It's Time

Chapter 37

Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong solely to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

A second disclaimer:

I'm not a professional writer. I write Twilight fanfic simply because I love this fandom.

I apologize in advance for any errors.

EPOV

As soon as Bella left the room, I removed the Glock I had strapped to my ankle.

After emptying the bullets from its chamber, I set the gun on the table next to Mike.

Uncertainty crept on his face.

"That's the first gun Carlisle ever gave me." I shook my head at the memory. "I was ten years old, and he had made a huge deal about it because it had once belonged to Marcus." After releasing a soft snort, I said, "Even though I had never known my great-grandfather, I was aware enough to know he was a big fucking deal. Pops had made him out to be the equivalent of Christ himself."

"Sounds about right. Carlisle definitely drank that Kool-Aid."

I ignored his remark, because it was true, and continued with my story. "So, you can imagine how much I have cherished that gun over the years. It even became a talisman of sorts. In fact, I've never gone a day without it, other than those I spent in rehab, or, most recently, at the hospital."

Not a man to mince words, Mike replied, "And what the fuck is the point of all this?"

I chuckled at his brashness. "The point, as you so eloquently stated, is I want you to keep it."

He cocked his head. "Why?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Listen, I realize you love Bella, and I know she loves you. I'm also aware you don't think very highly of me."

"Damn right I don't —"

"Let me finish," I said, interrupting him. "No one is more aware of my sins against Bella than I am. I'm trying my hardest to make it up to her. You might not believe it or ever forgive me, and I'm okay with that because her opinion is the only one that matters."

"I still don't understand." He jutted his chin toward the gun.

"As I said, I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to make up for all the hurt I've caused her. My sole purpose will be her happiness." Gesturing to the weapon, I said, "I want you to keep my Glock, and swear to put a bullet straight through my heart if I ever hurt her again. Because, in all honesty, I'd deserve no less."

He looked at me and then to the gun before nodding his head. After standing, he tucked it inside the waistband of his pants. With a steely gaze, he said, "One tear, Cullen. If she sheds one more tear because of you, I will happily keep that promise."

-IT-

(Three Months Later)

BPOV

I watched as Mike opened the door to a smiling Edward. Even though Mike wore a small scowl on his face, he managed a gruff "Hello" before letting him in.

I never learned what had been said between the two of them that one afternoon at my dining room table, but they had obviously come to some type of understanding.

And in a way, I guess Edward and I had as well.

What began as weekly visits had slowly evolved into almost daily get-togethers. During that time, we got to know each other, and I found myself becoming more and more fond of the new and improved Edward Cullen. And I wasn't the only one who had grown closer to him. My daughter absolutely adored him.

Squeals of delight filled the air as soon as Gia spotted him standing in the entryway. "Wedward! Wedward!"

She had mispronounced his name from the beginning, and Edward, being the cocky ass that he is, had found it amusing.

One evening after she had said it, he had given me an intense stare and whispered, "Gia's got it all figured out. When will you?"

My heart swelled as I watched her chubby, little legs wobble across the floor. Edward met her halfway before scooping her into his arms and peppering her face with kisses. He had come so far since their first meeting; all the stiff awkwardness had disappeared. The thought that he looked like a father crossed my mind more than once - but I had always pushed it aside.

"Hey, giggles."

Gia gave him a toothy grin before a gurgle of laughter escaped her lips.

She threw an arm around his neck and pointed to me. "Momma."

Edward chuckled. "Hello, Bella."

I met his gaze as his eyes twinkled with amusement. "Hi. How are you today?"

"Better now that I'm with my best girls." He hugged Gia and shot me a wink, causing a flush to spread over my cheeks.

As we walked into the living room, the doorbell rang. "I wonder who that could be?" I said, dashing to answer it.

To my delight, Nonno and Nonna stood on the porch.

"Hi," I said in greeting. "I didn't know you were stopping by today."

"It's so lovely outside, we thought Miss Gia might like a trip to the park," Nonna answered.

"I'm sure she would love it. Come in, and I'll grab her things."

After getting her jacket and shoes, I went into the living room where I found Nonno, Nonna, and Edward quietly talking.

Gia sat in Edward's lap, so I handed him her shoes, and he carefully placed them on her feet.

"Will you be gone very long? Do you want me to pack some snacks?" I asked Nonna.

