29

"Shit, shit, shit, I'm going to be so fucking late," I muttered as I rushed through the busy department store with several bags in my hands.

Picking the day before we're supposed to leave for a trip to the other side of the country to grab the last few items we needed had been stupid. Especially seeing as Christmas was in four days, which meant every store I ventured into was packed with last minute shoppers—like me. But Tyler and Michael needed new pajamas. Theirs were two inches too short, and Carlisle's jeans were starting to sag on his ass, thanks to the fifteen pounds he'd lost in the last few months because he was too busy worrying about me. I hated that he worried, but at the same time, I understood why he did. I was important to him.

I'd just reached my car when my phone dinged with a new text message, followed moments later with half a dozen more. I quickly stowed my bags into the backseat before sliding in behind the wheel and digging my phone from my purse, smiling when I saw the series of messages from Alice, Rose, Esme, and Emmett. After our come-to-Jesus meeting the night before, Alice had set up a group text group for the five of us, and had been sending stupid, silly memes all day. This one was of a Dog hopping on its hind legs while wearing a pair of sunglasses and a sombrero. Where she found these, I had no idea, but I loved that they were making an effort, even if it was all just mindless, goofy texts.

"LOL, looks like Em after a few drinks," I texted back.

"Right?!" Rose replied almost immediately, followed by a one-fingered emoji from Emmett.

I tucked my phone back into my purse as I cranked on the car, pulled on my seatbelt, and started the drive back to the beach house, where Carlisle had been wrangling the boys all afternoon. Carlisle hadn't been nearly as forgiving toward my friends as me. I was still plenty angry at the way they turned their backs on me, on us, but I had let anger control me for too long. Anger at my father for dying, at my mother for turning to a bottle with her grief, for leaving me the way she had, anger at the people in Forks for not seeing how good Carlisle was and how lucky I was to have him. But mostly, anger at myself for not seeing Gabriel Varner as the crazy, psychotic madman that he was. Liam said I had to stop blaming myself, and while logically, I knew he was right, I couldn't move past the fact that the man had been watching me for years before making his move. How could I have been so unobservant?

When I got back to the beach house, I grabbed the bags from the backseat and headed down the small pathway that lead around the house to the front door, but stopped when I found a note taped to the door with my name on it. Shifting the bags to one hand, I pulled it off, unfolded it, and read it out loud.

"Isabella, I worried that the boys would come to resent me for Tanya leaving, for being a single dad. I wasn't able to be there for them the way I wanted. I missed school parties and soccer sign ups, and baseball games. I feared that Michael and Tyler would look at me the way I saw my father, and it hurt. It hurt so much. But then you came into our lives, and when I couldn't be there, you were. I will never be able to tell you how thankful I am for you. Carlisle."

I smiled as I read through it once more. How sentimental my man was, I thought.

Careful not to crush the note, I opened the front door, expecting to find him waiting for me, or have the boys waiting to see what I'd bought them, yet I found the living room empty. I stowed my bags on the couch before walking into the kitchen. It, too, was empty. In fact the boys' room was empty as well. When I pushed open the door to mine and Carlisle's bedroom, I found a white box with a large red ribbon wrapped around it sitting on the bed.

"What in the world," I muttered as I walked over to it, finding another note with my name on it. My heart began to race as I plucked it between my fingers and opened it. "Isabella, I'm waiting."

Biting the inside of my lip, I could feel my fingers trembling as I dropped the note onto the bed and pulled the red ribbon, watching as it unraveled from around the box. I pried the lid off, gasping as tears filled my eyes. Laying on several sheets of red tissue paper was a white, silk dress.

A wedding dress.

I had no idea what was going on, but I found myself stripping off my clothes and slipping the white dress on. It hugged my curves and fit perfectly. There was a thin piece of lacy wrapping around each shoulder, which covered the silk across my bust line. The skirt clung to my hips and legs, covering my feet. Since there weren't any shoes in the box, I grabbed the pair of white strappy sandals I bought when Carlisle, the boys, and I took off after Peter's funeral. Just as I was twisting my hair up into messy bun the doorbell rang. My breath caught in my chest as I rushed out of the bedroom, down the hall, and to the front door. Pulling it open, I was surprised to find Jasper standing there, a smirk on his lips, and wearing a dark suit.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Well hello to you, too," he laughed and reached for my hand, which I gave immediately. "I'm here to take you to your next stop."

