Chapter 17 – Bella
"So, when are you walking?" Bella questioned after Edward's last day of school.
"Oh, no. I've already done the whole cap and gown shaking hands with the dean thing. Once was more than enough for me. I'm just happy to have my certificate."
"Oh, come on! It's not every day you earn your doctorate. You should totally walk. And me and Pop will sit in the audience and holler at you."
Edward laughed. "Tempting, but I'm going to pass. Some people get a kick out of that sort of thing, but I'm not one of them. I hated doing it when I first graduated, but my mom begged, so…" he shrugged.
"So, all I need to do is beg then?" Bella asked with wiggling brows.
"No. I'm not doing it for you."
Bella let her mouth fall agape in humorous offense.
"Don't give me that look," Edward chided, refusing to give in. "My mom and uncle flew in from Italy to watch me do that shit. I'm not putting you out by not doing it now. Besides, I had to repay them for all their support, and seeing me up there was all they wanted. Whereas you have done nothing for my education, except make me miss multiple days of school over these past couple of months. If anything, you've hindered it."
"Hey, I'm not the one who told you to miss those classes. In fact, I do remember telling you to go, and then punishing you when you didn't."
Edward smiled. "Yeah, but your punishments are so worth it."
Bella feigned anger and attacked him, which only made him laugh, and of course, they ended up naked, because all good fights ended that way.
As they rested in bed together, basking in the serenity of knowing neither of them had anywhere to go for the rest of the day, Bella's mind began to wander. If you considered the short amount of time it had been since they met, most would still call them virtual strangers, but Bella never felt closer to anyone in her life. There was no awkwardness or false pretenses. She was just her, and he was just him, and they just fit. It only got better with every passing day they spent together.
"So, what comes next?" she wondered out loud. Now that he was done with school, it was time for the next chapter of his life. She knew that chapter would include her and their baby, but they never really talked about anything else. Where would life take them now?
Edward sighed heavily.
"What?" she asked concerned. She propped herself up on her arm and looked at the suddenly anxious expression on the face of the man she loved entirely. "I thought we were past this clamming up shit? Come on, spit it out!"
"I'm not clamming up. I'm going to tell you… I just need a minute to sort it out in my brain first."
"Okay," she said, suddenly not worried. She rolled over so she was resting her head on his arm and playing with his fingers. Of course, her nosiness wouldn't allow her to be patient long. "You got it worked out yet?"
Edward chuckled. "No. I really don't know how to say what I need to say. It's sort of a big deal, so I don't want to fuck it up."
Bella rolled her eyes. "What other secrets do you have now? Let me guess, you caused a plane to crash because you used your cellphone when the stewardess said not to?"
"No, I have never flown with any Swans, so there was no need to crash one."
Bella snorted. "Remind me to never get on a plane with you."
"Well…" he said hesitantly.
"Well?" Bella questioned, now far more interested than before. "This issue you're trying to work through in your brain is about an airplane?"
"No. Well, yes… No. Kind of, but not really."
"Just spit it out already!" she demanded. Her playfulness was teetering into the slightly frustrated arena.
"Okay, well… I just don't want you to feel a certain kind of way. I mean, it's a big decision, and I don't want you to think I'm settled one way or another, but I just want to make sure you're happy with whatever we decide."
"You're still not telling me anything."
"Okay… I've always planned to move back to Italy after I was finished with school," he said frankly. "Now, obviously I'm not going to do that anymore… unless it's something you were open to."
Bella was definitely taken aback by his words. Was he asking her to move to an entirely different country with him? One where she didn't even speak the language. She had never even ventured outside of New York, so moving across the Atlantic would be a huge deal. Edward was right, it wasn't something to take lightly.
"Okay. When do we go?" she asked casually.
Edward laughed once. "You're kidding, right?"
"No. Why would I kid? You want to move back home, and we both hate this city, so let's go. I can tattoo people anywhere."
"What about your grandfather?"
Bella shrugged. "I'll see if he wants to move too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He's old. Retired. Single. Maybe he will find some sexy señorita to fill the remainder of his life."
"Señorita is Spanish. In Italian we would say signora," Edward corrected her.
"Them too!" Bella joked.
Edward laughed, but he quickly forced himself to become serious. "I really don't want you to make a rash decision. This is your home, and I know it's kind of messed up for me to ask you to leave your home so I can go back to mine. I just want you to know that I really would be fine with staying here. I've lived here for eight years; I can continue living here indefinitely."
