Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight, and no copyright infringement is intended. The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story is owned by Freezegirl8000 (2010).

One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

'The wheels weren't greased. We took a step back today. Hopefully, we'll come back and take twostepsforward.' – Roosevelt Newell

BPOV

I woke up with the sun streaming through the room. I blinked and looked to find Edward's arm wrapped tight around me. His loving gesture made me sigh with happiness.

I wanted this. I wanted to wake up every morning to find Edward's arm wrapped around me and to fall asleep with him lying next to me each night.

And I wanted it badly.

"Good morning," Edward said, smiling crookedly. "How are you feeling today?"

"G-great," I replied, kissing him on the lips. Morning breath didn't bother me anymore.

"I think Alice wants us to celebrate my late return," he said, "but she mentioned yesterday in passing that you had therapy scheduled for this morning."

I groaned.

"Bella," Edward sighed. "Everything will be fine. You'll be back to normal before you know it."

"I-I h-h-hope so," I whispered, looking down at our intertwined fingers.

He squeezed my hands reassuringly. "Don't worry about a thing."

We got dressed together before Alice could burst into the room and embarrass us. I felt bad for not spending much time with her yesterday, but I hoped she would understand.

"Bella?" Alice asked as I stumbled into the kitchen.

"Y-yeah?"

Alice sighed. "Would you like to go out for dinner tonight? Esme and Carlisle are coming, too."

"S-sure."

"He rang Princeton to notify them of your accident. They're going to put you on hold for two months, and then when you're ready, you'll be able to return. It's really lucky that you were a top student there otherwise I bet they'd have had second thoughts."

I smiled at her. "I-I know, right? Y-you didn't e-even f-f-finish your exams th-third t-t-time round."

"Yeah, 'cuz Alice complains about every fucking thing in the world not fashion-related," Edward said, walking into where Alice and I were having breakfast.

"Sh-she complains about cl-clothes, t-too," I argued. "My cl-clothes."

"I know," Alice suddenly said, her eyes brightening. "So are we finally going shopping?"

"Uh, no," Edward answered for me.

I gave him a big smile. He knew me so well.

"But I rescheduled your session for you!" Alice groaned. "I never seem to get my way when the two of you are together'."

"Where is he?" Edward asked.

"Running errands somewhere. He'll be back later."

I heard Edward sigh beside me. "In that case, I'm going to take Bella out for a while."

I looked at him questioningly, but he shook his head. "It's going to be special. I just need Alice to give me the directions to get there."

We walked down the road, his arm around my waist, holding me tight by his side. The weather wasn't that cold anymore, and I welcomed the sun's heat. I pulled the hoodie over my head as I was still not used to having almost no hair. It made me feel self-conscious.

"Hey, none of that," Edward said softly, taking the hood off again. "You're beautiful."

"Y-you're still n-not t-t-telling me where we're g-g-going?" I asked, rolling my eyes at his remark.

He smirked. "Nope. This is going to be a surprise. I know just the place to take you."

We reached a little white building, and I stared at Edward. "L-lahiere's? R-r-really?"

"I…I thought that since we haven't been on a date ages, maybe this place would be nice."

"S-since when did you start liking French food?" Edward hardly ever ate at fancy restaurants. He was always one for food like burgers and fries. He never ate somewhere so sophisticated.

Edward's grin grew larger. "Since now."

I was right. His mood was definitely a little off right now. I decided that I would ask him about it later.

Edward walked to the door of the restaurant and held it open for me. I walked past him with a resigned sigh. Thank God it wasn't as crowded as I had expected it to be. The host was female and as she walked towards us her heels clicked away on the tiles like a goat's hoof. We were seated at a table far from the public's eye, and I started to relax.

We ordered, and I smiled at Edward. When the waitress came back with our food, fresh drinks, and some napkins, I was pleased that Edward paid no attention to her, his eyes not moving away from my eyes when he thanked her.

"Listen, Bella," he began, once we were seated in a table far from the public's eye. He rubbed his face with both hands and ran his fingers through his hair. "I…I don't know how to say this, but from what I have heard from Carlisle and Alice, these past months haven't been easy on you and…fuck."

"Keep g-going," I whispered, waiting for what he had to say – what was so hard for him to say. I put my fork down on the table as my stomach knotted up.

Edward sighed. "I had plans for what I was going to do to make things up to you for everything that's happened over these past ten months. I've been planning since the moment I got on the plane to go overseas, but none of them are possible right now. I hope you know that I'm going to stay here with you while you recover. I don't care how long it takes. I'm not going to pressure you to recover faster. Just take small steps, one by one and you'll get there. I don't want you to feel like you have to be better or anything for me."

"And…" It seemed like he wanted to say a lot more.

