Live from the 34th floor of the Sheraton Centre in downtown Toronto…

Chapter 12:

Bella stood before the offices of Dewey, Cheatem, & Howe, hesitant to enter. She was unsure of what Edward's reception of her might be. A part of her hoped he would be just as anxious to see her as she was to see him but another part of her wondered what the reaction of a man in 1918 would be if his lady friend appeared.

A large part of her was missing her husband. The man she had fallen in love with and the man she was going to spend eternity with. 1918 Edward was kind and sweet and … tentative. Her Edward was absolutely not tentative.

Bella wondered what was going through his mind and if the conflict between his human memories and his vampire nature were still fighting. She was curious if he felt the same about her has he had at Evermore. And a small part of her contemplated if perhaps messing with time was not the brightest idea.

Then she remembered Elizabeth. Had she and L not come up with this anniversary gift, she never would have met Edward's mother and Bella had to admit, Elizabeth was worth it all. Even if Elizabeth had warned that this should be the very last time L does a time-related mind control experiment.

The loud crash as a door slammed shut brought her out of her thoughts.

Two older men quickly exited the office, obviously in a hurry.

"I will be so glad when this case is over," one grumbled to the other.

"And then, perhaps, the bear will go back into hibernation."

"He growl at you, too?"

"Who hasn't Mr. Masen growled at this week? He's fair enough bitten the head off of everyone in the office. I don't know what…"

The two men realized Bella was standing there and quickly ceased their conversation.

"Good afternoon," she said with a bright smile as the gentlemen tipped their hats in greeting. "I am looking for Mr. Masen's office."

"He know you are coming?"

Bella shook her head. "But I think he won't mind the interruption."

The men exchanged a look that said they highly doubted that.

"Straight in, third door on the right, but you did not hear that from me," one said quickly while the other nodded in agreement.

"Thank you ever so much!"

With picnic hamper in hand, Bella disappeared through the wide entryway, smiling to herself at the conversation she left.

"That would explain the behavior," one said to the other as he turned to admire Bella's departure.

"If I had that waiting for me, I wouldn't wish to be chained to my desk either."

A small brass bell rang as Bella entered the law office. A gentleman in a dark gray suit immediately stood. While she did appreciate the conveniences and equalities the twenty-first century afforded her, there was a part of her that found the manners of 1918 to be rather charming.

"May I help you, Miss?"

"I was wondering if Mr. Masen was still about," she said quietly, setting the hamper down on a low table.

"Is he expecting you?"

"I'm sure he is not."

The man paled considerably.

"Mr. Masen is working on a very important case and has asked not to be disturbed."

Bella flashed her most charming smile.

"I think he will see me. If not, I will just leave this supper for him. Would you tell him Bella Swan is here?"

The man swallowed nervously.

"I…" He had the appearance of someone marching to his doom as he straightened up to do as Bella asked.

"On second thought," Bella interrupted. "Why don't you point me in the right direction and I can interrupt him."

"Would you?" The man seemed genuinely relieved.

"Absolutely."

With a nod, she followed his direction down the hall and soon found herself at the door to one Edward Masen, Esq. Bella lightly ran her fingers over the brass nameplate and wondered what might have been. If Edward had not been changed, would this have been his past? Would he have attended law school and spent long days and nights working over contracts or would he have gone off to war, possibly never to return home?

She quickly shook that feeling of dread off and lightly rapped on the door. Receiving no response, she knocked again, a little louder.

"I said I did not wish to be disturbed!" a rough growl rumbled from the office.

Bella shook her head, pitying Edward's co-workers if they had had to put up with his beastly behavior for the past ten days.

Again, she tapped on the frosted glass.

"Damn it all, I said…" Edward threw open the door and swallowed the rest of the sentence. "Bella?"

He quickly tried to straighten his shirt and tie and ran his hand through his hair in an effort to tame it. Bella did not care one bit. After ten days, he looked absolutely perfect.

"Hi."

"I wasn't expecting…I wouldn't have…"

Bella enjoyed the obvious sense of embarrassment pouring off of Edward before placing one finger gently over his lips, silencing him.

"I hope your co-workers haven't been subjected to the beastly Edward since I last saw you," she teased.

