Chapter 27

BPOV

After leaving the Fairmont I drove to the beach house, the water had always calmed me, be it the ocean or Lake Michigan. The things Edward had told me circled in my brain but I couldn't get them to fit together properly. Love, while not always easy, had always been a comfort in my life. To think the fact that I loved Edward wasn't enough for him hurt. It hurt that he needed reassurance from outside sources and I had to admit I was ill equipped to know exactly how to handle the hurt.

I sat on the beach thinking about everything and yet at times my mind seemed blank. I lost track of time until my name being called brought me back to the present and I realized it was now mid afternoon. I turned and looked at the elderly woman walking towards me and I couldn't help but smile. "Hello Gloria. I would ask what you are doing here but I am sure it has to do with the Fairmont. I mean you were there."

"Yes I was but then you knew I would be when you told me about the meeting?" She said.

"Yes I did. Did you hear what happened or do I need to give you a replay?" I asked.

"I heard enough and while I think there are some things you were right about I also think there are several things you are wrong about also." When I quirked my brow at her she sat down.

"I have known you since diapers Bella. I think I understand your life almost as well as you do. I was close to your parents and Edgar, I know how hard things have been on you. I also know you have spent the majority of your life wrapped in love. First parental love then the romantic love you shared with Edgar and now Edward. Edward hasn't had that Bella. Yes he knows familial love but how would you react if every time you tried for romantic love it turned out the other person only wanted your money or standing and not you specifically. Until you, I don't think Edward truly knew romantic love, so I would expect him on some level to question things at different points."

"I understand that but when I told him Edgar was the one that insisted I work with him to begin with he completely shut down on me. He just shut me out. I don't understand that, how do you just completely shut out the person you say you love?" I asked her.

"He was shocked Bella, he was confused. He thought you had been the driving force then to find out it was your late husband. It was a knee jerk reaction, taking him back to all his other relationships and the reasons those women were with him. Could he have handled it better yes, but he is new to having an open, honest relationship."

"But what about all his insecurities concerning Edgar? Am I supposed to spend the entire relationship stroking his ego? He makes it sound as if I am the comparing the two of them and nothing could be further from the truth."

"I understand that Bella but you need to understand how most people saw your marriage. If you set your ages aside most people saw it as a fairy tale. He swooped in and saved your parents company and then the icing was that you two were really in love. The picture the public saw was two people in love, very in love. While that was a true picture it wasn't the whole picture. I know you and Edgar had problems. Yes you loved each other but it was more a typical marriage than a fairy tale."

"It wasn't a fairy tale trust me. That was just a public image we cultivated for many reasons but it was a typical marriage. We disagreed on some large decisions. You know all this Gloria."

"Yes I do. I am one of the few people who knew. Edward, did he know? Had you explained that to him yet?" I shook my head. "So Edward thought your perfect husband that you had a fairy tale marriage with picked him for you? How is he not supposed to feel at least a little insecure about that Bella?"

"I don't know. I am just confused, about a lot of things." I answered honestly.

"I know Bella. In some ways this is new to you also. Yes you have been married but to a man you had known your entire life. You could read him like a book. You already trusted, respected and had a friendly love for him before you ever thought of marrying him. He had been a part of your life, understood how things operated in your situation. You didn't need much of an adjustment period with Edgar. Things are very different with Edward. Yes you love him but considering how things started out you are building respect and trust, that takes time. People make mistakes Bella."

"I understand that but how much am I expected to take?" I asked her. "I should just allow him to treat me this way. How can I trust him not to shut me out again? He has hurt me Gloria, from the beginning he has hurt me. How much am I expected to take?" Some things no one knew about our marriage, such as how Edgar wouldn't even adopt with me. He made unilateral decisions, left me out of the loop regarding things saying it was for the best or he would explain later. Was I comparing the two? Was I waiting for Edward to make the same mistakes? I was definitely angry because he had shut me out at the hospital, was it because it felt too much like what Edgar had done? Gloria touching my arm brought me back to the conversation that I hadn't been listening to.

"...clean slate. I do think once you are both on the same page you could have something very special Bella." I nodded at her.

"I agree, a clean slate maybe what is needed." I patted her hand. "Maybe my marriage to Edgar was influencing me even more than I thought it was. You have always been like more of a grandmother to me than just a friend. I know I probably don't say it enough but thank you for that."

