Chapter 28

EPOV

I was waiting at the entrance to Millennium Park with Lady for Bella to arrive, wondering why I was receiving not so nice glances from the people passing. I had her on a leash, had my doggie bags, I was sure I had everything necessary, so why the looks? I was starting to get nervous when I saw William approaching.

"Mr. Cullen," he said as he reached for Lady's leash. "The SUV is this way and Mrs. Sinclair is waiting inside for you."

"I don't understand." I said as I followed him but stopped talking when he opened the back door and I saw Bella sitting there. She looks stunning. "Good afternoon Bella, thank you for agreeing to lunch."

"Hello Edward, thank you for inviting me." She answered and I hated that things were so formal between us. She patted the seat next to her as William helped Lady into the back with Bella's dogs. "We are going to the other side of the park, where the private rentals are." I am sure I looked confused so she continued. "The park doesn't allow pets of any kind but I do quite a few private rentals so they are allowing me some leeway today."

"Oh, I didn't know that." I said lamely. I could kick myself in the ass for not checking first.

"That's fine Edward. We will be in one of the private garden areas and they are allowing us to bring the dogs today. I have done this before, it is fine."

"I suppose that explains the looks I was getting from people."

"Yes, they tend to take that rule seriously." She said with a laugh as we pulled into a small parking lot. Once the dogs were unloaded and leashed Bella led us onto a small path that opened onto what looked like a small meadow.

"Wow, I never expected this to be here." I told her honestly.

"Yes, this is part of the wildflower garden and a hidden secret but I love it." She was beaming and I noticed a small, temporary fenced in area. Next to the dog area was a blanket set up for a picnic. We released the dogs in their area and I led Bella over to the blanket, helping her sit.

"Thank you for meeting me Bella, it means the world to me to have another chance. I know I haven't been very successful in getting my feelings out there but I am trying. It's just I am so new to..." Before I could finish my rambling she grabbed my shirt and pulled me forward pressing her lips against mine in a fairly chaste kiss. I didn't have time to react before she pushed me pack and laughed at the look on my face.

"Take a breath Edward and calm down. I promise to be more open minded today and not walk out on you." It looked as if she was reaching for my hand before she pulled her hands into her lap. "As hard as it maybe for you to believe this is new to me also. A friend pointed out some things to me I hadn't considered. Those points gave me a better understanding of what you may be thinking and I want us to clear the air and just get everything out. We will never be able to move forward if we can't get on the same page."

I scooted closer to her and placed one of my hands over her fidgeting ones. "I want that too Bella. I may have been or still be going about this all wrong but I will keep trying until I get it right because I love you Bella. There are a few things I am 100% sure of and they are that I want you to be my wife, the mother of my kids and in 50 odd years I want to celebrate our golden anniversary. I may need you to draw me a map to make that happen but I will make that happen Bella. The only thing that can stop me is you, if you don't want that but nothing else." I looked into her eyes and she looked as if she was going to cry and I could feel the panic starting to build. She reached a hand to my face and wiped a tear I didn't realize I had shed.

"I do want that Edward, when all is said and done I want that golden anniversary too." This time when she leaned in to kiss me I pulled her into my lap, I needed her closer to me. "I think we need to go back and start things without all the preconceived ideas about each other." I am sure the look on my face told her I wasn't fond of that idea at all. While I understood we couldn't pick where we left off at I didn't want to go all the way back to just friends either.

"What exactly do you mean by that Bella?" I had to ask.

"Well, I think we have shared most things about ourselves by now but I also think we need to know what has led each of us to make certain decisions." She frowned and looked away. "I'm not doing a very good job of explaining this, am I?"

"May be not but I understand anyway." I told her. "It isn't that we haven't explained things but we need to get more in depth about why we are affected by some things so strongly." I offered.

