Thank you to 2brown-eyes, ceceprincess1217, gabby1017, and DICATAKADD for pre-reading, and to SunflowerFran for editing. And since I fiddle, any remaining mistakes are my own. ;)

Song for this chapter, Let It Be Me by The Everly Brothers

Chapter 14

Bella

"I just wish you'd think this through." Maggie is standing in my doorway, her arms crossed over her chest, watching me pack.

"I have thought it through." I turn my head up to face her. "And I want to save what's left of my marriage."

"But, Bella, he—"

"Has done a lot of awful things, I know. But the way it stands right now, I feel like we have a clean slate ... a real chance of making it work."

"I still don't trust him," she mumbles, mostly under her breath.

I ignore her snide comment and stand to stretch, kneading what I can reach of my lower back with my knuckles. Maggie rushes to my side to take over.

"Thanks," I say as her firm yet gentle hands rub away the knot in my back. Leaning over boxes and packing up our room all day has been a chore, and my body is protesting.

"And where is Prince Charming today, anyway? Shouldn't he be here helping you do all this?"

I shake my head. "No, after we went to the bank, I told him I could take care of it."

I catch her rolling her eyes in the reflection in the mirror. "Of course you did."

"Look, he was here late last night, and he needs his rest. He's still recovering, and he has to do all the driving. I'd rather he be rested when we leave."

She huffs a breath and narrows her eyes at me. "And you're seven months pregnant with his baby. He couldn't at least pack a few boxes?"

I turn around and put my arms around my friend the best I can with my belly between us. She, in turn, wraps hers around me. Her sniffles can be heard as she buries her face in my hair.

"Thank you, Maggie. I could never thank you enough for opening your home to EJ and me these last few months. It's been so great to have friends like you and Rose."

"You know you and your kids will always have a place to stay if you need it."

I smile, tears forming in my eyes. "I know. And if I ever need to, you'll be the first to hear about it."

She pulls away and wipes at her eyes as I do the same. "I better be," she says, smiling through her tears.

"You will be. I promise." I turn and look around the room. Our meager belongings are packed into half a dozen boxes, and there are double that in the basement. The ones down there are the ones I packed from the house in Pittsburgh. They contain mostly kitchen items and linens; things I didn't need to unpack here, but we'll need in our new home.

"And he still hasn't told you where you're going?"

I shake my head. "No. He said it was best I didn't know until we got on the road." I smile. "He told me he didn't want me to be tempted to tell you or Rose."

"Of course he did." Again, she rolls her eyes.

"I need to do this, Maggie." I reach for her hand and hold it in mine. "I have to at least give us another chance. He's done a lot of bad things, things I thought I couldn't forgive, but he's trying. He's made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave up the rest of his family ... for us. I can't ignore that."

Two nights ago, when he showed up on my doorstep, emotionally stripped bare and vulnerable before me, I didn't know what to think. When he explained everything that happened in the last five months, the months leading up to me leaving, I knew what I should do. But it wasn't until yesterday, when we were once again in the living room, deep in discussion about the sordid details of his recent past, that I knew what I needed to do.

.

.

.

His hands are cradling mine as if I'm the most treasured thing he's ever held, and in a way, I guess, to him, I am.

We've talked more about how he spent his time after EJ and I left, and how he was so lost without us.

"Bella, I think the guy running the counter at The 'O' knew me by name after the first few weeks."

I smile, thinking about him spending so much time in Oakland eating hot dogs at The Original.

"I mean it. It was a sickness. I was in there every few days. And my god, if I never see another hot dog, it'll be too soon."

This time I laugh and his face lights up like I haven't seen in a very long time.

"I almost forgot how that sounded," he says softly as his hand comes up to cup my cheek.

"Me too," I reply. "I haven't had much reason to laugh lately."

"I'm sorry about that."

"I know you are." His earnest eyes see straight into my soul, and I know I should be with this man. The universe is giving us one last chance to make a life together, and I know I'm the one holding the keys to that future.

"Will you let me try and make you laugh every day, Bella?" He scoots a little closer, his anxiety shining through. "You gotta give me something. I'm dying here, waiting for you to decide if you're gonna give us another shot."

"I want to, but ..." The words get trapped in my throat. There was one thing I thought of when he left last night, something I need to know if I'm going to give him ... us another chance.

"But what? I'll do anything."

"I feel like there's still something looming over us, like you're not telling me everything."

"I'll tell you anything, Bella. You just have to ask me."

"Do you really mean that?"

He nods his head harshly. "Absolutely." When his deep green eyes meet mine, I can see his sincerity.