His silence told her more than he ever could have through words.

"I haven't been the best co-worker this past week, either," she continued with a shrug.

"Really?"

"But I have a feeling my workload is going to drop."

"Oh?"

"And I've heard some of your problems are going to clear up as well."

"And you have a psychic that told you this?"

Bella only smiled in response.

"Your mother told me you haven't been eating properly and suggested I kidnap you for a picnic." She held up the hamper. "You did promise me a picnic, Mr. Masen."

"Did she, now?" Edward smiled broadly, his eyes lighting up in a way that always made Bella smile. "And I suppose I did."

"And she even packed the meal. If you can get away."

"I think I can."

"Wonderful!"

Edward grabbed his hat and coat before taking the hamper and escorting Bella through the office.

"I'm leaving for the day, Seth," he called over his shoulder.

Seth, eyes wide in disbelief, nodded mutely as he watched Edward open the door and walk down the street.

"Where'd Masen go?" the office clerk asked, peering into the empty room.

"Some girl came in and he left with her, Sam."

Sam eyed Seth in disbelief.

"No, seriously. Where did he go?"

Seth pointed. Sam peered out the window and watched as the couple slowly walked down the street, talking merrily amongst themselves.

"Well, damn." Sam pulled out his wallet and handed a bill to Seth.

"Told you it was girl issues."

"I would have just rather thought Masen was an ass."

~BE~

L reclined on a dark burgundy chaise lounge, surrounded by a stack of books, a half-full teapot, teacup and saucer, an empty plate that had once held a cut-up apple, and a few balled up pieces of paper littering the floor.

She was bored. She was tired. She was tired of being bored.

"How human women do this for nine months is beyond me," she grumbled, ripping a page out of the 'What to expect when you're expecting' book in her hands. The poor page was crumpled up and tossed over her shoulder.

Nine months of human pregnancy was now compressed into a month for the hybrid. Upon leaving Evermore slash Chicago, L had instantly fallen into the lethargic stage and spent a week in bed. There truly was only so much napping and talk-show television one could stand. Will had been warned not to allow heavy objects anywhere near his wife if he wanted to keep the television in once piece.

Fortunately, her energy had returned four days ago but now the sun insisted on shining and Will had refused to alter the weather patterns with the disgustingly logical statement that the farmers needed a few days of sun for their crops to flourish or they would rot in the field. As a result, the couple was confined to their room which normally would not have been a problem but L was feeling fat and frumpy and fussy.

Will appeared at the door, his face instantly brightening when he saw his beloved.

"Is it raining today?" L asked hopefully as another page bit the dust. She had long gotten beyond the point where destruction of a book bothered her…at least in this particular one's case.

"It is." He looked around the room and the pages. "What did that book do to you?"

"It's rubbish. Half of what's in here has nothing to do with me. So I'm editing." She slapped the book down and gazed out the window.

"Two more weeks, babe." He smiled proudly as she rubbed her belly lightly. Large families were expected in his time and he was over the moon with anticipation.

"If that. Carlisle says multiples go faster. Last time he checked me, he said a week to ten days."

L heaved herself out of the hole she had settled into on the chaise and sighed happily at the new position.

"Guess it would be too much to ask for a 'What to expect when you're half vampire and carrying twins' book," she continued.

"More than likely," Will said with a wide grin.

"Can we please go out today?" she pleaded. "I don't feel tired today and these walls are closing in on me."

"Anywhere you want," Will promised, taking her hand in his and placing a soft kiss on it.

"Let me just go to the loo and I'll be ready." L scrambled up, taking his offered hand and scurried across the room.

Her phone pinged with an incoming text.

"Oh, Jesus in a petticoat," she grumbled, looking at the message before rapidly typing a response.

"Something wrong?"

"Just Emmett playing with Photoshop again. Today your head is on Ah-nold's body and it says 'the sperminator.' I swear that boy ain't right. Yesterday it was some naked fitness model cradling a baby. Hate to tell him but you're much better endowed."

L continued to mutter to herself as she tried her best not to waddle.

"Day before that was a box of jars of cocoa butter and a close-up picture of stretch marks." She shuddered in revulsion.

