BPOV

The Black Industries party is a huge success for "Bella Bakes", and I'm giving out business cards like crazy with a caveat that I'm in the middle of relocating. I'm so glad that I made three times as many pastries and tarts as I had originally planned because people are coming for seconds and thirds.

"This is amazing, Bella," Lauren gushes as soon as our table is clear of guests. "I can't believe you pulled this off."

"We pulled this off," I correct her. "Which is why I'm promoting you, if you want it, to bakery manager."

"Oh, my gosh." Lauren pulls me in for a hug. "Are you sure?"

"You've been a lifesaver, and it should have been you from the get-go." I squeeze her shoulders. "Say yes."

"Yes!"

Jane wanders over at that moment and smiles. "You two celebrating already? You deserve it."

"I just promoted Lauren for a job well done and—" We're interrupted by my phone ringing, and I excuse myself to answer the call.

"Sue, what's up? I'm working right now."

"I just wanted to let you know that there's been an accident." Sue is whispering, and I wonder where she is.

"Are you okay? Dad?"

"We're fine, it's …"

"Are Edward and Liam okay?" I ask quietly, but I already know the answer—one of them is hurt.

"Liam had an accident. He's at the ER right now with Edward; he called us and we came straight over, and we're waiting for the results," Sue tells me as I move back to the table and grab my purse and jacket I have stowed underneath.

"I'm on my way." I hang up on Sue, but I need to get going. I turn to look at Lauren, and her face says it all.

"Go. I'll clean up here. Don't worry about anything," she tells me as I shrug into my coat.

Jane clears her throat. "Mr. Black wanted an introduction with you. If you leave now, you'll be ruined. 'Bella Bakes' will be finished."

"Jane, I understand that, but I need to go home to Forks. My little boy needs me." I smile at Lauren and walk out of the ballroom.

The drive to Forks only takes me about three and a half hours because I'm pushing the speed limit, but it feels like forever. As I drive through Forks to get to the hospital, I see the Christmas lights on Main Street lit up, and the tree in the square is decorated to a tee. All signs of the holiday approaching in my hometown.

When I finally pull into the parking lot at Forks General and run inside to the first nurse's station, I realize they won't let me see Liam—I'm not family, and Edward wouldn't have put me on the visitation list.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" the smiling nurse asks from behind the desk.

"I'm not sure. I'm not family, but a little boy was brought in earlier, and I was wondering if he was still here: Liam Cullen. His father is Edward Cullen." I can feel myself rambling, but all I want to do is find out if he's okay.

"Your name?"

"Bella Swan."

"Bella? What are you doing here?" I turn at the sound of Edward's voice, and the tears that I've been holding back start flowing freely down my cheeks.

"Is Liam all right? Sue called me and said he broke his arm. Is it bad? Can I see him? Please?" I'm not above begging at this point, and Edward looks confused.

"I thought you were in Seattle for your big catering job," he says as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"I was. I left as soon as Sue called," I tell him as I dig around in my purse for a Kleenex.

"You just up and left?" Edward asks.

"Yeah. I told Jane that my little boy had an accident and I had to go. Is he okay? At least tell me that."

His look softens. "Your little boy. Yes, he's okay. He's actually thrilled to have a cast on now that the shock has worn off. You called my baby your little boy."

"I did? Well, I … I couldn't not be here, Edward. I love Liam … and I love you."

He pulls me in for a hug and crushes me to him. "I love you too."

"I think we have a lot to talk about," I say as I pull back from him.

"Me too, but let's go see our boy."

Liam was asleep with Sue and Charlie watching over him when we entered the room. They said their hellos but ducked out to give us some privacy so Edward and I could talk. As I sat on one side of the bed and took Liam's good hand in my own and stroked his hair, Edward asked me how the party had gone.

"It went well, but Jane implied that leaving so soon would jeopardize the bakery's future," I tell him with a small laugh.

"That's not good. The bakery is your life. What are you going to do?" Edward asks but won't meet my eyes.

I reach across Liam's tiny body and take Edward's hand. "Maybe it's time to reevaluate my options."

"Bella …"

"No, I'm serious. I left without hesitation, and I had time to think on the drive up here. I want you and I want Liam. I love you both," I explain earnestly. "I was stupid and shortsighted before."

"What about your career?"

"Why can't I have that here in Forks? I already have the bakery."

"Bella, I want you to be sure about this," Edward says as he squeezes my hand. "You can't make this decision on one drive back home because Liam was hurt. What if you end up resenting us?"

"Edward, look at me," I ask. "I fell in love with you, both of you. I already call him my little boy. I think we still need a lot of time, but I'm sure about this. Besides, someone fixed up a really nice bakery for me. It'd be a shame to let it go unused."

We continue to talk for hours until the two of us finally fall asleep in the uncomfortable chairs. When I wake a few hours later, it's because Liam is humming a little song and playing with my fingers.

"Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?" I ask as I sit up and press a kiss to his forehead.

"Okay. My arm hurts," he says with a little whine, and my heart breaks.

"Let's wake up your daddy, and then get a nurse in here to check on you. Okay?"

He nods, and then asks, "Bewa, are you going away again?"

"No, not unless you want me to?"

"No, I want to make cookies and play ball wif you!" Liam smiles, and I can't help but giggle.

"I'll teach you how to throw like I did the first day I met you," I promise him, and he giggles.

"But we can't hit Daddy again!"

"Of course not." I smile again. "Let's wake up Daddy and get the nurse."

Later that day, Liam is released from the hospital, and Edward takes him home to get him settled, and I head to Charlie and Sue's to discuss me moving home for a while until my grandmother's house is renovated a little and I can move in.

Edward and I have decided that we need time to date before we move in together and really get to know each other. It doesn't matter if the love is there, we're almost strangers. When I tell Dad and Sue my idea, they both love it and hug me tight.

They've wanted me to come home for years, and they're finally getting their wish.

The drive back to Seattle is somber for me. I've called Lauren and Ben and my two other employees and asked to meet them at my apartment. I have a plan, but I can't and won't move forward if everyone isn't on board.

When we're all together I tell them my proposal: I want Lauren to run "Bella Bakes Cakes" in Seattle in a new space while I live and run the shop in Forks.

Silence descends over the room as everyone takes in what I've just offered. "You'll have full autonomy over the shop, under my brand. I trust you all to do this, if you want it."

Lauren looks to her coworkers—no, employees—and smiles. "Can we have a minute?"

I walk off into the kitchen to give them a few minutes and text Edward to give him an update. He tells me that he already has plans for Marie's house—my house—and he can't wait to see me again. We make plans for him to come down to help me pack up my apartment and look at a few shop spaces I've found.

"Bella?" Lauren calls from the living room.