Author's Note: Here is a new chapter of Home! We are reaching the conclusion of storylines I had planned. I'm hoping for three more chapters and an Epilogue. My goal is to have this story finished by November 30th, 2021. I hope you enjoy this update!

"Dad?" Bella asked nervously, fidgeting with her hair, and trying to not avoid eye contact.

"What's up?"

"It's just that, umm, Carlisle and Esme gave me a really nice birthday gift I haven't used yet."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. I don't think I want to use it the way they intended anymore but I need your permission and maybe…help."

"What was the gift?" Charlie asked.

"Two plane tickets to see mom."

"Ah, I see the issue." he said gently, knowing how painful it would be for Bella to see her mother and truthfully, not wanting her to have to put up with that nonsense himself.

"Yeah. I thought I might instead use them for sort of a graduation present for me and Edward. I've been working reviewing books and along with the free plane tickets we could spend an evening or two somewhere. There's a lot of things we would like to do together before we start college. And uh-" she looked at her feet again, blushing and trying to decide what words to use to explain.

"You think I'll freak and say no because I'll assume you're up to no good?"

"Yeah."

"You aren't far off. You guys are too young to be going by yourselves. But I'll hear you out at least. What's the plan?"

"A weekend in Chicago, where he's originally from. I'd like to take him to a baseball game because he has never gone to one and loves baseball, and maybe see where he grew up, and a few museums."

"Is that all?" her father asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Maybe some walking around or something but pretty much."

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't let you go." he said, studying her intently.

Bella froze and looked at him. "Uhh, it's kind of far away?"

Charlie laughed. "You'll take your cell phone?" Bella nodded. "You will give me the address of your hotel and a full itinerary before you leave town?" Bella nodded again. "You'll carry pepper spray?"

"Yes."

"You promise you'll come home Sunday evening?"

"Promise."

"How can I help you set it up?" Charlie asked and Bella ran to hug him, pulling away shyly and looking down at her feet again.

"Thanks, dad."

"You deserve a little fun. I know you both will look out for each other. I have a few friends that live in that area. I'll give you their numbers, yeah?"

"That would be great." Bella said, knowing that she was safe with Edward but wanting to appease Charlie regardless. "I got myself all scared over nothing. I was so sure you would say no. But it means a lot for me to do this for him."

"I'm surprised you would want to go to a game. With your luck, a foul ball will fly into the stadium and bruise the side of your head."

Bella laughed. "Or Edward's hand. He has great reflexes."

"I suppose he must have to as much as they all go camping and hiking. I was concerned at first when you all explained that he's different but seeing how he, how the whole family, treats you, I'm not worried about it. I know you're more loved with them than I could ever dream of you being with anyone else."

"For sure." she agreed. "In fact, maybe a little too loved, especially when Alice is involved."

Charlie laughed then. "She hasn't made you play Barbie doll in a while."

"No, but I'm sure she will want to drag me shopping when she hears I'm planning a trip."

"When are you going to tell Edward?"

"As soon as everything is booked. I'm expecting another payment from the review company soon. I know he could afford the trip on his own but I'd rather do what I can for him for graduation, well, except for the tickets, but Esme doesn't mind. I already texted her and made her promise not to tell him."

"You make that much in book reviews?"

"Not a lot, but enough for a few days, especially with those discounted tickets you got me."

"I've had that discount thingie for years and never once used it."

"Maybe you should start." Bella said. "You deserve a vacation too. Forks can handle its runaway cows for a few days without you, I'm sure."

Charlie laughed. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No." she said. "Maybe we can do something together one day. Not far…just like…Seattle or something for the day." Bella was thinking about her impending change and how to best spend time with Charlie before then. She didn't want to be away from Edward for days or weeks on end but a few day trips with Charlie sounded like a great time and something he would very much approve of for her to enjoy while she was still human.

"I'd like that." he agreed. "You said you might need my help with this trip?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm not old enough to book a hotel on my own. Would you mind reserving it for us?"

"Alright. Write down the information for me."

"I'm grateful that you trust us with this."

"I let him sneak in your room nearly every night. Beds aren't the cause of surprise teen pregnancies. Teens are. Something tells me the two of you aren't interested in going all the way to Chicago just to share a bed."

