I think everyone was really excited about the ladies lunch time
conversation yesterday. We all agree that the situation was
addressed head-on. Rose may be a bit of a steamroller but she
certainly knows how to get a person's attention! LOL

My thanks to Fran for her talent and time. Also to all of you,
my readers. I am so glad you are enjoying this journey.

I don't own anything, I just play with SM's toys!

-LWTC-

Chapter 16

Edward was awakened again at six, and groaned as his nephews started climbing on him, wanting to roughhouse and wrestle, and to do all the silly things that little boys do. Edward obliged them long enough to flip them over, and bundle them together in the blanket. He tied the corners of the blanket together, and carried the giggling package of boys up the stairs, placing his gift bag onto Emmett's bed, and slipped from the room. Edward knew that Emmett was the rough and tumble master, and if that was the mood the kids had awakened in, he was the man for the job.

Edward stepped into the bathroom and took a shower, luxuriating under the hot, pulsating massage jets. Images flew to his mind, unprovoked, of Bella in his arms, both the night before, and that morning. She was so soft, so warm, and fit so perfectly, nestled against him. His mind reeled at the memory of her scent, her closeness. He couldn't help the reaction he had to her, and took the issue in hand as he lathered up, and dealt with it quickly.

After his very relaxing shower, Edward went into his room to sleep a bit longer. He climbed onto the bed, and nestled against the pillow that still smelled of Bella. He fell to sleep swiftly, and dreamed pleasantly about holding a voluptuous, brown eyed, beauty in his arms.

-LWTC-

When Edward awoke again, he noticed that the sunlight was coming from the westward sky, and his eyes flew to the clock. He was shocked to see that he had slept until two in the afternoon. He never slept like that. He got out of bed, and stretched out his muscles, noting that he felt fully refreshed and just … good. He was not used to being able to sleep until his body chose to awaken of its own accord. He found that he couldn't bring himself to feel guilty for getting the much needed rest. He dressed, and went downstairs to see what the rest of the family was up to.

He found Carlisle on the phone in the dining room, nursing a mug of tea. He stood for a moment, attempting to discern if the conversation was private, or if he could grab something to eat, and sit at the table.

"Uh, huh," Carlisle rolled his eyes with a grin on his face. He looked up at Edward, and covered the receiver long enough to whisper, "It's your mom. She and the girls are in Grand Rapids now. Did you need anything?"

"Yes, actually, I could use a package of socks. And tell Alice to get me a shirt to compliment Bella's dress for the Gala."

Carlisle relayed the information, chuckling as he listened to the response. He wished the girls a fun evening, and hung up.

""Alice said to tell you that your shirt has been ready for over a week, and your mother says she already bought socks for every male member of the family. Apparently there was a sale she could not pass-up."

"That figures," Edward nodded as he sat with his turkey and stuffing sandwich, and a mug of coffee. "Where are Em, Jazz, and the kids?"

"They went sledding at Star Hill."

"They couldn't have waited, or gotten me up to go with them," Edward asked, genuinely feeling left out of the fun.

"They only left an hour ago, Son," Carlisle grinned at Edward, and leaned over to ruffle his hair as he did when Edward was a child. "I'm sure you can head that way and join them."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I'll probably stay here and watch that movie Bella bought for me," Carlisle nodded, and twisted his mouth to one side as if making a difficult decision. "Yup. That's what I think I'll do."

"Y'know what?" Edward asked with a smirk. "I think I'll stay here, and watch it with you. No need to go out into the cold for entertainment."

"My thoughts precisely."

-LWTC-

"And then, we found these cute little sneakers that I just know that Annie will adore," Alice gushed to her husband, who nodded, and folded his arms across his chest. Jasper stifled a yawn as he added the occasional "M-hmm," or "Is that so," to her story. To the casual observer, he would appear to be listening intently, but to those who knew the couple well, it was obvious that he was placating her, and hoping to draw her shopping story to a speedy close. He really just wanted to carry his sleeping children to the car, and take them home.

"Jazz, honey," Esme grabbed his upper arm, "the kids are sleeping in your old bedroom, right?"

Jasper nodded, confirming that they were indeed nestled soundly in the bunk beds of his childhood room.

"Leave them, Son. You and Ali can just go home and spend some quality time. Pick the kids up tomorrow afternoon."

"You sure you wanna do that?" Jasper sounded doubtful.

"What?" Esme challenged. "You think your father and I can't handle the kids for a day?"

Jasper held his hands up in surrender. "Hey, whatever you want to do. I'm cool with a quiet morning alone with my wife," he turned swiftly, and grabbed his wife—who was still talking as if there were never any interruption—by the arm, and started pulling her toward the door. "Good night, all!" Jasper called over his shoulder in after-thought.

The house fell quiet as soon as they were out of the door. Rose and Emmet had already left with Nathan, who had a Boy Scout function the next day. That left Bella and Edward seated on the sofa, alone, as Carlisle and Esme wished them goodnight.

"So, you had a good day with the girls?"

