Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Song for this chapter: Bring It On Home To Me - Little Big Town (they own, I don't)

All songs and photos can be found on my blogsite for this story linked in my profile.

After we straightened ourselves out from our heated make out session in the bathroom, Edward and I made our way into the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and sucked down a few gulps. Emmett came in bouncing Kaylie on his back.

"Daddy! Uncle Em said it's almost time for me to play my song! Is it daddy? Is it almost time?"

He glanced at the clock on the stove and smiled brightly back at her. "It sure is baby girl! Go get me that remote." He said excitedly as he picked her off of Emmett's back and set her to the floor. She bolted into the crowd of people towards the living room. Edward turned back to me and grabbed my hand. I threaded my fingers through his and met his eyes as he guided us to the center of the living room. Kaylie handed him the remote and he paused the music. He dropped the remote to the table and she grabbed onto his other hand. I looked down at her beaming smile as she looked up to him with a great deal of admiration and excitement. She's so adorable.

"Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for being here tonight. Considering I have only lived in this city a short time, I feel honored that you came to celebrate this holiday with my daughter and myself." Edward turned his head and smiled at me with a wink before turning to look down at Kaylie. "So, according to my beautiful little girl here, it looks like we only have a few short minutes left before we begin a new year!"

At that moment, Rose and Alice walked into the living room with trays of champagne and began passing them out to the guests. There was a small flute of a bright pink bubbly on Alice's tray that Edward took and handed to Kaylie. "This is a special drink just for you baby girl." He said as she smiled brightly. "But don't drink it yet, just hang onto it for a few more minutes, ok?" she nodded in agreement as she held the flute in her little hands. He then took two more from Alice and handed one to me with a kiss on the cheek. After all the champagne had been passed out, Rose and Alice returned to the living room. Emmett draped his arm over Roses' shoulders while Jasper wrapped his arm delicately around Alice's waist. I smiled to myself at the sight of my two very best friends and their contentment in the moment.

"Here's to health, wealth, much love and much happiness in the new year everyone!" Edward said as he raised his glass and we all mimicked him. "Let the countdown begin Kaylie!"

She smiled shyly up at him as she grabbed the remote from the table and then Edward's wrist to look at his watch. "Ten, nine, eight, seven…" We all said in unison. Edward cocked his head to the side and glanced at me as he set his drink down on the table. "…six, five, four, three…" He then turned and looked down at Kaylie, still holding his watch to her face. "…two, one! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" the crowd erupted. Kaylie hit play on the remote and Auld Lang Syne boomed across the apartment. Suddenly, Edward swopped down and grabbed hold of Kaylie, hoisting her up on his hip, while he grabbed me around my waist and pulled me to him. He planted a smacking kiss on her little cheek and she giggled loudly. "Happy New Year baby girl! I love you so very much!" She wrapped her little arms around his neck, almost spilling her drink all over him, planted a kiss on his cheek and said, "Happy New Year daddy! I love you too. Now, will you please put me down, and give Miss Bella her New Year's kiss." We all three erupted in laughter as he replied with a "yes ma'am" and set her on her feet. He then turned to me, cupping my cheeks in his hands, "Happy New Year Bella. I love you so very much too, and I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us."

With tears in my eyes, I smiled up at him and said, "I love you too, Edward. Happy New Year."

He then kissed me with the softest, most romantic kiss that made my heart flutter and my knees weak. Tears slid down my cheeks as I pulled him tightly to me and let myself get lost in the kiss. Butterflies.

As we pulled apart we gazed into each other's eyes with the widest of smiles and he gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. I gave him a lingering peck and folded myself into his embrace. I took the moment to peek around the room at everyone and I shot my head away from his chest at the sight of Alice and Jasper locking lips. It didn't have the same intensity as the kissed I had just received, but it was much more than friendly too. Whoa! I turned to view the other couples still lost in each other as well as a few of the firemen giving each other hugs and slaps on the back.

This would be a Happy New Year.

In the weeks following New Year's Eve Edward and I began to make time to see each other more. He'd come over for dinner on the weeknights that the children were with Jacob, or I would spend the weekends with him that they were gone. We had yet to take that next step in our relationship, but the sexual tension was definitely building more and more. I think subconsciously we were both waiting for my divorce to be final before we fully crossed that line, and as excruciatingly hard as it was, I respected him for not pressuring either one of us.

On the morning of Wednesday, January twentieth, I woke up feeling completely nauseous. After getting showered, dressed, and dropping the girls off at school and left Robbie with Rose. I drove downtown in the rain to find myself seated across a large oak table of a dreary conference room from Jake and his lawyer. Today was the day. We would sign a few dozen papers, and the past almost eleven years would be done, just like that. It was really hard to believe that with a little ink your life could change. I would never again be Bella Black, Jacob's wife. As much as I wanted this, it was still difficult to think about without a bit of sadness and a slight feeling of loss.