"No." she agreed with a quiet laugh at her dad's stern expression. "Besides, the Cullens started a scholarship program a few weeks ago and we all expect to be busy this summer reading applications and picking the winners before the Fall semester. It might be the last free time we have to go."

"Is that so?"

"They wanted to help people." she shrugged, as if she had no hand in it. "They are all really excited."

"You look excited yourself."

"I'm proud of them."

"Me too." he agreed, thinking of all the good a program would do. "Jasper loaned me some books I've been reading on trauma and C-PTSD. How are you doing lately?"

"Much better. I still have nightmares sometimes or feel anxious for no reason but for the most part I feel safe here. I don't have to worry about too much. And if I start to feel anxious, I know I can always talk to you or any of the Cullens, except maybe Emmett. He will listen. But he tries to make me laugh, usually attracting the wrath of Esme in the process."

"That bad, huh?" Charlie asked, turning so Bella would follow him as he walked into the kitchen and started chopping vegetables like she taught him how to for vegetable soup.

"Well, he rearranged all the family's DVDs so the first letters would spell words like 'fart' and 'butt' a few weeks ago. He apologized to a bunch of cookies she made before 'murdering' them. He brought in an armful of dead leaves and threw them at Edward and told him to 'make like a tree and leaf' so we could talk. He threw a bag of flour at Jasper and said, 'look Bella, it's snowing!'"

"I get the point." Charlie laughed. "I'm so glad I didn't have to raise a bunch of teen boys."

"I'm sure Esme would share some." Bella laughed.

"Nah, they are about to go to college soon anyhow."

"But then I'm stuck with them forever." she teased, smiling as she helped Charlie start the soup.

"Hey, your choice to marry into that family." he said. "You know exactly what you're getting into."

"I do." she said. "You're doing great with those vegetables, dad. You're really learning."

"Thanks. I have an excellent teacher."

"Want to learn how to make grilled cheese to go with it?"

"That sounds deceptively easy." he said and she laughed.

"It is easy. As long as you don't burn them or drop them, it's hard to mess up."

"That sounds like a challenge."

"No." she said with a laugh, getting supplies from the fridge and smiling. Something changed in the last few weeks between Bella and Charlie. She no longer felt nervous around him unless she was asking for or breaking news for something he might not like. Where she may have felt awkward before, there was a familiar comfort now. They loved spending time together just being themselves. It was a nice feeling and something she wasn't used to. Peace and total acceptance. They made dinner together with her demonstrating and happily ate in mostly silence because Charlie hadn't managed to ruin their grilled cheese. It tasted great. A job well done.

Edward anxiously paced around their cabin while he waited for sundown, making sure Bella had alone time with her father, something she wouldn't have much of for a while after her change. He wished he could give her more time but the stubborn girl just wouldn't hear it.

"You're going to wear down that nice hardwood Esme put in for you." Jasper said standing in the doorway.

"You could feel my anxiety from the main house, huh?"

"Something like that." Jasper agreed. "What's bothering you?"

"It's nonsense."

"Clearly it isn't to you."

"Bella's hiding something from me. I can feel it."

"It's nothing dangerous, I'm sure."

"Think for a minute at how good that girl is at getting herself into dangerous situations."

"I know. But Esme knows what she's up to on this one. I think Alice does too but she won't tell me. It's alright."

"Why didn't she tell me then?"

"Perhaps it's a surprise."

"What if she decided to call off the wedding?" Edward asked.

"Do you really think Alice would let any of us live if that happened after all the planning she's already done?"

"No." Edward agreed, chuckling quietly at his own foolishness. "Of course not."

"Are you still worried she deserves more?"

"She does. But I've decided to stop fighting the fact that I am what she wants. I'm going to do everything possible to make her never regret this choice."

"We will too."

"She's been through so much in her life."

"She has." Jasper agreed.

"She deserves a chance to just be herself and to enjoy herself while she still can."

"And you think she won't enjoy herself with you just as much if not more?"

"She won't be able to sample all of the different human foods or travel around humans for a while."

"Maybe Bella doesn't care about those things. Have you asked her?"

"She says she doesn't." Edward said.

"Then believe her. Trust me, you have done enough worrying to last a lifetime. She knows what she's doing. You've promised. We've all promised her. The time for questions is over. Just accept it and do all that you can to make her happy. Some people don't regret this life, you know. I don't anymore. Alice never has. Emmett hasn't. It will be alright. I promise."