"Edward, I know I'm making it sound like I'm not taking this seriously, but I really am. I've been so scared to ever really branch out and do anything outside of my comfort zone for far too long. I don't know if I could live in Italy for the rest of my life, but I certainly won't find out if we don't even go there and try. Being with you, from the very beginning, has made me become so much braver than I ever thought I could be. The way I see it, nothing could ever be scarier than giving my heart to a stranger, but I did that, and I know I'll never regret it. New York has always been my home, but now my home is wherever you are, and I'm excited to discover what life has in store for us… Plus, having my kid grow up Italian is really fucking cool."
"Eh," Edward said with a smile. "I grew up there and I wouldn't exactly consider myself cool."
"That's true, you're a total nerd, but I'm cool, so our kid has hope. At least in Italy everyone seems so happy. I mean, if it's anything like it is in the movies."
"Italy is beautiful, and life seems a bit slower there, but I wouldn't say everyone is happy. My father lived there his entire life and he was always fairly miserable."
"Well, I guess, like anything in life, it is what you make it… and I plan on making it great."
"We will make it great. And if you ever become unsatisfied or you start longing to return to this city, we will. You just have to promise to tell me. If you hold it in, you'll end up getting resentful, because that's what people tend to do."
Bella leaned in and kissed him tenderly on the lips. "I could never resent you. I can make your life hell if you ever betray me, but I wouldn't resent you."
"Has anyone ever told you that you're kind of scary?"
Bella's smile widened. "All the time. I take it as a compliment."
Edward laughed again. "I certainly wouldn't want you as an enemy. I guess it's a good thing I'll never betray you then."
"Especially after bringing me to your home. You'll lose the option of running back there to hide from me."
"I have a feeling you would be able to hunt me down no matter where I went."
"True," Bella agreed.
Regardless of her enthusiasm to go with Edward to Italy, she would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. Those nerves, however, were intoxicating, and she reveled in the feeling. She had lived her life so closed off from the world and her emotions, but now she couldn't have been more excited to take that same world head on, and to feel every bit of it deep inside her soul.
Edward, on the other hand, was more of a realist. He wanted Bella to love Italy, but he didn't want her to feel trapped or forced to be there. So, before deciding on anything permanently, they agreed to first take a two-week trip there. It would be the first time he had been home since losing his mother, and he wasn't sure how it would feel to be there without her. Thankfully, he had the love of his life by his side to help him get through it.
"Buses are definitely more dangerous than airplanes," Bella said as their plane landed smoothly in Naples.
"Definitely," Edward agreed. "I'm really impressed by you, actually. I nearly had a panic attack the entire time I was on my first flight… Well, I guess that wasn't my first flight. My first was when I was five and I was just excited. My second was on our way home and I was basically catatonic. But my first flight as an adult was horrible."
"We've already established that you're kind of a wimp," Bella teased him.
"I guess it's a good thing I have you now to help me through it all," he said while draping his arm over her shoulder.
"For sure," she agreed while wrapping her arms around his waist and clinging to his side. They walked to baggage claim, and after retrieving their suitcases, they made their way outside. "So, is your uncle picking us up?"
"Probably not. He doesn't drive much anymore. I'm assuming he just sent a car."
"Sent a car?"
"Well, yeah. He sends expensive coats and fancy cars," Edward said casually. "There it is now," he added, pointing to the Mercedes pulling up.
"He is rich!" Bella nearly shouted. "You brushed it off when I questioned you about your designer pea-coat."
"I never denied he was rich; I simply didn't confirm it."
"So… he is your mom's brother?"
"Nope. Not related by blood at all. He was actually my father's employer back in the day. We lived in a little house on his property because my dad was his foreman. When my dad split, Uncle – Carlisle, is his name – he sort of just took care of my mom and me. We eventually moved into the main house with him, and it was just the three of us there until I left for New York. It's going to be weird without my mom."
"So, this super rich guy just took care of you and your mom… because he felt bad after your dad left?" Bella questioned, thinking it was a little odd.
"Carlisle never had his own family. I think he was just lonely," he explained before directing his attention to the driver opening the door for them. "Marcus! Good to see you," he greeted him.
"Signore Edward. So good to have you home at last," the driver responded with an accent so thick Bella could hardly understand him. "It's been far too silenzioso without you."
