I know, I know...FINALLY! Once more, real life has been kicking my butt! My muse has escaped me, and my man's been away. I need this long weekend LOL

Thanks to everyone who's reading this little story of mine. It never ceases to amaze me that people are still reading and still enjoying it. I have to admit...I'm enjoying this little ride too. Still no idea where Edward is taking us though... *wink*

A little bit of business before we continue on: the disclaimer: Twilight, it's characters and it's situations do not belong to me. They are the property of the very lucky Stephenie Meyer.

Please enjoy this chapter...I hope it was worth the wait...please be kind, because, you know...my muse has escaped and my man's sunning himself on a rock while I sit here under cloud cover ;)

XxXxXxXxXx

Chapter 27: Rockaway Beach

She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take. Her arms…her feet…her back…they all ached. And she was hungry. She tried to stretch her back as she shuffled her screaming feet, packages shifting precariously.

Why Bella had ever agreed to go Christmas shopping in Port Angeles with Alice Cullen, well, she couldn't figure that out herself. Maybe it was because Alice's enthusiasm for the season was simply infectious. Maybe it was because being around Alice always made her feel better. But, mostly, she knew she was here with her because being with Alice made her feel connected to Edward in some odd, second hand way.

"I'm not sure," Alice looked at herself in the mirror, modeling the sleek black satin cocktail dress. "You think this is too much for Stanley's party?"

Bella eyed the classy strapless number. How she envied Alice her small, slight figure. Bella had curves. Hell, if she was being honest with herself, her curves had curves…and Edward's hands had loved caressing every last curve she had almost as much as her curves appreciated his attention to their details.

"I don't know. What did you wear last year?"

"I wasn't invited last year," Alice sighed and frowned. "I'm only invited this year because of you."

"But you came to her Halloween party," Bella protested.

"I asked to go to that party, Bella. You know that."

"Oh, that's right," it was Bella's turn to frown. "I'd forgotten…" her voice trailed off as she thought back to Halloween night. She and Edward had been so happy that night, but that was also the night the rest of the Cullen's had been in that horrible car crash coming home from Port Angeles. She looked at Alice. Watching her scurry around the way she'd been the last couple of weeks, it was hard to believe she'd been injured at all, except for the fact that she moved a little more slowly and bounced a little less. Jasper was still going through physical therapy, and still didn't have full use of his shoulder back. She didn't know what was up with Rose or Emmett at this point, although Rose was still moving slowly at school, but just as bitchy as ever.

"So," Alice stood primly in front of her. "What do you think?"

"I like it," Bella nodded. She couldn't do much else but nod. Her arms were laden down with all of the bags from their shopping spree. Alice had a brand new family member to

include on her Christmas list now.

"I think I'm going to get it," Alice smiled. Bella knew that the old Alice Cullen would have been bouncing up and down with excitement. The new, more subdued Alice stood still in front of the three way mirror, watching her reflection with caution.

"What are you wearing, Bella?"

"Me? Oh, I have a leather skirt I can throw on."

"Well, that's not very festive," her tiny hands made their way to her non-existent hips.

"You want festive? Look at my hair. That's festive," she shook her head as if Alice couldn't notice the red and green stripes accenting her dark, straight hair.

"You need some sparkle," Alice closed the curtain to her dressing room. "You need some glitter or something."

"I can put some glitter in my hair Friday night if you want," Bella rolled her eyes.

"What are you wearing with the leather skirt? Is it black?"

"Yeah, it's black."

"Do you have some lace stockings or maybe fishnets? You're not wearing those damn red and green striped elf tights, are you? You look like you work at the North Pole in those stupid things!"

"I have fishnets," Bella shifted her weight on her aching feet and rolled her eyes.

"Anything glittery to wear on top?" Bella could hear the smaller girl shimmying out of the satin dress. "Something festive?"

"I don't own anything glittery or festive, Alice, except for those tights that you hate."

"You will after today."

