicked you out, and I'm sorry about that, Bells."

"I accept it, Dad. And I'm glad you have someone in your life, even if it is nothing more than as a friend."

He grinned a moment before stooping and retrieving something from the car. When he faced me again, he had a small gift bag in his hand. "I know your birthday is a month away, but I wanted to give you a little something now."

I gave him a hug before taking the bag from him.

"Open it when you get home," I said. "I'm always here for you, so call me any time."

I nodded and the went to join Edward on the sidewalk.

~~~ Reaching for Love ~~~

I was exhausted and ready for bed when we got home. Edward handed me the gift bag and told me to head to bed. By the time I was in our room, curiosity got the better of me and I pulled what was in the bag out. Inside a white box was a silver makeup mirror. Engraved on it were the words, "To My Daughter – Sometime it's hard to find words to tell you how much you mean to me. If I had to choose between – Loving you and Breathing – I would use my last breath to say – I love you – I will always be there to love you – and I will always be there – to support you."

A hand on my arm had me jumping and turning around. Edward had come in, and I hadn't heard him.

"What's wrong?" he asked, reaching up and cupping my face. His thumb ran along my cheek.

I held up the mirror, with the engraving showing.

Edward drew me into his arms. As he stroked my back, he spoke softly. "He trying to make up for his mistakes, and I think we both can agree, this is a beautiful way of doing so."

I couldn't have said it better.