"Yeah, yeah, I bet you've all enjoyed the peace," Edward joked. "Marcus, ti presento, Bella," he then said while pointing to her.
"Ah, molto bella," Marcus said with a kiss to his own fingers.
Edward chuckled. "No, si chiama Bella."
"Ah, le sta bene."
"Si, sono d'accordo," Edward replied before turning to Bella. "This is my uncle's driver, Marcus. He's been working for him since before I was born, so he's practically family."
"Nice to meet you," she said to him, feeling silly because she wasn't sure if he understood her or not.
"Onorato di conoscerti," he replied with a kind smile.
Bella smiled back, but she looked to Edward for a translation. "He just said he was honored to meet you."
"Oh. What was he saying before about my name?" she asked quietly as they got inside the car.
"He was confused because the word bella means beautiful in Italian. He thought I was telling him that you were beautiful, and he was agreeing. When I clarified, he said your name suited you."
"Oh," Bella said, feeling a rush of heat to her cheeks. "I'm really going to need to learn Italian so I can understand. I don't like feeling dumb."
"No feel dumb, Miss; most of us on property speak enough inglese," Marcus said from the front seat, embarrassing Bella even more.
"Carlisle has been living in Italy for almost thirty years and he still doesn't speak it. Most of his staff knows enough English to be able to communicate."
"Oh. Good to know."
Bella got comfortable under Edward's arm as they were driven through the Italian countryside. She had never seen anything like it, and she couldn't help but stare in awe. "It's so different from New York City," she mused.
"Yeah, you might get bored."
"I don't think I could ever get bored of seeing views like this," she disagreed. "It's like a painting."
"You know, there is an art room in the main house. My mom put it together when I was a teenager thinking I would take to it, but I never had any talent. Maybe you could get some use of it."
"Maybe," she agreed with a smile. Bella was momentarily swept away by her new surreal reality. She was in Italy, with a man she didn't know four months ago, and she was pregnant with his child and actually happy about it. She could have never predicted in her wildest dream that was even a possibility for her. It was such a whirlwind, but in the best possible way, and for the first time in her life, she finally experienced real true excitement over something. She was literally on cloud nine, and the moment they pulled up to the gate of Edward's childhood home, the grounds literally took her breath away.
"Okay, you may have implied that your uncle was rich, but you never said anything about a vineyard," Bella said in astonishment.
"It's just a few grapes. Basically farmland," Edward dismissed playfully.
It wasn't just a few grapes. There were rows and rows of vines on rolling hills as far as the eye could see. It was breathtaking.
"I can't believe you grew up here," she mumbled as they pulled up to the main house – or mansion, in this case.
"Well, I first lived in that little cottage over there," he said, pointing at the much smaller house across the way. "But the first time I came inside this place, I got lost looking for the bathroom. My mom had to come find me."
"Be prepared to do the same with me. I'm sure I'll get lost more than once," Bella said, only halfway joking.
Edward raised their conjoined hands and kissed her knuckles. "You'll do great. Come on."
Marcus opened the car door for them, and after they both thanked him, Edward led Bella through the house.
"Wow," she said while looking around at the high ceilings and marble flooring.
"It's not exactly the best set up for kids," Edward told her before lifting the rug in the center of the room to expose the huge red stain on the white stone.
"Ouch," Bella said sympathetically.
"Grape juice," Edward explained sheepishly.
"Edward, is that you?" a male voice called from down the adjacent hall.
"Yep, just got in," Edward replied.
When the man came into view, Bella somehow managed to relax and feel her nerves spike at the same time. The older gentleman had a very warm disposition; however, she had never met anyone so dignified in her life and it made her feel inadequate.
"You're late!" he said with a huge smile and a very British accent. "I was expecting you over an hour ago."
"Traffic," Edward jested as the two men embraced.
"Right. So much traffic in these parts."
"Eh, you know. Anyway, Carlisle, this is my fiancée, Bella. Bella, this is my uncle who isn't really my uncle, Carlisle," he introduced them.
"Fiancée?" Carlisle questioned surprised.
"Yeah, well I knocked her up so I figured I better marry her," Edward replied casually, making Bella playfully offended.
"You're having a baby?" Carlisle asked in shock.
Bella bit her lip anxiously, unsure how he would react, but his blank stare quickly melted into a huge celebratory grin.
"What amazing news! Why didn't you mention it over the phone?"
"Because then I wouldn't have gotten to see that expression on your face," Edward explained.