"No, I won't."

"You will. And you won't argue with me, because you know you'll lose."

Bella sighed. "I know."

"I saw some nice tops over there before."

"Over where?"

"Over there. Stompfmofockingmfe."

"Alice, stop talking while you're pulling your turtleneck over your head," Bella shook her head, stifling a laugh.

"I said," Alice pulled the curtain to her dressing room open. "Stop mocking me."

"I'm not mocking you. I'm making fun of you," Bella smirked as Alice took a few shopping bags off her hands.

"Thank you," Bella flexed her left hand.

"Not a problem. Let me go pay for this and we'll double back. I saw an adorable top for you."

"Seriously, Alice. I'm fine," Bella limped along behind Alice. She might have slowed down some, but she was still much quicker than Bella right now.

"Fine?" Alice whirled around and faced her. "You're wearing a black leather mini skirt to a holiday party. What are you going to wear on top? That black halter top?"

Bella nodded. "That was the plan."

"Well, that plan's been scrapped. You're wearing one of two tops I noticed," she held her hand up. "And I'm not arguing about it."

Bella knew she was beat. There was no talking to Alice when she was like this. Her mind was made up and Bella had no choice. Whichever top Alice decided she liked best on her was the top she'd have to wear. Otherwise there would be no living with the tiny Cullen.

Alice paid for her dress, adding yet another package that needed to be lugged around the small mall in Port Angeles with them.

She yanked a tiny black sequined tank top from the rack.

"I think this is perfect!"

"Um, it's sleeveless," Bella protested.

"Of course it is. It's sleeveless and slinky and sexy!"

"I don't do sleeveless," she shook her head.

"Oh, but you do backless?"

"That's different. Show me the other top you saw."

"It was this one," Alice pulled a black bustier encrusted with clear sequins from a rack.

"I don't know…." She knew darn well that had Edward still been around, she wouldn't hesitate to wear the bustier. Anything to get his hands all over her. But now…now things were different.

"Try them both on. I'll choose the one I like best," Alice pushed her back in the direction of the fitting rooms. "What shoes are you wearing?"

"I was going to wear the boots," Bella dropped her packages to the floor outside the dressing room before closing the curtain. "And stay out there, Alice," she wouldn't put it past the little pixie to just barge in and grab her boobs again.

"Oh, those boots are perfect for either top! With the fishnets," she called as she started searching through the bags. "Hey, Bells, do you know where I put those little socks I picked up for Alec? I want to see if they go with these coveralls."

"Stay out of my bags, you nosey little viper!"

"Ok, ok! Jeesh! I wasn't snooping! I was just looking for the damn socks!"

Bella pulled the curtain open. The bustier sparkled on her.

"Where's the tank top?"

"It was too short. Half my stomach showed," she walked out of the little room and stood in front of the three way mirror.

"That was the point," Alice stood with her hands on her hips as she surveyed the new top on Bella. It wasn't hard to picture how it would look on her with the black leather mini, since she was wearing a denim mini with it now.

"What do you think," Bella turned around and looked over her shoulder, trying to see how she looked from the back.

"I think it looks fabulous on you. I mean, your boobs look great!"

"Alice," Bella shook her head "You have a serious case of boob envy, don't you?"

Alice smiled and blushed. "Maybe. But you do look stunning. You're going to be the Bella of the ball."

"Thanks," Bella rolled her eyes. "Ok, I'll get it. Happy now?" She slid the curtain closed and pulled the tight top off, quickly pulling her bra and long sleeved shirt back on. She had no idea how she'd make it through Jessica's party without freezing her boobs right off.

She pulled the curtain open, picking up her dropped bags. "Can we go get some lunch now? I feel like I'm going to pass out."

"Sure. Goff's has a café," Alice offered.

"Yes, located on the second floor Mezzanine level," Bella rolled her eyes. It was impossible to walk into Goff's without knowing this.

