Beta'd by cejsmom and preread by Twi-mom12292005

Banner by AnaFluttersby

You all know who owns these characters. No copyright infringement intended.

Dogward/Brokenward/Virginward/Beachward/Preciousward/Insecureward

or as someone have called him "Adorably Virginal"

and Patientella

Chapter 49
BPOV

Edward amazes me. His capacity to love is endless. I didn't expect miracles when I ambushed him with the photos a few days ago. To be honest, the outcome is more than I had hoped for.

He immediately wanted to speak to his parents. He asked for the box. He went through the box, all in one day. It was emotionally draining for me and I was just being supportive. He must have been dead on his feet, but he didn't show it.

All he showed was kindness and love. He has so much love to give. I can't believe I'm the one he is choosing to give that love to.

Sunday dinner was different. He went through one of the photo albums with his parents. I saw them hugging and crying. But when Edward came to find me afterwards, he was stronger for it. I could tell.

Dinner with everyone was the same as always. We laughed, joked, shared antidotes. Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett had no idea what we had been through over the last few days.

After dinner, Edward shared his album with them. I sat across the room from them, once again in awe of this man. There was no mention of his injuries, but the accident was brought up. They gave him their full attention, I would expect nothing less from these kind people I've come to know and love. We went out onto the patio to see the sunset. A visibly shaken Alice hung back with Edward. I don't know what was said between them, but they joined us on the patio arm in arm, both of their eyes red rimmed, but both of them smiling. I'm no therapist, but I could see healing happening right before my eyes.

After giving Alice a kiss on the cheek, he came over to me, hugging me from behind, giving me a kiss on the neck. I turned my head seeking his lips, which he gave me freely. When we ended our kiss we were met with four pairs of eyes staring at us and four giant smiles. The jig was up. We were officially a couple now, everyone knew. Edward bashfully buried his face in my hair and groaned from the attention, causing everyone to laugh. Everything was how it should be.

~MEB~

The new week brought us to our appointments with Maggie. Neither of us had talked to her since I confronted Edward with the photos. Edward went in first, but he seems confident, not nervous. I'm nervous, as good as he has been, I still worry about him closing up again. I need Maggie to reassure me.

When Edward exits her office, he's smiling, but I can tell something is on his mind. Hopefully he will share what he's thinking with me later.

I enter Maggie's office and she greets me with the motherly kindness I'm accustomed too. However, there is something different in her eyes.

"Edward talked to me about what has gone on since you've been back from your dads. With Edward's permission, I'd like to hear your version of it," she prods. I take her through our week and all the progress Edward has made. When I finish she's smiling bigger than I've ever seen her smile.

"What?"

"This went better than expected, wouldn't you say, Bella?"

"It has, I still worry about him reverting or closing up again. Should I be?"

She shakes her head. "I think he's gotten past a major block in his progress. He may regress a little from time to time, but not back to where he was. The fact that he faced his family and went through the box of his childhood memories is very big."

"I thought so, too. He is really an incredible person. I know healing like this is an ongoing project. I'm here for him the whole way."

She's smiling again. "You're lucky to have each other. You love and support each other in such a healthy way." She pauses. "Have you made any decisions about your living situation? Did your dad pressure you like you thought he would?"

"It was great seeing him and being back where I grew up, but that's not my home anymore." I look down at my fidgeting hands. "How pathetic do I sound if I say Edward is my home?" I look up to her, not knowing what she's going to say to my confession.

She's quiet for a minute, deep in thought, which makes me nervous. "Bella, I think I know you well enough to say this. You are an independent woman and have been for many years. You've lost some of that independence when you met Edward. It was due to circumstances beyond your control, but it has happened nonetheless. You are a smart, intuitive person. Be careful to not lose yourself. When we enter into relationships our lives become intertwined. You and Edward have something special, but what attracted you to each other is who you were when you met. Many couples lose who they were before they began their relationship and then can't see or remember what attracted them to each other. I think if you're aware of this, you'll be just fine. There is nothing wrong with loving someone and wanting them to be 'your home.'"

"Thanks Maggie, I will definitely keep that in mind as we move forward. I do love my job. I love traveling and writing. I won't be traveling for a while, but I do have a deadline to meet in a couple of months. I have no plans to give that up." I smile.

~MEB~

"I'm going to interview Seth's sister, Leah, to manage the rescue." Edward says during dinner.

"Really? The rescue looks huge in the plans you showed me. What are you planning to do?"

"Ideally, I'd like to expand it to include a no/low cost pet clinic, and I'd like to accept more exotic animals, native to the area, but not just domesticated animals."

"What do you mean?"

"Birds native to the area that need rehabilitation or are not fit to be released into the wild again. Maybe even some aquatic animals; sea lions, seals, I think dolphins might be a little out of my league," he laughs.

"That's... um... huge," I say surprised by his plans. "I mean, a great idea, but a big undertaking."

