So...Emmett was a hit then?
Sooo many reviews for that last half-chapter,
all of them loving on Emmett. But then, he is
incredibly lovable, so I'm not judging.
As always, I owe a gigantic thank you -
and probably sizable gift baskets of goodies -
to the wonderful ladies,
SunflowerFran and annaharding
who tidy this up and deal with my rambling.
I'm eternally grateful!
Sorry this chapter is posting late in the day;
I've just gotten back from a weekend of camping.
It was my first time, as well as my Dalmatian's.
Needless to say, a football tournament with hundreds
of people in attendance was probably a touch
ambitious. That said, Dakota was very well-behaved
for a bonkers ten-month-old Dalmatian, so I'll
take it.
Anyways...you don't care about all that.
Get on with the chapter. It's another long one :)
~ oOo ~
Summary: When two little girls were allowed to walk
home from school one bright spring day nobody could've
predicted the events that followed. The way two families
were torn apart by the vendetta of a deranged man.
Nearly twelve years on, we'll watch as the two girls stolen
away from their homes at eight years old fight to take
back their lives. If only it were as simple as escaping. AU
Pinky Promises
Chapter Twenty-Nine
For the longest time, no one moved.
No one spoke, and it almost felt as though no one even breathed.
Rosalie's sobs abated as she pulled back to peer up at his face. "I can't believe…it's you! You're here. You're really here."
He grinned, huffing. His nerves peered out from behind the tears in his gray eyes. "And here I was, worried you'd have forgotten all about me."
"Don't be ridiculous!"
Bella heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs a second before the ensuing squeal of excitement roused everybody from their collective stupors.
"Emmett!"
The force with which Marley slammed into the backs of his legs made Emmett wobble slightly. He held onto Rosalie's waist as he righted himself, twisting to look down at the happy little girl.
"Well, hello there, little missy."
"Did you come to see me?"
Emmett was visibly startled. Rosalie smiled, stroking Marley's head of chocolate curls. "Mars, Emmett hasn't heard you speak, yet."
Marley peered between Rosalie and Emmett, flashing the latter a wide, toothy grin. "I talk all the time!"
Bending at the knees, Rosalie tapped Marley gently on the tip of her nose. "But you didn't used to speak at all before, Mars. I think Emmett is a bit surprised."
"I'd say, more than a bit!" Emmett cried, ruffling Marley's hair and opening his arms to her.
Rosalie stepped back to let Emmett scoop up Marley, swiping at the tears still leaking from her eyes. The sight of him holding Marley… It made her feel things. Things she could only have imagined before that moment. Seeing him, standing there in the doorway of her uncle's house, having wondered about his fate so often, Rosalie hadn't been able to stop herself from checking for herself that he was really there.
As she'd crossed the room, her legs on autopilot, she hadn't paused to think about what her actions might look like to her family.
Even as Marley introduced him to everyone, Rosalie couldn't take her eyes off Emmett.
Truthfully, she hadn't thought she'd get to see him again. Riley had explained his need for protection and wouldn't even tell her where he'd been placed in protective custody. Her thoughts reminded Rosalie of the reason for him being there now.
Smith was dead. Somebody had killed him. Apparently someone with the determination, and ability, to get past heavy security, apparently.
"Are you okay?"
Rosalie felt Esme wrap her arm around her waist as she leaned into her. She'd proven to be a great source of comfort in recent weeks, so Rosalie let herself be soothed as she followed Emmett around the room with her eyes.
"I…I'm okay."
Esme smiled, adjusting Bodhi against her chest before giving Rosalie a gentle squeeze. "You're happy he's here."
It wasn't a question, but Rosalie felt herself nod anyway. Her lips tipped upwards into a shaky smile. "I am. I didn't realize how much I missed him until just now."
"He doesn't frighten you?"
Frowning, Rosalie looked at Esme; she found her wearing a wide, knowing smile. Her kind, hazel eyes were soft and held secrets Rosalie couldn't even guess at. "No. Emmett is…he's not…"
"He's different?" Esme supplied softly when Rosalie couldn't find words.
Different… "Yeah. Emmett's always been different."
The older woman hummed, pressing a kiss to Rosalie's temple before handing Bodhi to Bella and joining Carlisle to introduce herself to Emmett. Rosalie watched as Emmett smiled and kissed Esme's hand, then peered across the room at her. Frozen, Rosalie remained in that spot until he excused himself from Carlisle and Esme's company and made his way over.
Suddenly feeling shy, Rosalie ducked her head and sucked in a deep breath.
"Hey, Missy," he murmured, gently nudging her face up with his thumb on her chin. When she forced herself to meet his gaze, his eyes were gentle and warm despite their gray-blue hue. "Are you okay?"
"A little overwhelmed, I think."
Emmett chuckled, the sound rueful. "Me too. I missed you, you know?"
Rosalie's cheeks flushed. "I missed you, too."
