A/N: Thank you in advance for making this fic over 3k reviews. I love you all and wish I could respond to you individually. Thanks so much

For a split second, when Edward stirred to the unmistakable scent of sex and the feel of a warm, small body in his arms, his heart seized up and his throat got tight. He squeezed his eyes closed, wanting to stave off guilt for just a few more seconds.

Then he remembered where he was, and whom he held so close.

A dream, he thought. He'd been having a dream and expected to wake up next to someone else. It had happened a small handful of times in his life when he'd given into loneliness if only for a few brief hours. He'd always regretted it the morning after.

And yet, his biggest mistake, when loneliness and a low alcohol tolerance had led him to commit to a complete stranger with the most sacred of vows, had become the greatest joy of his life. He would never have to wake up guilty again. At least, not about who he'd shared his bed, his body with.

How lucky. How unbearably lucky he'd been. If he hadn't been drunk he might not have slipped into the oppressive heat of the Las Vegas night. He might not have found himself outside the Mirage, and might not have heard her quiet crying. She would have slipped back into the crowd, another nameless face in the throng of people.

Edward opened his eyes.

It was doubtless she'd had to get up during the night, and so she wasn't facing him as she had been when they'd fallen asleep, their limbs still tangled up in each other. Her back was pressed against his chest, the skin between them super-heated and slick with sweat. His arm was wrapped around her waist, his fingers brushing the hardness of her swollen belly.

His.

There was nothing gentle or tender about the need that rose in him then. It was a primal need, wild and ancient. He wanted to claim her physically and surely as she'd claimed his heart and soul. She was his; his to protect and only his to hold. He was the only one who would ever touch her this way again.

Edward drew in a deep breath, his nose pressed into her hair. He sought for a measure of calm, controlling the beast-heart that had momentarily taken over his actions. There would be time to lose themselves to passion. There would be times when their lovemaking could be fierce - as strong and overwhelming as his love for her and hers for him.

WIth his hand spread wide, cupping their baby, their daughter, through her skin, Edward reminded himself that now was not that time. Bella was tough as nails, so much stronger than she gave herself credit for, but the life she carried was delicate and frail.

Gentle, he reminded himself.

And he wasn't adverse to that plan in the slightest.

Bringing his hand up away from her waist, he first brushed the hair off her shoulder, pressing kisses along the smooth expanse of skin. With his nose skimming the line of her neck, he reflected that the smell of her lightly floral body wash, sweat, and sex was a potent mixture. He'd already stirred against her, where her ass brushed him, but that smell and the way she began to wriggle in her sleep made him harder.

As he ran his hand down her arm, stroking with long, slow movements, he brought the blankets down. He wanted to look on her naked body as he touched her. She was beautiful, and he wanted to drink her in, memorize the shape and feel of her.

When his questing fingers crept between her legs she whimpered, still asleep but waking. He smiled, his lips pressed where her shoulder met her neck.

He brushed the tips of his fingers over her before he centered on her clit, stroking in increasingly insistent circles.

Bella moaned and then came awake with a gasp, her back arching against his chest.

"I love you," he whispered quickly against her ear, his voice gravely.

She sighed, her hand coming up, finding first his cheek before she slid her fingers into his hair. "Edward," she mumbled, her voice high pitched and breathy.

He used his legs to guide hers apart. Heat. God, he craved her.

With his hands at the back of her thigh, his fingertips pressing into her skin, he entered her slowly, revelling in the sensation of her heat closing around him inch by inch. Her fingers tightened in his hair.

He pressed their bodies together, his arms around her, his lips against her, murmuring soft, lovely things in her ear. Her responses were mostly wordless: sounds that vibrated at the back of her throat, wanton moans. Occasionally, his name would slip from her lips.

He'd never been so fond of his own name.

Bella pushed up onto her arms. He was lost in her body, her scent, the sound of her voice, and the feel of being inside her.

He felt complete.

When they were both spent, she turned in his arms, her lips against at his throat, pressing open mouthed kisses there as he struggled to control his breathing.

"Good morning," he murmured when she'd kissed her way up to his lips.

Her smile was slow, bashful, her cheeks pink. "That was a nice way to wake up. I could get used to it."

Edward chuckled, cuddling her closer. "I think I could, too." He kissed her slowly. "Happy birthday, my beautiful Bella."

She kissed him back. "So far? Best birthday ever."

~0~

"It's real now, isn't it?"

Edward looked up, brought out of a daydream state. He'd been watching Bella with his mother across the way, both of them chatting animatedly about the house they were touring. Alice was with them, and Edward hadn't noticed she'd gravitated to his side until she spoke.

"What do you mean?" he asked carefully, startled and confused about her question.

Her expression was patient. "You are so lucky that the rest of the family aren't as nosy as I am. She was sleeping in the other room. She isn't now. It's real now. Everything."

Edward grimaced. Alice had always been very perceptive.

"You don't have to say anything, Edward." Her voice was quiet, unassuming. "I had the same doubts Jasper did, Rosalie did. We didn't want anyone to take advantage of you."

"She's not -"

"I realize that," Alice said quickly, holding up a hand. "I realized that right away."