"My next stop? Where's that?"

"Can't tell you." Jasper gently pulled me out of the house, reaching behind me to close the door.

"I don't have my keys, or phone," I said, but he closed it anyway.

"Don't need them."

"I won't?"

He shook his head. "Nope."

I wasn't sure I agreed, but I wasn't going question Jasper as I followed him along the pathway to his car. He held the passenger side door open for me and I carefully slipped inside, making sure my dress didn't get caught. I could feel my anxiety rise, but at the same time, I knew whatever was going on was important to Carlisle, so it was important to me.

"Here," Jasper said after climbing in behind the wheel. He was holding another note.

"Thank you." Taking it, I bit the inside of my lip and began to unfold it, smiling when a blue rose pedal and a yellow rose pedal fell onto my lap. Gently picking them up, I brought them to my nose, inhaling their sweet scent. I turned my attention back to the note. "I've never yearned for a woman the way I yearn for you. The feel of your hands on me, the taste of you on my tongue." I paused and looked at Jasper. "Sorry."

"Don't be," he said. "I'm not listening."

Smiling, I continued to read the note. "But mostly the feeling of you in my arms. Please, hurry."

"He loves you," Jasper said.

Tears filled my eyes as I brought the rose pedals back to my nose. "He does. I just don't know why."

"Why do you love him?"

"I . . . I don't know that I can explain it. I mean, he just makes me feel normal and perfect. He was made for me."

Jasper smiled as he turned right. "Don't you think that's how he feels, too?"

"Maybe," I whispered.

Jasper stopped outside of Eleazar's jewelry store. "Go."

Knowing it was pointless to ask questions, I slipped out of the car and started toward the front door, but stopped when Jasper drove away. Taking a deep breath, I pulled open the door to the shop, finding Eleazar standing behind the counter. He smiled and gestured for me to enter, which I did.

"He's not here, is he?" I asked.

"No, sweetheart, he's not," Eleazar replied with a laugh. "But he asked that I give you this."

Eleazar reached under the counter and pulled out a small black box and another note. Nervously, I walked over and picked them up. I opened the note first, but read this one to myself, rather than aloud.

My mother wasn't big on jewelry. At least not traditional jewelry. Other than the ring that my father gave her, that now rests on your finger, I remember her only ever wearing one other piece. Don't keep me waiting, sweetheart.

Dropping the note on the counter, I reached for the box, feeling my fingers trembling. As I pried open the box, I found myself laughing. Inside was a silver mood ring. On each side of the band were ying yang symbols. Somehow, I could imagine his mother wearing this every day.

"She was a unique woman," Eleazar said, slipping the box out of my hand and removing the ring from inside. "She never met a stranger, always greeting the world with a smile and a laugh. Even when she was sick, when she knew she wasn't going to beat the cancer. I watched as Peter lost himself to his grief, as Carlisle pushed his father away." Eleazar reached across the counter and took hold of my right hand. "And I watched as you gave Carlisle a reason to be happy, a reason to smile and laugh. I watched as you reconnected a stubborn man with his son, and I saw as you completed a family."

"I did all that?" I whimpered.

"And more." Eleazar slipped the ring onto the middle finger of my right hand before bringing my hand up to his lips. "Hurry, sweetheart. He's waiting."

Tears filled my eyes as I muttered a thank you, and rushed out of the store, somehow knowing the next part of my journey would be waiting for me. And he was. Edward was leaning against the side of his car, a lopsided grin on his face.

"Come on," he said, pushing off the car and opening the door for me.

I didn't hesitate before I climbed in. Edward rushed around the car, sliding in behind the wheel, but instead of heading off to our next destination, he pulled another note out of his pocket, holding it toward me.

"I should have known," I murmured to myself as I took it, unfolded it, and began to read. "When I was small boy, my father took me to this carnival. We ate caramel apples and funnel cake. We rode at least a dozen rides. He nearly threw his arm out trying to win me a huge stuffed panda, but he did it. As we were driving home, he asked if I'd had a good time. I smiled, feeling exhausted, and told him it was the best night of my life. And it was until the night you let me love you. Hurry, sweetheart. I'm waiting."

"Are you taking me to him?" I asked, shifting my eyes to Edward.