As they stared into each other's eyes, the air around Emmett and Rosalie seemed to swirl and change in texture and color. They were oblivious to all but one another. Rosalie's heart raced as Emmett released a long huff of breath that fanned across her face. It smelled minty and vaguely smoky, as though he'd shared space with somebody who'd been smoking, but not actually done so himself. Rosalie leaned toward him unconsciously, her emotions pooling and leaking from her body in the form of salty tears.
Emmett reached up with the hand resting on her chin to swipe a lone drop of moisture from her cheek. He smiled; just a small upward curl, but one all the same. "Hey, it's okay."
Rosalie nodded, embarrassed to be crying but unable to deny the comfort his touch brought her. She sighed, battling briefly with what she wanted to do and what she thought she should before realizing something profound. Something that she should probably have realized a long time ago.
She didn't actually care.
Irina had been telling her for weeks that her recovery was exactly that – her own. She didn't need to think about what she 'should' be doing, or what was expected of her. She was recovering and getting to know herself again, and feeling overwhelmed was okay. It would have been crazy if she weren't overwhelmed at times.
At this moment, with her family around her and the knowledge of her tormentor's demise fresh in her mind, Rosalie didn't care what everyone might think of her actions.
Emmett grunted when she closed the distance between them, jumping a little to twine her arms around his shoulders. He instinctively looped his arms around her lower back for support, and after his shock evaporated, he held her closer still. She felt warm and light against him, her cries muffled into his shoulder. He ducked his head to rest his forehead against the soft skin joining her neck to her shoulder, feeling a few tears of his own escaping.
Until he'd seen her and felt her throwing herself at him a few minutes ago, Emmett hadn't realized just how much he'd missed Rosalie. He hadn't known how much he needed her; how much he needed to see her safe, and happy.
"It's okay now," she whispered a few moments later.
Emmett cleared his throat and blinked away the sting of tears. "What do you mean?"
"It's okay now." Rosalie pulled back a little, so Emmett did, too. Their faces were inches apart, her feet dangling above the floor as he held her easily. He saw the sparkle of fresh tears in her eyes as well as the remnants of the last round clinging to her long lashes. She smiled; an expression that warmed Emmett from the inside.
Squeezing Emmett tighter and pressing her face against his shoulder with a heaving sigh, Rosalie let herself relax; fully content and sure in the knowledge that he wouldn't let her fall.
"Everything's okay now; you're here, so everything's okay."
~ oOo ~
December 25th, 2016
Soft butterfly kisses woke Bella slowly.
She smiled, content to remain 'asleep' for a few moments longer. Quiet cooing from Bodhi's crib told her that a certain, eager five-year-old had probably been rattling around for some time before climbing onto her bed; Bodhi was a light sleeper, and one little sound seemed to wake him. Thankfully, he was usually content to remain in his crib for a little while and watch the mobile turn over his head.
The sound of Marley's huff of frustration that her ministrations didn't seem to be working made Bella shake as she attempted to stop herself from laughing aloud.
"Mummy, you 'wake? Wake up! Wake up, Mummy!"
When Bella didn't immediately open her eyes, Marley's tiny fingertips crept over her cheeks. She opened her eyes quickly, just before Marley could try to pry them open.
Bella couldn't help but grin. Marley's hair was a riotous mess all around her face, and she had the faint remains of a pillow line on her left cheek. Her eyes, Bella's eyes, sparkled with excitement.
"Mummy, guess what! It's Chris'mas!"
"Is it? I didn't know."
Marley rolled her eyes. "Yes, you did, silly. Can we go downstairs now? Pawpaw's down there with Edward and Uncle Emmy. I heard them."
Battling back tears, Bella nodded and told Marley to put on her dressing gown while she fetched Bodhi. Once Marley had scampered over to the wardrobe, Bella sighed and wiped away the few tears that had managed to leak free.
This was Marley's first Christmas. She'd gotten caught up in the excitement but she still didn't know what to expect or what would happen when Bella took her downstairs. Marley had no concept of presents under the tree, or traditions like pulling crackers, the Queen's speech on TV that nobody actually paid attention to in this house, or eating a huge roast dinner with paper crowns and turkey.
Bella couldn't wait to show it all to her, but it was bittersweet. She was five-years-old and only now experiencing what she should have had for the first time at nine-months-old. A March baby, she'd have celebrated her first Christmas while learning to crawl.
In reality, Marley had spent much of her first Christmas in bed with Bella and Rosalie. Smith had been in a rage upon his return from a 'business trip' on Christmas Eve, the subsequent bruises decorating Bella's body for several days after the holidays had passed.
"Knock, knock."
"Edward!" Marley gasped, flying to the door with only one arm in her gown, the rest of the garment training behind her as she threw open the door.
Edward was chuckling, one hand over his eyes. "Bella, I thought she might do that, so I'm not looking in case you aren't decent."