XxXxXxXxXx

Edward held tightly to the bronze haired toddler wriggling on his lap. This was all still new to him, but he was starting to get used to it.

Alec turned around and smiled at him, his green eyes bright with delight.

Edward's heart melted a little.

"So, when's your mom coming out," Victoria took a huge bite out of her burger.

"Tomorrow. Dad has to get back to the hospital."

They sat together at a table in the food court of a huge mall in downtown Chicago, having taken Alec to have his picture taken with Santa Clause. It hadn't been nearly as daunting of an undertaking as Edward had first thought it would be. And his son seemed to be as taken with his daddy as his daddy was with him. There was only one thing missing from his life now, and that was something he planned on fixing before the year was out.

In the nearly two weeks that had passed since their harsh encounter at the café, Edward and Victoria had managed to put their personal differences aside and work on being civil for the sake of their son. It seemed to be working.

Alec was a delightful child, he'd found. Very sweet and very happy. And he'd positively enchanted Carlisle. Perhaps he was a little spoiled, but even Edward and Carlisle wanted to over indulge the adorable little thing when those emerald eyes sparkled up at them.

Edward spooned out some strawberry yogurt and held it up to the child's pouty pink lips, which opened automatically.

"He's a good eater," Victoria offered.

"He is. He's eyeing our burgers though," he smiled.

"Like I said, he's a good eater," she laughed this time, holding her container of french fries out to Alec, who's smile got impossibly brighter as he slid one out, holding it between his chubby fingers as he began to chew on it.

"That'll be it for the yogurt now," Edward smiled, putting the spoon down and wrapping his arms tightly around the boy.

"You were so good with Santa," Victoria smiled, talking to the child in a light, sing songy voice that, if he were being honest with himself, made Edward a little nauseas. He picked up his burger, taking a bite. Alec's big green eyes were on the prize as it made it's way to his father's mouth. Edward held the burger to his son's small mouth and the boy took a tiny bite. Edward and Victoria laughed.

"Would you mind keeping him for a little bit so I can do some shopping?"

The request startled Edward. While he'd spent as much time as possible around his newly discovered son, he'd yet to be alone with the boy.

It had become clear to him that his first impressions had been wrong. Yes, Victoria was still as self absorbed as ever. Yes, her school friends thought Alec was her little brother. And yes, she had set him up at the café, which was still a point of contention between them, making Edward question her motives, even with a simple request to mind their child while she shopped.

But, at home, things were quite a different story. Once she was home from school, and her homework done, Victoria was expected to be the mother. It was her job, her responsibility to feed and bathe and take care of Alec. She was the person who attended to his needs, under the ever watchful eye of Kate, of course. And the child was well taken care of and well loved on all fronts, he'd realized. A long heart to heart with Garrett had assured both Edward and his father that the same mistakes made with Victoria, the mistakes that turned her into the spoiled brat that she was, would not be repeated with Alec. Of course, with the Cullen's now involved in the child's life, definite ground rules had to be set and were set.

And Edward couldn't wait for his mother to arrive.

"Um…sure. I can wheel him around in the carriage if he gets restless."

"Thanks, Eddie," Victoria wiped her greasy mouth with her napkin. "It's…it's hard, you know," she sighed then smiled sadly at him. "You may find yourself wishing you'd never found out," her hand reached out and brushed the wild bronze hair that fell over Alec's pale forehead. "Just like his daddy," she smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

He stared at her, his own green eyes wide. "I don't think it could ever be so hard that I'd wish I never found out," Alec took another small bite from Edward's hamburger, his little hands holding tightly onto the hand Edward held the burger with. Edward looked up at Victoria, eyes hard. "Why? Do you regret having him?"

She shook her head. "Never. Just sometimes, I wish things were different."

"How?"

"I wish I didn't have to juggle school and him. I mean, I can't be a normal high school student anymore. I have to plan ahead to do stuff. Like, there's a party Friday night that I'm going to. I had to book my sitter the day I found out about it. Can't do anything impulsive anymore."