"I suppose so. Gloria thinks that maybe you can't see passed the public image Edgar and I put on about our marriage and why should you, we did a very good job of cultivating that image. But that is all that was Edward, a public image. The real marriage behind that was very normal with arguments, compromises and heartaches that were kept private. Very few people knew us well enough to see even glimpses of our real marriage, on some level I think I expected you to realize that fact without me pointing it out and it was unfair of me to have that expectation of you." The conversation was making her uncomfortable and she stood, walking to the edge of the blanket with her back to me.

"I will answer any question you ask Edward. I am not trying to hide anything from you. The problem is I don't know what you would prefer I offer without you having to ask and I do realize there are things that fall into that category." She turned to me and I could tell she was fighting off tears. "The thing is I have never loved someone who wasn't already in my life, not like I love you and because of that I have no idea what I am doing. Maybe I am putting to much pressure on you or us, am I expecting you to take too much at face value, have I explained things enough to you...I just..." She turned her back to me again and continued in a near whisper. "...I am failing at this Edward, at us. You are questioning my love for you and my motives behind that love. It hurts to fail so badly at something I feel so deeply and want desperately."

I had done this to her, made her think that my insecurities were her fault and that I couldn't allow. I stood and walked to her wanting to wrap her up in my arms and show her how much I loved her. Instead I placed my hands on her shoulders and ran them down her arms until I was holding both her hands as I pressed against her back. "You are not failing Bella. Do not take my insecurities and place them on your shoulders. I haven't explained things about my past enough either. I have been taking all of my past problems and doing everything I could to make them fit this situation also. Maybe I have unconsciously been looking for a way out..." I said thinking more out loud than anything else, until I heard her gasp and she spun to look at me.

"If you want out Edward all you have to do is tell me. I only want your happiness; I love you so much I will let you go if that is what you want. It will kill me but I will do it, for you."

I pulled her closer to me and ran my fingers through her hair. "I do not want out." I told her forcefully. "I admit there is a part of me that wonders if I had that knee jerk reaction so I could pull away first. I don't know Bella. I am an old man that spent his youth looking for love and thinking I found it several times to just be used. Since those experiences I have always questioned people's motives and that ran over onto you. I apologize for that Bella. You are nothing like any other woman I have ever been involved with, I should have remembered that earlier." I knew I was becoming emotional and that was not how I wanted today to be.

"Ssshh Edward, it is fine. We do not have to figure everything out today." She took my hand and led us back to the picnic. She pulled out fruit and cheese and made me lay with my head in her lap. "First, you are not an old man." I snorted out a laugh at that.

"I am 13 years older than you Bella." She shoved a whole strawberry in my mouth to shut me up.

"So, that still doesn't make you an old man." She ran her hand over and down my chest suggestively. "I don't think an old man would be able to keep up with me and you seem to do that easily." I groaned as I felt myself start to stir.

"Not fair Bella, I know that isn't on the menu right now." She had the nerve to laugh at me and then shove a grape in my mouth.

"I know. Stop interrupting me and eat your fruit. Yes we need to discuss everything but it doesn't have to be today and it doesn't have to happen all at once. We get to know each other better and I think most of the issues we both have will resolve themselves. I mean, yes we know a lot about each other but most of that is what is public knowledge and that is rarely accurate. I want to know the real Edward Cullen better, the man who made me smores on the beach and my toes curl with just a kiss."

"I want you to know him too, just as I want to know the real Bella Swan Sinclair, the most giving woman I have ever met and yet she can kick my ass without trying." She laughed and the tension we had been under was broken. We enjoyed lunch and spent a nice afternoon playing with the dogs. It started out rough but in the end the day was everything I hoped it would be.

BPOV

It was October now. I looked over at Edward as we rode in the limo to the hospital fundraiser and I couldn't help but think back over the last two months and how we reached this point. It had not been easy and we still had things to discuss but I felt confident of the track we were on for the first time since he moved to Chicago and that is why he was accompanying me tonight.

