Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own the plot.

Thank you to Dazzled eyes22 for your patience with all my mishaps and horrible grammar. You really have my back and I appreciate it more than you know.

AN:

A huge thanks to those of you leaving me with a comment. It is so wonderful to know what you think about my story. Also thanks to those of you adding me to your alerts.

Furthermore, this chapter has a 'twin'. Events below are also featured in the upcoming Epilogue from my other story FOUR WEEKS. Things may look a little different from Jasper's POV.

I'll leave you alone now and I hope you enjoy the chapter. It was fun to write.

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Chapter 22

My phone kept vibrating, stirring relentlessly in my pocket. I poured another cup of tea for Alice and me and sat down. We were curled up in our robes in her room, with towels wrapped around our wet hair. I took a careful sip of my burning hot and sweet-smelling tea and the vibrating finally stopped. I reached my hand out and placed it on the on the table reluctantly. Alice picked up the dark red pencil and started painting my nails. I hated this stuff. "Are you sure this is necessary?" I asked in defeat.

"Necessary? No. Is it important that I get my way today? Yes," she chimed and kept applying the nail polish. I sighed knowing that I couldn't and shouldn't fight her, not today.

"Why don't you ever apply this torture to Jasper?"

"Why should I?" She asked, seeming confused by my question.

"So I could avoid this," I suggested and shrugged.

"Well, that would mean changing one thing about her and that is pointless, because she is perfect the way she is," Alice answered focused on the brush running over my nails.

"Are you telling me that I'm not perfect?" I mocked.

"Oh hun, you were never perfect, but I love you just the way you are. Besides, you were never my girlfriend, so I get to boss you around!"

I laughed at her foolishness and my phone started stirring in my pocket again. I groaned and was about to reach in to get it this time. "Don't!" Alice shrieked. "Your nails are not dry yet."

I sighed deeply irritated. "That is one of the reason I don't wear this stuff, Alice. I wasn't housebroken for girly nail polish or dresses." I whined. The buzzing stopped after a while.

"My day, my choice. Those are my rules. Besides, have you ever heard about redial?"

"Whatever you say," I groaned placating her. "What is Jasper doing anyway?"

"Running, I suspect." She smiled hugely, admiring her handy work with the nail polish. "If you move an inch before this is dry, I will torture you until your last dying breath," she warned, jabbing a finger at my sticky nail polish.

"Dramatic much?" I grinned and rolled my eyes at her, as she moseyed into the bathroom. My phone insisted once more that I should pick up. I was forced to ignore it. I let a slow breath feather across the perfectly applied red color on the tips of my fingers.

"You're moving, Bella." I gaped. Alice wasn't even in the freaking room! I sat perfectly still for the next five minutes, hoping not to agitate her more. This was all for her. Alice and Jasper were getting married today. This day was so special for them, so I could suffer the boredom of watching the paint on my nails dry for a few minutes.

I picked up the phone when I was finally allowed to answer it and my heart leaped to my mouth instantly. I had four missed calls from Edward.

The past two weeks, since I had returned from Forks had been almost magical. Edward had called every night like clockwork. We had talked about everyday stuff, while telling each other about all the small insignificant details of our lives. However, it was fun listening to whatever Edward offered to tell me. We talked a lot about Elizabeth or Edward would talk endlessly on the line, so she would hear and know his voice. Edward just never called in the morning.

"Hello?" I asked immediately concerned. The hum of the hairdryer sounded from the bathroom.

"Hey. Are you ignoring my calls?" he asked puzzled.

"Not on purpose. Alice is making me," I answered childishly. Edward laughed gently. His mood had been better each day that I spoke with him. The change in his tone was unmistakable.

"Why would Alice make you ignore my calls?"

"She's forcing me to wear nail polish. I'm watching it dry," I answered morosely.

"Wow. Interesting. So is that why you're not answering your door either?"

My head went a little fuzzy at that moment. My door? "You're here?" I blurted inanely.

"Yeah, so would you mind opening?"

