Coming up on the end here. Next week we'll mark it complete!
Chapter 23
Edward woke up early, and went to check on the kids. His awe at being a father was still so new that he could watch them sleep for hours. It amazed him that he and Isabella had made two children so precious.
Isabella's cries from the other room drew him out of his musings. He woke Isabella with a kiss because he knew it would put her fears to rest before she was even fully conscious.
"Good morning, my love," Edward murmured.
"Happy birthday, Edward."
"It is now that you've woken up," he told her.
"Emmett is stopping by today. I have no idea what I'm going to tell him."
"Tell him the truth. He'll take it far better than your father would have."
"True, Emmett is good like that."
The couple had an uneventful morning, but just before lunch, Isabella began fussing with everything.
"Bre," Edward said, "this is your little brother. Nothing has changed between you two. Just talk to him as you always have."
The knock at the door interrupted them and Edward stood to let Emmett in.
Isabella watched as her husband and brother walked in. The set of Emmett's shoulders was tense and the emotions she'd been holding in came flooding out.
Emmett watched in horror as his sister, one of the strongest women he'd ever known, wept. He rushed forward and gripped both of her hands in one of his. "Isabella, what's wrong?"
She shook her head, unable to speak. Edward stood behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. "This has been a difficult year, Emmett. So much has happened, much you weren't aware of, and it has taken a toll on your sister."
"Well then, why don't you start at the beginning," Emmett said with a gentle squeeze of her hands.
Isabella spoke slowly, telling her brother all he'd missed since she'd found Edward in the woods. He sat silent as she wove her tale and let her finish without interruption. Once she was done, she looked up, fearful of what she'd see in his eyes.
"How in the world did all of you get some cool gift and I'm ordinary?"
"Well, to be fair, you are a giant," Isabella teased.
The laughter did a lot to ease the tension and Emmett pulled her in for a hug. "I wish I could have been some help to you."
"No one could have. Edward was at my side and it killed him, even with his powers. If it hadn't been for Argus—"
"Even your pet was magical," Emmett muttered and then thought better of it. "It doesn't surprise me that everything around you was fighting so hard to keep you safe. You're special, Sis, and you deserve to be guarded."
"I just wished Mom had lived to show me. I miss her so much. Especially since she's a grandmother."
"I have some news as well. I asked Rosalie out in May and we've been dating the last few weeks."
"Why did you wait so long?" Isabella asked.
"I wanted to be eighteen when I asked her, but then I saw Royce King flirting with her one afternoon and I abandoned that plan. Thankfully, she was very happy I'd asked her and we've been seeing each other for a month now."
"Oh, Emmett, I'm so happy for you."
Emmett looked around, overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. "Didn't you say something about lunch?"
With a laugh, Isabella stood and led him towards the dining room. "How could I be so cruel? Lure you here with the promise of a home cooked meal and then swap it out for heavy conversation."
Emmett stayed most of the afternoon, spending time with his niece and nephew. Isabella asked Emmett if he wanted to stay for dinner, but he blushed and admitted he was having dinner with Rosalie.
"Next month I'll be having a special dinner for your birthday, and I expect you to invite Rosalie as your date, Emmett Charles Swan."
"Yes, Sister," he said in a patronizing tone.
"Be careful, I've got your baby pictures available to embarrass you with, Emmett."
Emmett shook his head. "Edward, happy birthday and good luck with my sister."
Edward and Isabella said goodbye to Emmett and Isabella went back into the kitchen to put the finishing touches on dinner.
When she brought it out, Edward moaned at the aroma coming from the plate. "Bre, you're wonderful. This is my favorite meal."
"I know, I always made favorites for birthday dinners. I'm already planning what to make for Emmett's next month. And wait until you have your cake."
"You're amazing. Our children will be lucky to grow up with you as a mother."
"I love you, Edward. I'm so happy that I found you out there in the woods."
The rest of Edward's birthday was celebrated quietly before they put the children to bed and cuddled in bed.
July began with a heat wave, which kept Isabella busy as she resumed seeing patients. Edward was happy to care for their children in the time she was working, bringing them to the market and up to the palace to see their young prince.
It was on one such visit that Edward returned home with some news to share with Isabella. She was just saying goodbye to her last patient of the day when Edward rode up. They brought the babies in and then he made quick work of the horses. With the work done, he moved onto the news of the day.
"I was at the castle visiting with Alice and Brandon when Jasper came to see us. He'd received word from your father that he wished for his position as ambassador to be permanent. There's a letter for you that will explain things in greater detail, I'm sure, but with his continued absence creating a vacancy, King Jasper offered me a spot on his council."
"Edward, that's wonderful," Isabella told him.
"It is, but it puts us in a bit of a quandary. Jasper said if we wished, he'd make a residence in the castle available to us, but it would mean you traveling every morning to come out here. If we remain here, I would be taking the children with me unless we hired someone to remain here."
"Does the council meet everyday?"
"No, I believe he has his council meetings early in the week."
"Well, other councilmen have residences and their own properties. What if we split the time? We could stay in the palace while the council is in session for the week and I can treat people from Marcus' old rooms, and then when the session is over we ride back out here? It is the best of both worlds. Our children will grow up near the forest, but also see the bustle of the palace. There will be more children to socialize with. I think that would be the best option."
Edward sighed in relief. "I knew discussing it with you would result in the best possible compromise. Now, I'll leave you to your letter. I'll start to work on dinner."
Isabella took the letter from her husband and watched as he walked into the other room. With a deep breath, she opened the first letter she'd received from her father since he'd departed.
Dear Isabella,
This letter is long overdue, but in truth, I didn't know how to say what I needed to until now.
I'm sorry for the way I treated you. You were so much like your mother, I worried for you just as I had for her. She was taken from all of us too soon, and I saw your independence as the thing that would take you from me. Then Edward came along and in him I saw the inevitable knowledge you would gain. I don't know why I thought keeping the truth from you would keep you safe, but I did, and for that, I'm sorry as well.
Jasper tells me you're happy and that I'm a grandfather of twins now. I would love to see them, and you, if you'll let me. I knew your security settings wouldn't let a foreign email or call come in, so I'll leave my new contact information at the bottom if you're willing to reach out.
I've met a woman here who makes me happy. Her name is Huelin, and we married a month ago in a private ceremony. I've asked to make my post here permanent, but I would still travel home at some point and hopefully our families can meet in person.
It has taken meeting Huelin to realize how unfair I was being to you and Edward, and I would like the chance to make amends. I'll wait patiently for you to make your decision, and I'll respect it. Whatever you choose.
Love,
Your Father
Charles Swan
Isabella cried as she reread her father's words. It made her happy to hear that he was at peace and to know that he had found a way to accept her. She would gladly reach out and take the first steps to healing that relationship.