We became friends as I helped him search for office space and a condo. We told each other stories of our childhood and I was surprised to find out that Edward was quite the little nerd until he reached college. He was not so surprised to hear that while I was surrounded by adults and pretty much treated as one, I was still quite the spoiled princess to make up for that fact. I had told him early on to ask me any question and I would answer it the best I could. I wasn't trying to gloss over parts of my life but I didn't have a clue as to what he most wanted to know.

He seemed to be fascinated by some of the people I knew, like my Godfather, and the connections I had. I had known these people my entire life, they were not a big deal to me and I think that may have been what surprised him the most. I didn't realize it at the time but later I saw how unconventional my upbringing had been. Talking to Edward about it and his childhood had me longing for a childhood I wished I could have lived and was determined to give my own children.

I wanted the family vacations that were based on just being a family and not because Daddy need to speak to someone in a certain country. Yes, I had seen the world but in a very limited capacity. I wanted to take my kids to Sea World and Disney and most importantly I wanted kids, plural, that was an important factor. I also wanted my kids to talk about me and their father with the same look Edward got when he talked about his parents. My parents loved each other, I know they did but I don't remember their love the way Edward does his parents. Maybe I don't remember because I was young when they died, for the first time I think maybe it was a good thing Edgar and I didn't have children.

It also turned out Edward was very good at groveling without being over the top. Over the past two months I had received water lily's because he remembered that I loved the water and the manor had three ponds in the gardens, I had also received a pair of Koi for the koi pond in the garden, a first edition of the Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night Dream for the festival he surprised at in San Diego and I would also receive the random lunch delivery at the office. But my favorite was when he surprised me by having a Boy Scout Troop set up a fire pit and cook dinner and smores for us at the beach house. He told me since I made fun of him the first time for not being a boy scout he contacted people who knew what they were doing.

"Are you ready for this Bella?" Edward asked as he squeezed my hand, pulling me from my memories and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I think the better question is are you ready for this Edward?" I saw him cringe before he looked at me seriously.

"I am ready for the world to know we are together again and that I won't fuck it up this time. Am I ready for the press? No but I will do what it takes to win them and you over for good." He said as he leaned in to kiss me.

Tonight would be the first time we would be seen this publicly as a couple. After the press conference and the disastrous breakfast the society press had not been his friend and the little old ladies, as he liked to call them, which thought they were looking out for my best interest had no problem telling anyone who would listen what they felt his short comings were. There were rumors about us, especially when it got out I had helped him pick out his condo in the Residences at 900 and again when he set up his office at 2 Prudential Plaza but no one had been able to get a picture and that is what they wanted.

"It will be fine Edward; you'll see and now you will have an idea of how I feel in Seattle." I said as we approached the hotel.

"No, they treat you terrible in Seattle for no reason. Chicago knows I acted stupidly; even they don't know the details and are treating me accordingly. I hurt one of their favorite people and for that they want my blood. I understand completely because I would want the blood of anyone who hurt you."

The door was opened before I could respond and William was helping me out of the car. Edward climbed out of the car and I wrapped my arm around his as I leaned in to kiss his cheek as the flashes exploded. "I love you Edward, remember that and the rest is easy."

He lifted my hand and kissed it before smiling for the cameras. "Remembering that is what makes this all worth while Bella." The press was shouting questions as we made our way into the hotel and ignored them all.

Due to the new Swan project The Cullen Group had steady interaction with the hospital as we tried to duplicate the program in Seattle, Jasper would be giving one of the speeches tonight on the advances made from the technology aspect of the project. The Cullen's would be in attendance tonight and I was slightly nervous about seeing all of them. With the exception of Emmett I hadn't seen any of them since New York and I hoped everyone would be able to play nice tonight.

We spent the cocktail hour mingling with people and I introduced Edward to several businessmen as well as several of the little old ladies he was so terrified of. I noticed Edward's family arrive after about 45 minutes and he went to greet them as I was talking to the hospital's Director. They seemed to be enjoying themselves and I noticed Emmett was introducing them to people he knew from the project. We wouldn't all come together until dinner was served.

