AN: I know, I know, another author's note. I just wanted to apologize for taking so long on this chapter. I have been working on this chapter for weeks. Normally Edward's point of view is the easiest for me but this one just wasn't flowing the way I had it in my head. That's why Tanya's was thrown in as chapter 12. I think she was causing so much chaos in my head wanting her side told that Edward quit talking to me. Anyway, I've cut and pasted from three different versions to come up with chapter 13. Hopefully I've pieced it together correctly and it makes sense - Annie

EPOV – same day as chapter 11 at The Cullen's

I wasn't going to feel guilty about cutting out on their family time when we made our exit. Considering I actually had to work tonight they would understood. Plus, I wanted to get Bella's earlier question out of the way.

After cleaning up with only Dad's help since Emmett had made one of his Houdini disappearing acts, I started to go upstairs to see if she was ready to go. When I heard Emmett's voice I stayed at the bottom of the stairs and listened to their conversation. It wasn't one of my best moments eavesdropping but I'm glad I did.

Emmett the Philosopher was now making an appearance. He doesn't come out very often, but when he does, it is enlighten.

Having missed most of their conversation, I was trying to piece together what they were talking about.

When he said what's done is done, you need to work on the present and the future; I wanted to know what made him say that. Unless I asked one of them, I would never know.

The more I thought about it, the reason for the comment wasn't what was important; it was the meaning.

And I knew what he meant. It was time we made up for the six years we were apart.

What's done is done; you need to work on the present and the future

When Bella mentioned us living together, I thought she was crazy. In a seven-day period, we had spent three together. She couldn't be serious. But she was. I said we would discuss it sometime today. Yes, I had stayed the last three nights with her but this morning I wasn't ready to give up what I considered my comfort zone. It had been mine for six years.

My comfort zone was the place I could go when I didn't want to participate in life. But I didn't need that place anymore. More importantly I didn't want it. I didn't have to be alone and neither did Bella. We would have each other and together we could venture back into living instead of just existing.

Not to mention Mom would be ecstatic. Seven weeks ago she had insisted that I look at a house with her for a potential buyer. Even when I told Bella about it, it didn't click. It wasn't until now that I put the connection together. She already assumed it would be my home someday.

I had to admit I was actually impressed with the house when I saw it. Considering it was built in 1956 it was a solid brick house on a corner lot, three bedrooms, one bath, which was easily remedied, on a finished basement. The previous owner had the kitchen gutted, new cabinets and appliances installed. Neutral carpet had been laid though out the house, down the steps and into the basement, which would make a great family room. The basement door was removed along with a wall in the living room, adding a spindle railing so that the stairs to the finished basement flowed as part of the living space.

There was one minor detail that Bella would fight me over. The mortgage. I wouldn't breach that subject today.

Emmett, Alice and I each had a piece of the Platt Trust Fund from Mom's side of the family. When we turned twenty-one, our share was transferred into our name. Emmett bought a bar with his, Alice shopped and traveled with her's and I hadn't touched mine.

Half of my life had been spent dreaming about buying Bella a house knowing that I would have the resources to buy her whatever she wanted. Even with the years between us, it was always in the back of my mind and one of the reasons I never touched my inheritance.

I was so lost in thought; I almost missed the sound of Emmett and Bella's footsteps coming towards the stairs. As humanly possible, I sat down on the couch, lounging more then sitting with my legs stretched out in front of me, arms crossed, my eyes closed and my head leaned back against the couch, I waited for her to come towards me.

Noticing her breathing had changed; she stopped several feet in front of me. She was trying to be sneaky, thinking I wouldn't notice her.

Without opening my eyes, "You realize you could never be a hunter since you don't have the skills to sneak up on your prey."

"I wasn't sneaking up on my prey, just admiring the eye candy."

She did not just say that. I opened one eye muttering, "Bella, sometimes you can be so absurd."

She stretched out beside me, laying her head on my thigh and asked, "What are you doing in here all by yourself?"

"Just thinking."

"About?"

Running my fingers through her hair, pulling it across my legs I replied, "Home is wherever we make it as long as we are together. My home is with you."

Suddenly she sat up, kneeling next to me. "What do you mean by that?" her brown eyes questioning me.

Sitting up from my previously position, taking her face in my hands looking into her eyes, "I can't live without you, so I might as well live with you."

Keeping my composure for my next comment. "At some point, I will want a permanent commitment."

Narrowing her eyes, "What the heck are you talking about?"

"Someday I will marry you again."

Apparently, I had rendered her speechless since she continued to open and close her mouth the only sound a gasp.

Considering this wasn't our first time down this road, I'm sure she harbored ill feelings toward marriage. Not just ours but marriage in general, her Mom and Dad's was less then desirable.

"Whatever you are thinking, stop. You will know when I'm asking."

Biting her lip she nodded yes as I leaned in and stole a kiss.

We finally made our escape and when we arrived home, Bella asked a question that surprised me.

"What did Esme mean when she said thanks for bringing Edward home?"

Closing my eyes thinking of the best way to put it.

It wasn't that I didn't want to be around them, I just felt like the odd man out. Something was missing from my life and I didn't want to share in their happy times. It had been like that since she left. When she left I became a shell of who I was previously.

Mom's Sunday breakfast, when everyone was going to be there, I couldn't handle it. Luckily with my rotation, I was either into a 24-hour shift or I would offer to work a 12-hour shift preferably in the morning. I'm pretty sure they knew but they didn't press the issue.

Finally I said, "Until today I found reasons to avoid family time. I was fine seeing them one or two at a time. Dad at work, lunch once a week with Mom, meeting Alice and Jasper a couple of times a week and dinner once a week with Emmett, Rosalie and their boys. That was my limit."

Bella was just looking at me shaking her head, tears glistening. "Edward, I'm sorry. I never realized when I left that you left your family, so to speak."

Pulling her into my arms, "It was my choice, just like it was your choice to leave me."

Wrapping her arms around my waist, "At least I have a lifetime to make it up to you."

Please review after reading - Annie