"What if she wants something I can't give her?"

"Then you do the best you can to make up for it in other ways. Don't even ask me about the list of impossible things Alice would like to have. Mostly clothes." he added as a response to Edward's confused expression. "Things that only one were made of and such."

"Always with the shopping."

"You should see the plans she has for the wedding so far. She's already talked me through them three times despite this perfect vampire memory. It's going to be beautiful." Jasper promised.

Edward smiled. "Thank you, brother."

"My pleasure."

"I had been having flashbacks this morning of some of the men I killed."

"I had a feeling it might be something like that. It's almost sunset now though. You can go to her soon. I know it's hard but you can't keep blaming yourself for those kills. It's our natural diet. You should be proud at all the lives you have saved by becoming vegetarian. I know I am. Just like you can't let one mistake stop you from playing piano or one harsh word keep you from Bella, you can't give up on yourself because you've hurt someone. Their life was valid. Maybe it wasn't their time. But the past is the past. Remember it but try not to let it haunt you anymore. You're a good man. I mean vampire." he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "And if you don't stop worrying about your wedding, I'll tell Emmett that he's allowed to DJ."

"You always know how to cheer me up." Edward said sourly. Jasper started singing inappropriate songs and thrusting his hips at the doorframe, to which Edward looked away with a face that definitely would have blushed if it were capable. "No, you're right. I absolutely do not want that at my wedding. I'll try to think better of myself."

"I'm here if you ever want to talk. I just don't want you to keep beating yourself up. That's Bella's job now."

"Not until the papers are signed." Edward said with a grin. "Will these flashbacks ever stop?"

"Eventually, they should. Once you fully process the emotions, the guilt, the pain, everything associated with the event. They should lessen over time and eventually go away. Be gentle on yourself. It isn't an overnight process. You have over a hundred years' worth of things to deal with. I do too."

"How are you doing?"

"Better. It's been good for me to learn more about myself by helping you and Bella. Charlie seems to be learning too. It's amazing what talking about your feelings instead of hiding them can do. So many people feel unsafe or ashamed to do it but I'm glad we are. Everything makes so much more sense."

"I agree." Edward said. "It's crazy how one fragile little human can shake up our entire world."

"Indeed, it is. Good thing she's cute." Edward growled softly and Jasper grinned, raising his hands in surrender. "All yours, bro." Jasper added. "I said cute. Just cute."

"She is adorable." Edward agreed. "Want to go for a run with me?"

"I'd love to." Jasper said, racing out of the cabin for Edward to chase him, knowing he would catch up within seconds anyhow.

"Where are we going?" Edward asked.

"I'm not telling!" Bella said, "And don't you dare pluck it out of dad's thoughts either. I've made him promise to try to not think about it."

"Oh, did you tell him I'm a mind-reader?"

"No. I just implied that if he thought about it he might let my surprise slip because he's a terrible secret keeper." she smirked.

"He's a cop. He knows how to keep secrets and interrogate people without revealing things he shouldn't."

"Shh, he doesn't know that." she said with a quiet giggle, zipping her suitcase.

"Why are we leaving town so urgently?"

"So we can go before someone spoils the surprise for you!" she said, amused at her own lie. The truth was that it was the next cloudy day for a game and they had shaded seats so she knew he would be able to enjoy the sport in peace. "And because we needed a weekend because of school."

"I'm going to find out when we get to the airport."

"Yeah, but until then it's fun watching you get annoyed that you can't figure that out. I love the fact that you can't always read my mind." she said with a laugh.

"You just wait until after you're changed. I'm going to get you for this." he teased, looking at her playfully and growling.

"I look forward to it."

"Do I at least get to drive us to the airport?"

"I don't see why not. Better for the environment than my truck." she laughed. "Now, we're all packed? You brought your phone? Charger? Extra clothes? Toothbrush, well I don't suppose you need one of those."

"We're fine, Bella." he promised, shaking his head. "Alice even stuffed my bag with extra stuff for you once she heard me packing. There's a lovely dress in here I'm quite certain you will never wear."

"Just one? I'm surprised at her restraint." Bella giggled. Nothing was going to ruin her good mood at the surprise she had prepared for him. It was even funnier to watch his confused yet amused face as his eyes followed her around the room, watching her finish packing. "All set. We have an hour or so before we need to leave."

"May I take you to dinner, then?"