Due to Navy regulations regarding a divorce, I had one hundred and twenty days to move out of housing and they would move me, as long as it was in the county of San Diego. If I chose to return to my home state of residence I was on my own dime with the move. Jacob and I agreed to allow the custody arrangement to stay the same with him getting them one night a week as well as every other weekend and holidays would be swapped out every other year. Child support would begin immediately with, I might add, a nice escalation in the amount. Our lawyers handed us each a copy of the decree to sign, and with that, it was over. My marriage was over. Done.

I looked across the table at Jake as he scrawled his signature on the final page, and took note of his somber demeanor. I hated to see him hurting regardless.

"I'm sorry that things worked out this way Jake. Please don't ever think that any this was easy for me." I said softly as he paused and remained fixated on the page in front of him. Without looking my way, he continued his signature and slid the packet of papers to his lawyer. He then pushed back from the table and stood up, stretching his hand out to him and they shook. Slowly he turned to me and with glossy eyes and pain in his voice he said, "I just want you to be happy Bella. Hopefully, you can figure yourself out enough for that to happen." Then he turned abruptly and stalked out of the room.

I was flabbergasted as I felt the tears sting my eyes. Typical Jacob. Always has to have the last dig. Jerk. Composing myself, I turned to my lawyer and thanked her for all her help as we shook hands. She stated that after the judge signed off on the papers, the divorce would be legal and that typically it was only forty-eight hours, but could be as long as a few days. I asked how soon I could change my name back, and she answered all of my questions with sincerity. I nodded in understanding and gathered my belongings.

As I made my way down the street to my truck, it began to rain again. Not just a light rain either, but sheets of it. Fitting. The strange thing was, emotionally, I didn't feel anything. It seems like it's almost harder to get an email address than a divorce. I got into my truck and just stared out the windshield. I didn't cry, I didn't smile, I didn't feel. I just sat there. This was it. There is no more back and forth arguing over this and that. It was all on paper. It's just done.

I pulled out my phone and simply stared at it. I pressed the button and the screen came to life with texts from Alice, Rose and Edward. I didn't read them. This whole thing is a lot to process, and I can't help but wonder if it feels like a celebration to them. Shame on me for thinking that any one of them would be anything less that supportive, but right now it's not a celebration day for me. I get to be sad. I get to have that. I should have that. It doesn't matter that this is what I wanted. It's time for me to grieve the loss, ponder, reflect and then let go.

It must have been an hour that I sat motionless in the confines of my truck, parked out in front of the building. Frozen, that was a good description of me for the moment. Just here. Tossing my phone into my purse, I started the truck and pulled away from the curb. The thoughts in my head must have taken over because without remembering how I got there, I was suddenly parked in my driveway. I climbed out of the cab, and made my way inside. Standing in the doorway, I looked around the house noting the quiet and feeling a slight sense of relief that I was alone. After fixing myself a cup of green tea, I folded into the couch and leaned back, closing my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing that I heard was my cell phone ringing. I ignored it, but it continued to ring. With a deep sigh and a now cold cup of tea, I fished it out of my purse and answered it. Rose.

"Hey sweetie." She said cautiously. "I don't want to bother you, but I wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and when you're ready to talk, I can come over…if you want."

I smiled softly and felt a pang of guilt for even having the thought before that she might not be supportive. "Thanks Rose. I'm ok. Just having some quiet time to myself."

"Okay, well I'm here if you need anything. Alice is here too, and she's going to stay the night with us to give you some time. Also, I am going to pick the kids up from school for you and bring them back here with me for a few hours when they get out."

"No, it's ok, she doesn't have to stay away, Rose you don't-" I started.

"No, really, it was her idea, and we understand. Just know that we both love you, and when you're ready, we will be there. Ok?"

"I love you guys too. You're the greatest friends I could ever ask for. Thank you both so much for understanding." I began to choke up and we ended the conversation.

I dropped my phone onto the couch and as I turned to walk down the hallway there was a soft knock at my front door. I paused briefly, debating on whether to answer it or not, before turning back to open it. Standing there with a very sweet, yet sad smile and a single white rose was my Edward. Just the sight of him made me immediately burst into tears. He flung the screen door open and engulfed me into his arms, closing the front door behind us. He moved us to sit on the couch. He didn't speak and he didn't ask questions. He gave me exactly what I needed. He just held me and I cried. I cried for Jacob. I cried for my children. I cried for the loss of my past and the loss of my marriage. I cried and I cried and I cried. When there were no tears left, I just sobbed. Edward held onto me the entire time, just comforting me without a word.

Some time later, I had regained my composure and was quiet in his arms as I stared at the surroundings of my living room. I turned my head up to look at him, and he smiled softly down at me.

"I'm sorry." I said with a scratchy voice.

"Baby, you have nothing to apologize for. You love him and that is completely understandable. You've shared a life with him. Just let me be here for you as long as you need. You need to know that I'm your safe place to fall." He whispered softly, pressing his lips to my forehead.

"I love you more. You're my future and nothing is in our way of having everything we want together."

I hugged him closer, relieved that he was there to hold me. That was the last time he would ever see me cry over Jacob.