"I…I talked to my dad about this and he…well, I," he gulped.

"Y-yes?" I asked.

"Would you like to take a trip with me?" he asked uncertainly.

I froze. This was so unexpected I didn't know what to say. Why was he so nervous about asking me this?

"After you've fully recovered?" His eyes were practically begging me. "I know you have school and probably want to study and graduate soon, but I want to take you somewhere with my family this summer. To Paris," he clarified.

"E-everyone's going?" I asked, still shocked by his request. To Paris? I racked my brain, trying to calculate how much money I still had. I was certain I didn't have that much. "Alice, t-too?"

"Everyone," he confirmed, his eyes widening in anticipation of my answer.

I looked down miserably and felt tears burning in my eyes. "I-I don't have enough s-savings. Princeton c-costs a l-lot."

I felt Edward lift my chin up with a finger, and he looked at me, a pained expression on his face. "Bella, please. Don't worry about anything. I'll take care of everything. All you need to do is say yes."

My lips trembled, and I clenched my jaw, trying not to cry. Edward was so giving – I didn't ever want him to wake up and find that I couldn't give him anything, that he already had everything I could possibly offer him. "O-okay," I said.

Edward smiled hugely and leaned over to kiss me on the lips. "Thank you so much, Bella. I promise you'll love it there."

Lunch was much more enjoyable after that. The atmosphere was so light; Edward was laughing, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world.

He got us ice-cream from a vendor, and we ate them on a bench. I grinned so big I thought my face would split when he kissed me. His mouth was warm, sweet and unexpected.

"How was lunch?" Alice asked, when we finally reached her floor.

"Brilliant," Edward said, grinning at her.

The rest of the day was made up of the routine hospital check-up and therapy session, and it ticked by slowly.

When I got home Edward was there waiting for me, smiling crookedly, his arms outstretched, and I stumbled into them, sighing happily.

Dinner with Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Alice, and Edward was anything but simple. Esme had made a reservation for everyone at a fancy Italian restaurant. Upon our arrival, she ran to us, pulling both Edward and I into a tight embrace Carlisle welcomed me warmly and it felt like home – like I belonged with Edward and his wonderfully loving family.

Everything was perfect, and the rest of the week flew by. I felt like I was practically floating instead of walking. I had made great progress with my speech therapy, and my tongue was not getting in the way of what I wanted to say most of the time now.

Rose and Emmett had flown in and stayed in Alice's spare room at her apartment. Rose was doing well, holding her own in the fashion industry as a fashion editor, and Emmett was a lawyer. He proposed to Rose the night we all went to dinner together. Esme and Carlisle had tears in their eyes, and everyone congratulated them. I couldn't be happier – they had come so far.

I bit my lip as I realized it was never going to be that easy for me and Edward. His career was going great and mine was…well, I still had at least one more year at college until I could get my degree in law.

"You okay, baby?" Edward asked, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder.

"Y-yeah. I'm f-fine," I replied, a little nervous and self conscious. "I-I'm just so h-happy for them, you kn-know?"

"Me, too."

"Do y-you know where they are planning to g-get married?" I asked curiously.

Edward shrugged. "I have no idea. Probably somewhere fancy…or maybe when we go to Paris. I wouldn't expect anything less from them."

"I bet they'll i-invite a l-lot of people," I said, smiling at the thought.

"Probably," Edward answered vaguely.

"W-what's wrong?" I asked, turning my head around only to find him frowning.

"Nothing," he replied shortly.

I stayed silent.

Edward ran his hand through his hair and sighed, sitting down on the sofa. "Sorry, Bella. I guess there's just too much going on right now."

I nodded, wishing I could understand what he meant by that.

"Alice h-had a h-h-huge wedding," I suddenly blurted out.

Edward chuckled. "I bet she did. She was really upset I wasn't there because there was apparently one person missing out of the four hundred and seventy-five. That number is tiny, right?"

I laughed at his sarcasm and sat next to him.

"I-I don't think I-I'll want a b-big wedding," I said shyly.

He looked at me for a moment. "What makes you say that?"

I shrugged and ducked my head, embarrassed. "I d-don't know."

"Well, what kind of wedding do you see yourself having?" he asked me, playing with my hair.

I looked at him. "A s-small and quiet o-o-one."

Edward was suddenly observing me curiously and it made me feel a little uncomfortable. "Somewhere fancy, or somewhere normal?"

I shrugged again. "I-I don't care."

"Have you thought about this before?" Edward asked me, kissing the tip of my nose.

I shook my head. "N-no. Only j-just now. It just p-p-popped into my h-head when you a-asked."

I was suddenly hit with an insecure feeling. I had been thinking of my future a lot lately, but I hadn't ever been anywhere outside the States. I'd never even left Forks which was one reason why I'd wanted to attend Princeton. I needed a fresh start – I had to leave the heartbreak behind me.