"Big wonderful news such as this is definitely better in person," Carlisle agreed. "Congratulations to you both, and welcome to the family, Jessica," he added before reaching in to hug Bella.
"It's Bella actually," Bella said awkwardly as Carlisle pulled away.
He looked at Edward confused. "I thought you said your girlfriend's name was Jessica?"
"That was so four months ago," Edward told him dismissively.
"Um… okay then. Please, come in to the kitchen. I had Gia fix up some snacks; I'm sure you must be hungry. We have much to discuss."
"Did you ever hire a new foreman?" Edward asked as they followed Carlisle. The moment they stepped into the kitchen; however, Edward froze at the sight of another man sitting at the counter. The man immediately stood and looked at Edward with a sense of amazement – as if he was seeing the moon for the first time – but he also held so much fear in his features that Bella could only be curiously confused. Who was that man and why he was looking at Edward in that way?
"In, fact, I did hire a new foreman," Carlisle said carefully.
"It seems I wasn't the only one withholding important details the last time we spoke," Edward told him evenly.
"Angelo," the man said with his voice so heavy with emotions that he was barely understandable.
"Don't call me that!" Edward snapped at him, making Bella jump. "Sorry," he then whispered to her.
"Mi dispiace," the man said with tears in his eyes. "Sono così dispiaciuto. Mio figlio. Ti chiedo perdono."
Edward just stared at him when he spoke, but when he raised his hand as if the was going to touch his face, Edward shook his head and stepped back.
"What are you even doing here?" Edward asked, clearly struggling to contain his own emotions.
"I asked him to come," Carlisle explained. "To see your mother."
"You were here before she died?" Edward asked the man. When he nodded, Edward grimaced. "Did she forgive you?"
"I hope," the man replied softly.
"Good," Edward told him before grabbing Bella's hand. "It's been a long day, I'm going to go show Bella around," he announced before pulling her away.
"That was intense," she mumbled as soon as they were alone in what she could only assume was his bedroom.
"Yeah, I suppose that tends to happen when the man who abandoned you as a child abruptly shows up without any kind of warning," Edward grumbled.
"That's your father?" Bella asked in surprise. "Oh, my god… Do you want me to go punch him? Because I really don't have a problem doing that," she offered.
Edward laughed despite himself. "No, I think I can handle him. Thanks for the offer," he said before kissing her head.
"You had no idea he was going to be here?" she questioned.
"None at all."
"What was he saying to you when he was speaking Italian?"
Edward shrugged. "He was just apologizing and all that fun shit."
"How can someone just apologize for being absent in their son's life for over twenty years?" she mused.
"He can't. Well, he tried, but he can't. I mean, I suppose I get why he came since my mother was dying and some idiots can only get their heads out of their asses when someone dies, but I don't know why he is still here or what he is hoping to accomplish by being here."
Bella hugged him from behind and rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm always up for a good punch," she offered again.
He caressed her hand on his abdomen. "I know. You're such a good little attack puppy."
"Did you just call me a bitch?"
Edward laughed and then spun around in her arms to face her. He planted his lips to hers and lifted her up to carry her to the bed, and then they both crashed down together. "I would never call you that," he said, kissing her between every word. "It's bad enough that you jam your sharp needles into me, I'd never want to be the target of your right hook."
Bella giggled. "So, what are you thinking?" she asked after their playful kisses slowed. "If your dad has been here since your mom passed, it seems he might plan on staying a while longer at least. Maybe he really does want to reconcile."
Edward was quiet as he considered her words. "Or maybe he just wants forgiveness," he murmured. "I guess I can relate to that."
"So, are you going to go talk to him?"
Edward let out a long, slow breath. "I suppose I should."
…Edward…
"Thanks for the heads up about my dad," Edward said sarcastically as he and Bella joined Carlisle in the living room. "Where did he go, by the way?"
"He is my foreman; he went out to check on the men. I think he assumed you wouldn't be up to talking to him for a while. I apologize for not telling you he was here. He asked me not to. He was worried you might not come if you knew. He wanted a chance to speak to you in person."
"Mr. Cullen, I would love to learn more about the wine making process. Would you mind showing me around?" Bella asked Carlisle.
"I would love to. Right this way," he told her before giving Edward a squeeze to his shoulder. "He's been having a rough time. Try to go easy on him."
Bella kissed Edward goodbye, then followed Carlisle to wherever he was leading her.