Laughing, Bella climbed out of bed and told him she was dressed. He met her gaze with a warmth to his grassy green eyes that took her breath away.
She felt the sweep of his perusal over her fitted gray tank top and matching pajama bottoms; electricity skittering over the surface of her body as she crossed the room to Bodhi, listening to Marley climbing Edward to wish him a merry Christmas.
"Whats'it I gotta say, Mummy? Merry Chris'mas?"
"Yeah, baby girl."
Marley turned to Edward from where she rested on his hip, cupping his freshly-shaven face in her small hands with a beaming, toothy grin. "Merry Chris'mas, Edward."
To Bella's surprise, twin tears tumbled over Edward's cheeks as he chuckled and leaned forward to give Marley an Eskimo kiss.
"Merry Christmas, little sweet."
~ oOo ~
"Marley Rosalie Swan, get your little butt back here!"
"But Mummy—"
"Uh-uh, no Ma'am. Come here, please."
Marley scowled, hanging her head and dragging Mr. Eddie behind her by his long, worn ears.
Despite her daughter's petulance, Bella couldn't help but fight a smile. In the months since their arrival in England, Marley had blossomed from a mute shell of a girl, turning into a bright, vibrant, chatterbox of a child.
She'd also discovered her attitude, much to her mother's consternation.
"What did I tell you?"
Marley stopped in front of Bella, refusing to make eye contact. "Idunno."
Bella's lips twitched higher. "What was that?"
"I dunno," the little girl sighed, rolling her eyes. She'd picked up the gesture from Carl-Roman, and it drove Bella crazy. She'd been trying, in vain, to cure her nephew of the habit.
"Miss Marley, are you misbehaving again?"
Immediately, Marley's sullen expression evaporated and was replaced with a wide, beaming grin and a pair of sparkly blue-green eyes. She bounced away from Bella, right into her waiting uncle's arms.
"No, Uncle Em! I'm being good, right Mummy?"
Bella scoffed, but gestured for Emmett to bring Marley over so she could continue what she'd been trying to do before her willful daughter decided to take off – get her dressed. "Not so much, baby girl. Once you're dressed, you can go downstairs and play, okay?"
Marley scowled again, looking to Emmett for help. He shrugged with a chuckle, handing her over to Bella.
"You want to match Edward, right?"
"Yeah…" It was obvious he had her attention, then.
"Well he'll be wearing the same as that," Emmett told her, pointing to the red and white sweater Bella was holding. "He has one the exact same as yours. If I'm not mistaken, mine's up here too, right?"
Bella nodded, tossing a large jumper towards him. He quickly tugged it over his head, unable to contain his smile when Marley giggled at the sight of her giant uncle dressed like a candy cane.
"Uncle Em!" She snickered, hands flying up to cover her mouth. "You look silly!"
"Well, Miss Marley, I think it's only fair you look silly with me. What d'you think?"
She seemed to think about it for a moment, before nodding. "All right. I'll be silly with you. Mummy, where's mine?"
It only took a minute or two to tug the jumper over Marley's head and lay her twin braids flat against her back, the little girl falling all over Bella's bed in a fresh round of giggles when Emmett insisted on taking selfies of them together on his phone before she could go downstairs. He'd introduced her to the wonders of Snapchat filters, and she was often found attached to Emmett as they pulled faces wearing odd hats or sporting strange face masks on the picture-taking app.
With Marley finally dressed in her jumper, Bella scooped the remaining two from the bed and followed Emmett and her daughter down the stairs. Everybody was in the kitchen, just where they'd left them, and she grinned when she spotted the two boys in the corner.
Edward was across the room leaning against the kitchen counter, one leg crossed over the other, Bodhi resting in one arm. He quickly bored of being cradled these days, so Edward was holding him upright letting him look around, his neck control still a touch shaky. Every now and then, he wobbled his head to peer at his family, but as Bella watched, Bodhi rested his face against Edward's chest and suckled contentedly on his binky, little legs kicking. Edward hadn't noticed her yet, so she took advantage of his distraction and stared. Her eyes danced over his long legs encased in dark jeans and his muscular torso dressed in just a ribbed black tank, leaving his strong, tanned arms bare. She couldn't help but melt at the sight of his thick biceps carefully holding her baby boy.
So much power, and yet he was so gentle.
"Edward, look! We match!"
Her cover was blown when Marley skipped straight to Edward to do a twirl in her red and white knit jumper, pointing over her shoulder towards Bella.
"Mummy's got the same!"
Edward's eyes found Bella, warmth suffusing her cheeks with a soft, rosy hue at the intense look in his gaze. His lips curled up into a wide grin as he chuckled, adjusting Bodhi so that he could scoop Marley onto his other side, resting her against his hip.
Marley huffed and searched the room. "Where's Carl-Roman and baby Chase?"