"You're welcome and you are very special to me also Bella. Now walk this old woman out and I will leave you to your thoughts." I laughed and we both rose so I could walk her to her car. As we passed through the house I noticed the oddest looking bouquet of flowers sitting on the foyer table. "That is the strangest combination of flowers." Gloria commented softly. "Beautiful but strange."

"I know" I said as I plucked the card from its holder and gently ran a finger over one of the Aster's. Gloria lifted the card that was beside the bouquet.

"Would you like to know what the flowers mean?" She asked mischievously. "The Aster's mean daintiness and love." I moved to another flower. "That is a Gladiolus and means strength of character or I am sincere." I touched the white Chrysanthemum. "Truth." I heard her say as I bent to smell one of the blue flowers. "Blue Salvia and it means I think of you." I passed a hand over the purple Hyacinth and looked at her. "I am sorry, please forgive me." I pulled a red Carnation from the vase. "My heart aches for you," Gloria said, "and given there are more of them then any other flower I would say his heart aches quite a bit." I chuckled and looked at her while smelling the carnation. "Give him the benefit of the doubt Bella, he is trying and you love him." She always had a way of cutting to the heart of things.

"I do Gloria, very much." As I walked her out I thought of ways I could let Edward know I was willing to work on our relationship too.

On the drive back to the manor I thought over my conversation with Gloria. While I hadn't thought I was making comparisons between Edward and Edgar maybe I was. When he shut me out I immediately wondered if this was like when Edgar made decisions without me. It would be natural I suppose, Edgar was the only other relationship I had ever been in, I did not have anything else to compare us to. But I think he thought he came up lacking and nothing could be further from the truth. My mind turned to the card he had sent with the flowers.

I won't give up Bella. I keep screwing this up, stumbling, trying to find my way but I am a quick learner and I hope you are a patient woman. I may not know much about healthy relationships but one thing I am sure of is that I love you with my whole heart. I will earn your trust and respect back.

Hoping-

Edward

I am a patient woman and I knew I loved Edward. My head was screaming I was an idiot but my heart was telling me not to walk away from him. I had promised him a chance, breakfast had not changed that. I returned to Swan Manor with my flowers and was instantly greeted by Theresa and my boys. I caught the way Theresa looked at the bouquet and laughed.

"That is one of the strangest bouquets I have ever seen," she laughed. "I am glad they caught you at the beach house. When the florist called to confirm delivery I told them to deliver there instead of the manor."

"Thank you for that. It is lovely isn't it?" I asked.

"Yes, it has personality. I would never dream of putting that combination together but it works somehow."

"Yes, yes it does. Somehow they all flow together." The longer I thought on the bouquet the more hope I had that Edward and I would find our way to flow together also.

I was playing with Loki and Thor in the gardens thinking over past conversations I had with Edward when the idea hit me. Maybe, just maybe, a small bit of humor would lighten the mood surrounding us enough to get talking again and to let Edward know I wouldn't hold onto bitter feelings forever. I went inside and ordered a gift to be delivered to Edward at the Fairmont, while it was meant as somewhat of a joke it would also tell me how serious he was about moving to Chicago. I couldn't wait to hear his reaction.

EPOV

The florist looked at me as if I was crazy when I told her the flowers I wanted in the bouquet but I was insistent. I had researched flower meanings on line and knew the message I wanted to send to Bella. When she put it together even the florist had to admit it didn't look as weird as she thought it would, I thought it had character. Bella would appreciate the fact that the message meant more to me than how it looked. I was done worrying about how something looked, it was the thought behind the flowers that mattered.

After the flowers were on their way I returned to the Fairmont and quickly realized I would drive myself crazy if I didn't keep busy so I turned on my laptop hoping I had heard from one of the realtor's I had contacted before arriving. For what seemed like the first time in forever luck was on my side and I had received replies from both of them. The one was I using to find a condo sent me information on: The Residences at 900, the Hancock, Walton on the Park and 30 West Oak. At a quick glance they all seemed to offer the same amenities I would need to see the buildings to decide. I wonder if Bella would be willing to look with me. I could not move into a place she wasn't comfortable in no matter how much I may like it.

The commercial realtor e-mailed me possible buildings also: 1st National Plaza, the Hancock Center, West Loop Mercantile Exchange and 2 Prudential Plaza. They all looked promising and were not far from each other but again I would need to visit the area to be sure they were acceptable and met my needs. In general I would travel to Seattle for meetings but some would be easier if held in Chicago. I would need to hire an executive assistant since my previous one had not wanted to move with me. Not that I could blame her. She was in her 50's and had lived in Seattle her whole life with her husband and children. She was great and still technically my assistant, she would be the go between me, Carlisle, Emmett and Jasper but I needed someone in the Chicago office with me.

