EPOV

I was torn between running after him or running back to Isabella. My heart knew that the right thing to do would be to return to my love, but something akin to a nagging tick was making it impossible for me to turn and do just that.

Against my better judgment, I ran as fast as my legs would take me toward the exit of the garden that had just hosted Isabella and my wedding. I wasn't really sure what I would find when I reached the exit, I didn't even know if he would be there... but when I reached the main gates, my answer was waiting for me in the form of a lost old man in a fine Italian suit, sitting on the stoop of the gardens.

I felt as if I were looking into a mirror... he was me. Or at least I had been him not too long ago. I knew it was my grandfather, I didn't have to see his face to know it was him. As I stood there watching his unmoving form as I debated on whether or not to speak. For all I knew he was here to stop the wedding and had arrived too late... but then again, there was another option. There was the option that I hoped with all my heart was the truth. Maybe he had a change of heart... maybe he didn't want to miss out on the wedding... I could only hope that was the real reason.

"Did you see the ceremony?" It was the least of the most important questions, but I figured it was a sure fire way to find out why he was here... I was not disappointed.

"It was lovely" he replied back. I waited for him to say more, but he never did. He just sat staring straight ahead toward the cherub statues and beautiful blooms. The only thing that kept me from moving from my position was that his words hadn't been condescending... they had been pained.

So there we stayed, neither of us moving nor speaking to the other, but also neither of us leaving. I'm not sure how much time went by exactly, but I was pulled from my silent thoughts when I heard the voice of my own personal miracle.

"Edward..."she sounded scared... nervous. I turned quickly and examined the beauty that was my love as she approached me with hesitant foot steps. It was as if she were afraid I would snap at her. Just as she moved past the garden gates, her gaze fell upon my grandfather. Several different emotions flickered across her face but the one that stood out the most was relief. What she was relieved from, I had no idea, but I didn't dwell on that for too long, because when my grandfather turned and saw her, his silent stand off was no more.

I gently pulled my love to my side, ready to shield her at any given moment. I was still unsure of his visit, but if it were to insult or harass my wife... my wife... All my angry vengeance slipped away with that one thought. Isabella Marie was now my wife... and she was carrying our son. With that one thought, I kissed her hand that held her ring and began walking back to where our guests were.

"Congratulations" I heard from behind us. When I realized it was indeed my grandfathers words that had reached my ears, I halted our movement. I was still deciding on whether or not to acknowledge his words when I felt Isabella turn and face him.

"Thank you..." she began, but no sooner than she said it, my grandfather chimed in again.

"Those words were for, Edward."

I felt my entire body tense in an instant and as soon as it came, it was gone. Because he finished his sentence.

"Congratulations are for the Groom, Isabella. We say Best Wishes to the Bride. So... Best Wishes, Isabella."

And with that he smiled a small smile and moved off his steps and away from the two of us. It wasn't much, but it was progress. He had shown up... he had at least said something nice and before he could ruin it, he left.

BPOV

He had come here... he had seen our wedding and when the preacher asked if anyone objected, he hadn't. It was something... it was a start.

Edward and I walked back to the garden hand in hand without any words about what had just happened. I wasn't sure if it was Edward who had invited him... or if Charles simply had come on his own free will. I was tossing the different theories around in my head one by one as we approached our family, but before they could see us, Edward pulled me into a strong embrace and kissed me until my breath was gone. All thoughts about Charles and his words and actions were no longer on my radar and instead I focused on the perfection that was now my husband. He really was mine now... forever.

When he pulled away, it was reluctant and when he spoke, his words were sincere. "Sweetheart, let's enjoy our day. No more worries, no more thoughts about Charles... only us... just you and me, that is all that matters anymore." He kissed me softly once more and caressed my belly and corrected himself. "I mean that we... as in all three of us... were all that matter." I couldn't help but smile at his correction, but moreover because I was happy. He was mine... forever.

We walked back to our friends and family hand in hand with smiles plastered over our faces. We didn't get even two steps toward our destination of Esme and Carlisle before Alice and Rose were gathering me in their arms and giving me their well wishes.

I caught a glimpse of Edward from over Alice's shoulder as he and his father hugged and his mother watched on with absolute joy. They were happy for us... this was not just a show for their grandchild. In that moment with that vision fresh in my head and in the arms of my best friends, I let it all slip away and for the first time in a long time, I was home.

EPOV

We had just a simple reception in one of the finest restaurants in the city. Our small group had dinner together, Bella and I had cut a beautiful and traditional wedding cake and before we left for the evening, she threw her bouquet for her friends to catch. Rosalie was the lucky winner.

In the mix of all the excitement for my marriage with Bella I had barely noticed that Rosalie had brought a date. Apparently he was more than a date, he was her boyfriend. I didn't get much of a chance to converse with him while he was here, but then again, neither did anyone else, he was always too busy doting after and admiring Rosalie.