Smiling, Edward set her down and pointed her towards the table, where Carl-Roman and Chase were sitting, accompanied by Alice and Jasper's boys – Clarke and Dave, ten and five-years-old respectively. After planting a quick, smacking kiss to Edward's cheek, Marley darted between the legs of the adults to join her cousins and friends.
"So, I'm guessing that's mine?" Edward asked sheepishly, indicating the jumper in Bella's arms.
"Sure is. Here, gimme my boy. You need to get dressed."
With Bodhi transferred to his mother's arms, Edward took his jumper and pulled it over his head, making Bella laugh when it left his hair standing in all directions; a wild bronze mess. When Bella looked up from her baby's face, her subsequent laughter attracted the attention of various members of her extended family.
His outfit matched hers perfectly. They both wore dark jeans, well-worn, white Chuck Taylors, and black tanks under their candy cane jumpers.
They weren't the only ones. Every single person in the house wore the same jumper – all knitted by Esme and Mary. Even four-month-old Bodhi was sporting a similar outfit, only he wore a pair of soft, denim-effect trousers instead. They were made of the softest cotton, but made to look like a tiny pair of jeans.
"All right, picture time, everyone! Gather round!"
All eyes turned to Rosalie as she appeared in the doorway, brandishing the camera Peter had given her as an early Christmas gift. She'd been busily snapping photos of the entire clan – the Swans, Hales, Cullens, and Whitlocks – in the lead-up to the holiday period, and this coordination of outfits had been orchestrated for this photo opportunity. Rosalie had grand plans of fitting everybody in beside the large Christmas tree. They'd even done a few practice runs to see whether it would work.
Archie unbuckled Chase from his highchair and settled Carl-Roman on his hip with Kristen at the end of the line. Jasper, Alice, Clarke, and Dave were next, followed by Carlisle and Esme, and Mary and Roy with Pippa and Heidi. Peter stood next to his twin daughters, saving a spot for Rosalie once she'd set up the camera, and chuckled at Charlie as he shoulder-checked him on his way past to his pre-assigned space. He stood with an arm around Bella and leaned over to give his grandson a quick kiss while he still had the chance, with Edward accepting Marley into his arms when she scaled his legs.
"Can I be in the picture with you, Edward?" She asked softly, big blue-green eyes wide and hopeful.
"Well, how could I say 'no' to that pretty little face, little sweet?"
She beamed. "You can't, duh."
"Duh…the attitude on this one, Bella. We're gonna have to do something about it, you know?"
Bella tried, and failed, to hide the pleased smile on her face at Edward's use of 'we' in that sentence. More and more he took on a sort of parental role with Marley, though she was almost certain he didn't realize what he was doing. "Yeah, I think so."
"Well, it'll have to wait, we're busy right now. Right, Mars?" Rosalie called, clicking the camera into place on the tripod in the doorway. It needed to be as far away as possible, while still being able to see into the room without walls or furniture in the way. Checking the screen before taking her place in the line-up, Rosalie frowned. "Hold on…where's Emmett?"
He poked his head in from outside, all eyes swiveling to find him. His shoulders hunched inwards a little at the perusal – Rosalie's, in particular. "Yeah? You need me to press the button, or somethin'?"
Rosalie's frown deepened. "No. You need to get over here. I've got a remote to take the photo, but we need everyone in it."
Despite the chill in the air, and the gooseflesh covering his skin even beneath the layers of his thermal shirt and thick jumper, Emmett felt himself warm somewhat. "You want me in the photo?"
"Get over here, son. You're part of this family now," Peter told him, waving him over with an affectionate grin. He'd grown attached to Emmett in the months since his arrival and had almost adopted him as one of his own. More often than not, he, Charlie, Edward, Archie, and Emmett found themselves tinkering with new projects in the houses, or bonding over football on the TV. "We may be a bit of a mish-mashed bunch, but man, you're one of us now. Like it or lump it."
Looking at all the expectant faces in the large, 'mish-mashed bunch' Peter had referred to, Emmett felt a surge of love and affection for the group. They'd welcomed him as though he'd always been there and never once made him feel like an outsider or an unwelcome interloper. Esme and Carlisle had welcomed him into their home, the rest of the family inviting him to parties and Sunday dinners as though he'd always occupied a seat at their tables.
For the first time in his life, Emmett finally felt like maybe, just maybe, he fit.
"Come on, time's a ticking, and the turkey's almost ready for basting again," Charlie tutted teasingly, shuffling over to make room for the large man once he'd closed the door and managed to wiggle through the limited space left in the room.
Emmett squeezed in beside Rosalie and felt his lips spreading into the widest grin they'd ever formed when, just as the camera clicked and the flash lit the room, a soft, small, warm set of fingers twined with his. Rosalie tilted her head at the last second to offer him a tiny smile.
It was the best Christmas present Emmett had ever received.
~ oOo ~
After dinner, when presents had been opened and bellies filled, crackers pulled, and obligatory Queen's speech watched, Edward settled himself in the window seat.