"Yeah, it was a good day …" Bella furrowed her brows, and drew her shoulders up as she ducked her head, and cocked it slightly to the right, "interesting, but good, nonetheless."

Edward laughed quietly at her dubious assessment of the day. "I can only imagine."

"We had a very—" Bella hesitated, searching for a fitting word, "… intense conversation during lunch."

"That sounds ominous," Edward cringed, knowing his sisters and mother as well as he did, he feared the worst. "And you're not running for the hills?"

"I have to come clean with you, Edward."

"Now, that really sounds bad."

Bella looked up at Edward, noting the look of concern in his eyes. She smiled, hoping to set him somewhat at ease, and reached to take his hand. Edward was shocked to have Bella reach out to him. This was the first time she had ever initiated physical contact that didn't involve a teasing slap, or a gesture of greeting.

"I 'Googled' you this summer," Bella admitted, looking at the hand she held in her lap. She started massaging it as she waited for a response.

Edward didn't know whether he was more upset that she had looked him up on the internet, or blissed-out from the physical contact. Her hand massage was certainly relaxing, and made him want more of her soft touch.

"Mmmm," he groaned softly, and smiled deviously, "I'll give you an hour to stop that."

"I'll bet," Bella giggled, and Edward's heart leapt in his chest at the sound. Bella's soft giggle was possibly his favorite sound in the world.

"So …" Edward prompted her, "are you gonna tell me what you found?"

"I'll answer that with a question," Bella pressed her thumbs more deeply into the heel of his hand, running them upwards, and out in an arc across his palm. "How many of their names do you recall?"

Edward winced. He knew that this conversation had to take place at some point, but that didn't mean he was at all prepared for it.

"A few," he shrugged, "maybe. I donno. I was young and arrogant. I was so full of myself, and the fame I was gaining. I considered those girls to be 'perks' of the job." He shifted on the sofa, pulling his hand away from hers. "I'm disgusted with the person I allowed myself to become."

"Don't pull away, Edward," Bella demanded, reaching for his hand once again. "Tell me what changed. Why did you leave that life, and come back here?"

"I am too ashamed to tell you," he admitted in a choked voice. His eyes were brimming with tears of regret. Bella looked up, taken aback at his emotional response.

"No!" Bella cried out, placing a hand on either side of his head, and turning him to look at her. "No, no, no, Edward. Don't cry." She soothed him with her voice, and began to run her fingers through his hair. She pulled at him, drawing his forehead against her own, and looked into his eyes. His glistening malachite orbs searched her amber-flecked, espresso depths.

"I-, "Edward blew out a long, shuddering breath, and closed his eyes as he deeply inhaled the air that mingled between them. "I got trashed. I woke up in a strange room. I have no recollection of going there, but I can recall waking up with perfect clarity." He swallowed thickly, and cleared his throat as he blinked the tears back from his eyes. "There were two very young girls in bed with me. Neither of them had any clothes on," Edward paused, closing his eyes tightly as the tears began to fall.

"No more," Bella told him as she drew his head down even further, and kissed each of his brows, and continued to pull at him until he lay with his head in her lap. She ran her fingers through his soft hair and wiped at the tears streaming down his face. "You don't need to say any more on the subject. It is all in the past, and that's where it will stay from now on. We'll never speak of it again."

"B-but you don't even—"

"Edward," Bella cut him off gently, "I don't need or want to know. I honestly just wanted to know if you would tell me. Thank you for your willingness to be transparent."

Edward wrapped his arms around Bella's waist and buried his nose into her stomach. He was content to lie in her arms like that forever, as she fisted his hair, and rubbed his shoulders in such a soothing way.

"What makes me different?" Bella asked so quietly that Edward almost didn't hear her.

He sat up quickly, grasping both of her hands in his as he stared into her pleading eyes. He knew this was a momentous conversation. He sent up a silent prayer that he would find the words to let her know just how much he valued her … how precious, and rare a jewel he had found in her.

"You are the most important thing that has happened to me, Bella." He bit his bottom lip as he searched her eyes for understanding. "The moment you walked into my store, I felt as though my life had finally begun. You are the loveliest, sweetest, most amazing woman I have ever met. There aren't enough words in the English language to tell you what you have come to mean to me."

Bella's eyes grew wide, and tears began to pool in them as Edward poured his heart out at her feet. She could see his sincerity in his eyes. She could feel the passion of his every word, and for the first time since she met him, she believed. It didn't matter if she felt that she was good enough for him, because he believed her to be.

Understanding struck her like a lightning bolt, and joy began to bubble from somewhere inside … someplace she couldn't even name.

It came from the depths of her soul.

"Edward, I—"

Whatever she was about to say was cut off in an instant as her phone began to play Foreigner's Urgent. The song only played when her answering service received a life or death call from a patient.

She had no choice—she had to answer.

-LWTC-

How are we feeling? A little bit of a cliffie, here but you know it will
be resolved tomorrow … maybe! LOL

*huggles*

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