Dinner was interesting, ten people to a table. At our table was Edwards family and the Fuller sister's. The sisters are a hoot, in their 80's, widowed and took back their maiden names when their husbands died. They really are sisters and felt that at their age they should be able to do pretty much anything they wanted. They were seated with Emmett on side and Carlisle on the other. They kept the conversation alive asking questions about Seattle and how did they like Chicago, every once in a while Carlisle would stiffen or Emmet would jump and I couldn't help but let out a little laugh. The Fuller sisters were known for being a little grabby.

Everything had been very civil at the table and dessert was being served when Abigail Fuller made a comment about not understanding what was wrong with Seattle that they didn't like a sweetheart me. Most people at the table coughed and looked anywhere but at me, Edward looked at me sadly and I just laughed and patted his leg letting him know it was fine. Before I could answer Agatha piped up asking me about Edward.

"Is he the jackass from Seattle I keep hearing about?" She asked pointing at Edward.

"Yes Ma'am" I said taking a bite of dessert.

"He moved here right, to try to win you back?"

"Yes Ma'am" I responded.

"You aren't making it too easy for him are you?" I looked around the table and everyone was watching our exchange.

"No Ma'am, you taught me well." I told her with a wink and she laughed.

"Good girl. Is he worth giving a second chance? He looks kind of scrawny to me." She said putting her glasses on and really looking at Edward. "Definitely good looking but that isn't the important thing." The Fuller sisters loved shocking people so I was sure the others didn't realize what she really asking me, but they were about to.

"He is definitely worth a second chance Agatha. He has a heart of gold and it is in the right place even if he isn't always good at expressing his feelings." I looked at Edward and placed my hand over his on the table before turning back to face her. "Handsome, like you said, and he is anything but scrawny. Trust me ladies Edward is a big, well developed boy and you'll just have to take my word for that."

The sisters started laughing as Edward quirked an eyebrow at me and the others looked shocked. "It is good to have you back in Chicago Isabella, we've missed you." Abigail said. "Are we allowed to dance with your man Isabella?" I looked at each of them knowing they would be trying to grope him the entire time.

"One dance for each of you and I expect him returned to me in the condition we arrived tonight." They almost pouted at my statement and then played a quick game of rock, paper, scissors to see who would go first. Agatha grabbed Edward's hand and Abigail grabbed Emmett's dragging them out to the dance floor and I chuckled. Rose raised her eyebrows to me as she watched Emmett being dragged away.

"They are two sweet old ladies who like to shock and embarrass people." I told the table in general. "Emmett will be fine Rose, they will pat his ass and rub their hands on his arms and back but they won't take it too far. No matter how violated he may come back feeling. To them it is just good, clean fun."

"Ok, then I am just going to sit here and watch him try to fight her off." Rose said with a chuckle. It was fun to watch and when the song ended the sisters switched partners. When Edward had his butt pinched for the third time and looked at me pleadingly I sent a text out to have someone save him. When Gloria walked out to cut in he sent me a look that said that wasn't the kind of help he was looking for. Jasper looked scared as Abigail approached the table not taking her eyes off him. I decided to mingle as a string of ladies vied for the next dance with Edward.

Twenty minutes later I felt hands at my waist and warm breath on my neck as Edward whispered. "That was not very nice Isabella."

"I think it was very nice and I am sure the ladies appreciated it." I said and I couldn't help the light laugh to my voice.

"Can I dance with my lady now?" I nodded. "She should feel free to pinch my ass, rub up against me and do all the other things that those nice, sweet looking, little old ladies did to me." Edward said grumpily.

"I am sure you gave them a thrill Edward. I never would have let them go too far." I told him and started running my fingers through his hair to settle his nerves.

"I know but you are the one I love Bella. The only one I want touching me in any type of a suggestive manner." I smiled at him and intentionally ran my hand down over his ass. "Not helping my current problem." He growled in my ear as he pulled me closer to his problem.

