lislar is a fabulous beta and shoefreak37 is a pre-reading star. They caught all my missing words and typos. Sometimes my brain works faster than my fingers.

Early update this week because I suck at holding chapters.

Chapter 23: A Slow Climb

A mixture of icy rain and snow slapped against Bella's windshield as she made her way to the diner. As Christmas neared, the weather in Forks had taken a turn for the worse, the colder temperatures leaving the roads covered in a seemingly endless sheet of ice. Pulling into the parking lot, Bella was shocked to see that the place was practically deserted. She was working an early shift and the diner was usually filled by this time, full of people waiting for their greasy breakfasts and strong cups of coffee.

Inside, she found a few regulars sitting around, but there were no waitresses milling about. Even Rosalie was just sitting at the counter, flipping through a magazine. After storing away her coat and bag, Bella made her way back into the dining area, tying her apron around her waist.

"Where is everyone?" she asked, hoping Rosalie wouldn't be annoyed that she had interrupted her.

"Well, things always slow down during the holidays, but with the bad weather, it's even worse than usual. I sent the other waitress on the schedule home; she has a couple kids and wanted to take the day to do some Christmas shopping. So it's just me, you, and Em for the next few hours."

"So what do I need to do?" Bella wracked her brain, trying to come up with chores that could be completed in the absence of customers. The salt and pepper shakers had just been refilled a few days before, the stock room was organized, and the bin that held wrapped silverware was nearly full.

"Have a seat," Rosalie said, patting the stool beside her.

"But the customers…"

"Oh, those guys have been eating here since my grandparents owned the place. They'll yell out if they need something. Besides, I just delivered their food and left a whole carafe of coffee on the table."

Hesitantly, Bella slid onto the stool and placed her hands in her lap. She wasn't sure why Rosalie had chosen to keep her there and sent the other waitress home. Was she really going to pay her for just sitting around all day?

"World War III at the Cullens on Sunday, huh?"

"How did you know about that?" Bella asked, confused.

"Edward dropped by our house last night to watch some football game or something with Em. Really, I think it's just an excuse for them to sit around all evening and drink beer. You should come by with him next time. I could use a break from all that testosterone.

"He said Jasper said some things, was acting like a jackass. No surprise there. He's always been an asshole."

Bella had always been a little wary of Rosalie. She was so blunt and to the point; Bella wasn't used to dealing with someone like that. But her honesty about the situation made Bella smile, even if she wasn't sure the reaction was appropriate.

"You've known him a long time?"

"Yeah, when we were in high school, Em and I used to hang out at Edward's house all the time. He always had the best stuff—movies, video games—and Esme was always baking cookies and snacks. Even as a kid, Jasper constantly walked around like he had a stick up his ass."

Bella let out a loud, unladylike snort just before giggles erupted from within her chest. She slapped her hand quickly over her mouth, not wanting to disturb the few customers the diner had. She relaxed a little when she realized that Rosalie seemed amused as well, a smirk painted on her face.

"Have you talked to Alice about what happened?"

"She came to apologize right after, but…she said some things. I don't think she really meant them, but it still hurt to hear that stuff. I mean, she's really my only friend and…she made it seem like I didn't deserve my son.

"I know that getting pregnant so young was irresponsible, but I'm doing the best I can. I have a lot of help from Charlie and Sue, but it's not like I just expect them to raise Ben for me. I'm sorry that she can't get pregnant, but she shouldn't be mad at me because I did, even if it wasn't under the best of circumstances."

"Fuck 'em," Rosalie said, waving her hand in dismissal. "Jasper's being a judgmental ass and Alice, while I'm sure she'd didn't really mean what she said, was being a piss poor friend. So fuck 'em."

Bella looked down at her hands in her lap, her true fears about the situation bubbling to the surface. Though Alice had hurt her with her words, she was sure that they would be able to work it out at some point. Maybe not that day, or the next, or even the week after, but after some time, she was sure they could get over it. With Jasper, she wasn't so sure; he was just so angry.

