One more before the champagne starts flowing or if you are over the date line, a hangover remedy.

I'd like to have the income from Twilight but alas...

Chapter 27

Engineering and watching the romance blossom took Bella's mind off Edward to the point that she was surprised when his visit came around again. Fat little legs were toddling around the house as the girls left their babyhood behind. It was a surprise to everyone that Beth was the first to let go and walk on her own. Katie merely watched her do it for a few hours before attempting the task herself.

Both girls were surprisingly steady on their feet but as with all children falls and bumps happened frequently. Beth liked to be fawned over and coddled when she took a tumble. Katie would fix the nearest adult with a fierce glare as if to blame them for her unsteady gait, get up and try again.

Bella was happy that neither girl had a mark on them when it came time to visit their father. She was already worried as to how the visit would go with out having to explain a bruise on one of his children. She had already refused his proposal, she didn't want him accusing her of child abuse as well.

Edward was overjoyed to see the girls walking. While he was sad to have missed the first few steps he was happy to see them progressing normally. Beth's standoffishness wasn't as pronounced as before and she seemed to be taking to her father more easily.

Esme announced that she and Bella were going out for an afternoon, leaving the girls in the care of their father and grandfather. Mrs. Cope was going to accompany the ladies on their outing and Jenny and Maggie were under strict instructions not to 'interfere' with the gentlemen. The actual instructions were to not let the gentlemen corral them into doing any of the dirty work.

Esme and Mrs. Cope took Bella to a local teahouse for a treat. As they waited for their tea to be served, Mrs. Cope was uncharacteristically quiet. Esme had a smile on her face but there was a little worry in her eyes. Bella was feeling a bit concerned. However the reason for the worry and the quiet were revealed when the server brought out a small cake especially for Bella.

"I had a feeling you wouldn't want a big fuss made but we want to wish you a happy birthday." Esme's concern was that the attention to her birthday would make Bella uncomfortable. She had let the day pass quietly last year, only informing Esme of the date a month later.

Bella felt tears coming to her eyes and tried very hard not to let them fall. She felt so touched, her birth had not really been celebrated since her father's death. Bella preferred the day to pass with little notice. There were too many children to celebrate at the orphanage so the sisters had a monthly treat for the children instead.

Bella smiled brightly at the two ladies who meant so much to her. She wondered if this feeling in her heart was similar to having a mother's love. She wiped her eyes with her handkerchief and decided to embrace the feeling for all she was worth.

"Thank you, so much." She said as she reached for the cake. She doled out three large pieces as Mrs. Cope poured the tea.

The ladies settled into chatting about their favourite subjects, the girls, and they spent a pleasurable afternoon together. They, most Bella and Esme, decided to work off their sweet treat with a long walk through the park, letting the carriage go on without them. Mrs. Cope managed to only give the retreating carriage a short longing look before she caught up with the others.

After exhausting the subjects of the parks beauty and the weather, the conversation between the ladies turned to the future. More specifically Bella's future. Both Mrs. Esme and Mrs. Cope had started to hope that there could be the possibility of a romance between Edward and Bella.

Esme was aghast to learn Bella's stance on her own eligibility for marriage. She could not comprehend what would make the girl feel that way. Mrs. Cope nudged her arm and gave her a look. This discussion was better left to Mrs. Cope's purview.

"Now, why is that, dear? Surely you don't think that just because of your past no man would have you. That is simply not the case. Why look at me, I lost my parents and went into service. I started thinking pretty much the same thing, but after a few years, gentlemen I never thought would notice me, did. If I hadn't been serving the punch I would have been the belle of the ball. Even got a proposal from a friend of the family to which I served. A real gentlemen. I could have married him and had servants of my own if he hadn't turned out to be a dandy. Then I met my Mister and we were happy together until he passed. Your circumstances don't have to predict your future, sweetie, you can have anything you want. Just because something seems out of reach doesn't mean it's not worth the stretch."

AN: Thank you.