"I'm alright with that." she said. "Charlie is at work but he's learned how to cook three different meals this week. There's plenty of leftovers in the fridge for his dinner."

"I'm glad he's learning."

"Me too. I won't worry about him as much now when I'm not here to take care of him. Carry this to the car for me?" she asked, holding out her suitcase.

"You are getting spoiled." he said, shaking his head and grinning her favorite crooked smile.

"Isn't that what you wanted?"

"It is." he agreed, kissing her cheek, and taking the bag in two fingers just to be a showoff. "Do we at least get to be alone wherever it is that we're going tonight? Do I get to show my…" he lowered the tone of his voice and looked her up and down. "appreciation?"

Bella giggled. "I hope so."

"Can I rent a car when we get there?"

"Most of what we need is within walking distance but if you'd like."

"You won't complain if it's showy?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he started down the stairs with her bag. She scribbled a quick note to Charlie and followed.

"It's hardly going to stand out in a place like that no matter what you get."

"I accept your challenge." he said, already imagining wild colors and brands Bella had likely never heard of.

"What if I told you I was taking you to the middle of nowhere and all you could rent was a twenty-year-old truck?"

"Sounds nicer than your turtle of a truck."

"Hey!" she shouted. "Take that back. I love her."

"You're insane." he insisted.

"You love me." she replied. He laughed quietly and kissed her head, putting her bag in the trunk and getting the door for her.

"Now, do you have everything?"

"I'm all set."

"What kind of book are you going to subject me to listening to while we drive?"

"I took the weekend off from reviewing. I brought CDs for us. Although I know you have a bunch in the car too."

"We're done with the vampire romance novels?"

"For now." she giggled. "I've been considering writing one though…"

He growled playfully and started the car, looking at her hungrily as if he might want to pounce. "I'm going to reconsider eating you if you keep talking like that."

Bella shrugged. "I could think of worse ways to die."

"Always so willing to die." he groaned.

"For love." she laughed, grabbing his hand to hold. "Let's just relax this weekend. It's going to be a lot of fun. I have a few things planned for us but I thought we would mostly just explore. It's going to be cloudy nearly the entire time. Alice told me she made sure you packed long sleeves, gloves, and hats just in case."

"Won't I stand out in gloves in the middle of April?"

"No." she grinned mischievously. "Not where we're going."

"And this is in a place where an expensive car wouldn't stand out. I'm guessing a big city."

"I'll allow that much."

"Not Florida or anywhere beachy."

"No." she agreed. "No beach."

"We're only going for the weekend so we must not be traveling outside of the country."

"United States only. I promised Charlie." she said.

"Ah, otherwise you would be whisking me away to Paris on that book reviewer's salary?" he asked.

"Of course."

"New York City?"

"No."

"Los Angeles?"

"No. L.A. is sunny. You already ruled out sunny."

"True. Seattle?"

"We could just drive there if we wanted."

"Washington D.C.?"

"No. Stop guessing. You'll ruin my fun."

"Ah, so I'm getting close, am I?" he asked.

"Sure." she said nonchalantly, rolling her eyes playfully and looking out the window.

"Bella?"

"What?"

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"You are adorably frustrating. I can't wait to marry you."

"I can't wait to marry you. I'm looking forward to our wedding night."

"Why?" he asked. "We've already, ah, consummated our relationship."

She laughed loudly then, wiping tears from her eyes from laughing so hard at his reluctant vocabulary. "A few times. But that's the night when I won't ever have to let you go again. We get to start our forever together."

He kissed the back of her hand he still held. "I can't wait."

"Chicago? We're really going to Chicago?!" he asked excitedly, causing several people to stare at them when Bella picked up their tickets.

She laughed and handed them to him to keep safe. "Surprise!"

Edward took her tightly in his arms and kissed her cheek, wishing he could throw her over his shoulder and carry her around giggling and flailing without drawing the attention of everyone at the airport. He settled for giddy excitement and appropriate kisses.

"Let's go find our gate." she said. "You can go through security scanners, right?"

"Yes, silly girl." he teased. "I have a medical condition that makes me too cold for an accurate reading. I have to be x-rayed instead."

"At least it isn't a strip search." she said, throwing her hair over her shoulder and smirking as he looked horrified.

"They wouldn't dare."