Edward breathed a small sigh. "Yes. It's real now," he admitted quietly, allowing a small smile to tug at his lips. It felt good to acknowledge how important the last week and a half of his life was. It had been difficult not to celebrate, shout his happiness from every available rooftop.

Alice slipped her hand in his and squeezed tightly. "I'm glad. Really."

"Thank you," he said sincerely, smiling at his brother's girlfriend.

Minutes later, he lost track of Bella. He moved through the house, uneasy until he found her in the master bedroom. Breathing with relief, he stepped quietly toward her, his steps even against the wood floor. She turned to him, smiling and extending a hand.

"This house is beautiful," she said quietly after he'd tucked her under his arm.

"I like this alcove a lot," he agreed, gesturing at the little nook just off the well lit, airy bedroom. "It would be nice to have a little office in the bedroom."

She glanced up at him. "Maybe," she said. "I was thinking though, maybe for a little while, it could be a convenient nursery?"

He smiled, slipping his arms around her waist, holding her close. "You want the baby close at first? We can do that. A crib just below the window here." He gestured to the window that faced the backyard.

"Yes. Exactly."

They were quiet for a minute. "Do you want this house?" he asked, dipping his head so his lips were close to her ear.

Bella didn't answer right away, but wound her fingers through his. It was a gorgeous house, great for a growing family and nearer to his parents' house than the mansion. "It's a lot," she hedged.

It really wasn't a lot for the current market for a four bedroom, three bath home. But Bella was young. She'd never had occasion to look for a home, let alone a home in the heart of a big city like Chicago. It was a good investment, and he liked the house as well as she seemed to.

He could see raising a family here.

Taking her hand, Edward led Bella back downstairs to join Esme, Alice, and the Realtor. "We want to make an offer on this house," he said decisively.

~0~

"So how's life off the job? Keeping yourself busy?" Alice asked.

The family had gathered to help Edward and Bella pack some things away before the latest open house. Bella was still nervous that they'd made an offer on one house before the other sold. What had Edward told his brother about counting his chickens before they were hatched?

Rosalie, Alice, and Bella had taken a break to get drinks for everyone.

"I joined a prenatal yoga class," Bella said with a small smile.

"Are you being vigilant?" Rosalie asked. "I know it's scary to think about, but you never know if that guy attacked you at random or if he'd been watching you for some reason."

Bella shivered, looking down at the table.

"Rosalie," Alice rebuked, rubbing Bella's back soothingly.

"I know it's scary, but it's not something that's wise to forget about," Rosalie said, her voice more gentle.

"She's right." Bella took a deep breath. "And I have thought about it. We're being careful. I'm being careful, believe me."

They didn't need to know about the man who followed her discreetly, keeping watch. As Edward promised, he wasn't as obtrusive as she'd originally feared. He was rather a nice man. His form was smaller than she expected and unassuming. Eleazar Ortega had analytical eyes that missed nothing.

"I'm still not used to Rosalie being so protective," Bella admitted to Alice a few minutes later when they were alone.

Alice smiled sadly at her. "Rosalie knows what it's like to be attacked," she said quietly.

"Oh. Oh, I'm sorry." Bella frowned. "Really."

"Yeah." Alice patted her arm. "It's a hell of a way to find something in common, but I'm glad she's coming around."

"I understand. She was right not to trust me right away." Bella sighed, telling herself at least, if there was still a lot they hadn't told his family, at least they weren't lying about the most important thing now. "I just wish it hadn't spread to the rest of the family."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh." Bella rubbed the back of her neck, blushing. "I may have heard you talking to Rosalie when you stayed over... you know, when the boys all went camping? I heard when she said Carlisle and Esme were ignoring Emmett because of Edward marrying me."

Alice's face scrunched up. "Oh, Bella. That all has nothing to do with you. That's been brewing for a long, long time, and frankly, I'm glad."

"You're glad?"

"Yeah, I really am. This family knows how to do guilt. They carry it like a second skin." Alice sighed. "Carlisle and Esme will never forgive themselves for letting that bastard take Edward. They overcompensate at times. When they think Edward will let them."

"And Edward feels guilty for everything," Bella agreed with a sigh.

"Yeah. Like it's his fault he had money and Jasper and Emmett didn't." She rolled her eyes. "I think you're a conduit, which sucks for you but ultimately..." Alice shrugged. "They're all saying a lot of things that should have been said a long time ago."

Bella turned this over in her head. She was about to speak again when a movement caught her eye. "Oh, fuck."

Alice followed her gaze out the window where Edward Cullen the First was getting out of his car. "This is going to be interesting," she muttered.

Quickly, the two women headed out to where the rest of the family was gathered in the living room. Bella's heart twisted. They all looked happy: a happy family for that split second. Looking over and seeing her in the doorway, Edward's grin only widened.

"Edward," she said quietly, taking his hand. "Your -"

She was cut off by a furious knocking on the door.

Edward's smile fell.

"It's your grandfather," she said softly.

"Yes. I figured that."

The pounding continued, and for a few more seconds, nobody moved. Edward looked slightly green as he took a step forward.

