One Night in Vegas

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Bella's Point of View

I bit my lip as my mother wrapped her arms around me one last time before she had to go. The ride to the airport had been short and far too silent for my liking, and that probably had everything to do with the tension between Edward and me; it was so intense it was becoming suffocating. I knew Edward and I would have to talk soon, or we would both explode. "I'm going to miss you mom." I whispered softly as she pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

"I'm going to miss you too sweetheart," She said softly as she took a step back, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We all are." As the words left her mouth Phil made his way between us and pulled me into his arms and lifting me off me feet as he hugged me. A soft laugh escaped my lips and I wrapped my arms around his neck. "It was so good to be able to see you for Christmas."

I turned my head and rested my cheek against Phil's shoulder as he placed me back down onto my feet, and looked towards my mother. "Same here; I just wish you all could have stayed a bit longer." My mother smiled at me sympathetically, but nodded in agreement. I think we all wish it could have been a longer visit, especially Rose. I think she missed the small town of Forks more than she let on.

"You know," Rose said, as if knowing I was thinking about her. "You can always visit us too." I released my hold on Phil just as he let go me and I turned to face Rose with a smile and curt nod. My emotions were starting to get the best of me and I felt my throat begin to close. I wasn't ready for this good-bye and I was sure I'd be an emotionally wreck for the rest of the day. "Emmett and I have a guest room, and I'm sure mom and Phil have one as well, so," She took a deep breath as her voice began to crack a bit. "So, when you Edward get things sorted out why not plan a trip." Her eyes adverted to my husband as his name left her lips, her eyes narrowing at bit in what I assumed was a warning; a warning that her quickly caught up on because he glanced away nervously.

I took a deep breath and nodded, lifting my hand to run my fingers shakily through my hair. Only thing I could think of in that moment is if things between Edward and I could be sorted. He was upset over assumptions. "I'll see what we can do." I said simply, not wanting to appear as negative as I felt. Rose smiled warmly and nodded, shifting Everett on her hip. I smiled softly as I glanced down at my nephew and couldn't help but place my hand on my stomach. He was such a good baby, so quiet and peaceful. I only hoped my child was the same. I took a step forward and pressed my lips to his forehead and whispered I love you before backing away.

"Send us ultra sound pictures!" Emmett boomed out of nowhere, reaching to take his son from his wife's arms. "They're fun to look at." His face scrunched up a bit in confusion. "Even though you can't really tell there is a baby there." With that he shrugged and we all laughed. My brother and law was such a goof ball, but his silly mood was exactly what I needed right now to lighten my own mood. But then he was leaving soon. I swallowed hard and tears filled my eyes causing Emmett to frown. "Aww, Bells, come on don't do that."

A strangled laugh escaped my lips just as a few tears slide down my cheeks. I quickly moved to wipe them away, but as soon as I did so more fell. "Sorry," I muttered covering my face. A light chuckle escaped Emmett and from the sound of it I had made him uncomfortable. Tears were something he had never been good with which was probably why Rosalie was good at getting what she wanted from him. Faking tears was something Rose had always been good with, something I had learned the hard way growing up.

I took a step back as my family moved to gather their carryon luggage, a soft hand on my shoulder caused me to look to my side and Esme smiled warmly beside me. She gave a light reassuring squeeze to my shoulder that had me returning the smile ever so slightly. We all whispered our last 'goodbyes' and 'I love you's as they passed the security gate, cutting me off from following them any further. I turned as a strangled sob escaped and I ran straight into Edward. I had no idea he had been that close, or that anyone could be that quiet. His arms wrapped tightly around me and he pulled me close, and despite or earlier argument I melted into him. His fingers rubbed soothing circles on my back and soon I was full out sobbing and couldn't really tell anyone why.

"It's alright sweetheart," Esme's soothing voice came after a moment. "Let's get you two home."

I lifted my head a bit from Edward's chest and chanced a look at her, feeling not only humiliated but exhausted. I sniffled softly and lightly pushed Edward away, taking a step back myself. Going home sounded good, so did climbing back into bed. I nodded somewhat and took a few steps forward toward Esme. Once I had approached her she wrapped her arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to her before looking back and summoning Edward to follow along. We didn't waste time getting to the cars and this time I opted to ride along with Esme in her own car leaving Edward to drive alone.

I didn't need to glance back at up to know he was upset with my decision. I could tell by the way he simply said 'okay.' I wasn't ready to sit next to him and have reality set in. I wanted to keep hold of that moment we had in the airport before we left. In those few moments it was like nothing had gone wrong between us that morning when in all actuality everything was rocky between us. We still needed to talk and I knew the longer we prolonged it the harder it was going to be to have. I also knew Edward wasn't completely at blame and if I had been in his shoes I'd be self-conscious too. Thinking back on the whole situation I hadn't really fought to get away from Jacob and maybe a part of me had wanted him back at the time-it's hard to get over your first love, but I was happy with Edward and I did love him. We were having a child together and I didn't want to lose him. Whether he chooses to see it or not, he is the biggest part of my life.

I got into the passenger seat of Esme's car and mindlessly pulled on my seatbelt as she started the car. "He loves you, you know that right?" I looked at my mother-in-law as I considered her question. I nodded my head a little, resting my head against the window.