"Then I need you to tell me what really happened with my father."

When he hangs his head, and his eyes close, I think he's going to try and deflect—deny—the way he has so many times in the past. But when he opens his mouth, his words stun me.

"The night we left to see Charlie, it was snowing so bad." His eyes are still closed, focused on his memories. "All I could think about was getting home to you because I knew you'd need me to shovel the walk. I tried to stand back and let Felix take care of it, shake down your old man for whatever he could pay ... and do what needed to be done if he couldn't. But then he told me I was going to be the one to do it."

Silent tears are now streaming down my cheeks as I listen to him tell me what I think I've always known. All these months, the nearly two years I've waited for this, I wondered. I fought him so hard, wanted him to tell me so badly, I never considered how it would actually feel to hear it.

"He told me I needed to show my loyalty, needed to make the choice between the two of us, because if I didn't do it, he'd end me too." He opens his pained eyes and faces me. "All I could think about was you, Bella, leaving you a widow with a new baby. And I'm too selfish; I love you too damn much to leave you. I just couldn't do it."

I reach for him this time. My trembling hand covers his, and I grasp it. "Thank you for telling me."

"How can you thank me? Bella, I—"

"I know you did. I think I've always known." I grab a Kleenex, wipe away my tears and blow my nose. "If you couldn't tell me ... I'd have known you weren't really ready to be honest with me ... about everything." I take a deep breath before blowing it out. "I know how hard it was for you to admit to me what happened, but you did. And now it feels like we can finally move on; really start over with a clean slate."

He reaches up and brushes away a few more tears from my cheek. His touch is gentle, and the hum, the electricity I've always felt in his presence, is there, simmering under the surface.

"I told myself I'd take to my grave what really happened," he says softly. "And in a way I guess I am in the grave. But I'll spend the rest of my life trying to earn your forgiveness ... if you'll let me."

.

.

.

It was last night as we sat next to each other on the sofa that I decided I owed it to our family, to my son and unborn child—to myself—to give us another chance. The smile he had at hearing me laugh had nothing on the beaming expression he wore when I told him I'd give us another try.

Though, the goodbye that followed was awkward. He'd stepped close, like he wanted to kiss me, but I'd stepped back. He got the message and merely reached for my hand and kissed my knuckles, wishing me goodnight with a promise to call in the morning to make plans.

This morning, he took me to the bank, and I closed my accounts, tucking the cash and a cashier's check into my handbag; enough cash to get us where we're going, and the rest to start a new life.

And now, I find myself sitting on my bed, surrounded by boxes and a couple of suitcases packed with all our earthly possessions, waiting for Edward to get here with his truck. EJ is out in the living room with Rose. She's keeping him occupied and getting in all the time she can with him. And Maggie is still looming near the doorway.

"I hope you're sure about this, Bella. You know you don't need to prove anything to him. You could just stay in the city and try to work things out. You don't have to disappear."

I shake my head. "I'm not trying to prove anything; not to him or anyone else. I owe it to myself to try. And staying here isn't a good idea ... for a few reasons." I get to my feet and shuffle around the crowded space until I'm close enough to hug her. "I'll write, send postcards and finger paintings."

We both laugh at the thought of EJ and finger paints.

"Really," I continue, "we'll stay in touch. I'm not sure how it'll all work out, but Edward says I'll be able to contact you once we get settled."

"Okay," she says with a single nod. "Just don't be a stranger."

"That should do it," Edward says as he secures the rope over the canvas cover thrown over the boxes in the bed of the truck. He looks at me. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah, I, uh, just need a minute to say goodbye."

"Take all the time you need."

I turn and waddle back up the path to the porch where my friends are waiting patiently. Maggie is holding EJ now, and they're locked in a tickle fight. Judging by the giggles coming from my son, Maggie is winning.

"You know he won't fall asleep for us in the truck now that you have him all wound up."

She merely grins at me. "Maybe that was the plan. We'll see how Eddie there does with a cranky toddler on his hands. Maybe you won't get past Rockford before he decides to turn around and bring you back."

"Stop being ridiculous, Maggie." Rose snatches my son from her friend's arms and hugs him tightly. "This boy is an angel, and he'll be just fine. Won't you, EJ? Are you gonna be a good boy for Mommy and Daddy?"

"Uh huh!" he answers with an enthusiastic nod of his head. "Goo boy."

She kisses the top of his head. "That's right. You're Aunt Rosie's good boy, and I'm gonna miss you."

"Miss you," he repeats.