I returned e-mails to the realtors telling them when I was available to look at properties and sent one off to several agencies with a job description and qualification's I required in an assistant. I was just starting to go over my other work e-mails when I was surprised by a knock on the door. When I opened the door I was shocked to find a large pink princess style dog bed with a jeweled collar and, leash and dog dishes that all said Lady on them. I laughed as the stewards brought them in and I showed them were to place them. I knew they were from Bella as I tipped the guys and took the card they offered. Was she testing me to see how serious I was about moving? Well she would be surprised because Carlisle would be arriving tomorrow with Lady and my car he was driving out for me. He and Emmett would be flying back to Seattle together on Tuesday. I sat down to read her card.

Edward -

The flowers are lovely - thank you. My heart aches for you also. While I wish our discussion had gone better I am glad that things are out in the open. I think there are still things left to say, explain, discuss...I am unsure of the correct word but I feel you have the wrong impression on some things and I want the opportunity to explain.

I have sent the essentials Lady will need for her stay in Chicago. I hope when she arrives we could schedule a play date for her with Loki and Thor. We could use that time to clear the air some more about misconceptions I think we both may have.

I look forward to hearing from you.

With love -

Isabella

As I read over the card again I felt relieved. First that she still loved me and then that she was willing to talk to me again after the breakfast disaster. Yes I had gotten everything out in the open but I had done it poorly and she left before we could actually discuss anything. I wanted to explain myself, explain how I processed things. I couldn't shake the feeling that she couldn't see things from my perspective at all. I, unfortunately, was sure that from her point of view I looked like a needy tool and I wanted to change that perception if possible. I opened an e-mail to thank her for the gift.

Isabella-

Thank you for the supplies. Lady will appreciate them when she arrives tomorrow. Carlisle is driving my car out and she is accompanying him. I would suggest a play date for tomorrow but I am unsure how she will do traveling.

How does Monday around lunchtime sound in Millennium Park? I welcome the opportunity to discuss things further with you and I would appreciate your opinion on my real estate options. Unless I hear otherwise, I will see you at the park entrance on Monday for lunch.

I miss you -

Edward

I hit send before I could second guess myself. Now how to make the lunch date in the park special? I was deep in thoughts of things Bella and I had done in the past when the phone rang and Emmett suggested we go out for dinner. I needed to get out of the hotel so I agreed and it would give me a chance to tell him how things had gone today.

CPOV

I was more than happy to drive Edward's car to him, it was giving me a chance to process everything that had happened in the last several days and a chance for Esme to come to terms with the fact that I would not order Edward back to Seattle in the future. As hard as his decision had been for her some part held on to the fact that he would move back until I told her I didn't think he would. That if I was in his position I wouldn't, that fact had not gone over well at all.

I love my wife and my kids and ultimately I want all of them to be happy. If that can happen in Seattle, great and if it can't I still want their happiness above all else. Alice had found her happiness in Jasper and their family. As she got married and had her family I saw the way Edward would watch them, desperately wanting that for himself. I also watched as he withdrew into himself time and time again as the dream slipped farther away from him.

The family was ecstatic when he found Bella. He was reverting back to an Edward we had not seen in a long time and he truly seemed happy. When things happened in New York and he started pushing Bella away I was worried he would slip back into the old Edward, the one who was an ass and tried to shut himself off from the family. Thank God for Emmett. I'm not too proud to admit I stood in my office by an open window and listened to their conversation. Emmett has been good for Edward since the day they met and this was no exception. Emmett loved him like a brother and just wanted him happy. Emmett had a hard time finding his own happiness until Rose but once he did he held on with both hands and would move heaven and earth to make her happy. I was glad he was giving that advice to Edward. I was sure once Edward and Bella worked things out nothing would be able to come between them, the problem was getting them to that point.

I was proud to see him taking the necessary steps for his own happiness, even if that meant he had to move. Edward was not a momma's boy, as many thought. My personal belief was that he kept the two females happy in his life who loved him unconditionally, Esme and Alice, because he had trouble finding love. I was worried when we returned to Seattle and allowed Esme to set him up in his old room but he wasn't discussing Bella with her. While that frustrated the hell out of her, it gave me hope he would do what was best for him and that was to go after Bella.