"I am," he said. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, unable to express how much I needed to see Carlisle right them, how much I needed him to hold me.

Edward started the car and pulled away from the curb. We didn't speak as he drove up toward the highway leading to the bungalow. We didn't need to. Edward knew how important Carlisle was to me. He loved Jasper with everything, gave up almost everything to be with him. Edward pulled up next to the path that led to where Sasha's diner had once sat, but before I could open the door, he reached out and grabbed my hand, drawing my attention.

"The night you left was the first time I'd ever seen him cry. He loves you, Bella. He needs you. And I know I'm going to sound like an asshole for saying this, because I get why you left, but if you hurt him again like that, we'll be done."

Biting the inside of my lip, I nodded as I leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry I hurt you that night. You're important to me, Edward. You and Jasper, you're my family, and I will never leave you again."

"Go to him, Bella."

I climbed out of the car, waiting until Edward pulled away before making my way down the stone pathway to where the diner once sat. Sasha was waiting for me next to the wooden framework that would be the new, updated diner with a tiki torch in her hand.

"Hurry now, my dear," she said, slipping the torch from her grasp into mine. She brought her other hand up to my face, gently stroking my cheek the way a mother would. "You know where to find him."

"Thank you," I murmured before leaving her standing there. As I walked along the beach, I found more torches leading the way, guiding me toward the love of my life. With each step I took, I could feel my heart race faster and faster. Finally, after a few minutes, I saw him.

Carlisle was standing about fifty feet in front of the bungalow. He was wearing the same suit he'd worn when we were married just six months ago. He was surrounded by blue and yellow roses. His smile grew as I approached, as I'm sure mine did.

"You look . . ." He trailed off as he shook his head. "Beautiful isn't a strong enough word."

"Thank you. You look pretty good yourself."

His grin turned into a smirk. "I know."

I laughed and looked around. "Why did you this?"

"Why?" he asked and I nodded. "Because, Isabella, after almost losing you, you asked me if I still wanted you as my wife, as the mother of our boys. At the time, I worried that we'd never be the same Isabella and Carlisle from before, and I realize now that we won't be. We can't, because whether or not we want to admit it, we've both changed. Changed for the better, I think."

"Me too," I said, softly. "At least I hope. After what I did—"

"Don't," he interrupted, stepping up to me and placing his finger on my lips. "Don't apologize again. That's all behind us."

"Is it?" I asked. "Will it ever really be?"

Carlisle removed his finger from my lips, sliding it against my cheek, down my neck, across my shoulder, down my arm, weaving his fingers in with mine. "The first night you let me touch you, I almost let you go home. Something, I don't know what, but something made me follow you outside. When your truck didn't start, inwardly I was rejoicing because that gave me at least a few minutes more with you. You had become my happiness. I needed you in my life, and while I never expected that you'd feel the same way, having you in my bed for at least one night was going to be enough. Or so I thought."

I laughed. "I'm starting to wonder if you sabotaged my truck that night, Dr. Cullen."

"Wish I had thought of that," he snickered, taking hold of my other hand. "I love you, Isabella. These last seven months with you . . . You made me the man I wanted to be. You're the mother our boys deserved, and standing here on this beach, I'm asking you to still be mine. In sickness and in health, through good times and bad. Forever, baby."

"Carlisle," I whimpered, feeling a tear slip down my face. "I'll always be yours, lover. You still want me after everything that's happened?"

"I've never wanted someone more."

Closing the distance between our lips, Carlisle kissed me. Softly at first, but then his arms wrapped around me, his lips demanded more, and I eagerly gave him. Carlisle ended the kiss, but before I could complain, he swept me off my feet, causing me to squeal and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I've got you, baby," he whispered into my ear. "I'll always have you."

He started carrying me toward the bungalow.

"What about Edward and Jasper?" I asked. "Won't they be bothered by us being inside their house?"

"It's not their house anymore," he said.

"It's not?"

Carlisle shook his head. "They closed on a condo half way between the co-op and Berkeley last week."

"Why didn't they tell me?"

"Because a: they didn't want to add more stress onto your shoulders. Finals were hard enough."

"You're not lying," I murmured, thinking about the hell week I had endured. Even though I managed to scrap A's in all four of my classes, I had struggled to study, to pass my exams. "And what was B?"