"Sorry" I said but not meaning it. "It has been a long time since I actually had fun at one of these functions Edward and I owe that to you." I told him honestly.

"I'm glad you are enjoying your evening then, even if it is somewhat at my expense." I could see and hear his sincerity, as well as his good humor, before he leaned in to kiss me softly.

Edward and I had made great strides in our communication but there were still some fairly large things we needed to discuss. We had also had several sleepovers and quite a few heavy make out sessions but sex had not been a part of anything...yet and I wanted him badly. However tonight would not be that night, Edward's family was staying with him and while things had gone well tonight, they hadn't gone well enough for that.

Esme POV

It felt good to see my son for more than one night. I admit I did not take Edward's move well. I wanted him in Seattle with me, what mother doesn't want her children close. When he put his house on the island for sale I knew I needed to face facts, yes he still had his condo in the city but it was a signal that he would not be returning to Seattle for anything but business unless Bella was with him. In the months he has been gone he has returned three times for business and I have been glad to see him each time, even if he refuses to discuss his relationship with me.

Watching them on the dance floor drives home just how much I mishandled things in New York. Things happened so fast and were out of my control so I latched onto the few things I could control and looked for someone to blame for the bad things happening to my son and I found that in Bella. She didn't deserve it and some part of me knew that, even at the time, but that didn't stop me from doing it. Now I was reaping what I had sown. I have been wondering for some time if I forced Edward into this move by my actions and watching tonight I don't think I did. I definitely sped the process up but it would have happened eventually, I am sure of that. I am also sure I would be on better terms with son had I not forced things also.

I understand what Edward meant about not asking Bella to move to Seattle after seeing her here. In Seattle she is talked about, pointed at and almost shunned at events like this but here, she is sought out, accepted and enjoys a camaraderie with people I never expected. She is less guarded and more open to people in general and to showing affection to Edward publicly, because she is accepted here and in a way she never will be in Seattle especially if she and Edward stay together. There are a lot of women who won't be happy about that. No, I couldn't have prevented him from moving to Chicago and I wouldn't have done it anyway.

I want my son happy and if tonight is any indication she makes him very happy. I wish he hadn't shut me out when it comes to their relationship. I know he is talking to Carlisle and Emmett about things but they either don't know or don't tell me much. Over the years I have gotten used to Edward coming to me with these types of problems, so it hurts to be shut out this way. The more time I spend thinking about New York and the bits and pieces of conversations I overheard between Edward and Bella I began to realize he had not ever told me much about their relationship. I resented that and her for the secrecy that I was convinced was her fault. But it isn't. He is in a healthy, adult relationship for the first in what seems like forever. He doesn't need to talk to me, he is talking to Bella and that is how it should be.

"Are you enjoying your evening? You seem deep in thought, darling?" Carlisle asked pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yes I am sweetheart. They are very happy together, aren't they?" I asked looking at Bella and Edward as the moved among the tables saying their goodbyes.

"They are getting there. I know you don't want to see it but I think this move will turn out to be very good Edward, in many ways." I could tell what Carlisle meant. Edward was more confident and becoming more of his own man, he wasn't in anyone's shadow anymore.

"I think you are right and it is hard to admit." I stated laying my head against his shoulder. They made their way to our table to say goodnight and my joy waned some when I saw and felt Bella become just slightly more formal with our table than she was with most of the others. I noticed Edward also became more guarded as he watched our interactions with Bella. I had caused this and I needed to be the one to rectify the situation. I needed to know if others saw what I did. "She isn't truly comfortable with us, is she?" I asked the table in general as I watched Edward led Bella out of the room.

"No, but then I can't fault her for being guarded with us." Rose said softly.

"Neither can I but we need to take action to correct that, starting tomorrow at brunch." I looked around the table to everyone nodding their heads. Unless I was totally off base Bella would be a member of the family in the future and tomorrow was the first step towards ensuring my son could keep the happily ever after he wanted.

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