Rose nuzzles his cheek and kisses him. Maggie leans in and does the same. Watching them say their goodbyes is emotional. These women supported my son and me at our very lowest, and I'll never be able to repay their kindness. All I can do is promise to stay in touch.

"I'll write as soon as I'm able."

"You better," Rose says as she and Maggie pull me in for a fierce hug, EJ sandwiched between us.

"I'm gonna miss you guys." I fight the tears threatening to spill.

"Love you, girl. Take care of yourself and your little ones." Rose pulls back enough to look into my eyes. "And if things don't go as planned, you'll have a home here."

"I know."

Cheeks are kissed, and final hugs are given, and when I finally take my son from Rosalie's arms, I'm ready to start this new part of my life.

Edward is waiting for us, holding open the door of the truck. I climb inside and settle EJ into his little nest of blankets in the center of the bench as the door closes behind us. The engine is already running, the heat on full blast. My husband has a difficult time getting into the cab, his wounded leg still so sore. It takes him longer than it should, but when he's finally behind the wheel, he turns to me.

"You ready?"

I take one last glance out the window of the truck, toward the women still standing on their porch, waving goodbye, before turning back to him.

"I'm ready."

Traveling cross-country in the car with a busy toddler is a lesson in patience. When EJ isn't sleeping, he's climbing all over the cab to look at all the new sights. In the long stretches between larger cities, Edward sits EJ on his knee so he can 'help' his daddy drive. His tiny hands gripping the steering wheel is an adorable sight, but it's their matching smiles I know I'll remember when I look back on the memory. Between EJ's curiosity and my need to stop to pee every few hours, it takes us much longer to get where we're going.

And when I'd asked him where exactly that was, he'd simply told me, "until the road ends."

Judging by the path we're taking and the direction we're headed, he plans to settle us somewhere on the west coast.

But I decide to make the most of our trip and enjoy what I can. It's mid-November, so traveling through parts of Wisconsin and then Minnesota are cold and snowy, but beautiful, and it makes me thankful I packed extra blankets in the cab of the truck. South Dakota is too, and we manage to stop at a few roadside attractions and parks. We talk and laugh, especially with EJ, and use his naps for quiet conversation.

He tells me that we won't have to change our names since his family or I would have to be the ones to file the paperwork to have him declared legally dead, so we'll just fade away with the passage of time. He does plan to write his parents ... someday, to let them know he's still alive, but wants to wait a little while. He says he can't bear the thought of them always wondering what happened.

I ask him about LaRocca, about Amato and his uncle, wondering if they'll have any reason to look for us. He tells me they won't, that Tony being the one to toss him over the bridge and having Felix witness it means there's no reason to question his disappearance. He says that where he thinks we'll end up, no one would think to look. He's not worried.

Somewhere in Wyoming, he pulls off the road and attempts to teach me how to drive. We eat at diners and country kitchen restaurants and listen to music on the radio. We spend our nights in roadside motels where we sleep with our son between us. Never does he try to take advantage of our circumstances, the fragile state of our relationship and the vulnerability of my heart, or push any kind of affection on me. He knows I need time. He just might, too. But in the cautious way we approach each other, the hours we spend talking and getting to know each other all over again, we bond in ways we never have before.

It takes us just over a week for the road to end. And when it does, we're greeted with a sign welcoming us to Forks, Washington. The town is small, and as we pass homes and a school, a few shops and the library, I can already see us making a quiet life here for our family.

"So, what do you think?" Edward nervously asks from beside me. He's watching the road as we drive slowly through town, his head occasionally turning toward me to see my reaction.

"Is this where you planned on ending up?"

He clears his throat as he turns off the main road to head toward the coast. "Yeah. I, uh, kind of just sat down with a map and looked for the furthest place we could go to get away from Pittsburgh." He shrugs. "We could've gone south, maybe California or Arizona, but the cities seemed bigger. Thought we'd try small-town life for a while, you know?"

"Will there be work for you here?"

"Should be. There's a lumber mill outside of town, so I'm gonna go see them about a job."

I nod as I look out the window at the miles and miles of trees passing by as we drive. EJ is asleep beside me, curled into my side. "You think you're up to starting something so strenuous? Is your leg up to it?"

"Should be." He pulls off the road and puts the truck in park. Just over the side of what looks like a cliff, I'm greeted by the crashing waves of the Pacific.

With the engine still running and the heat still on, we sit and stare out the window at the sight before us.

"Please tell me what you're thinking?" he whispers.

"This place is beautiful." I turn to face him. "I want to stay. I think we could be really happy here."