As much as she cared about Edward, she felt like her presence was tearing his family apart. Without her presence, Jasper would still be angry, but she wouldn't be there to incite him further. Maybe he would be able to let some things go, to work on his marriage with Alice and make some decisions about their desire to start a family. There were always other options for couples with fertility issues. Things might be better without her and Ben around as constant reminder of what they wanted and didn't have.

What if Edward decided that this was all too much to deal with? She could never expect him to choose her over his family, no matter how much the thought of not having him in her life pained her. She'd never felt like this about anyone before, and even though it scared her, it was also thrilling. Not only would it hurt her to lose him, but Ben too. He'd grown so attached in the few months they'd known Edward. But he was so young; he would forget. She might never recover.

"Did Edward seem upset? Do you think he's going to break up with me?"

"Break up with you? Why would you think that?"

"Because Jasper's his brother and I'm just…I don't even know what I am. It would probably be better for him if he was dating someone else—someone that didn't have a baby and wasn't so much younger." The snide comments Jasper had made about her age and her son echoed in her mind, making her feel self-conscious. She'd worked so hard to be different than that scared, lonely girl she was in Florida, but his words made those same old insecurities rise up and bubble to the surface.

"Now you're just talking crazy. Edward adores you. And Jasper and Alice are going to be having the same problems whether you're around or not."

"But Ben and I are a constant reminder of their problems. Maybe it would be better if we weren't around." Bella couldn't imagine ever being invited to Sunday brunch again or any family event and Christmas was quickly approaching. How could she and Edward stay together when she was a source of such stress and anxiety?

"Bella, are you listening to yourself? No matter what happens, Jasper and Alice are going to have to learn to deal with being around people with families—babies and kids. And someday Edward is going to have a family of his own, whether it's with you or someone else.

"He's a pediatrician; he loves kids. He's already completely in love with your son. And if Alice and Jasper aren't going to do anything to help their situation, then they need to get over it and stop blaming other people for their problems. There are other ways to get a baby and it sounds like they haven't even considered them as options."

"Thanks, Rosalie."

"You're welcome. Come on. Let's go make Emmett cook our breakfast. I'm dying for some pancakes."

~ O ~

When the lunch hour rolled around, the diner was just as deserted as it had been earlier in the morning. A couple of customers had shuffled in and out during the times that the rain let up, but those times were few and far between. Bella and Rosalie had spent most of the day sitting at the counter, talking and laughing. Bella had always been intimidated by Rosalie, but finally being able to spend time with the woman beneath the icy exterior, Bella felt much more comfortable in her presence.

She hoped that this marked a change in their relationship, that they could be friends. Bella thought that Edward might have asked Rosalie to speak with her, but even if that was the catalyst for Rosalie to open up, Bella was glad that it happened. With her relationship with Alice strained, it was nice to think that there was someone else she could open up to.

Emmett was lighthearted and funny, constantly causing the two women to laugh so hard that tears would roll down their cheeks. Without customers, there was little for him to do in the kitchen, so he'd abandoned the grill to sit with them. He and Rosalie were constantly bantering back and forth. Their stories about a high school aged Edward were Bella's favorite—stories about the no-hitter he pitched his senior year, how he'd graduated at the top of their class and gotten a full scholarship to an Ivy League school, the time he got into poison oak on a camping trip and was itchy and red from head to toe, and when he'd fallen out of a tree and broken his arm.

Bella was surprised to see Edward come in towards the end of the hour, his clothes and hair slightly damp from the constant mist falling outside. Watching him shrug off his coat and wipe his shoes on the welcome mat, she realized that in the two days that had passed since she'd seen him last, she had missed him. Moving from her stool at the counter, Bella walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck, molding her body to his. When she pulled away, she noticed the smile on Edward's face, making her cheeks brighten to a light pink.

"I missed you," she said, feeling embarrassed by her public display of affection.

"I missed you, too," Edward replied, taking her hand and threading their fingers together.