"I know," I replied simply. He wouldn't have reacted the way he had if he didn't love me, though, the way he had acted could have caused for doubts in some people, but after longing for someone for so long and then suddenly having reason to fear they might lose them would make anyone act rashly. I sighed and closed my eyes, completely exhausted.

"I don't agree with the way he acted today Bella," She went on and I struggled to pay attention to what she was saying. "I've raised him better than that and he knows it." I opened my eyes a bit and glanced at her my eyes heavy. I was being rude and I knew it, but I couldn't seem to summon the energy to pay attention. "But you can at least, somewhat, understand why he reacted the way he had, right?" I merely nodded again as she glanced at me. "Oh, sorry dear, go on, take a nap. I'll wake you when I pull into the drive way." I smiled weakly and muttered something under my breath before allowing my heavy eyes to close.

"She's exhausted."

"I can see that mom."

"Be careful! You're going to bump her head."

"I've got her. Can you open the front door for me?"

"Yes, of course. Where are your keys?"

"Back pocket."

My eyes opened as Edward shifted my in his arms and glanced around in a haze. "Where are we?" I mumbled softly, lifting my head from his shoulder.

"Home," Edward said simply, his voice soft and soothing. "Go back to sleep I'll put you in bed." Home? But weren't we just leaving the airport? I lifted my head more and glanced around, thoroughly taking in my surroundings.

Home.

"I can walk." I said softly, feeling guilty that I had fallen asleep on Esme. The last thing I did remember was her telling me to take a nap. I must have passed out as soon as those words left her lips. "I'm awake now. I don't want to go back to sleep."

Edward grunted something and lightly placed me back on my feet, his hands lingering on my waist to be sure that I had my footing.

"Door is open. Oh, she's up." She said tenderly.

I smiled softly at her and stretched, trying to wake my still sleeping limbs. "Yeah, I'm sorry about falling asleep on you like that Esme."

"Don't worry about it dear. You've had an emotionally draining day so needless to say you needed it. Now, why don't we all head inside and I'll make us all some tea."

I bit my lower lip and nodded, taking a step forward after as she turned and headed back toward the front door, Edward clearing his throat stopped me in my tracks. Slowly I turned my head to look back at him over my shoulder. He hadn't move from the spot he stood when he placed me back down on my feet, and his hands were shoved into his pockets. "Bella," He said softly, his voice smooth like velvet. My heart skipped a beat in my chest and I took a deep breath. "Can we talk now, please?"

I turned to face him completely, shoving my own hands into my pockets to keep myself from fidgeting with my fingers. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this conversation, but I also knew it needed to be done. There was no need to put it off any longer than it already has been. "What about your mom?" I asked regardless of what needed to be done.

"She'll still be there when we are done talking, please, Bella." He removed his hands from his pocket and took and unsure step toward me. "I don't want to put this off any longer. This tension between us is killing me. I know that it is mostly my fault for the way I was, but I don't want it to be like this between us. I want us to work." His hand extended toward mine as he finished his sentence.

My hand left my pocket of its own will and reached for his. Edward's fingers enclosed around mine and he lightly tugged me forward. "Come, let's walk around back," He said softly. I followed him without a word, wondering how this conversation was going to go, and who was going to start it. "I over reacted this morning. I shouldn't have said what I said, at least not how I said it. When Alice told me what had happened between you and Jacob, about how you just stood there while he kissed you, well, I didn't know what to think. Then you just disappeared for hours with her and came back looking like sex in heels. I'm not going to lie to you, it was an amazing night, but when I woke up I was bombarded with all these conflicting thoughts. Maybe she's just here for my money, or maybe she isn't as happy with me as she thought she was, maybe she wants to go back to him. I don't know, it may just be me being insecure, and I probably should have said just that when you asked me what was wrong this morning. So, here is me telling you now…" Edward stopped walking as we made it to the back gate and I looked up at him, biting my lower lip. "I'm afraid I'm going to lose you again. Afraid that I can't give you what he did."

I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Edward, even if I wanted you to you can't give me what Jake did. Plus, what he gave me then isn't what I need now." A nervous laugh escaped me. "Does that make any sense?" I took a deep breath and glanced down at my feet, trying to figure out how I could properly express myself so that he understood. "What I had with Jacob was nice while it was. I had loved him, but he had betrayed me in the worst way possible. I hadn't thought I'd experience love again, didn't think I wanted to, especially not as soon as I did. I was a mess when we you found me in Vegas. My heart was shattered, but you, you pieced it back together for me." I sighed and looked back up at him. "I might not have fought him off that night I saw him, but I was shocked. I guess a small part of me never expected to run into him again, but that doesn't mean I wanted to go back to him. I don't want anyone but you. I love you Edward and if you want to move, like you said before, to put that space between us then let's do it."

Edward shook his head and pulled me into his arms. "How we go on a vacation instead?"

I wrapped my arms around his waist, holding onto him tightly. "Vacation?"

"How does London sound?"

Sorry for the wait guys. Sorry, this one wasn't edited either. I did get your message about still reading this over for me Kuntrygal. I'll send the next chapter to you as soon as possible. Hopefully you all won't have to wait as long for the next chapter. As always, please read and review for me. I'm excited! ONiV is almost at 1000 reviews!

Love always,

Annamarie.