"Oh god, I can't. I'm not home, Edward. I'm in Northern Connecticut for the weekend. Alice and Jasper are getting married today, remember?" I knew I told him about this because the main reason that the wedding was taking place in Connecticut was they allowed same sex marriages, whereas New York didn't.

"Fuck! That was today?" Edward basically spat.

"Yep."

"I'm so sorry. I thought that was next weekend." It was silent for a while. "I think I got the dates mixed up. I'm so sorry, but I really need to see you, Bella." He sighed. Somehow, I sensed his huge disappointment over the phone.

"Come here then. Elizabeth misses her daddy." I knew he smiled because I could hear his gentle huff of breath.

"Yeah? She does?" he paused. "I actually came to see you this time…" The words lingered in the air with so much potential. He was here to see me. "I wouldn't want to intrude on their day, though," he said carefully after that.

"You're here to see me?" I breathed astonished. Was this happening? Was what I wished for so excruciatingly really happening? I didn't dare to get too attached to that thought just yet. Entrusting all that hope on my one wish for a family was so dangerous, when I knew if it didn't happen that I would be devastated. I couldn't bear that. I still needed to function for our daughter. "You wouldn't be intruding. You're Elizabeth's father and no one here would bat a lash that you came. Please don't be sad, Edward. Come here. It's a celebration and it will be fine. I promise."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Okay then. Uhm, where exactly are you?"

"I'll text you the address. The ceremony is at four, so you have five and a half hours to get your butt here." Edward laughed and I couldn't believe how much I sounded like a teenager. I couldn't even remember the last time that I felt so giddy. Perhaps, it was all the guests that arrived yesterday, the love filling the air or lastly, but most importantly, that Edward might have found it in his heart to forgive me. He did say that he really needed to see me.

"Okay. I'll figure out how to get there." He paused. "I'll see you soon, Bella."

"I'm looking forward to it, Edward." I grinned like a fool.

I barely had time to hang up before Alice came back into the room wearing nothing but a skimpy pair of panties. Sometimes, I really wished she had some inkling of shame when it came to nudity. "God! Your robe, Alice!" I groaned.

"Don't be such a priss. What was that about on the phone?" She asked, while strapping on a matching bra. I really tried not to look.

"A few details being settled," I murmured and smiled hugely.

"Oh my gosh. It's a surprise. I promise not to ruin it by snooping," she exuded like the surprise was for her and not me. I shrugged, feigning that she guessed right, yet savoring the joy for myself for a moment. I just wanted to revel in it… and perhaps be realistic enough to consider whatever Edward had to say wasn't positive. That would make me save face not to tell her now. I quickly found the address on a box of matches and sent it to Edward. His reply was short and concise.

On my way!

Going through the rest of the day trying to hold myself back from imagining all sorts wonderful things between Edward and me was a bit of a battle. I would find myself lost in a stupor over helping with the decorations or daydreaming like a girl with her first crush, before being pulled back to reality by Elizabeth.

Jasper's entire family was here, and in large numbers. I imagined how I would manage to have my mom and dad on the list of invites, if this was my shindig. I had met Jasper's parents a few times, but never any of her extended family. A bunch of Jasper's old friends, who were also now Alice's friends, had rallied up state to participate in the wedding. Most of them were women and gay. Some of them were quite liberal about it. I was glad that I had lived with Jasper and Alice for a while now and was desensitized to women kissing so openly. Not that I minded at all, but some might be a little thrown by the sight.

I wanted to make sure everything was in order or Alice would throw a fit. That was something that I really wanted to avoid. There was the matter of the ceremony, presents and guests. I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect for them and nothing was out of order. They deserved the utmost today.

After the nail polish incident this morning, I was a bit scared to show Alice that I actually managed to chip two nails during the day. Why the hell hadn't she waited with that? Well, I was now back in her room for hair and make-up and I needed to fess up. Alice had been alone since this morning and Jasper had spent most of the day with her father and Emmett. Jasper's mother had completely hogged Elizabeth and they had been playing outside for most of the time. Elizabeth was looking like a train wreck, but nothing a bath couldn't fix. Jasper's mother was beaming with excitement over the child… someone was in dire need of some grandkids soon.