I was positive Edward getting out of Seattle would prove to be good for him professionally as well as personally. Edward had earned his position as CEO of Cullen but too many old cronies still came to me instead of him like they should. With him in Chicago they would be forced to go to him first and then have him bring things to the board, like it should be. The only concern I had was that if he and Bella married she would lure him away to Swan or Sinclair, especially with the new work Swan was doing. He was very interested in that project and the medical advances it could bring. I had some comfort in the fact that Jasper or Emmett would be ready to step in as CEO by that time if need be but I really wanted my son to run the company. If that made me a caveman so be it.

That line of thinking lead me back to Esme and why she was upset. She wanted Edward and Bella together because she wanted her son happy and Bella made him very happy. She would rather they be happy close to her because she was dying for more grandbabies. I had no doubt she would come to terms with things, she would come to the same conclusion I had. Bella would not be happy in Seattle long term, certain people wouldn't allow it and if she wasn't happy Edward wouldn't be happy either. I expected her to reach out to Bella in a week or less.

After spending the night in South Dakota I left early so I could reach Chicago in the afternoon. I received a call from our FBI contacts, Aro's smuggling operation had been shut down. They picked up most of the men as they were unloading the cargo in Spain. Aro had escaped and was on the run but since all of his assets had been frozen no one expected him to get very far. They were having a harder time pinning anything on his brothers, they almost always stayed in the background but since their company was involved they were not expected to get off scot free. Rumors had also started circulating that Tanya was marrying Aro's son Felix. I knew Edward would get a kick out of that, Felix was not known for his calm demeanor or generosity. He would have a hard time keeping her in line but, as they say, karma is a bitch and it had come around on Tanya.

Once I arrived and we managed to get Lady settled into her new bed the boys and I went out for dinner so they could catch me up on things. As Edward told his story all I could do was sit there and shake my head, had the boy learned nothing.

"Could it have gone any worse Edward?" I asked and he was at least able to chuckle about it now.

"Yes. She could have thrown something at me or one of the little old ladies giving me death glares could have gotten involved. After Bella walked out they stood as one and just glared at me. As they filed passed my table they made comments about how she could do much better or that she needed a gentleman. One even pointed her finger at me and called me an ass. So yeah, it could have been much worse." I couldn't help but cringe with him as he described the scene. Emmett was laughing and slapped him on the back before speaking.

"But he has gotten some good advice on the delicate art of groveling and he did pretty good after that?" I cocked an eyebrow at Emmett. "He did. The flowers were a hit and he has a doggie play date set up for lunch tomorrow."

"A doggie play date?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think it was some kind of test. Bella sent me the stuff for Lady and mentioned getting together with her and her dogs, Loki and Thor, they are pit bulls too. I told her Lady would arrive today and we could do it tomorrow for lunch. She hasn't gotten back to me saying no so I assume we are still on for that." Edward said and he looked excited for it and Emmett snickered.

"Did you think you would see the day when your 40 year old son would be excited about a doggie play date Carlisle?" He laughed and Edward threw his napkin at him.

"No, but I have to ask why do you think it was a test?" I managed to ask between laughs.

"Probably to see how serious I was about staying in Chicago. She originally got me the dog to see how I did living with and taking care of something besides myself. If I had chosen to leave her in Seattle that would not have boded well for me and to be honest as much as I have always been anti-pet I would miss her. She keeps me company and recently is the only female willing to sleep in the same bed as me." I couldn't keep the laugh in and he seemed to take it well.

"You'll get there Edward. Take you cues from her and don't give up. It will all be worth it in the end, trust me."

"I know it will Dad. I am not letting her go with out a fight." I was proud and glad to hear the conviction in his voice.

"And just think," Emmett stated, "you won't even have the family around to watch you grovel." An evil glint came into his eyes. "Maybe I can get Bella to feed me information about how..."

"No you don't Emmett." Edward cut him off. "Leave her alone, the last thing I want is you telling me I am groveling wrong or something."

"Well I will have contact with her due to this new project anyway so maybe I can pick up on some..." Emmett stopped on his own this time when he saw the look Edward was giving him and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright you two, stop this. Let's order dinner and then we can get down to the details of helping Edward plan his...doggie date." I said as I picked up my menu I couldn't help but chuckle when I heard Emmett laugh and my son groan. I was sure it would prove to be an interesting dinner.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters.

Please read and review!

A/N: Thank you for being patient and I apologize for the time between updates. With the holidays behind us and my kids finally back in school I should be able to update more frequently.