He'd stripped off his jumper at some point between pulling his cracker with Marley, and commiserating with the other men when meat sweats got the better of them mid-meal. The condensation on the window at his back cooled him enough that Edward didn't even care his tank was getting wet. With so many bodies in the house, the heat was almost unbearable. Windows had been opened, the patio doors in the kitchen as wide as they would go.
Still, Edward had never felt as comfortable as he did at that moment. His eyes swept over the room, the smile on his face crooked and bookended by twin dimples. Charlie and Peter were arguing over by the sound system – Charlie for the so-called Christmas classics, and Peter for something more modern. As Edward watched, Marley settled the argument for her pawpaw and uncle.
"Pawpaw, Uncle P, let's listen to OneDirection now."
Always unable to argue with Marley, but especially today, on her first Christmas, they caved like accordions. Within minutes, she was dancing around the room with Carl-Roman and Dave, shouting random, not-entirely-correct lyrics to That's What Makes You Beautiful.
It was perfect.
Archie and Kristen were sitting on the loveseat that had been borrowed from Peter's to make sure there would be enough seating. It also meant the living room was decidedly cramped, with Charlie's two sofas, Peter's borrowed three-seater, and the armchair usually reserved for Pawpaw himself.
Pippa, Heidi, Alice, Mary, and Esme were clustered together in one corner, flicking through photo albums and reminiscing over Christmases past. Roy had ventured next-door with Carlisle to show him a new power tool he'd purchased.
Edward frowned, realizing that Emmett had disappeared. Bella and Rosalie, too.
He was wondering whether to go looking for them when the trio appeared, laughing as they entered the living room. They created a happy image.
Bella was carrying Bodhi, and Rosalie had Chase. Both babies were fading fast, the day of festivities too exciting for either of them to sleep as much as they should have. Cradled in the women's arms, Edward suspected it wouldn't be long before they both succumbed to their tiredness. Following them was Emmett, and Edward couldn't deny the rush of jealousy that bolted through his veins at the sight of his arm around Bella's shoulders, and the smile on her face as she turned to look at him.
Until she looked back…and spotted him.
The world came to a standstill as Bella's eyes met Edward's. She looked beautiful; completely and utterly. Peace encapsulated her, joy emanating from her expression, her beautiful azure eyes aglow with love and light and all things right in the world. Still in her hand-knitted jumper and skinny jeans, with a pair of lilac slipper boots on her feet and her hair released from its braid to hang loose in effortless curls over her shoulder, to Edward, Bella was exquisite.
She'd filled out and finally looked less like the skeleton she'd been back at the safe house in Montana. Her cheeks were infused with a soft, rosy hue, and her cheekbones were far less visible.
Edward wanted to kiss her cheeks, to feel the warmth of the blood turning them pink against his lips, and to show her how much he cherished the changes pregnancy and happiness had wrought on her body. Remembering how skinny she'd been, how frail and timid, it was difficult to reconcile that girl with the woman now in front of him.
Cradling Bodhi, with the beatific smile on her face that she reserved exclusively for Edward, she'd never looked so radiant.
And Edward had never wanted to declare his love for her more.
"Edwaaaaard!"
All sweet thoughts flew from Edward's mind the second Marley launched herself into his lap. Her knees hit him right where no man ever wants to be hit, and he clenched every muscle in his body in response to the agony. Bowing over her he was oblivious to Bella handing Bodhi to Emmett and darting across the room until she was cupping his face and carefully removing Marley from his lap.
"Oh God, I'm sorry, Edward," Bella murmured softly.
Edward was stunned to see mirth swimming in her eyes when he looked up at her face with a whimper. "Are you…are you laughing?"
She bit her lip and shook her head, but it was obvious she was desperately struggling.
"I can't even…" Groaning, Edward sucked in a deep breath through his teeth and blinked back the moisture in his eyes. "You're mean!"
Bella's eyes twinkled with amusement, her body shaking slightly. "I'm sorry, it was just…the look on your face was hilarious!"
"Hilar—I can't believe you, Bean!"
"I'm sorry, Edward," Marley murmured softly, looking thoroughly abashed as she crawled onto the window seat beside him. He turned his attention to the upset five-year-old, sighing with relief when the pain finally began to abate a bit. "Did I hit you in your misters? Uncle Archie says that hurts a whole lot."
Chuckling, Edward tugged Marley back onto his lap, careful to shove a cushion there first, and snuggled her close to his chest. "It did hurt, but it's okay, little sweet. It was an accident, right?"
"Yes!" She nodded quickly, peering up at him with the stunning blue-green eyes Edward adored. She looked so apologetic, so sad; he couldn't stand it.
"Then it's okay. You didn't do it on purpose, and you said, 'sorry.'"
Marley's face instantly transformed into a big, beaming grin, and Edward's heart warmed. "'Kay."