I sat down and sucked in a quiet breath, trying to relax when I handed a clean Elizabeth and her still unharmed bridesmaid's dress over to Mrs. Whitlock. It was an hour and a half until the ceremony and there was no sign of Edward yet. I tried to stay calm and not check my phone every minute. Alice plugged in the curling iron, let it heat and started to work her magic. I wasn't asked any details on hair, make-up or dress. Secretly, I was happy that she cared so much about those details when in reality, I didn't. So, it was a load off my mind. I showed her my ruined nails and she didn't even haul me over the coals. I was majorly surprised at her composed manner.

I hardly recognized myself when she was done. My hair was shiny, curly and pinned back partly, but long locks still fell down to the mid of my back. My make-up was soft, a little dark around the eyes, but actually very sexy. My lips were a subtle rosy shade and glossy. The dress that she has made was something I was comfortable in. She knew me well. She could easily have made whatever she wanted and forced me to wear it, but instead she made a simple dark blue floor length gown, with a v-neck that revealed a little hint of a cleavage, but without making me feel exposed. Compared to the normal skimpy and colorful dresses that she wore, this gown was definitely made just for me.

I glanced down quickly at the time. My breath hitched and panic started to spread. Oh jeez, what was holding up Edward?

Alice wasn't dressed yet, but luckily wearing a robe this time. Her dress was still in the garment bag mounted over the closet door. She had her hair beautifully done, her nail polish was perfect, her make-up was stunning and natural, and all that was missing was the dress.

"You ready?" I asked and held out my glass to her. We had picked up a small bottle of Champagne from the bar just to make a quiet toast before the show hit the road. Alice smiled. She was a bit quiet, but very calm.

"I've been ready since the day I met her," she said peacefully, not beaming, no chipper comeback, just undiluted honesty. We clinked glasses and I took a small sip of the bubbly.

"You both really deserve to have this day of perfection. I am so happy for you." I reached over and hugged her.

"Thank you, Bella, for being my friend and being Jasper's friend too," she said quietly.

There was a knock on the door. Jasper's mom poked her head through the opening. "Girls, it's almost time," she said kindly. "Bella, thank you so much for letting me play with your wonderful daughter. She's with Emmett right now."

"Thank you." I blushed. "Anytime, Mrs. Whitlock." She smiled compassionately in return then vanished again. "She is such a sweet and warm woman. It kind of makes me wish my mom was like that."

"Yeah, me too." Alice sighed.

"Do you wish you parents were here today?"

"In some ways, yes, but it's like Jasper's says, 'would I really want them here if they were only here with half their hearts?'" she paused. "Besides if they were here, it wouldn't even be with half their hearts. They think Jasper destroyed my life, not that she is giving it so much more meaning."

"Jasper's wise," I said soberly, not knowing what else to say. My phone started buzzing and with a quick glance at the number I sagged with relief. Edward. Finally! He left a message.

"Are you okay here? I need to take care of something," I asked Alice. She nodded.

"I'm good. I would like a moment alone actually." She smiled and I was relieved to see it because I was dying to see Edward, but I couldn't leave Alice now if she needed me here. I quickly wiggled my feet into Jasper's insanely high heels. Well, they probably weren't high to either of Alice or Jasper, but to me it was like walking on stilts. I prayed to god that I wouldn't fall today.

I was out the door, through the reception area, past the lobby and to the front entrance of the Inn in a shake of a tale. Edward was climbing out of the car with his signature simple bag. I gasped and focused on staying on my feet. He looked completely disheveled. He was clad in really cool, but worn to bits distress jeans, a simple shirt, unzipped sweater, worn down tattered sneakers, hair was in chaos and he was completely unshaved. Sure, he was heartbreaking beautiful like this, but just not for a wedding. Oh no.

I sighed enormously when he pulled a black garment bag out of the car and slammed the door, just before it peeled out of the parking lot. I prayed desperately that it was a suit or at least dress pants and a shirt. Picking up his bag, he stopped bluntly in his tracks and stared wide eyed at me from a few yards away.