"For your sake, I hope it's a pretty woman and not some man with giant hands touching your-"

"Enough!" he said, staring at her with her eyes wide.

She laughed hard then and led him to the security line. "Relax. Carlisle helped me call ahead and make arrangements for you to just go through a metal detector due to your 'radiation sensitivity.'"

Edward visibly relaxed and returned to smiling like an overexcited child. "I can't believe you picked Chicago! What's in Chicago? Is this why you wanted a job?"

"Lots of things and yes. It's no fair to have made you pay for your own present. Esme and Carlisle already bought us the plane tickets."

"Alice would have happily-"

"Still your money."

"Her money."

"But not my money." Bella said. "Not yet. I see the protest you are waiting to make. It's not my money yet. I wanted to do this for you. For us."

"I'll thank you sincerely once we're settled at our hotel." he said quietly in her ear.

"You better."

"Where is my shy fiancée?"

"We must have left her at home. Oops." Bella said, grinning down at the vividly patterned carpet of the airport as she took off her shoes for security.

When they were settled on the plane, he kept tapping his foot from overexcitement. It was as if she gave a child a bunch of caffeine and told them they were going to pick out a puppy. She couldn't help but admire him. It was so rare to see him this happy and Bella treasured every minute of it.

"What are we going to do when we get there?" he asked.

"Check in to the hotel. Maybe order some late-night Chinese delivery because it will be great to be in a place that actually has delivery again." she said with a smile, looking forward to egg rolls and vegetable fried rice, something one definitely didn't find in Forks, Washington.

"What about tomorrow?"

"You'll see."

"Just a hint?" he asked, leaning in closely so that his breath washed over her face and his golden eyes captured every last bit of her attention. She leaned forward to kiss him. "A hint?" he whispered, reminding her.

"No fair. That's cheating." He brushed his lips against hers barely, more of a promise than a kiss. "One of the places we're going will have things older than you." she laughed.

"You calling me old?"

"And if I am?" she challenged.

Edward kissed her lips gently, pulling away way sooner than he wanted to because they were nowhere near alone. "I am old. There are tons of places with things older than me. You mean like architecture? An upscale antique store? I need more of a hint."

"It's something we will both enjoy. I'm sure of it."

"I'll enjoy anywhere as long as I'm with you." he whispered.

An old woman behind them said, "Aww listen at them." to her husband and it was all the encouragement Bella needed to pull out the iPod Emmett had gifted her, giving one of the earbuds to Edward so they could listen together on their long flight. They held hands and contentedly enjoyed the time with each other.

Edward rented the flashiest, most expensive car he could on last minute notice at the car rental counter. Bella snorted when they walked outside to it. "This looks like a soccer mom vehicle."

"It has heated leather seats, surround sound audio, it tops out at a speed of-"

Bella tuned out the car talk, laughing as she got settled in. "Truthfully, I'm grateful it isn't yellow."

"That's more Alice than me."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"Where's the hotel?"

Bella gave him the address. "That's within walking distance of the house I grew up in."

"Can we see it while we're here?"

"I'd like that." he agreed. "One of our legal trusts still owns it. I've not been there in many years. We have someone come in once or twice a year and make sure it's sealed against the elements. Otherwise, it's been untouched since Carlisle got some things out for me in the 1920s."

"Will you be alright, going there? I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"I would love to show it to you." he promised. "I'm sure it will make me miss my parents and my human life but I would honestly give up that human life knowing what I know now. I would want to be with you. And if this is what I had to do to be here when you arrived, I'm not upset about being immortal anymore."

"No pressure on me to be perfect for you or anything."

"You are perfect for me." he promised. "You still have no idea what you mean to me. I will show you every day for the rest of forever in any way I know how to." She leaned her head on his shoulder as he drove them towards the hotel. "Now, we're going to get checked in, order you a bunch of food, and snuggle up in bed for the rest of the evening. Clothing very much optional once the delivery person leaves. Agreed?"

"Agreed." she smiled. "After we call our families and tell them we made it to the hotel safely. I promised Charlie."

"You can call Charlie. Alice will already know."

"Call them just in case? I don't want any interruptions later."

Edward laughed then, shaking his head slightly. "Me neither. It has been a few days. I'm rather excited to have you all to myself. You're sure you want to leave the bed at all this weekend?"

"I'm sure." she giggled. "We will have a great time."

"I always do when I'm with you."