"B was me spoiling tonight."

Somehow, Carlisle managed to open the door with me in his arms. He placed me on my feet and closed the door. All of Edward and Jasper's belongings had been removed. Instead, dozens of candles had been lit and vases of blue and yellow roses on every table, counter, corner in the room. Instead of the couch that had been there the first time Carlisle brought me here, there was a pile of blankets on the floor with half a dozen pillows, two treys that were covered with food like strawberries, grapes, crackers, cheese — food I suspected Sasha had put together for him. There were also two wine glasses and a bottle of wine that hadn't been opened yet. Carlisle was wooing me, and it was working.

I inhaled a deep breath as I looked back at him. "Who has the boys?"

"Alice and Esme," he said, giving me a look. "Gotta start trusting them eventually, don't I?"

"You already do, or you wouldn't have left them."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right." Carlisle tugged off his jacket, tossing it onto the floor. "Hungry?"

"Starving."

Carlisle toed his shoes off, and I followed with my sandals. Carlisle slipped his hand in with mine and led me over to the blankets, waiting for me to sit, before stretching out on his side next to me. He reached for the bottle of wine, but I stopped him when I placed my hand on his chest. He smiled as I pushed him onto his back, shifting so that I was lying next to him.

"Think we should build our appetite, don't you?"

Carlisle's smile grew as he rolled us so that he was hovering over me. "I've missed this."

"What?"

"You under me, begging me to touch you."

"I'll always beg you to touch me," I whispered, sliding my hands along his chest. "To want me, to need me."

"Promise?" he asked. "No matter what happens? No matter who happens?"

"I promise."

The words had barely left my lips when Carlisle's mouth found mine. I gripped the front of his shirt, needing him to be closer—always closer. Shifting us, Carlisle leaned up, lifting me in the process. As our lips danced against each other's, his fingers found the zipper hidden along the left side of the dress, slowly sliding it down.

I was much less patient as I ripped his shirt open, causing him to laugh as he pulled away.

"Are you that ready for me, baby?"

"Yes," I breathed, reaching for him again, but he leaned away. "Lover?"

"Stand up."

My legs trembled as I did as he said. My dress slipped off my shoulders, pooling at my feet. Carlisle leaned up on his knees, his hands sliding around my bare waist. He rested his forehead against my stomach, his arms encasing me like I was his greatest treasure. I raked my fingers through his hair, causing him to look up at me.

"Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you're wearing white cotton panties?"

I laughed. "A few times. I have wondered why no matter how I place my panties in my drawer, my white ones always seem to be on top."

"Can't help it," he snickered before placing a kiss just below my belly button. His fingers found the waistband of my panties and as he tugged them down to my feet, his lips traveled lower and lower until they were just above my pussy.

"Step backwards for a second," he said, and I did. Carlisle tossed my dress and panties to the side. He grabbed my hips, pulling me toward him once again. "This is how I want you all the time."

"Naked?" I laughed, once again dragging my fingers through his hair. "Doesn't seem fair that I'm standing here naked and you still have your clothes on."

Carlisle's grin widened as he pulled away and stood up. "I can take care of that."

But as he started to shrug his shirt down his arms, I grabbed it. "Let me."

Taking a deep breath, he let his hands fall to his side. I closed the gap between our bodies as I slid the shirt down his arms, letting it fall onto the blankets behind him. Carlisle shivered as I dragged my fingers down his chest to the top of his pants. Keeping my eyes locked with his, I popped the button and lowered the zipper. Carlisle cupped my face between his hands as I pushed his pants and boxers down to his knees. His erection pressed against my bare belly, the need to feel him, to taste him, to love him was overwhelming.

Carlisle kicked his pants the rest of the way off and to the side before sweeping me into his arms and laying me on the blankets. In a heartbeat, he was once again hovering over me, his eyes boring into mine with so much passion and lust, it took my breath away.

"I love you, Isabella Cullen. I always will."

"I love you, too, Carlisle Cullen."

And with a shift of his hips, he reminded me how much he loved me, how much he needed me. Without a doubt, I knew that Carlisle and I would never let the other go. I may have started out as the babysitter, but I'd spend my life being his wife.

Thank you for all the amazing reviews! That's it for The Wife, but story number three will be starting tomorrow! We've had The Babysitter, The Wife, and now, The Mother...