Edward took another deep breath before going outside to look for his father amongst the vines. As he searched, his mind automatically replayed the countless times he had gone looking for his "papà" when he was little. It was always a fun game to him back then; this time, however, Edward didn't know what to feel.
It didn't take long to find him. Despite his weathered and aged appearance, Emmett still stood taller than most of the other workers.
"Hey," Edward said, trying to get his attention.
Emmett reflexively turned, but was surprised to see it was him. "Angelo... I mean Edward. Mi dispiace."
Edward nodded in acknowledgment of his apology. "Do you have a few minutes?"
"Sì, certo," Emmett said eagerly. He turned to the worker standing closest to him and gave him some instructions, and then he held his hand out in front of him towards the path between the vines. "Andiamo per fare una passeggatia."
Edward agreed to go on a walk, but the two men remained silent for a few minutes. It was hard to know where to start when so much time had been lost between them.
"Grazie tante, Edward, parla con me," Emmett said finally. His voice was shaky and unstable, which almost made Edward pity him… almost.
"Well, I figured you stayed after my mother died for me… not sure why else you would still be here."
When Emmett didn't respond right away, Edward assumed he didn't understand him.
"Difficoltà a caprie l'inglese?" he asked him.
"No, I understand you," Emmett assured him.
"Possiamo parlare italiano," Edward offered to speak in Italian.
"No, it is nice to speak English again after so long," Emmett told him. "Since your mother…" He swallowed roughly to try to contain his emotions. "When she passed, I have only speak English with Carlisle."
"Right. Well, I'm fine with either," Edward told him.
"English, please," Emmett said gently.
"Okay. So… where have you been all this time? We weren't even sure if you were still alive. Your parents worried about you up until they day they died."
"I know. I can't make peace with them anymore… but I am thankful I spent a few weeks with Rosa. Some of best and worst moments of my life."
"Did she at least seem happy to see you?" Edward asked concerned.
"Yes. We shared many smiles and fond memories. I held her as she went… so painful for me, but so much peace for her. I promised her and myself I would try to earn your forgiveness."
"Look, I'll never understand why you left. Now that I have a baby coming myself, I just don't get how a father could do that."
"You have baby?" Emmett asked surprised.
"My fiancée is pregnant," Edward confirmed.
"Jessica?"
Edward rolled his eyes. "No, Bella. She was with me before. You didn't see her?"
"Your mother said girlfriend name Jessica, no?"
"My ex's name is Jessica. We've been over for a while now. I've been with Bella for almost four months."
"How far baby?"
Edward smirked. "Almost four months. Pretty much got her pregnant on the day I met her. I'm sure mom would be super proud," he joked.
"How you know baby is yours?" Emmett asked brazenly.
"Because I know. And it wouldn't change anything even if it wasn't. Bella and I are meant to be together. There isn't a single doubt in my mind."
"But you no know her long. Maybe need time to really know."
"I don't need more time," he said getting irritated and wondering why he was even arguing with him about it.
"I'm sorry," Emmett said, clearly seeing his son's frustrations. "I just worry about you."
"Yeah, well you haven't worried about me in over twenty-years, you don't need to start now."
"I always worry about you," Emmett disagreed. "Not a single day I haven't worried for you."
"Well, I really don't need it. Why don't you concentrate on worrying about the rest of your family? Did you ever remarry? Have more kids? Do I have siblings? I mean, that might be good to know."
"No siblings. No marry. I never with any other woman since I met your mother. I didn't leave to find a new family."
"No? Then why did you?" Edward asked bitterly.
"I thought… I thought you and your mother would be better off with Carlisle."
"Why? Because he had more money? You would think that leaving us with him would have been the last thing you would want to do after he tried to get you to rent out your wife to him."
"You know about that?"
"Yeah. He told my mom a long time ago, and he told me a few years ago. It's sick, and truly despicable."
"But you stay here? You still think of him as family?" Emmett questioned.
"Yeah, well he did one shitty thing… Granted, it was really shitty, but it wasn't my place to be pissed at him over it. It was yours and mom's, and since she forgave him, and you ran away, I figured I may as well get over it the way she did."
"That is not what made me run away," Emmett said quietly.
"No? Then what was your breaking point? Because I'm just trying to understand here. Damn, I always forget how much hotter it is here than New York," he said while pulling off his long sleeve sweater and just leaving on his under-tank.
"You have tattoos," Emmett noticed, seeing Edward's exposed skin for the first time. "I never thought you would get. You always hated pain."