"A sitter," Edward shook his head. "No, no sitters. My mom will be here. We'll take him that night."

"No, it's not really a sitter," she stood up, slipping her purse over her shoulder. "It's my mom. It's just that, when I want to do something when I'm supposed to be keeping him, I have to make arrangements with my mom. I have to 'book' her for the night, ahead of time. Just like she had to do with sitters when I was a baby," she smirked. "To teach me responsibility." Her eyes rolled.

"Oh, I get it," Edward nodded. "If it's too much, though, I can still take him. He can stay at our house for the night. My mom would love to have him."

"It's ok. We've made our arrangement," she rolled her eyes. "Hey, why don't you come with me? It's going to be a wild night," the smile was back.

He studied her face for a moment. "I don't think that'd be a good idea," he shook his head. "I don't do wild very well."

"Oh, you always did wild good," she laughed. "And this party's special. The guy who's throwing it? He's, like, the most popular guy in school! And he finally actually invited us! No more crashing!"

Edward rolled his eyes to himself. This was a "Like, Oh My God! We're like, totally invited to like, the biggest party of the year!" John Hughes moment if ever there was one.

"I'll pass, thanks. I'm not in that school, so it's nothing to me, really. Go and have a good time."

"Oh, but you can meet my friends!"

"I already met your friends, thanks," he snorted, holding a juice box for Alec to sip from, the thirsty baby's hands once again clamped tightly around his.

"You only met Bree," she protested, "And she really didn't make the best impression. You'll love them all. You can meet my boyfriend Demitri and Bree's boyfriend Riley. You'll have fun, I promise."

Edward remained non-committal. "I'll think about it."

"You haven't hung out with anyone but Dr. Cullen and that old guy who drives the car for you," she kept going. "You can get out with other kids your own age and be young for a night, Eddie," she raised her eyebrows at him as she turned to go.

"Like I said, I'll think about it."

XxXxXxXxXx

"So…my mom…flies out…to Chicago…tomorrow," Alice talked between chews on the giant mouthful of her turkey club sandwich before swallowing. "And Dad flies back. They plan to meet in the middle of O'Hare, have a kiss and go their own ways," she giggled.

"Your mom's going out now," Bella tossed her salad around in it's bowl, suddenly losing her appetite.

"Yeah. Dad has some patients he can't put off any longer. And, well, you know my mom. She's dying to get to that baby."

"I bet," Bella shoved a fork full of lettuce into her mouth, and chewed slowly.

"I heard Mom talking to Dad on the phone last night. She was discussing Christmas," Alice's gaze avoided Bella's eyes.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. There's a chance we may all just fly out to Chicago, you know," Alice spoke quietly, knowing how much this news had to be killing her friend inside.

"Um," Bella speared a cherry tomato with her fork, wishing it were Victoria's head she was spearing instead. "That's really good, Alice. You'll all have fun, I'm sure."

"Yeah. I have so much wrapping to do though!"

"I bet."

An uneasy silence fell between them, until Alice answered the unspoken question.

"He asks for you every night, Bella. When he calls."

"Does he," it was a statement. Her heart pounded in her chest as her pulse quickened. But she wouldn't allow herself to betray her feelings. Not even to Alice. Especially not to Alice.

"Yeah. I told you he still loves you," her voice soft.

"Alice, I love you," Bella put her fork down, appetite now lost. "But…I can't do this. I can't talk about Edward like he didn't just rip my heart out and leave a giant, gaping hole in its place."

"I'm sorry," Alice looked down.

"I know you didn't mean anything by it," she took a deep breath. "And I know you sincerely believe that your brother and I will be together, but…but I know better, Alice. I know we won't. I mean, I don't care if he's got ten kids out there. I loved him with all of my heart. But he just didn't love me enough back. I…I deserve better," she hadn't realized that tears were falling from her eyes until she felt them hit the back of her hands, calmly placed on the table in front of her. She looked across the table at Alice. "I deserve to be loved back as much as I love."