"Bella, wait! Wait a sec, please…" Rosalie appeared then, brandishing her camera. Emmett trailed a few steps behind carrying Bodhi and Chase, seemingly quite happy with both boys. "Actually…Em, please can you give Bodhi to Bella? And Bella, please can you sit?"
Doing as she was told, Bella took a seat beside Edward and accepted her son when Emmett handed him over.
"All right, perfect. Big smiles, guys!"
Rosalie aimed her camera at the quartet, grinning behind the lens when Edward automatically moved to wrap one arm around Marley, the other looping around Bella's waist while she shifted a little into his side, Bodhi propped on her knee with his back to her chest.
Emmett peered over Rosalie's shoulder at the screen as she snapped off a few photos of the smiling group, his own grin widening when she held it up for him to get a better look. "Oh, yeah. I see what you were talking about, now."
Rosalie smiled to herself with glee, zooming in on the last photo she'd taken. Edward had tipped his head toward Bella, still smiling with soft eyes and his guard firmly lowered. It was easy to see how he felt about Bella at that moment, and Rosalie resolved, there and then, to help him realize that he didn't need to keep his mouth shut any longer.
She knew he loved Bella. Truthfully, everybody knew. Well, perhaps Charlie was in a spot of denial – Archie, too – but nobody could miss the fact that their relationship had far surpassed friendship. At least for Edward, it had.
And though Bella hadn't spoken to her about it, Rosalie was pretty certain at this point that Bella was in the same place as Edward, emotionally.
It was just a matter of getting the pair of stubborn fools to admit it to each other.
~ oOo ~
"Come on, baby girl. It's time to say 'goodnight.'"
Marley whined. "But Mummy, I'm not even sl—yawn—eepy."
Bella smothered a smile and tucked a wayward curl behind Marley's ear. "I don't believe you, Marley. Go on, go say 'goodnight.'"
"C'mon, little sweet. I'll come with you."
Edward extended a hand to Marley, and she climbed gingerly from the sofa with a quiet grumble. Bella stood, leaving Bodhi safe and sound in his DockATot, and followed them into the kitchen. The majority of people had gone home at this point, leaving just Charlie, Carlisle, Esme, and Emmett in the kitchen. The latter three would be heading down the street shortly, but had stayed to allow Charlie and Carlisle to finish their brandies together.
When Marley appeared in the doorway, Charlie grinned and crooked a finger. "C'mere Mars, give Pawpaw a hug."
She smiled sleepily and clambered into his lap, locking her little arms around his neck for a 'squeezy cuddle,' as he'd dubbed it. "Mummy says it's bedtime."
"I think you're right, Mars. It is very late."
She scowled, but her yawn interrupted what was likely going to be a tired argument for being allowed to stay up longer, and she sighed in defeat once it was over. "All right. 'Night, Pawpaw. Love you."
Charlie's eyes watered as he leaned forward to rest his forehead against his granddaughter's for a moment, greedily inhaling her sweet scent. She smelled like the gingerbread cookies she'd been scoffing all day and like her mummy's perfume. She was wiping sticky icing on his t-shirt from her hands and her hair tickled his nose, and though earlier she had made him dance to more than one, OneDirection song, he'd never been happier. He'd kissed Carl-Roman and Chase goodbye a little under an hour ago and had hugged his son and wished him a Merry Christmas. He knew Bodhi was fast asleep in the next room, and the rest of his family was healthy and happy.
Bella was standing nearby, still dressed in the red and white striped jumper traditional for a Swan Christmas. She'd baked gingerbread in their kitchen for the first time since 2004, and strung paper chains all around the house with Rosalie and Marley – they'd decorated Peter's house, too, even though they wouldn't be spending as much time there. Charlie had forced Bella, Marley, and Bodhi in front of the Christmas tree with Archie, Kristen, Carl-Roman, and Chase, where they'd had their first family photo with the children.
At the dinner table, there had been smiles and cheeriness for the first time in over a decade. Crackers had been pulled, and silly songs had been sung. He'd watched Bella interact with their family members and fuss over her son and daughter in a way that proved she was always meant to be a mother.
Charlie's eyes had been full of tears for almost the entire day. Happy tears, he'd promised Marley when she spotted them early in the day. He'd been watching Bella unwrap her presents and couldn't hold them back. Marley had seen and climbed his legs to be able to 'hug his sad away.' Touched, he'd explained how happy he was, and with some prodding, she'd been distracted easily enough by the unopened gifts bearing her name.
Now, almost into Boxing Day, Charlie found himself wanting to cling onto Marley and tell Bella to let her stay up longer.
"Come on, baby girl. Bedtime. Look, even Uncle Em is going to bed. Aren't you, Emmett?" Bella beseeched Emmett with her eyes, and smiled gratefully when he caught on and nodded, faking a yawn.
"Sure am. I'll see you in the morning though, little missy."