As we were all gathering our belongings to go home, I saw Jasper from across the room as he intently watched Alice move about the table and collect her purse. He looked as if he were going to be sick. I didn't really know what was going on, but I decided that he had been there for me when I needed him and I wanted to be there for him too. When I reached his side he snapped out of the trance he had been in and gave me a small smile.

"Congratulations Edward. I really am happy for you." and he was, I could see it in his eyes. I had been envied before, for many different reasons, but mostly for my last name and family connections. However, I could see that the envy in Japsers eyes was for something far more different.

"You will have it too, Jasper... just try to live un-ruled by your job so you don't miss her when she comes into your life." in that moment he turned and looked directly at Alice as he replied to me.

"How do you know? I mean... how do you know that just because you feel a certain way one moment you wont feel differently later? It's insane... but... amazing all at the same time. How do you know?"

It was a great question. One I had no answer to... and let's be honest, I wasn't exactly the smartest guy to talk to about making a relationship work against the odds. I had been the coward. It was a role I played well and to a T might I add. I let myself think of something to tell him, I tried to find some sort of amazing and profound statement that would make everything okay for him. But I couldn't. I was just about to tell him that I didn't know, but then I turned and saw Bella smiling at me from across the room as she rubbed at her belly where our son was resting, and it all made sense. I never took my eyes off of her as I spoke.

"Because when you look at her there is no one and nothing else in the world that matters. She makes you question yourself in the best way, and loves you unconditionally even when you hate yourself. She doesn't hate you or hurt you because you messed up... because you were a coward in the first place..." I could go on forever describing the way I had known Isabella was the one for me... but I was hitting the highlights. I watched her talk with my parents as my mother rubbed her stomach and my father kissed her forehead then continued. "She puts up with all your issues... your family, your selfishness and your fear." I took a deep breath before I finished. "She walks away to save your name... to save your ridiculous family image... and she doesn't throw away your son because she knows better." I didn't stick around to see if Jasper thought I was crazy, instead I made my way to my wife and pulled her into my arms for a kiss... for what was possibly my thousandth kiss of the day, and still I needed more.

"I love you, Isabella... more than my own life. I love you." I wanted to say more... to re-vow myself to her and make her understand just how incredibly sorry I was for what I had put her through, but she wouldn't let me. Instead she covered my mouth with her fingers and shook her head gently.

"I love you too, Edward. I always will." and with that, we left hand in hand to our home.

Time passed for us in a the way that all time passes... day by day. We woke each morning together, we ate our meals as a couple and we retired to bed side by side each evening for sleep. Domestic life was very becoming and found that it was exactly what I had craved unconsciously. I never wanted this to end.

With Isabella now as my wife and our son due to enter this world in a short amount of time I threw myself into starting my business. I didn't want to still be doing partner meetings and investor sessions after our little boy was home. At one point I had thought about not working at all for at least a year so we could enjoy him fully and together, but Isabella made me realize that in doing that it would be irresponsible. Yes, we could afford it, yes it wouldn't hurt anything, but the reality of the situation was that my family's name was on the line. If I just loafed around for a year, my father and mother(not to mention grandpa) would never hear the end of it. I couldn't do that to them... I needed to be better. I would always be better.

And so my long days began... but my reward for coming home was worth being away. Every evening I would come home to my wife... to my Isabella. Some nights she would be moving around the penthouse in her nightgown putting away odds and ends. Most nights she would be reading in bed... but just recently she had been sleeping soundly on the couch all curled up and holding her belly. That vision was absolutely precious and instead of waking her, I would crawl behind her form on the oversized couch and fall into a peaceful sleep until one of us would wake the other and go to our bed.

Life was just great.

On the flip side to that coin though, there was still the issue of my grandfather in the back of my mind. After the wedding I hadn't seen nor heard from him. I hadn't mentioned to either of my parents that he had shown up, and I had no intention of doing so. Partly because I just didn't want the drama but mostly because they had been dragged into the middle more than enough. I wasn't sure what the status of my fathers relationship with Charles was at this point, but I knew from my mothers own words that she and he were on the outs still. I didn't want to even imagine what her knowing he had shown up would cause.

All the same though, each night as I closed my eyes to sleep beside my love, I would think of my grandfather and what it was he may or may not be feeling at that exact moment.

When morning came it brought with it a new series of landmarks. Today Isabella was nine months pregnant. She was exactly 36 weeks along and her nesting was in full on effect.

The second landmark was that this was no longer our home... she just didn't know it yet. Two weeks before on a drive in city we decided to just take a drive out into the suburbs. Our drive led us past many little neighborhoods and markets and at one point my love had turned to me and smiled the most serene smile I had seen her wear to date. It filled my heart to know that where we were... she wanted to be. As our drive progressed we drove randomly through neighborhoods and streets. Around the third gated community she took a deep breath and breathed out in amazement.