"Bella?" he mouthed. I was about to roll my eyes and crack a nervous joke, when I remembered that I was in a dress and wearing heels. Not my usual attire. So I held my tongue. "Holy shit, you look absolutely gorgeous," Edward blurted and raised his brows.

"Thank you," I mumbled and blushed like on cue. "Alice makes me clean up nicely." I shrugged trying to feign nonchalance, but I reveled in the way he looked at me. I wanted to bathe in that appraising green gaze.

"I don't even know what to say?" he smiled and stepped up close to me. His eyes raked down the dress then up to my face. He sucked in his bottom lip pensively before he spoke. "I really missed you."

My blush deepened and in deepest corner of my stomach I knew this was the talk that I had hoped for. "I missed you too," I whispered, hoping I could fight back the hot tears pooling in my eyes. "I missed you for two years." Relief let a dark veil fall from my heart, that had been shrouding it for so long.

"You're stealing my words, Bella, but I guess it's two hearts and one mind." My heart was fluttering almost out of my chest when chatter picked up behind me. I knew time was running. I just couldn't rush this moment. It was epic and not to be ruined. Edward ran his hand through his mop of hair and threw a quick glance at the people behind us. "I know I'm late. I got stuck in traffic and the driver took a wrong turn somewhere. I know we're in a rush, but I want to say this now and quick, okay? This is why I needed to see you so badly."

I nodded, biting my lip, waiting.

"I've been so mad, so confused and so heartbroken over you. I really tried to deny the way that I feel about you, but it's impossible. Seeing you again and seeing my daughter I know what I want for the future. I want to have a family, my family. We had a horrible start, but I know that we can fix it. I believe we can sort out our problems and make it work. I want to make it work and not because I think I have to for Elizabeth's sake, but because I know that you are the woman that I've been in love with for two years. I can't deny it and I suffer so much when I try to. I had time to forget you, but I never did. You were always in my heart and I couldn't let anyone in because you already stole it."

My face literally broke in two with my victorious smile. I barely avoided sobbing when I cried. I couldn't even speak. A fierce happiness rolled over my skin and this was just too good to be true, but somehow it was true.

"I really want to hug you and hold you in my arms, but I haven't had a shower for two days and I stink. I also have a feeling we are late… very late. I need to clean up badly!"

I quickly checked the time on the lobby clock. Shit, we had less than twenty minutes. "Do you clean up as easily and fast as you travel?"

"We're going to have to test that theory." He smiled. He picked up his belongings and slung the garment bag over his arm. We rushed through the Inn, going back to the room, which I had arranged for him earlier. It all seemed so surreal, finally having a promise from him then having to rush insanely to celebrate someone else's happiness. I was feeling a little lightheaded. It was like everything was thrown together in one huge punchbowl mixed of happiness and I was getting a little drunk on that.

Once settled in the room that I set for him, Edward kicked his shoes off, tore his shirt over his head and started unbuttoning his pants in one swift motion, without any hesitation. He hadn't even entered the bathroom. I stared numbly, ogling him with my hand on the handle.

"Do you mind…?" He asked at the same time I mouthed.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No," we answered in unison.

Quickly, he finished undressing all the way down to his boxers and I averted my eyes. Wow, this was moving quickly. He left the door ajar to the bathroom and the water started running.

"Bella, could you grab my shaving gear? It's in the front pocket of my backpack," he yelled. I giggled. This was so new, but still so old. Being hollered at from the bathroom by your man and helping him finish. Talk about surreal. My man. I hummed gently, breaking into a huge smile and feeling giddy like a schoolgirl.

I scoured through his belongings and quickly found what I was looking for, along with other toiletries that he might need. In the bathroom, he held a hand out from behind the shower curtain, thanking me. All I could think he was less than a yard away and naked. We seriously needed to slow the hell down. I scampered back to the room, unpacking the garment bag, and hoping to find something wearable for him. It really was my lucky day. Inside the bag was a very elegant tux with all the right accessories. It seemed weird somehow that he would be logging this around.