She led Edward to a table on the far side of the diner. After he was seated, Bella headed into the kitchen to get his drink. When she returned, Rosalie was standing beside the table, laughing with Edward.

"You can sit and have lunch with Edward, if you'd like."

Bella filled Edward's glass and then handed the pitcher off to her boss, excited to have a free hour to spend with Edward. They were both so busy during the week that they didn't get to spend much time together, aside from an occasional lunch or dinner. Edward slid over in the booth, patting the seat in invitation. Bella smiled at Rosalie as she slid in beside him.

"Bella, did you want anything?"

"No thanks. I'm still stuffed from that huge breakfast Emmett made."

"Well, Edward, I'll be back with your food in a bit."

As soon as Rosalie walked away, Edward put his arm around Bella and kissed her on the temple. Though Bella seemed okay, he was still worried about what had happened over the weekend with Jasper and Alice. He hoped their disapproval wouldn't cause her to question their relationship.

"Having a good day?"

"Yes. There haven't been very many customers, so Em and Rose have been sharing stories with me."

"Stories I should be embarrassed by?"

"Maybe," she replied with a giggle, squirming as Edward tried to tickle the truth out of her.

The pair spent the hour together laughing and feeling lighthearted, not letting the problems from the weekend weigh upon them. Bella kept stealing Edward's fries while he feigned offense. He held her hand, kissed her cheeks and forehead, and was happy to see her carefree smile in return. When he left, he hugged her tightly and kissed her on the lips, not caring about who saw them together. Neither noticed Mrs. Stanley watching them from a corner booth with pursed lips and a scowl on her face.

~ O ~

The next morning, Bella woke up much later than usual, surprised that the baby monitor hadn't woken her. When she tumbled downstairs, she was even more shocked to see Sue sitting on the couch with Esme Cullen, Ben happily playing in his baby swing. Bella tried to smooth out her rumpled pajamas and tangled hair, embarrassed that Edward's mother was seeing her in such disarray.

Bella wished both women a good morning and then moved towards the swing, kissing Ben's cheeks and tickling his belly. She was rewarded with loud giggle. Pulling him from the swing, she turned to face the two women once again.

"There was milk in the fridge, so I thought I'd let you sleep in. Esme and I are planning to drive into Port Angeles to do some Christmas shopping. We thought you might like to come along."

"That would be great, actually," Bella replied. "I haven't really bought any presents and there was a toy I wanted to get Ben."

"Well, let me hold him while you run up and get dressed."

Thirty minutes later, Bella descended the stairs once more, freshly showered and dressed in layers to try to ward off the cold temperatures. She was happy to see that Sue had changed Ben from his sleeper, putting him in something warm and fuzzy. Bella laughed as she realized the brown outfit had little ears on top of the hood, like a bear.

~ O ~

The drive to Port Angeles passed by fairly quickly. Bella sat in the back seat with Ben, staring out the window of Esme's Mercedes. Sue and Esme continued to chatter away in the front seat, but Bella tuned them out. She hadn't spent much time with Esme, and without Edward there as a buffer, she couldn't seem to get a handle on her nerves. At least she had Sue to lean on.

The morning was spent downtown, in and out of the many shops and boutiques. Bella found herself buying lots of things for Ben, but not much for anyone else. She figured she could always pick up a fishing pole or something for Charlie at Newton's Outfitters; he wasn't difficult to please. There was also still enough time to order some things on-line. Her biggest hurdle seemed to be what to purchase for Edward.

For lunch they stopped in a small café, ordering soup, sandwiches, and warm drinks. The place was fairly crowded and they were told the wait for their food would likely be half an hour.

"There was a store next door that I wanted to pop into for just a second. If you two don't mind, I thought I'd just run over there real quick while we wait for our food," Sue said, already rising from her seat. It seemed like a setup and Bella was worried about being alone with Esme.

"You'll have to forgive Sue and me for conspiring. I just wanted to speak to you alone for a few minutes and apologize for my son's behavior on Sunday. I know that he needs to apologize himself, but Carlisle and I were both appalled by the things he said."

