Moving On

(How Bella Got Her Groove)

Chapter 13

It's A Good Life

A/N: Hankie alert

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Previously:

"Will you marry me?"

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Chapter 13

It's A Good Life

Six months later:

Edward had worn Bella down enough to where she finally said yes. He cried with joy. The ceremony, such as it was, took place in the office of a country judge with only Rosalie and Emmett there to witness. Afterward, they went to Ruth's Chris Steak House for the wedding feast, then back to Bella's and Edward's house for drinks.

Edward had moved in with Bella about a month after she'd said she'd marry him. He'd not wanted to wait that long to move in, but he had a contact with the apartments he was living in. There was very little to move, and actually, in effect he'd already moved most of his clothing and personal items there. They had wonderful Sunday mornings sitting on the back screened in porch drinking coffee and watching the sun rise.

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As it turned out, Edward was a trust fund baby and that upon marriage, he gained full access to his trust fund. His lawyers wanted Bella to sign a prenup but Edward put his foot down. Bella, however, talked him into a version that he was finally okay with because, "let's face it Darlin', it's for your protection against a gold digging female!" Bella had joked. Edward did not find that funny at all.

The one that Edward finally approved did not make his lawyers happy, but he was content. Bella'd just thrown up her hands refusing to even try and discuss it anymore. She was capable of taking care of herself if there was a divorce between them. She was sure she'd finally gotten it right this time.

Bella had been right. She had gotten it right this time. The only hiccup had been the raised eyebrows at the age difference, but neither of them really cared anymore. They were soul mates...even to loving the rising early on Sunday mornings to watch the sun rise and drink coffee on the screened in porch.

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One year after Conner and Sophia were married, Bella got a call from an excited Conner saying they were pregnant and with twins!

Bella was so excited. She was going to be a grandmother! Finally. Edward was excited too.

Six months later the phone rang about two a.m. Bella hesitantly answered fearful of bad news. No one ever called with good news at that time of the morning. "Mom! I should say Grandma! Congratulations. You have a grandson and a granddaughter." Conner was over the moon. After Bella got him calmed down he gave her all the birth particulars. Everyone was doing fine. The babies were a bit small, but that was expected with twins.

Bella got permission to take four school days off to go visit Conner and his family and Edward got the school to give him the days off from classes. The trip was a quick one, but one that Bella and Conner would never forget. To see her personal Circle of Life taking form in those two beautiful babies, made Bella so Happy, she cried as she held them.

Edward took pictures of Bella holding both babies, of Bella with both Conner and Sophia, and Bella managed to get one of Edward holding both babies.

The atmosphere when Sophia's entire family met Edward was less than a success, but it had been expected. However, that changed with Sophia's father realized how wealthy Edward was, and when he was told about the trust fund Edward started for the children's education.

That drama was soon forgotten however, as both Bella and Edward were deeply involved with their own lives once more.

Edward graduated from College and began forming his own computer security consulting firm. Even though he had to spend more time away from Bella then he liked, he still managed to have both breakfast and supper, albeit a littler later than usual, with Bella.

Bella was content to continue as a high school teacher and do her after hours tutoring with advanced students.

They had happy full lives and their love and trust in each other continued to grow steadily for the next two years.

Bella got a phone call once again from Conner in the early morning hours announcing once more that he was the proud father of another set of twins. Again, a boy and a girl. This set, however, were identical and not fraternal.

Bella was over the moon, and couldn't wait to get to hold them. Edward didn't get to go this time because he business was really start to take off and he was needed in the office more than ever.

Sophia's father was disappointed that Edward didn't make it. Bella found that very funny, and Edward did too.

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Life rocked on for the next 20 years with Bella and Edward making fast trips to Mexico City to visit with Conner and his family, and summer visits of the grand children and all the excitement their visits brought. Bella was in heaven. She'd finally found the man which whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life with; a happily married son with a beautiful wife and four beautiful grandchildren.