"Bella is a tattoo artist, so I let her scribble on me," Edward explained. "I have a few now. It's worth the pain to see her in her element."
"I have yours and your mother's names here," Emmett said pointing at his own chest.
"Good for you," Edward said, really not caring or thinking much of his father's permanent ink in his honor.
"You have a bird?" Emmett asked of the newish tattoo on Edward's shoulder.
"It's a swan," Edward told him.
"Swan?" Emmett asked, shocked and a little confused.
"Cigno," he clarified in Italian.
"Cigno, yes, I see. But why you call it swan?"
"Swan is cigno in English."
"Oh, I see. When you said Swan, I thought you meant… Never mind.
"You thought I meant the Swan family?" Edward finished for him.
"You remember?" Emmett asked hesitantly.
"The Swans? The family I destroyed when I distracted the bus driver? Yeah. How could I forget? It was one of the reasons why you left, right? You blamed me for killing that woman."
Emmett grimaced. "Blame you? No, how could I blame you? You were only a boy. It was my fault. I let you get away from me."
"I heard you," Edward argued. "I heard you yelling at my mother… many times. Blaming her for not teaching me better. Blaming me for not listening. I heard you, and that has stuck with me for two decades."
"No," Emmett murmured emotionally. No, mi figlio. I never blame you. Only myself. If I said those words out of anger or frustration, it was not genuine. I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to feel that way."
"Yeah, well I did. It's easy to apologize now, but that doesn't take away all the years of me being seriously fucked up over it. It was hard enough dealing with the violent imagery in my mind, but to hear your words echoing through me constantly was… torture. Not only did I blame myself for Mrs. Swan's death, but I also blamed myself for you leaving. For my mother being lonely. Every time she cried… it was always my fault."
Emmett's eyes welled up, and there was no denying the immense pain he was feeling from learning the extent of the harm he caused his son. There was no punishment great enough that would ever absolve Emmett's guilt, however…
"But I don't feel that way anymore," Edward added, taking Emmett aback. "Guilt and self-loathing… it's just a waste of time. I've been drowning in that shit for most of my life, and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of being angry at myself, and at you, and at the world. I'm done with all of it. Life is too short, and I can't let resentment and hate continue to plague me, otherwise I'll just end up like you… sad and alone. I don't want your life, and I refuse to follow your lead and fall victim to my own self-destruction any longer. So… I forgive you. I forgive you for making me feel like shit, and I forgive you for leaving."
Even though Edward's tone was still harsh, Emmett took his forgiveness to heart and he was grateful. "Anything you want from me, I will do," he offered. "You want me to leave, I will."
"Leaving seems to be your thing," Edward considered. "I think that's too easy for you. So, how about you try something different and actually stay? I'm still… not feeling any warm feelings towards you, and I don't know if I ever will again, but… if you really want to try to make it up to me, stay. Keep trying."
"I will try until my last breath," Emmett promised.
"Good. Maybe you can be a better grandfather than you were a father."
"I swear to you, I will."
Edward nodded as he flung his sweater over his shoulder. "By the way, this tattoo is for the Swan family," he informed his father. "My fiancée is Bella… as in, Isabella Swan. I'm fairly certain you're familiar with her name."
"Isabella Swan? The Isabella Swan?" Emmett asked completely dumbfounded.
Edward nodded. "The Isabella Swan. The very same girl who was in the belly of the woman I killed."
"Wh…how?" Emmett asked in shock
"I guess I went to New York to find her, and I finally did. I got her pregnant right away just to make sure she didn't leave me when she finally learned my horrible truth."
"She doesn't know?"
"No, of course she knows. I was… joking, kind of."
"She isn't… upset?"
"I'm sure she wishes her parents were still alive, but no, she doesn't blame me. She doesn't think it was my fault, but because I was holding on to so much guilt, she offered her forgiveness anyway. And her grandfather did as well."
"Do you think she could ever forgive me?" he asked quietly.
"I don't know," Edward replied honestly. "She will either forgive you, or punch you in the face. Only one way to find out."
Emmett nodded, and then he attempted to caress Edward's face again, but hesitated. This time, however, Edward didn't pull away, so Emmett's hand gently made contact. "Mi figlio. My son," he said with tears flowing over his cheeks. "Mi amore."
Edward placed his hand upon his father's shoulder and whispered, "I missed you too, Papà."