"That must be damn near a record," Edward said, suddenly back in the room. He drew a hand over his now freshly shaven face. He had a towel slung low around his waist, his unruly hair was in a wet chaos. Sure, I had seen him naked before, but that was damn near two years ago. I wasn't sure he was that fit when we first met, but now he was completely toned, not an ounce of fat in sight. Warmth undeniably washed through my stomach as I drew a slow breath.

"I'll wait for you in the hallway," I mumbled, not being able to face his nakedness when he dropped that towel.

"I'll be out in five minutes."

I leaned against the wall, trying to sort everything out. This day was turning out to be rather insane. Down the hall, Emmett emerged along with Elizabeth and Mrs. Whitlock. He was wearing a dark suit that made him look twice as broad over the shoulders. Emmett was a mountain of a man.

"Ready to see some girl on girl action," Emmett laughed. His mother scowled at him.

"I'm not even going to comment on that, but I will take Elizabeth." I narrowed my eyes at Emmett, before I looked at Elizabeth. "Daddy's here to see you," I murmured. I wished she was old enough to really understand, but she babbled something unintelligible and pulled at the ruffles on her dress. She looked so pretty.

"Well, fuck me! Edward's here?" Emmett spat and his eyes widened.

I nodded and blushed, while trying not to smile like a moron. "He's getting ready now."

"I thought that he was pissed at you?"

"Not anymore… apparently," I mumbled.

"So I finally get to meet him?" Emmett's smile was almost wicked. I narrowed my eyes at him, knowing he would have no problem taunting me by teasing Edward. I had finally been able to open up and tell Emmett a little about the situation between Edward and me. He knew how I felt.

"Yes, you do. Emmett, please be nice to him. Don't screw this up for me."

"Ahh, you hurt my feelings, little Bella. I would never taunt anyone?" He goaded theatrically and made sad puppy dog eyes.

Mrs. Whitlock shook her head. "Yes you would, son," she simply said and Emmett laughed.

"Go ahead. We'll be out in two minutes." I rushed, herding them along. I didn't feel like having Emmett embarrass me yet. Today was too perfect for that. I sighed relieved when they were out of the hall. Edward emerged less than a minute later, cleaned up and looking strikingly handsome.

Without hesitation, he picked up Elizabeth with that glorious smile on his face. "How's daddy's girl?" This time she greeted him with recognition, pulling at his hair and babbling syllables. "Got a kiss for me?" Edward asked completely lost to the world around him. Elizabeth pressed a slobbery wet smooch on his cheeks, which is the standard issue kiss from a fourteen-month-old baby. Edward stroked a few of her curls. He turned to me. "So who would be at this thing? Your mom?" he asked warily.

"God no! This is a same sex marriage. I think she'd rather be on TV without her face painted on," I murmured as we rushed down the hall. This wasn't something my mom would understand or participate in voluntarily. She and Alice's parents would agree that today was an abomination. They are so ignorant. My dad had been so kind and sent a card and a gift for my roommates. I had a hard time imagining him shopping for wedding presents, but he made the effort. That was what mattered.

I pushed back my already pressing tears when we sat down with the other guests. Edward fished out a real cotton cloth handkerchief and handed it to me. I didn't even know men used those anymore. However, it was strikingly romantic. I thanked him graciously, knowing that I would need it for the ceremony.

We sat and waited to watch Jasper and Alice go through with the ritual of marriage, by exchanging their wedding vows and kissing to seal their union. Edward sat with Elizabeth on his lap and she rested her head on his shoulder. She was tired after missing her nap today. I could feel Edward's burning gaze on me. I locked eyes with him when slowly he snaked his hand under mine and threaded our fingers together.

A pulse sizzled furiously throughout my body. Like I said, this was all so surreal and very hard to wrap my head around. Together, we could fight to be a family. I closed my fingers around his palm, while giving it a small warm squeeze. I wanted nothing more than to tell him what all of this meant to me, but Alice and Jasper were in the middle of exchanging their vows and now was hardly the time to speak up. This moment belonged to two of my best friends. Alice's chiming voice was ringing over the gathering of family and friends declaring her love. I listened intently to her words.