"Give kisses, little sweet," Edward prompted gently, smiling when she planted a loud one right on Charlie's cheek before moving from person to person, Carlisle to Esme to Emmett, stopping in front of Edward with outstretched arms. "So I'm taking you up, huh?"
"Yes please, Edward." She yawned, tucking her face into his neck as he trailed after Bella towards the stairs. She ducked into the living room to get Bodhi, then they headed up together, Edward frowning as he battled back and forth with himself in his mind.
By the time he'd tucked Marley into her bed, and Bella had settled Bodhi in his crib, Edward had made up his mind.
"Okay, so I'll see you—"
"I've got something for you!" Edward blurted quietly.
Bella smiled, cocking her head. She looked like Marley. "You already gave me my gift, Edward."
He shrugged, pulling an envelope from his back pocket and holding it out to her. It had been there all day. He'd promised himself that he'd save it for the right time, but it hadn't ever seemed to be 'the right time,' and so he was forced to do it now or not at all. Because he knew full well, he'd chicken out if he left it until the following day. "I got you something else."
"You didn't have to get me anything, you know? You already spent far too much on the bracelet."
Edward couldn't help but grin, despite his nerves, and glance down at the sparkly silver bracelet on her left wrist. He'd seen the Pandora bracelets many times before and had thoroughly enjoyed picking out the charms to go on Bella's once he'd decided to get one for her. He'd eventually settled for five.
A 'B,' for obvious reasons. Also, a sparkly 'M' and a 'B' in a slightly more masculine design than the one meant to represent Bella's name – for Marley and Bodhi, respectively. The fourth and fifth charms had taken more thought. Edward had hemmed and hawed over them endlessly, finally purchasing them both on a whim. When he'd watched her unwrap them that morning he'd known how right he'd been to do so. Though she'd loved the letters representing herself and her babies, it had been the silver Jelly Bean and sea-blue crystal heart charms, which had brought her to tears.
Edward was pulled, quite literally, from his memories of the morning when Bella grabbed his arm to drag him out into the hallway, closing the door softly behind her.
"Edward!" She hissed, waving the open envelope and its contents at him. "You can't…what the…? This is too much! I mean, what have you done?"
"I've booked tickets for you to come to Rome with me," he admitted, seemingly easily. Bella could likely see through his front, but Edward gave nonchalance a shot, regardless.
She made a high-pitched squeaking noise and stared at him, dumbstruck.
"Look, Bella," he sighed. "You don't have to come now, or at all. I just thought…well, I figured you'd enjoy a break, and the kids would love it. Your dad, Pete, Arch...they're all coming. Rose and the twins, and probably Emmett, too."
"But...this is too much!"
Smiling softly and reaching out to caress her cheek, Edward chuckled. "Don't you know by now, bella ragazza? Nothing is 'too much,' for you."
"I—Edward, you—I can't even—"
Interrupting, Edward murmured beseechingly, desperate for three little letters. "Just say 'yes,' Bella. I promise you won't regret it. Riley is taking care of all the paperwork and logistics, and I've had the villa stocked for weeks. Everything is ready, and everyone is just waiting on your decision. A month in Rome, to sightsee or relax or do whatever-the-hell you want."
"Oh God, nothing like heaping on the pressure, then." Bella huffed, sagging against the closed door at her back. She gazed at Edward for a never-ending minute, searching, but for what, he wasn't sure. Whatever she was looking for, he hoped that she'd see it.
He wasn't hurting for money, by any means, but he also didn't have unlimited funds to draw from. Of course, he wasn't paying for the villa as he owned it, but the flights were booked and paid for, and he'd pre-emptively purchased personalized luggage for Bella, Marley, and Bodhi in the hopes of Bella agreeing. It was all money he'd lose if she said 'no,' which he knew she'd realize and eventually feel guilty over.
He was counting on her guilt to make her agree to the trip.
Everyone was in agreement – she needed this. They all did. They'd all had an incredibly difficult year and had more than earned the chance to kick back and relax in the sun. They were due to leave on March 1st, which meant they'd spend Rosalie's, Bella's, and Marley's shared birthday – March 23rd – in sunny Rome. He'd discussed the idea of the trip with everyone during clandestine moments of time when Bella was distracted with the children, or out grocery shopping with Esme. It had been an exercise in sneaking around, for sure, but he'd wanted to get their opinions before springing it on Bella. Edward knew his own want to see Bella, Marley, and Bodhi relaxing with him in Italy was clouding his judgment.
All they needed now was Bella's agreement.
She sighed, blinking back tears as she wound her arms around Edward and rested her face against his chest. She could feel the racing of his heart as he hugged her, his cheek to the crown of her head. Warmth filled her, his presence always calming her nerves when they became frayed.
"Why do you do it? Why do you do so much for us?" She whispered.
Edward huffed and tightened his grip on her, knowing he couldn't say what he wanted to.