"No," Carlisle said suddenly, holding his hand out to stop his son's forward motion. "Let me."

"This isn't his fight. I should -" Edward began, but Bella stopped him.

She pushed up onto her tiptoes, whispering in his ear. "Let him help you. Let him be your father."

It was the absolute ferocity in Carlisle's expression that made Bella say it. She was protective of Edward and wanted nothing more than to protect him from his grandfather who would hurt him if he had the chance to open his mouth. But looking at Carlisle, she saw a mirror of what she felt. He would protect his son at any cost.

Carlisle was already stalking toward the door. He opened it without a trace of his typical gentleness.

There was a moment of tense silence as father and son faced off.

"I could have guessed you were behind all this madness. Let me by, Carlisle."

"I don't believe you're welcome here."

"I'm in no mood for your dramatics, boy."

"And I am not a boy, Father. Unless you've come to apologize to your grandson -"

"Apologize?" The elder Cullen scoffed. "I came here to stop this infantile madness. Was it you who put him up to selling this house?"

Edward's fists clenched, and Bella wrapped her arm more firmly around his waist.

Surprisingly, Carlisle just laughed. "And you accuse me of being dramatic. No one is putting Edward up to anything. It was his decision, and as this is his home -"

"I've heard enough from you. My business is with my grandson. I have no desire to speak to you at all."

"And I already told you, you aren't welcome here," Carlisle said smoothly, not showing any signs of backing down.

Edward surged forward then, unable to hold back any longer. "He's right," he said, opening the door wider. "You made it clear to me that you don't approve of me, my choices, or my family. You needn't concern yourself with us anymore."

"How very convenient. You claim your independence by selling a house that's been in the family since before even I was born!"

"It's my choice, my house."

"Only because I gave it to you," the old man hissed.

"And that is a gift you cannot yank back at your whim," Carlisle snapped. "That, Father, is a choice you'll have to live with."

Edward the first sneered, staring at his son incredulously. "You think you have a right to lecture me on my choices?" He looked significantly at Edward. "Or was it someone else who followed the direction of the devil and subsequently abandoned their child to me."

"I won't call my son a mistake." Carlisle's voice was level again, but Bella thought she heard a tremor in it. "You made your choices too. You could have helped me learn how to be a good father, though I suspect you'd have to have been a good father in the first place."

Bella balked, and everyone standing around her gaped, shocked as she was that Carlisle would be so rude to anyone, let alone his father.

The color of red the elder Cullen was turning could not have been a healthy shade. He stepped forward, grabbing the front of Carlisle's shirt and yanking him forward with surprising strength for a man of his age. Beside Bella, Esme gasped.

Carlisle merely looked tired. "What are you going to do? The last time I told you something you didn't want to hear, you hit me and kicked me out of your house."

Bella's stomach churned, her hand shooting to her mouth.

"I won't hit you back; you know that," Carlisle said calmly.

"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes," Edward Senior quoted, pushing his son away. "You are just as prone to hysterics now as you were then." He waved an angry finger in Carlisle's face. "I raised you to be a humble, righteous man. If you had listened -"

"I did listen. Not only did I listen, but I learned, which, I think is the difference between you and me. You preach, but I practice."

Edward the First looked both livid and confused by his son's continued defiance. Carlisle took the chance to press forward.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you," Carlisle quoted. "It's been over thirty years, and you haven't forgiven me for not being the son you wanted me to be, the perfect saint without sin. What good are your words if you don't live by them?"

For once, Edward's grandfather seemed stricken rather than angry.

"I really wish you could see what you're throwing away," Carlisle continued quietly. "But until you can, I will correct the mistakes of my past. You won't hurt my son - any of my family - ever again."

"Please leave, Grandfather," Edward added after a tense moment.

The old man's eyes narrowed. "The house -"

"The house is for sale, sir," Edward interrupted. "If you want it back so much, I'm sure you can afford it."

Anger and disgust played out clearly on the Edward the First's face, but his response lacked its usual fervor. "You are as wretched as your father."

"God, I sincerely hope that's true," Edward returned fervently.

Carlisle put a hand on Edward's shoulder, drawing him inside, and they closed the door without another moment's hesitation. For a long, drawn out handful of moments, they only looked at each other - two abandoned sons who'd finally faced down the man who was at the heart of all their insecurities; a father who had finally protected his son.

It was Emmett who finally broke the silence.

"Nicely done, Pops," he said, his tone lacking the usual volume but still sincere. He clapped his father on the shoulder.

A smile quirked at Carlisle's lips.

"Speaking of things that were a long time coming..." Alice muttered in Bella's ear.

Bella just shook her head, stepping to her husband's side and wrapping her arms around his waist.

A/N: Thanks so much to my girls including jadedandboring who stepped in for beta services. I love you all so much.

So really. That pledge-a-thon thing? Gotta tell ya, I'm not doing so well here. What do I gotta do to earn your love (and $5 for a good cause? hmmm?) *puppy dog eyes* bit . ly/ptblkris

And please don't feel bad if you can't. It's a good cause and I wanna help out, that's all.