"Isn't that house gorgeous, Edward?" I stopped the car and looked out to see the gorgeous home she was admiring. The only way to describe it would be to say ideal. The house was picture perfect with the large plantation shudders and cobblestone walk way. The yard was fenced and groomed to perfection. I was still taking in the beauty of the front when she added, "I bet you there's even a deck out back toward the yard..." I decided in that second that even if there wasn't... then there would be. I kissed her face and we continued our drive not even talking about the perfect house again. I knew she wasn't because there hadn't been a sign out front signaling it for sale... I however didn't give two shits about that. Everything had a price... well... not people.. well... not usually. But if she wanted that house... then Isabella would have that house.

Which leads me to today. It was ours now. It was empty and it was ours.

I had gone to the owner with Jasper and explained the situation. What helped is that the man was just divorced... it had been his and his wife's home and they were to sell it and split the sale. My approach was welcomed and I even paid over the asking price. I felt bad that my happy marriage was taking over their failed and if seemed like the right thing to do.

When I was up and moving toward the kitchen for some coffee, I walked in and saw Isabella talking with Esmeralda... well it was more like she was pleading with Esmeralda. I caught Isabella's broken spanish and her request to let her clean the refrigerator alone. However, I heard Esmeralda's equally apologetic tone and even firmer statement that she would not allow a nine month pregnant woman to handle cleaning products. It was like a Mexican standoff.. just minus one Mexican. I walked in chuckling and took Isabella into my arms and peppered her face with love while she relented and gave into Esmeralda. I winked at my awesome maid and made a mental note to give her another raise.

With Bella pouting and in a gloomy mood I decided I would lighten her day by dropping the great news. I just needed to find a way to do it and be cool all at the same time. So I boded my time and poured a cup of coffee as I mentally prepared the words for her.

"What's got you looking so constipated?" Bella questioned with a laugh. I was cracking up for a minute before I shook my head and joined her at the breakfast nook.

"I have some news... some rather good news." I began with a wicked smile. Bella looked absolutely giddy at the idea of a surprise and it made this all the more worth it.

"I could use a surprise! Especially since Esmeralda wont let me nest properly." I laughed at the pout that accompanied that last statement and with that I took the queue and told her the surprise.

"What if I told you that you could nest properly somewhere else?" I waited for the words to sink in, but she looked absolutely lost. Again I just waited, but then she cocked her head to the side and gave me a puzzled look.

"Are we going to visit someone today or something? Is that what you mean?" I shook my head and took a sip of coffee before elaborating.

"I mean that I bought us a home... a real home." Understanding flooded her at that moment and in an instant she was hitting me with tons of questions.

"where is it at?"

"What does it look like?"

"When did you do this?"

"How many bedrooms?"

"What side of town is it on?"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

They were like wild fire. She was quick and precise with each one, but I tried my best not to give anything away. I wanted her to open her eyes up and be absolutely surprised when she saw it was our dream house. So instead of answers I just smiled and shrugged my shoulders.

"Edward!" she whined.

"Love, I promise that you will like the house... love it even! Just be patient and let me give you this. I will take you to see it today... and by the time we get there we'll have furniture being delivered.

"Edward! Please tell me that you didn't buy a house and then furnish it without even asking me what I would like to have in there..."

I expected that reaction and I was grateful that I had taken that into consideration.

"Actually love, were going to take what's here and at your place and combine it. I figure that way we have stuff in there while you decide how you want it to look... okay?"

My love was all smiles as she processed my word and just as I was about to ask her to come to the bedroom with me, there was a knock at the door.

I blew Bella a kiss and just as I was about to make my way toward the door, I heard Esmeralda's Spanish coming from the foyer. The visitor was for me... actually the visitor was for us.

When I rounded upon the entry I saw then that Charles was here... he was here and he wanted to see us. Isabella and myself.

When I approached the door I excused Esmeralda and waited for Charles to say something... to say anything, but he didn't. Neither of us said a word for the longest moment until I heard Isabella's bare feet padding barefoot through the marbel floors and toward us.

"Would you like to come in?" I asked him. Just as Isabella reached the door, my grandfather tried to say something and instead just shook his head, turned and walked away. Isabella and I stood together watching him retreat down the hall toward the elevator without as much as a glance back. When he was inside he hit his button stayed turned from us and dropped his head as in shame. That was all we saw until the metal doors closed and it was again just Isabella and myself again.

"Wow" she said softly.

I however didn't have any words. I didn't know what to be feeling or thinking. All I knew was that Charles was going through something right now and until he was able to say exactly what that was, then his showing up at my door would be useless...