"I have a cooler of food in the car."

"Why did I even ask?" I teased.

Nonno laughed and patted my shoulder. "You should know better."

As they made their way to the door, Nonna paused and asked, "Do you want her home by a certain time?"

"No, I don't have any plans."

Looking at Edward and then back at me, she said, "Well, why don't the two of you go out for dinner? Gia can spend the night. We haven't had a sleepover with our patatina in ages."

My mouth gaped open as I tried to find an excuse.

Edward, however, spoke before I could. "That sounds like an excellent idea, Nonna." Turning toward me, he asked, "What do you say, Miss Swan? Up for a date?"

My stomach flipped at the word date. "S-sure. As long as I get to pick the place," I teased, hoping to add a bit of levity to the situation.

"Great!" Nonna said, turning to leave.

"But what about Gia's things? Her pajamas?" I called after them.

"Bella, you know we have all of that at our house," she responded. "Stop worrying and enjoy yourself."

After they left, we sat on the sofa, and I eyed Edward skeptically. "Why do I feel as if all of this was planned?"

He pulled at his collar. "I'll be honest. I may have asked them to take Gia for a few hours today so that I could speak with you about something." He threw his hands in the air. "But the dinner idea - that was pure Nonna."

I dropped my lashes to hide my hurt. "Oh, don't feel obligated. We don't have to go out."

He leaned over, so our foreheads were almost touching. "No, you misunderstand. I most definitely want to take you out on a date. In fact, I can't think of anything I would enjoy more."

I gulped as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

His gaze fell to my lips, and he said, "Actually, I take that back. There's definitely something I desire more, but I'm still waiting for you to ask. And believe me, as soon as that request leaves your pretty little mouth, there won't be anything holding me back."

Holy hell. I inched away and clawed at the sofa cushions to keep myself from attacking him.

After I released a frustrated groan, he laughed.

"So fucking stubborn," he said.

"I know you are."

"No, love, I was talking about you."

Love.

Warmth swirled within me at his term of endearment. He had started calling me by that pet name a few weeks earlier. Edward was a man on a mission, slowly chipping away at my resistance.

As I resolved to remain strong, I heard him clear his throat.

Turning toward him, I watched as he yanked at his hair. He was nervous. His playful expression from a few moments ago had been replaced with a pensive one.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I need to discuss something with you."

I nodded my head for him to continue.

"As you know, I've been cleared by my doctor; all my injuries are completely healed." He scrubbed a palm across his face.

I wrinkled my nose in confusion. "But that's a good thing. I don't understand."

"No, it's great, but it also means it's time for me to —"

"Return to Chicago." I completed his sentence in a whisper.

"In all honesty, I should have gone back weeks ago, but I've been selfish. Things between us have been improving, so I've been hoping," he paused before continuing, "you'd make a decision."

Panic welled in my throat. "A decision? About what?"

"Really, Bella? Are we back to this?" He released a loud sigh of exasperation. "About us, dammit."

"But I've already said I forgive you. And I do think of us as friends — "

"Friends?" A stricken look crossed his face. "Is that truly all you feel for me? Friendship?"

"I don't know what you expect me to say," I mumbled, not able to meet his eye.

He stood and stormed across the room.

I watched as he stopped at the window. I could see the rise and fall of his shoulders as he breathed.

Turning back toward me, he offered a tight smile. "I'm sorry. I promised I would never push, and if friendship is all you can offer, I suppose, I'll have to learn to live with it."

"Edward — "

"No, it's fine. Really. I'm fine." He looked at his watch before adding, "I forgot about a business call I have later today. I don't think I'll be able to make dinner after all. In fact, I probably should get going."

A wave of nausea crashed through me as I stood and pressed my hands against my stomach. "Okay."

He walked to the door. Not facing me, he added, "I'm leaving on Tuesday. Is it okay if I stop by to say goodbye to Gia on Monday?"

"Tuesday? Why so soon?"

His voice full of agony, he said, "Why not? There's really no reason for me to stay here any longer."

AN:

Sorry for the delay - I've been out of town for business and unable to post.

Will Bella regret her words?

Two more chapters to go ...

Thanks to the usual suspects for their help with this chapter - Fran, K, Kay, Gail, and Diane.

And finally, so much love to my readers.

Until next time,

HE