Will shook his head as L grumbled while she attended to her business in the restroom. His wife was excited and happy about the new lives they were about to bring into the world, but he knew she missed her extended family and was curious as to how Edward and Bella's courtship was going.

He looked up as she emerged freshly primped and grinned broadly.

"Your children are playing tag in here," she murmured, rubbing her side.

"My children?" Will teased. "Seems to me it takes both parties for this to happen."

"Your children."

"I see someone is going to be grumpy."

"I'm allowed to be grumpy. First, I was too tired to do anything other than be grumpy and then it was too sunny."

Will laughed and wrapped L up in a huge hug.

"And now you're better and it's overcast.'

"Now I'm great."

"That you are. Now let's go explore."

A quick pain shot across L's abdomen and she winced, clutching Will's arms tightly.

"Liriope?"

As the pain faded, her grip loosened.

"Braxton-Hicks," she said breathlessly. "That's all. Just a practice contraction."

"You sure?"

L straightened to her full height and did a quick self-assessment.

"Yeah. Yes. Absolutely. Yes."

Will looked at her closely for a few minutes before nodding and motioning toward the door.

"But you'll tell me if they happen again."

"I'm pretty sure I can't hide them, hon."

~BE~

"This is beautiful," Bella whispered, looking around the empty park as Edward laid out a blanket.

"I'm surprised more people aren't taking advantage of the weather and eating outside," he mused as she began unpacking the thermoses that held their meal.

"Maybe they don't like cloudy days."

"I think it's just perfect," he continued, watching her move.

Bella looked up at him shyly and smiled before offering him a thermos.

"And the company is perfect."

She beamed at the compliment before the two dug into their meal and enjoyed each other's company after way too long apart.

"I enjoyed the letters you sent this week," Bella said with a smile.

"I'm glad. I hate we were apart and I think writing you and receiving your responses were the only thing that kept me sane."

Bella laughed. "And possibly your co-workers alive?"

Edward chuckled but she noticed he did not deny it.

"But this is just wonderful. To spend time with you. Just you. Without work concerns. Without obligations. Without your cousin." Edward's eyes darkened as he talked and Bella felt her cheeks prickle as they did when she blushed when she was human.

A mischievous idea ran through her mind and she sat up a little straighter, garnering Edward's attention immediately.

"Close your eyes," she whispered.

"Hmmm?"

"Close your eyes."

After a moment, Edward did as she requested.

"Count to three and then find me," she whispered.

Edward opened his eyes but Bella was nowhere to be found.

"Bella?"

"Find me."

Edward looked left and right but did not see her.

A giggle floated through the air from his left.

"Bella?"

Edward began searching high and low behind trees and bushes, following various sounds and scents.

One minute he thought he was going in the right direction only to hear movement somewhere else. He doubled back and found himself coming up behind Bella as she crouched behind a huge oak tree.

"Gotcha!" he whispered before throwing his arms around her and caging her.

Bella giggled as she spun around and tried to free herself.

"Oh, no you don't." He stepped closer, making the cage just a little smaller. "I found you and now I'm going to collect my prize."

"A prize?" She smiled coyly up at Edward as he nodded.

"A most valuable prize." His eyes darted from hers to her lips and then back. He paused for a moment before continuing. "A kiss."

"A kiss?"

"Just one."

"Only one?" Bella unconsciously licked her lips and noticed Edward's eyes widened ever so slightly.

"For now."

And with that, he bent down and gently kissed her, perfect in every way. As he pulled back, he watched Bella's eyes flutter open, a smile that certainly mirrored his own beaming up at him.

"I think I'd like another," Edward said softly.

"I think I would, too," she replied, snaking her arms around his neck as he leaned forward again.

Mine.

Edward jerked to a stop as the voice filtered through his brain once again.

"It's okay," Bella whispered, pulling him a little closer before slowly speaking. "I am yours. Forever."

And believing her, he bent down to kiss her once again, lost in the moment of the two of them together.

~BE~

You read right at the top, folks…I'm on vacation slash DH has a conference so I tagged along. And I found time to finish the chapter! Go me!

Anyhow, I appreciate y'all's continued support and reviews—they mean the world to me. We're looking at two (possibly three) more chapters before this story ends if you're curious.

Until next time…leave a review!