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Another 20 years came and went. Bella and Edward were not married 40 years. Her grandchildren were in college in the States at good solid universities receiving the best education possible. All thanks to Edward's trust fund arrangements.

Bella was so proud of Edward, her son and her grandchildren. She had a right to be.

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"Conner, wake up," Sophia was shaking Conner.

"Humm, what's up?" Conner had one eye open. He could see a bleary Sophia and she was holding something in her out stretched hand. He rubbed his hand over his face to help clear the sleep cobwebs. She was holding his phone out to him.

He took it from her, "Hello?"

"Conner, this is Edward."

Instantly Conner came fully awake. There was only one reason that Edward would be calling at this hour. Only bad new came this late of night. "Yeah, Edward it's me. Is Mama okay?"

"No, she's not. She's had a stroke and is in the hospital." Conner could tell that Edward was trying hard not to cry. "You need to come, and come fast. Don't worry about the air fare, I've take care of it, or I could send you my corporate jet, out already to come and get you. You should bring the children too if possible. The jet will be there in about 4 hours. It's on standby for the return flight back here to Houston. Just call me when you're on your way and I'll let the flight crew know."

"Yeah. OK. I'm up and getting ready. I'll see what can be done about getting the kids there too." Conner paused, "Is she dying?"

"I'm afraid so Conner."

Conner disconnected the call, and explained everything to Sophia. Just just nodded and went to her closet and began to pack. Conner got the children on the phone and explained what has happened. They loved their grandmother very much and didn't complain very much after they heard why they were getting up in the middle of the night.

The flight was a tense one, and it passed slowly. The planes crew were respectful of the family and told them to just ask for whatever they desired.

Upon landing, Conner was informed that a limo would be waiting for the family. They were whisked away quickly to the hospital. Once there, the staff didn't give anyone any grief about rules. They all knew that Bella was dying. She'd been in and out of the ICU many times in the past could of weeks with one thing and another. The hospital staff had fallen in love with how sweet Bella was, and how good looking Edward still was.

Conner walked into his mother's hospital room. She'd always been short, but now she looked so small, shrunken and gray, laying there in that bed.

Bella was a wake. She'd rallied when Edward had told her Conner and his family would be there soon that he'd sent the jet to pick them up.

She kissed each of the four grandchildren, and hugged Sophia and passed away holding both Edward and Conner's hands.

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Conner and his family stay long enough for the funeral. The church where it was held was barely large enough to hold everyone who wanted to come to say goodbye to Bella. She was not only active with the School Board, but with many youth groups in the area. Edward's company members turned out also. Bella had made such a good impression with them all, they too wished to pay their respects.

It rained that day and Edward thought it only fitting that they sky should cry too. He and Bella had such a beautiful and full life together. He regretted only one thing, no really two things. He wished they'd had more time and that they'd had children of their own. But there was so many good memories.

After the funeral Conner pulled Edward into a hard hug, "Edward, I'm so glad that you waited for mother, and that I was such an ass in the beginning. I hope that you've forgiven me."

Edward hugged Conner back, "Of course I have. Long, long ago. You were just trying to do what you thought best." Conner pulled back a bit and laughed softly, remember that early Sunday morning phone call you made to me?" Conner nodded and Edward continued, "thank you for that."

Conner's family went back to Mexico City and he and Sophia had a full and happy life.

Edward died not too long after Bella had. Life just didn't hold the sparkle it had when she was alive.

As his eyes were closing for the last time, the room seemed to light up. There standing on a low hill under what looked like an oak tree, was Bella. She had on a white sun dress and was holding a large brim hat. She was smiling and motioning for him to come join her. She looked just like she did the first night that Edward had met her.

Edward found himself rising from bed and walking, then running up to hill to Bella. They hugs and kissed passionately as they always had. Then holding hands, they turned and walk under the tree and down the other side of the hill, into a glowing bright sun rise.

The End