Because I love you. I love you more today than I did yesterday, and I'm damn sure I'll love you even more tomorrow.
"Because I want to see you happy. You all deserve happiness more than anyone I've ever met, and if I can help with that, well…I want to." Edward grinned against Bella's hair, inhaling softly and feeling his stomach clench pleasantly at the feminine, apples-and-strawberries scent clinging to her chocolate locks. "Plus, I want to be there when little sweet learns to swim. Sue me, but I'll be jealous if anyone else gets to teach her."
Bella snorted in amusement, but it didn't surprise her. Marley and Edward had bonded beyond expectation, and she'd heard them discussing swimming more than once. Marley was so desperate to learn, but Bella couldn't stomach the thought of her being lost in the chaos of a swimming center. Letting her learn in a swimming pool at Edward's private villa, with only her closest family members and friends around, sounded a lot more appealing.
And the thought of being able to completely relax under the Italian sun, with no paparazzi lingering around every corner, or work commitments to keep Charlie and Peter out all day, made a pretty picture in Bella's mind.
Sighing again, and feeling all the fight drain from her body as the reasons to refuse Edward's generous gift evaporated from her mind, Bella allowed a frisson of excitement to take root in her heart.
"You're not going to take 'no' for an answer, are you?" She asked quietly, knowing he'd hear the defeat in her tone.
He grinned into her hair, and couldn't stop himself from pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "No, I won't. Is that a 'yes,' Bella?"
She pulled back, peering up at him from beneath her long lashes, eyes wide and entrancing as she nodded slowly. "If you're sure, yes; it's a 'yes.'"
Mindful of the sleeping children, Edward scooped Bella from her feet with his hands at her waist, and swung her in three quick circles on the landing with a soft 'whoop' of delight. Bella squealed and clung tight to his shoulders, giddy and surprised by his bold display of emotion.
"Thank you, Bella," he eventually said, once he'd set Bella back on her feet. His hands remained on her waist, gripping lightly.
She gaped at him, her cheeks flushed and eyes wide. "Why are you thanking me?"
The grin that stole over his face was wide and crooked; the exact expression she so adored. His grassy green eyes sparkled with joy, and Bella could feel the fast thrum of his pulse in his wrist against her hip.
"For saying 'yes.' For not being too mad with me for booking it all without telling you." His eyes softened then, and Bella reflexively squeezed his shoulders. "For giving me the chance to spend more time with little sweet and Bodhi. I know I hog them, at times. I can't wait to see her face when she sees the pool."
Warmth spread through Bella's veins as she pictured her daughter splashing in a pool she could only imagine, having never seen it herself, with Edward hovering nearby, always watching, always protecting Marley. Bodhi would be big enough to go in, too, either in somebody's arms or in some kind of floating device. That said, the thought of wearing a swimming costume and exposing her numerous scars frightened Bella; she hoped she'd find the courage to go for a swim with them.
The image in Bella's head, of her with her precious babies, and Edward, a man who'd come to mean more to her than she could ever have expected, made tears prickle the backs of her eyes as she stared up at Edward's face.
"Hey, what's the matter? Cazzo, I didn't mean to upset you, bella ragazza."
"No, you haven't upset me. Honestly, you haven't."
Edward frowned, disbelieving.
"I promise, you haven't upset me. I'm just…I'm just happy. And tired, excited, overwhelmed…You name it, I'm feeling it," she laughed tearfully, a pleasant shudder rippling through her when Edward huffed softly and reached up to cup her cheek.
"I'll leave you to get some sleep. Tomorrow, I can show you all the proper details for Rome, okay? When you've had a chance to rest. It's been a long, busy day."
Bella nodded, suddenly really feeling the weight of the day upon her slender shoulders. She yawned loudly, blushing at the chuckle it pulled from Edward. He gave her one last, soft squeeze before letting go and stepping back, leaning against the wall at the top of the stairs with one ankle crossed over the other, crooked smile firmly in place.
"Night, Bella. Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams, Edward."
Edward turned to head down the stairs but paused when he felt fingers grasping the back of his tank. He twisted, about to ask what Bella needed, but his words cut off abruptly in his throat when Bella's lips landed on his cheek in a soft, but firm, kiss. She lingered there for just a beat longer than strictly needed, pulling back with a bashful smile.
"Thank you. For everything. I really don't know what I'd have done without you, this last year. The kids love you, and I—I do, too."
Before Edward could say a thing, not that he was able anyway, slack-jawed and awed by the heat spreading from the spot on his cheek that she'd kissed, Bella was in her bedroom with the door closing silently behind her.
After stumbling down the hall to his temporary bedroom and falling into bed, Edward laid awake for a long time.
He wore a grin on his face, and held a new knowledge within his heart.
No matter how long he lived, or whatever did or didn't happen between him and Bella in the future, he would always be content to know that she loved him – even if it wasn't in the same, all-encompassing, life-defining way in which he loved her.