"Thanks, Mrs. Cullen. I appreciate your apology, but it's really not necessary."

"Call me Esme, please. Carlisle and I have spoken to both Jasper and Alice. I can assure you that the next time you are at the house, they will be nothing but polite and cordial." Esme was very upset by the things that Jasper had said, as well as the massive bumble Alice admitted to making when she went to apologize to Bella. She couldn't blame Bella if she never wanted to set foot in her home again after the way she had been treated.

Edward hadn't brought a girl home in many years and though Esme had initially been a little hesitant because of Bella's age, it was quickly apparent that Edward was crazy about Bella and Ben. Sue had confided in Esme about some of the things Bella had experienced before coming to Forks and Esme couldn't help but empathize with her. She definitely deserved some happiness in her life and if Edward was the one to give her that, Esme wouldn't stand in the way.

Bella was mature for her age, having grown up with such an aloof and distant mother. Esme admired the young woman for making the best of her situation, raising her son and working part-time. Sue had also said Bella was enrolling in college part-time in the coming spring. It was a lot for someone so young to take on and her strength and determination reminded Esme of Edward as he worked his way through college and medical school.

"That's very sweet of you, but I think it might be best if I stay away for a while, just until they get their problems under control. I don't want to be a source of strain and hostility in your family."

"Nonsense. You and your son are an important part of Edward's life now and that makes you important to me as well. And the problems Jasper and Alice are having really have nothing to do with you. Your absence isn't going to make things any easier.

"Edward will probably be upset because I'm sure he wanted to ask, but Carlisle and I have invited Charlie and Sue over for Christmas dinner. We'd love to have you and Ben over as well, but we hope you'll come earlier in the afternoon to open gifts and spend some time with the family."

Bella initially wanted to decline, but she couldn't deny the sincerity in Esme's voice. She was so motherly and warm; Bella didn't want to disappoint her.

"Thank you for the invitation. I'd love to come."

~ O ~

Bella laughed as she placed her hands against Edward's cheeks, pulling his mouth away from where it seemed to be permanently attached to her neck. She was trying to have a serious conversation. He had other ideas.

"Edward," she said with a giggle, still trying to pry him away.

They had planned a Friday night in, intending to order a pizza and watch movies. It had been a long week and both had been looking forward to an evening of relaxing. Charlie and Sue were heading to an event on the reservation and had insisted on taking Ben with them, always looking for a chance to show him off. This left Bella and Edward with an evening alone, something that didn't happen very often.

The pizza had been delivered by the time Bella got there and they ate quickly. Edward had put on a movie and they'd snuggled together on the couch, but Bella couldn't even recall what he'd put on, just that it was an old black and white film. Somehow she had ended flat on her back with Edward hovering over her, the movie still playing quietly in the background.

"I'm trying to have a serious conversation and you're distracting me. Your mother invited me for Christmas."

"Ugh. I don't want to talk about my mother right now," he said, finally rising up to look her in the eyes. Bella gave him a frown, her eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you worried so much?"

"I just am. Look what happened the last time I was there. And Charlie and Sue will be coming later for dinner. It's a catastrophe waiting to happen."

"I promise everything is going to be fine. If Jasper can't act like an adult, I know my father will have no qualms about telling him to leave."

"But that's not fair. He's their son and I'm just…me."

"Bella, I would never ask Jasper not to bring Alice, just like he should never ask me not to bring you and Ben. You're my girlfriend. I want you there."

It was such a juvenile thing, but hearing Edward call her his girlfriend made the butterflies in her stomach flutter and brought a smile to her face.

"Okay," she said. And when he kissed her again, she stopped worrying about the holidays and concentrated on the amazing man she was spending the evening with.

A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the reviews. It still astounds me that this little story has that many reviews. I really enjoy reading what you have to say. I try to respond to each one thoughtfully and I always send a teaser. :) See you next Wednesday.