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Chapter 24

Emmett's birthday was the first of many family dinners they had together with Rosalie in attendance. As Edward began his job on the council, they packed up a portion of their belongings and moved into the palace part time.

There were some issues with leaving things behind in the beginning, but Edward gave up and bought double of those things.

Isabella had to build up her stores at the palace and set up what had once been Marcus' rooms. It felt odd those first few days, but at the same time it felt right. Alice had surprised her with a private garden of her own, which she was able to use to grow her own herbs and spices.

What Isabella also loved was the amount of time she got to spend with Alice. She'd missed the daily interactions they'd had before Isabella moved to the village.

Once they were settled into their routine, Isabella called her father for the first time. It was a little awkward at first, and Edward didn't join her. It got easier as the calls grew more frequent and soon the whole family was sitting in front of her tablet for the weekly calls.

Isabella healed from the birth and she and Edward resumed their intimate moments, thankful that there was an army of servants in the castle willing to watch them when needed.

But what Isabella wanted more than anything this weekend, was some quiet time with her husband. It was their anniversary and her birthday and she was happy they would get to spend it in the home where they started their life together.

Their children were packed up and ready to spend the night with Uncle Emmett, who now lived just down the road, halfway between them and the village. When he and Rosalie married, an eventuality at this point, he would be able to drop her off in the mornings and pick her up on his way home.

Isabella prepared a special dinner for Edward, knowing he would be happy with whatever she made for them as long as they got to spend it together. The meal passed with comfortable conversation and soon it was time for them to share their gifts. Isabella was nervous, wondering if Edward would like it, but she shouldn't have been concerned.

He opened the box and pulled out a bell jar with a paper faerie that was the spitting image of him. Right down to the torn green clothing he wore the first time she saw him and the blue-green of his wings. He gasped softly as he took it all in.

"This is stunning."

"Just like the subject."

Edward blushed, "I worry mine will be simple in comparison, but it follows the tradition of this being the paper anniversary."

Isabella wondered what he could be so worried about, but as soon as she opened the package, she was in tears, knowing what it was.

"This is a star chart of the moment you were born. The most important day of my existence. Because without you, I wouldn't be who and what I am today."

"I love you so much, Edward."

"I will always love and treasure you, Bre."

They spent much of the night rekindling the spark between them, knowing there were no interruptions.

The following morning, Emmett arrived with the babies and Isabella happily took her children and set them up in the shop while she mixed together various cures and creams.

That evening, they went to Emmett's and celebrated Isabella's birthday a day early, knowing the couple would want to be alone. They'd be having dinner with the king and queen on Monday, so the only day that would be quiet was her birthday itself.

It was in the early morning of September thirteenth that Isabella heard a noise outside. Worried one of the horses had gotten out of the stable, she wrapped herself in her robe and went out to check on things.

She saw nothing amiss with the horses, but on her way back to the door, she saw movement in her garden. Opening the gate, a white rabbit hopped right up to her and nudged her ankle, just as Argus always had.

Isabella looked up to the sky and smiled sadly, knowing exactly who sent this little one to her. "Thank you, my friend. I will care for him as much as I did for you."

She bent down and picked up the young rabbit, holding him close. "Now, what should I name you?"