"I admire you for teaching me who I truly am. Without you, I would still be floundering about and pretending to be someone that I am not.

"I admire you for your strength because I have never in my life witnessed anyone fight as hard as you have to reclaim what was yours after you lost it.

"I admire you for your perseverance because you refuse to let someone put you down. I cannot wait until you put Emmett in his place and leave him in the dust with your horrible ugly running shoes.

"I admire you for your ability of loving with your whole heart. To be so lucky to find someone like you, someone willing to leave her heart defenselessly in my hands is astounding. I can't believe that you dare to trust me that much.

"I admire you for the kindness in your heart. I know you can only have learned that from one place and that is from your family. I am extremely honored to consider myself a part of your family and to be shrouded by your love the day that my life takes a bad turn. You are my safety net and a gift that I do not take for granted.

"But most of all, I love you for you because you are beautiful and complete just the way you are. I love you for that."

The floodgates opened and I was an inch from bawling my eyes out. This was so beautiful. At the center of the ceremony, Jasper's father was also trying to choke back the tears threatening to wash down his face and stay composed. He had been ordained and he was marrying them.

"My beautiful Alice." Jasper started, and then hesitated briefly. "When I asked you to marry me, I said 'sometimes I fear that I will wake up from this wonderful dream, but every day I do wake up and you are right next to me with your unfaltering determination.' Today, I can say almost the same. 'Every day I am glad to wake up from my nightmares because I know every time that I do wake up you are right next to me with your unfaltering love.' People say that marriage is for better and for worse, but it isn't only marriage that is like that. Life is. You haven't been mine for a lifetime, but we have seen a little of the better and a lot of the worse. When we can stand together now having been through the worse, I am very much looking forward to be by your side for the better. You are my life. You have my heart. I know we share the same soul. I never dreamed that I would have someone as warm and loving as you and be so lucky to call you mine and to say that I am yours. No one in the world compares to you. Thank you for being beside me every day. The sun will never shine brightly enough to outshine how much I treasure you and there aren't enough words in the world to express how much I love you."

I dabbed Edward's old-fashioned hanky over my face, hoping I wasn't smudging the make-up. However, it was probably a lost cause, since I cried uncontrollably. Right in front of us, a very tender and delicate kiss was shared between Alice and Jasper sealing their union. I was slightly jealous at the level of love and devotion unfurling before us. It was miraculous.

Edward kept running his thumb over the back of my hand tenderly, like smoothing the pile of velvet fabric. It felt utterly soothing and at another time in the day that rhythmical stroking would lull me into a safe and content sleep. During the ritual, Elizabeth had fallen asleep while leaning against Edward and snuggled into the crook of his arm. Some bridesmaid she was.

After the ceremony, we congratulated Alice and Jasper and I put Elizabeth down in my room, letting her have a nap before the dinner. Back outside, Edward sat sloped in one of the garden chairs tapping his fingertips against each other, while staring over the small lake. I couldn't help, but watch him from afar. How that man was able to make my heart stop was incredible. I was still reeling from the day's event and revelations. It all felt a little like vertigo and my knees were soft and unstable. Peripherally, I noticed Emmett approaching. I was about to call his name when I realized he was steering right for Edward. He hadn't even seen me. Oh no!

"Want a beer?" he asked and held out a bottle like they were old friends. "I'm Emmett," he said unceremoniously.

"Sure, thanks," Edward said warily, glancing up at Emmett. "I know who you are." My ears were on stilts trying to eavesdrop. "Congratulations on your sister's wedding," he added politely.

Emmett nodded and sat down next to him. "Nice to see you here."

"Is it?" Edward answered. A chill crept into his voice. Emmett frowned, but took a swig of his beer instead of answering. It was silent. Awkward. "Sorry, no pun intended." Edward said lastly.

"None taken. I would be pissed off too." Emmett shrugged.

"Yeah," Edward muttered and glanced briefly at him.

"Anyway, no reason to be a pussy about what I wanted to say. I'm glad you're here. I tried to talk to Bella about telling you, but she is as stubborn as a goddamn mule. She is hard headed, irritating, overbearing and wrong most of the time, but we all love her to death. Give her a chance."