Big tears started to run down Alice's cheeks. "He will, Bella. He will. You'll see."

Bella shook her head. "As much as I would love to believe you, he's never done anything to prove that, Alice," she sighed. "And I can't put my life on hold hoping that one day, he'll wake up and just like that, get it," she snapped her fingers. "Life doesn't work like that. Life's not a Sandra Bullock movie. Hell, Sandra Bullock's life isn't even a Sandra Bullock movie!"

Alice stared at her friend with tear filled eyes. Bella reached across the table and took her hand.

"Don't cry, Alice," her voice was low. "It's just…well…some things," she squinted her eyes closed, trying to think hard how to say words that she didn't want to hear herself. "…some things just aren't meant to be."

"But…but it is! It is meant to be! You'll see!"

"I don't want to argue with you, Alice," she patted the tiny girls hand gently. "So, let's just end this conversation right here, agreeing to disagree, ok?"

Alice nodded, sniffling as she did. She pulled her napkin from her lap and wiped her tear stained cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Subject closed, Alice. Let's talk about something else," she started to pick at her salad again, having no real inclination to eat it.

"Ok," Alice picked at her French fries. "Um…are we going to go to the party together?"

"I don't know. Judging by how you drove here today, I don't know if I want to be in the same car with you," Bella smirked.

And just like that, the tension between the two friends was cut.

Alice dropped Bella off at her house. It was dark and the outdoor light was on, illuminating the wet path. Charlie's cruiser was pulled behind Bella's old red truck in the driveway.

Bella gathered her bags from the trunk of Esme's new BMW. She hadn't purchased nearly as much as Alice had, but she still had an armful.

"Hey Alice," she peeked into the car before shutting the door.

"Yeah?"

"First off, I'm sorry," her voice was soft. "Secondly, if I gave you something to bring with you to…" her voice trailed off as she took a deep breath. "To Chicago…" she managed to breathe out. "If…if you go…would you…"

"Of course I'll give it to him, Bella," Alice whispered back, smiling to herself. Bella nodded silently and shut the door, picking her way up the path carefully.

"Have fun shopping," Charlie called from the sofa, television blaring in front of him. Ice hockey was the order of the night.

"You aren't allowed not to have fun while shopping with Alice Cullen, Charlie. You are on a mission, and the mission is above all else, " Bella dropped her bags onto the floor next to the sofa and flopped down. "Good sweet Christ my feet are killing me!"

"Walked your butt off, did she?"

"Yes, Yoda," Bella unlaced her Doc's and pulled her hot, aching feet from the boots. "We had to have walked that entire mall at least four times. If she ever calls here again to go shopping, tell her my feet fell off in a hideous pre-Christmas mall disaster."

Charlie laughed. "She's got stamina, I give her that much. I guess she had some good physical therapy."

"I think this was her physical therapy," Bella rolled her eyes. "And now I need therapy from her therapy," she put her stockinged feet up on the coffee table in front of her, wiggling her toes. "I swear I can see steam coming up from my toes."

Charlie laughed. "Well, it looks like it was a worthwhile trip," he nodded toward the bags on the floor. "Did you get everything done?"

"Almost," she sighed. "I just have a couple of things I need to get for you, but it's no biggie."

"Oh yeah," the ends of Charlie's dark moustache twitched up into a little smirk. "What you getting me?"

"None of your business, Charlie Swan!"

"I'll tell you what you're getting if you tell me," his smirk grew.

"No. It's supposed to be a surprise and you're supposed to be the adult here," she laughed throatily. Truth be told, her happiest times these days were when she was like this with her father, their easy banter brightening up even her darkest days.

"If I'm the adult, then I make the rules," he was laughing now. "New rule is no surprises."

