Where the Heart Lies

Chapter 14: Learning to Live

Bella

It's been two weeks since Edward was found and we have both gotten into a very effortless system. The girls spend as much time with him as they cab in the hospital, but today marks a big milestone for us. Edward is being released this afternoon. It is something he is very excited about since he hates not being able to get out and about. The girls are spending the morning with Esme as I go wait with him.

"Have you thought of where you plan on staying since your little cabin is out of the question?" his dad asks as Edward fills out some paperwork.

"I probably will get a place closer in town," he says as I fiddle with the blinds.

"You could stay with us," I say before I even think the words through. Carlisle and Edward turn to look at me. "Don't give me those looks! I have plenty of room. I know you could stay with your parents, but I would like you to stay with us," I say as I look away from them.

"Edward wouldn't be imposing on his mom or me," Carlisle says as I walk toward them once again.

"I know it's up to you Edward, but if we are planning on working out our issues I think living together could help," I say as I start blushing. He just pulls me into his arms knowing just how much I am giving up by letting him in like this.

"Dad, Bella is right. I will stay with her and the girls," he says smiling at me. It was all settled.

XOXOXOX

"What are you doing?" I ask Edward as he tries to move one of the boxes with his things he brought from his house.

"I'm moving this box," he half snaps at me as I just shake my head pushing the box away from his grasp.

"Isabella," he groans as he reaches out for it.

"I can move it for you," I finally say as I pick it up. He has been here for almost two weeks. He is trying to do too much before he is healed and it irritates me.

"I'm not an invalid," he mutters as I move the box where he points to. He was set up in the spare room downstairs that I was going to set up as an office slash guest room.

"I know that. I want you to heal properly this time. The doctor said that the injury healed wrong because you put strain on it," I say softly trying to voice my concern to him without making him feel worse.

"Yes, but I have help this time," he replies as he sits down on the bed. "When will the girls be home?" he questions looking out the window.

"They're staying the night at your parents house to have a sleep over with their cousins," I say smiling as I remembered our sleep over's. "We were invited, but I declined since you were still not talking to Rosalie or Alice," I say as I sit down beside him.

"How do you do this?" he questions me as I wonder what he is talking about.

"Do what?" I ask looking directly at him. His green eyes piercing as ever, the slight crinkle is his lips smirking at me as he knows I was staring at his face.

"Go on living," he mutters waving his hands out. He had some setbacks when he realized that Jacob Black hand helped Jessica plan his demise, but wasn't sure what Jessica was really up to. Jacob did though help to capture her, but was being investigating for telling her actually how to drug him and what to do to stage the accident. Jessica still hadn't given up her accomplice.

"Edward what do you mean?" I ask as he turns away from me.

"I don't know. I'm trying to wrap my thoughts around why Jessica would do this to me. Why things didn't work out between us? Are we going to make it this time or not?" he mutters.

"Where is this all coming from? Edward I thought we were working well together," I say as I stand up getting nervous with where this conversation was going.

"Yeah I thought so, but I'm not sure anymore," he says as I feel the tears creeping up into my eyes.

"Well then you better figure it Edward Cullen because I moved my whole life here with nothing more than the thought that I had to find you. I couldn't live my life without you in it. I don't know where all this doubt is coming from, but you need to figure out what you want," I snap as I decide to leave before I say something I might regret later.

I got into my car and drove to the one place I thought would help settle my mind. I got out of my car and walked into the meadow that Edward had brought me to on our first date. I remembered how nervous he was about showing me his favorite place. I sat down on the stump where he carved our initials trying to think about why he was doubting things all of a sudden.

It was dark before I decided to go home. I picked up a pizza and some soda as I headed back to the house. I heard the TV on as I opened the door, and was going to call out when I noticed Edward and the girls wrapped up on the sofa. I guess they decided to come home instead of staying with the cousins. I took the pizza and soda into the kitchen, and turned on my cell phone to see several missed calls from Esme and Edward.

"Hey," Edward says as I was reaching for Carlie. I had just put Emmalin into her bed, and had come back for Carlie.

"Let me put her down then I'll be right back," I say as I pick up our little girl. I walked upstairs and placed her in her bed covering her up and kissing her forehead like I had done for Emmalin. The TV was off when I walked back downstairs.

"Bella I'm sorry about this afternoon," he says as I sit down beside him.

"I am too," I say as I see him reach for me.

"I guess I am worried about how things are going to affect not only us but the girls as well," he says as I lean up against him.

"I worry about that as well, but I am tired of allowing worry to dictate my life. If I had been honest with myself I would have come home sooner," I say honestly as he stares at me. "I wanted to come back so many times, but didn't want you to feel obligated to be something you weren't ready to be," I continue as he looks past me.

"I was angry for a while after you left. I didn't quite understand how you could just leave. When you decided to leave this time it broke me. I had fallen in love with the girls, and I wanted nothing more than to keep you here," he says softly as I realize what a pair we made.

"I was fighting my feelings for you. I was afraid you were going to hurt me again. Edward I won't be able to survive another fallout like the one before," I say as he wraps his arms tightly around me.

"I don't think I would either. Bella you have held my heart ever since I met you. There could never be anyone who could hold a candle to the love I have for you," he says as I let out a breath.

"I know the feeling," I half mutter.

"I did think about what I want. I want you! Bella will you marry me?" he asks.