Edward looked thoughtful for a moment and then asked, "I thought it was every girl's dream to have a big wedding in a church and a reception at a sophisticated and fancy hotel."

I shook my head. "I-I guess I-I'm not normal, then."

He chuckled and pulled me tight against him, my cheek pressed against his chest. "Silly girl. You're the only normal female here right now."

Edward studied my face for a while, and I stared into his green eyes which were filled with emotion. "You're parents would be so proud of you. I can imagine the day – you in your beautiful white lacy gown and whoever it will be waiting for you, standing at the altar."

His words painted a beautiful picture which caused me to feel a little uneasy. He didn't say he was going to be the one standing there, waiting for me. Whoever it will be. But I only wanted him.

I didn't realize I was crying until he brushed a finger gently across my cheek.

"I-I wish Charlie could be here when I get married – and my mother, too. I miss them so much," I sobbed.

"Hey, don't cry," Edward pleaded softly. His hands, soft and warm, cupped my face. His thumbs brushed away my tears which was pointless because those tears were immediately replaced with new ones. "I'm sorry if I offended you or anything, or made you sad. I didn't mean to."

I shook my head. "I-I'm n-not crying b-b-because of that," I tried to explain. "I-I-It's j-just e-e-everything. I-I want to b-b-be normal and have a n-n-normal life. I-I-I wish I wasn't sick and that I-I could h-h-handle everything. Everything i-is j-j-just…why d-does everything have to s-s-suck for me?"

Edward pulled me against his chest as we lay down on the couch together. I sobbed into his chest as he cradled me.

"I'm only ever waiting for you, Bella," he whispered. "I love you so much. Whenever you think you can't handle something, or if everything becomes too much for you, just tell me, and I'll help you in any way I can."

I rubbed my eyes. "I'm s-s-sorry for ruining for what should've been a happy time. W-we should go join in th-the celebrations."

He sighed. "Yeah, I know. I think Emmett's going to take us out somewhere tonight."

I nodded and smiled weakly. "Th-that'll great so long as we get ice-cream after that."

Edward grinned at me. "Ice-cream for dessert it is."

It was time for me to take a step forward. I had to be strong and move past all this insecurity. I was ready – I had to be. Charlie and Renee were not by my side anymore. I only had Edward now, and I needed him more than ever. I loved him so much. I needed to tell myself that.

Most of all, I wanted my parents to feel proud of me for what I was doing right now. Getting into an Ivy League college was the first step. Having Edward back was the second.

I knew in my heart that my parents would approve of Edward because of the way he made me feel – loved and cared for.

That was enough for me.

My thoughts were interrupted by Edward who cradled me gently against him and leaned down to press his lips to mine. I took my hand to stroke his jaw lovingly, and I noticed he hadn't shaved in a few days. I liked the scruff.

It was Edward who pulled away first. "Do you want to go take a walk – get some fresh air?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "L-l-like y-you would b-be able to f-f-find any here. W-we're not in A-Africa anymore."

He chuckled. "I just want to take you to a park, you know."

He held out his hand, his expression hopeful and I took it gratefully.

Marquand Park was beautiful. I wanted to ask Edward how he found this place, but he looked so peaceful, his eyes closed while he lay on the green grass.

I let my fingers slowly brush across his jaw line, his prominent cheekbones, and his nose, caressing every inch of the planes of his face. His lips parted, and I wanted to lean in, to kiss him but before I could make any movement, Edward's eyes flew open, and he pulled me down towards him.

"How d-d-did you find this p-p-place?" I asked.

Edward smiled down at me. "I saw it on the travel brochure at the train station."

"Did you know this park was originally the property of Princeton University and that there are now over 100 species of trees here? This place is actually really big. There are seventeen acres which includes a baseball field. We could always play a game with Emmett if you want," he added, teasing me about my lousy hand-eye co-ordination.

I burst out laughing at his knowledge of this insignificant place.

"You're amazing, you know," I told him. "I don't think I ever told you that, but you are."

Edward grinned, his white teeth flashing in the sun.

"I love you, you know," he responded softly, touching my face softly. "I don't think I tell you enough."

"You do," I told him truthfully. "Thank you for that."

Edward sighed and sat up. "You know, one day when you're ready, I'm going to show you the world. I'm going to show you just how much you have given me. I'm going to show the whole world how lucky and grateful I am to have you by my side. You're my forever. Never forget that."

Whoa. One more chapter. Just the epilogue to go.

Thank you to the people over at PTB especially to ConfettiRainfall and LouderThanSirens. You guys have helped me so much.

Thanks to all the readers and reviews. You guys have made my day... or week.