We end up staying in the town's inn the first night. In perfect circumstances, we would have had a place lined up to move into as soon as we arrived, but the inn is nice enough, and we make do. Our first priorities are finding Edward work and a permanent place to live.

The next morning we find a solution to both our problems. The local diner seems to be the only restaurant in town, so it's busy on this Saturday morning. People are lost in conversation, laughing, and catching up as only friendly neighbors do.

When we walk through the door, we're met with welcoming but curious glances. Edward guides me to an open table with his hand low on my back as he carries EJ in his other arm. The booth is a tight fit, but we eventually get situated.

A waitress soon comes over, coffee pot in hand, to deliver menus.

"Welcome to the Forks Diner. I'm Clara. What can I get you folks to drink?"

"Bella?" Edward asks me softly. "You go first."

His small bout of subtle chivalry makes me smile. He's been this way every time we stop anywhere; insisting I order first.

"I'll have an orange juice and a milk for my son, please."

The waitress turns to Edward. "And for you, hon?"

"Just coffee, please."

She reaches across and turns over one of the mugs already on the table. As she pours Edward's coffee, she attempts to make small talk.

"So, you three just passing through, or here visiting?"

"Neither," Edward replies. "We just got into town yesterday and thought we'd check it out ... see if we want to settle down here."

"Newcomers, huh?"

"If I can find some work."

She eyes him in a way I'm not used to seeing women look at my husband, before turning her discerning eye toward EJ and me—with skepticism.

"Well, it would be nice to have a young family move into the area. And they're always hiring at one of the mills." She shrugs. "I'll be back in a few to take your order."

"Thank you," I say as she turns to walk away.

"See, it's almost a given. I shouldn't have any trouble finding a job." Edward's optimism is contagious, and I can't help but smile.

"Now, if we can just find a place to live, we'll have everything we need."

Clara eventually returns to take our order and promises it won't be long. EJ plays with the salt and pepper shakers and the sugar jar while we wait for our breakfast, and it's nice to have Edward on the other side to prevent any major catastrophes involving the condiments.

Our food arrives, and we dig in. The attention we received from the locals when we first walked through the door has lessened, so only a few people continue to eye us. One couple in particular is especially intent on watching us. So much so, it's making me uncomfortable. When they stand from their table and walk to ours, my heart begins to race.

"Sorry to interrupt you folks, but we couldn't help but overhear you talking with Clara."

Edward sits straight but doesn't respond right away.

"I'm so sorry. Where are my manners? Name's Harry Clearwater, and this is my wife Sue," he says with a nod of his head toward the woman standing behind him as he puts out his hand to shake.

"Edward," he offers, not giving our last name just yet as he shakes his hand.

"We heard you were looking to stay in the area."

"That's right," my husband replies hesitance and caution in his voice. "If I can find work."

The man waves his hand, dismissing Edward's concerns. "They're always looking to hire at any of the mills. That shouldn't be a problem. But we might be able to help you with the other part of your problem."

"Oh?"

"Mind if I ..." He points at a nearby empty chair, asking if he can pull it up to our table.

"No, go ahead."

Surprisingly enough, he ushers his wife forward, and she takes the first seat before he pulls up another one. She smiles a shy smile at us as he sits beside her.

"Hello," she says softly.

"Hello," I say with a nod.

"Now, like I was saying," Harry interrupts, "I think I might be able to help you with a place to stay."

Edward and I exchange a look of uncertainty. We're not yet in a position to blindly put our trust in anyone, but I have to remind myself we're in a new place, far away from any danger, far from our old life. These people don't know us, or where we came from. I give my husband a subtle nod, and we listen to what he has to say.

"Well, we've been watching you two, and your little guy there," Harry says, pointing at our son.

"Guy!" EJ's boisterous contribution to the conversation makes all of us chuckle.

"Sorry," I say as I try to quiet him.

"No, don't worry about it. He's just excited to be included. But like I was saying, we've been watching your little family here, and well, we have a place for rent that might suit you just fine, seeing how you have another one on the way." He motions in the direction of my obviously pregnant belly as it pushes against the table.

"Really?" Edward leans forward on his elbows.

Harry nods. "Yeah. It's a three-bedroom house my uncle and his wife lived in until they both passed away earlier this year. It's been sitting vacant. You can imagine there isn't a huge rush of folks trying to move to Forks."

"No, I guess there isn't." Edward is still wary, but I can tell he's intrigued by what the couple is offering.