"I know. Leah is a veterinary student. She wants to specialize in exotic animals, but wants to stay in the area near her family. She seems perfect for what I have planned and will be done with her schooling around the time the renovations to the rescue would be completed."

"You've given this a lot of thought."

"I have. I would like you to interview her with me."

"Me, why?"

He shrugs shyly. "I want you to be part of this."

"What do you mean?"

"If we like Leah, she will be around here a lot. I will be working closely with her. I was thinking she could take this apartment when the house is ready. It would be great to have the vet on site."

I nod. But don't know what to say. If she has the apartment, where does that leave us? Me?

He reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Bella, I want you to be involved in this, all of this," he motions around the room with his other hand. "I want you in my life now and in the future. These changes will affect both of us. I want your input." He takes a deep breath before he continues. "I want you to help me design the house, our home" he stares at our hands when he says it.

"Really?" I gasp.

He nods, meeting my stare. "I want you to live there with me. I want it to be ours. I don't want you to buy a house or move out." I don't know what to say, so he continues. "I've never pictured myself married or with children, and I have no idea how you feel about either of those things. It's so foreign for me to even think about. What I do know is I want you. In any way you want me; friends, lovers, partners, maybe even as a husband." He pauses before continuing. "But no pressure, I mean, if this is not what you want... I will understand... I just..." his voice trails off when I stand up from my chair.

With our hands still together I wordlessly pull him up from the table and lead us to the bedroom. His brows burrow in confusion when I push him back on the bed. I stand there for a second, admiring the beautiful, concerned man lying on the bed, watching me expectantly.

I crawl up his body and sit on his legs; his eyes never leave mine as he watches me.

"You've given me a lot to think about," I start. "Designing a house together is a major thing. In fact, just financially speaking, I have to reinvest the money from the sale of my house or I will owe an outrageous amount of money to the IRS."

He nods in understanding. "Invest in the house, or the rescue."

"Partners?"

"Yes, partners. I've already spoken to Jasper about it. We would do it all legally, mainly to protect you in the event that you want out. I wouldn't want you to lose any of your money." He pauses again. "Bella, I want you in my future. You are my future. You can sit down with Jasper and he can show you your options. Or get your own attorney or financial advisor, if you think working with mine is a conflict of interest."

I put my finger on his lips to hush him. "Edward, I don't think you would cheat me. If anything you'd cheat yourself. I'll talk to Jasper. Look at the options."

"So, no more looking for a house?" He asks in a hopeful voice.

"No more house hunting," I agree.

He pulls me down on top of him with me still straddling his thighs.

"I love you, Bella," he breaths into my mouth as he kisses me sweetly.

"I love you too, baby. So much."

We kiss for a few minutes, but it stays chaste. Edward pulls away first. His brow furrowed in thought.

He wordlessly moves me off of his lap and sets me next to him on the bed. He sits on the side of the bed, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.

I rub circles on his back, while I give him a minute. Right when I'm about to ask him what is bothering him he stands and removes his shorts, leaving him in his boxer briefs. He is tense and avoids eye contact, but sits back down on the bed.

He lies back on the bed, finally meeting my gaze. Without breaking our stare he reaches down and pulls the fabric up on the legs of his briefs.

I give him an encouraging smile before I move my eyes to his legs. His scars now exposed. I make sure to keep my expression benign, but I am shocked at the extent of his injuries. He has a four inch wide burn that extends across both of his thighs. In addition, the burn is concave. Scars from the surgery run down the center of each thigh, and that's just the front of his legs.

I lift my hand to touch him, but stop. What if he doesn't want me to touch his scars? He must see my hesitations because his hand takes mine and moves it towards his legs.

I trace the burns scars with the tips of my fingers. The skin is soft, but rough at the same time. The scars themselves are bad enough, but I know what they represent; the loss, the guilt, the physical pain. Without thinking I dip my head down and place reverent kisses on his ravaged legs.

I raise my head and look into his eyes. There are tears running down the sides of his face as he watches me.

I want to be closer to him, so I lie next to him and pull him towards me. He lays his head on my chest, I stroke his hair.

In a quiet voice I say, "I love you, Edward. You are so strong. You've been through so much and you are more beautiful to me now than ever before."

He sniffles, my shirt serving as a giant tissue. We lay like that for a while. I continue telling him how special he is. I will say it until he knows it, feels it.

When he gets himself under control, he hugs me tightly and drifts off to sleep on my chest. I can't sleep, he's given me so much to think about and look forward to. The thought of that makes me smile.

A/N

So that was big. How do you feel about what Maggie said to Bella? Should Bella venture into a partnership with Edward?

I apologize for not responding to reviews this chapter. I ran into some creative differences within my head about the end of this story. I think I have it worked out now. I just need the time to sit down and write it.

I would still love to hear your ideas about these two! Thanks for reading and keeping me motivated :)

PS We may be needing to get rid of one of his nicknames soon!