Edward stared at Emmett still with that cold hard edge. "How about you? Do you love her to death?"

Emmett chuckled. "What did Bella tell you?"

"That you were friends," Edward answered frostily. I frowned. I had told him there was nothing between Emmett and I. Not ever, but he just confirmed that he didn't believe me, like I suspected. My skin prickled with fear. I really hoped that I could trust Emmett, not to take advantage of this rather delicate situation and try to be funny. Although it may be unintended, he sometimes ended up hurting people with his brash humor.

"Don't you trust her?"

"I'm trying to."

"My advice. Trust that pigheaded girl. It is you that she loves to death. Not me. It was never like that."

Edward sighed, and then smiled staring at the ground. "Good to know."

"Anyway… I got a couple of lesbians that I need to go annoy the hell out of." He laughed loudly. "Alice is so easy to rile up! It's fun," Emmett drawled. He stood, held out the beer bottle, clinked it with Edward's and took a long drag before he strode off.

"Hey Emmett…" Edward paused mid-sentence, while glancing at him. "Thanks for taking care of my girls."

"Anytime, bro," he called over his shoulder. He smiled deviously, while passing me. "Eavesdropper," he scolded me and pinched my arm. That was going to leave a bruise.

"Seriously, Emmett. Pigheaded?" I grumbled quite surprised, because he didn't sell my soul to the devil. However, he had done quite the opposite. Secretly, I felt eternally indebted to whatever made that happen.

"What? I could have told him how much you fancy my hot body and my boyish charm. Now, I didn't do that. I think I let you off easy and you should be grateful." He smiled pompously. He was such a smug idiot.

"You arrogant bastard," I mumbled and Emmett roared with laughter.

Edward instantly looked over his shoulder, spotting us. Nervously, I walked towards him. "Hi."

"Hey, you." He smiled softly. The sun was shining down from a clear blue sky, but it was early spring and still a bit chilly.

"Can I sit?"

"Of course," he answered. I sat down next to him. I took a deep breath and reached for his hand. Slowly, I let our fingers twine together again. His skin was warm and soft. "You heard all that?" He asked suspiciously. I nodded. "I want to trust you, Bella."

"Give it some time, Edward," I answered quietly. It was the first slow and sane moment that we had together since he arrived at the wedding. "You know that I never got to tell you how happy it makes me that you want us to work things out. I am so thankful, happy and overwhelmed that this is happening. I dreamed about having you in my life for so long. Now that you're here, I can hardly believe it." I was about to start snorting again, but I was prepared and fished out the wrinkled hanky once more. This was a day full of so many joyful tears, both for Alice and Jasper and perhaps also for Edward and me.

He tugged on my hand and pulled me closer. He smiled generously and pulled once more, when I obviously didn't move close enough. I stood and carefully sat down on his lap. Edward wrapped one arm around my waist pulling me to him. He took the cloth back and started wiping it under my eyes gingerly. "You might need a light touch up on your make-up," he said gently. He stroked the pad of his thumb over my cheekbone after cleaning my face. "This time we're doing it right, Bella. No secrets, no running. I might not trust you completely yet, but I didn't trust that you could handle my secrets two years ago. So with all our flaws, I think we both own a part of what happened and how we went wrong. Let's just not dwell on it anymore. It will be different this time, okay? Like I said. No secrets, no running."

I leaned closer, leaning my forehead against his, and rejoicing this long lost connection between us. "I will never run from you and I promise that I will earn your trust."

"Okay," he whispered. I closed my eyes knowing that our lips would meet. When they did, it was so soft and delicate. The kiss was perfectly balanced with warmth and love. His mouth on mine left me with no doubt that Edward, wanted this for him, for our daughter and for me. He honestly wanted us to share everything and he would put his entire heart into it and so would I. I would die before I ever hurt him again.

oooooOOOOooooo

TO BE CONTINUED…

Promises, promises… how will this work out? Only time can tell. I hope to see a comment or two.

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