"So, it's been sitting empty for a few months now, and well, we'd rather rent to a young family just starting out"—he pauses and looks between us—"or starting over, than some of the single fellas who come through town looking to work out in the woods. So, what do you say? Would you like to come see the place?"

Edward and I make eye contact, and there's no hesitance from either of us. My husband turns to Mr. Clearwater and answers for us both.

"We'd love to."

The Boy ... becoming a man

That first day at the diner, Harry and Sue Clearwater were like an answer to our prayers, a godsend. When they showed us the house, we would've signed the lease right then and there ... if I'd already found work. However, it didn't take long to change that either. Like Harry and Clara both told me, the mill was more than happy to hire some fresh blood.

My job with the lumber mill is physically demanding, the hours long, but it's an honest day's work, and the money isn't bad. I come home tired and dirty, but seeing my two favorite people when I walk through the door every evening makes it worth it ... makes every one of our struggles worth it.

Bella and EJ seem to be adjusting, too. They spend their days playing indoors, staying out of the rainy weather, and Bella has taken to trying new recipes Sue shows her. She also uses her recent bout of extra energy getting the furnished house arranged just the way she wants it. Both she and Sue have told me she's nesting ... whatever that means.

The winter's not nearly as cold here as it was in Pittsburgh, and there's almost no snow to speak of. There is a lot of rain, but Harry and Sue tell us the mild summers more than make up for it. I guess there's quite a bit to do when it warms up. Lots of people around here fish and hike.

I laughed the first time he mentioned all there was to do in the great outdoors, picturing me hiking a trail in one of my old suits. But then I had a vision of taking my son fishing and realized I owed it to both of us to at least try it. I was starting a whole new life, after all.

Our new life in Forks has been an adjustment. Going from a busy, crowded city, to living in a rural area is difficult in many ways. There's no running to a corner market for a pack of smokes late at night, or fancy restaurants or clubs to pick from. No, life in a small town is ... mundane. But I also wouldn't trade it for anything.

Bella gets up with me every morning and makes me breakfast while I get dressed, then we sit at the table and talk while I eat. It's quiet—hours before EJ wakes up—and it gives us a chance to speak without any interruptions.

It's time we need.

Our relationship is still on shaky ground, but I'm doing my very best to show her how serious I am about making us work. I've learned from my mistakes, and I don't plan to repeat any of them. While she may not have opened herself to me completely just yet, we are getting closer to the relationship we had at the beginning.

Every Friday after I cash my check at the bank, I stop at the diner and pick up my standing order of four cannolis; one each for EJ and me, and two for Bella.

Her craving for something she remembered from back home was almost maddening. It led her to attempt to make them several times, each with less than good results. I'd stopped at the diner one evening in hopes they'd have something that would satisfy her sweet tooth, but they'd run out of pie shortly after lunch that day. After sharing my frustration with Clara, she got a twinkle in her eye when she promised to dust off her great-grandmother's recipe and try to make them.

Now there's a box waiting for me behind the counter every Friday afternoon with my name on it.

The smile Bella gave me the first time I brought them home lit the room. You'd have thought I'd brought her diamonds and pearls the way she looked at me when I presented the box of pastries to her.

And that's been our life for the last six weeks. Working at the mill for a living is exhausting but rewarding. Watching my son grow every day is something I thought I'd miss out on, but I'm not, and I couldn't be more grateful. Bella and I getting to know each other all over again has been what my battered soul needed. It's slow, and I know she's afraid to put complete trust in me, but I can be patient. I'll wait forever if I need to.

I can see the cracks in our marriage being repaired one brick at a time. With us just about to turn the last page of the calendar, it gives me hope we'll be able to put this past year behind us and look ahead ... with hope.

A/N: Well, how are we feeling? Do you think they have a chance? Is Bella right to somewhat keep her distance, to take things slow? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

So, they're out of Chicago and ready to spend the rest of their days in the small, sleepy town of Forks. A lot of you guessed that's where they'd end up.

And just a reminder, in the year 1960, car seat laws were nonexistent. I've heard stories of babies sleeping in boxes in the back window of the family car on long drives. My, how things have changed. And in the 60's, everything was on paper. There were no computerized databases for anyone to check up on Edward. So, it's entirely plausible they'd be able to fly under the radar, especially if people believe you're dead. No one is looking for them. It don't think it would be quite so easy to disappear today.

This one is coming to a close, just two more chapters, and then Stasis will begin posting. I'm thinking about twice weekly updates ... What do you think?

For up to date info about upcoming stories, please join me in my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. I share exclusive weekly teasers, among other things.

See you next week!

Lots of love,

Sunshine