Monday morning I received a call from my lawyer that my divorce was final and I could now take the steps necessary to change my name back. I thanked her for all her help and guidance and after we hung up, I decided to go for a run. I left Robbie with Alice and I made my way down my usual path to the Pacific Ocean. Instead of turning back to go home when I reached the end of my path, I slowed to walk along the rocky edges of the beach. Today, in my mind, I was once again Isabella Swan. I smiled as the crisp and salty ocean air kissed my cheeks. I found a large dry rock under the Pacific Beach pier and took a seat. Today was officially the start to the next chapter in my life, and I was ready to start writing it.

After my moment of clarity, I turned my iPod back on, and ran home. Rose was out in front of her house, cleaning out her garage when I arrived back on our street.

"Hey there sweaty lady! How was your run?" she asked teasingly greeting me at the end of her driveway.

"It was great! My lawyer called this morning. Looks like I am officially single." I answered a little breathless.

"How do you feel about that?" she asked cautiously, folding her arms across her chest.

"Good. I mean, it's kinda strange…but I'm really ok. I was just sitting out on the beach thinking about it. I'm ready for the next chapter of my life." I said with confidence.

"There's a whole new world waiting for you out there Bella. You're going to kick its ass!" she laughed and I laughed with her. It felt good. I excused myself to shower after we made plans to meet up to pick the girls up from school.

After showering and getting dressed, I joined Alice and Robbie in the backyard as she played with him in the sandbox. She had such a way with him, and I knew that when the time came, she would be a fantastic mother.

Later that night, as the five of us gathered around the table for dinner, I realized I needed to tell the kids. This was going to be the hardest part of all. Robbie was pretty much oblivious to it, but the girls had a good idea that it was going to happen, as we had discussed it a little before, and of course the fact that Jacob had already moved out. They had also discussed it in counseling, so I knew they would be somewhat prepared for it, but that didn't make the final nail any easier to hit.

"Kids, there's something that we need to talk about tonight." I said cautiously, as I made eye contact with the three of them and then Alice.

The girls looked up from their plates and met my eyes. Lynette, being the observant and brilliant child that she was, asked softly, "Are you and daddy divorced?"

I felt the lump rise in my throat at the glossiness in her eyes. Dammit.

"Yes baby, we are." I answered, keeping my gaze fixed on her, as I rested my elbows onto the table.

"Do we still get to see daddy?" Madysen asked me, and I felt a sense of shock at her question.

"Sweetheart, of course you do! I want you to understand that just because mommy and daddy aren't married anymore, doesn't mean that we don't both love you very, very much. We are just both better at being friends with each other. You want us to be friends right?"

They both nodded.

"You will still see your daddy just as much as you do now, nothing about that will change at all. He loves you guys so much, and I don't ever want you to think any different. Ok?"

"Mommy? Can I please be excused?" Lynette asked me.

"Of course you can. Can you come here first?"

She pushed back from the table and made her way to me. I wrapped her tiny body up in my arms as she pressed her head to my shoulder. I felt her quietly sobbing and it shattered my heart. I held her back and looked into her eyes.

"Sweetie, you, your sister and your brother are the three most important people in the world to me, and one day you will understand that this is all ok. We are all going to be fine, and much happier this way. I promise you that. I know it hurts right now, and it's ok to be sad, but please don't feel like you can't come and talk to me or ask me anything. Ok?"

She gave me a timid smile as she nodded her head. I embraced her one final time and she headed to her room and quietly closed the door. I turned to face Madysen and said softly to her, "That goes for you too. I want you to know you can come talk to me whenever you feel like it."

She nodded and began eating her dinner again. Robbie was quietly watching our exchange, but didn't really acknowledge it much as he continued to dig into his dinner. I met Alice's eyes with a heavy sigh and she smiled at me with a wink as we finished our dinner.

"You think I handled that all right?" I asked Alice later that evening after the kids were in bed. We had curled up on the couch to watch some television and relax.

"I think you did just fine. I know it's hard on all of you, but you kept it together very well for them and I can't say that I could have done it much better. I'm proud of you." She answered as she softly rubbed my arm. "They'll be ok, it's just going to take a little time to get used to it, that's all."

"I hope so." I sighed. I felt awful, but I also knew in the back of my mind that she was right. We were all going to be ok.

Before we retired to bed, I sent Edward a text.

I miss you and love you more than you know.

Miss you and love you too. Are you doing ok?

I would be better if you were here to hold me. But I'm fine.

Do you want to have lunch tomorrow? I'll hold you the whole time.

I smiled softly at the thought of being in his arms.

I'd like that.

Ok, I will be there at noon then my love.

I can't wait. Goodnight. I love you.

Sweet dreams beautiful. I love you.

Yes, we were all going to be ok.

Chapter End Notes:

Whew...ok...THAT angst is out of the way...let's get to some happiness now right? That was DEEP...especially to write. )

Thank you all SOOOO much for your undying support! Much, much love coming to you! xoxoxox