"Bite me," she hopped off the sofa and grabbed her bags. "I'm going upstairs to take a shower, get some sleep and hide these gifts," she laughed as she headed toward the stairs. "But not in that order." Charlie heard her slowly making her way upstairs. "And if Alice calls, tell her my feet ran away," she called down after her.

Bella closed the door to her bedroom, and began going through her purchases. She pulled out two new plaid flannel shirts for Charlie. They were on sale, which is why he was getting two. She put them each in a gift box, covering them with the tissue paper that Goff's gift wrap department had provided. A delicate pair of sparkling silver dangle earrings that she'd noticed Alice admiring sat in a tiny silver cardboard box that was lined with puffy white cotton. Alice said Jasper needed a new scarf, so that was what he would get. Black and gray plaid, because black went with everything and scarves were supposed to be plaid, right?

She had decided that she wanted to get something for Dr. and Mrs. Cullen, because they had always been so nice to her. She pulled two thin boxes from a bag from the Hallmark store, opening one. A small, soft blue enamel oval picture frame slid from it, a tiny silver crown decorating the top. There was no need to explain it. She knew that both Esme and Carlisle would know. Confident that the frame wasn't damaged, she slid it back into it's little box, setting it aside.

Her hands started to shake when she picked up the second, slightly larger box. She slid a plain, silver frame from the box. It was a simple frame, shining silver with delicate silver beading around the edge. Silently, she slid her desk drawer open and pulled out a spiral daily agenda book. Opening the cover up, she picked up one of the two identical photos that lay just inside. She sighed, looking at the photo in her hand, its twin remaining in the agenda as she closed the book and slid the drawer shut.

Gently she opened the black velvet back of the frame, dropping the photograph in. A perfect fit. She smiled sadly as she closed the back and turned the frame over, staring at it. Edward and his son smiled back at her, their heads so close together that she couldn't tell where Edward's hair ended and Alec's began. Identical emerald eyes glinted happily at her as their matching crooked smiles told her how happy they were. She closed her eyes, steadying her breathing, quickly pushing the frame back into its box. She stuffed it back in the bag she had pulled it from, along with the frame for Esme and Carlisle. She opened her closet door and placed all of her purchases in the back corner, away from Charlie's prying eyes before heading into the bathroom to shower off the emotion of the day.

XxXxXxXxXx

"Hello, darling," Carlisle's arms wrapped around Esme, drawing her tightly to himself.

She dropped her carry on down on the floor next to her and slid her arms up around his neck.

Edward watched quietly as his parents shared a slow, passionate kiss. There were no tongues, no saliva, no groping and no moans involved. Instead, it was simply lips, sliding together. Eyes closed, bodies locked together in an embrace. In that moment, they were the only two people in the vast, crowded airport terminal.

He felt a twinge of jealousy. That should be him. With Bella. But he knew that, the way things were now, that would never happen for him.

Esme pulled back from her husband and smiled up at him. "I missed you," she breathed.

"I missed you too," he grinned back. "I better run so I can catch my flight," he pecked her lips once more. "I love you."

"I love you too, dear," she ran her fingers down his cheek and he closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Safe flight."

Carlisle nodded before disappearing into the throng of O'Hare travelers.

"Edward," Esme turned toward her son, arms open.

"Mom," he fell into her embrace, burying his face into her neck. He breathed her in deeply. Chanel Number 5 and love.

"How is my sweet, beautiful boy?"

He nodded silently, not wanting to break their embrace. He was in his mother's arms now, the place where, night after night since this nightmare had begun, he'd wished to be.

Esme pulled him from her arms, holding him by the shoulders out in front of her. Her eyes searched his face and he could feel the tears begin to sting his eyes. He broke from her hold, looking away, not wanting to cry in the middle of O'Hare.

"I'm good, Mom. Dad and Jenks took good care of me," he didn't look at her, opting instead to pick up her carry on. "Let's go pick up your suitcase, ok?"

"How is Mr. Jenks," she matched him stride for stride as they moved through the terminal as swiftly as the crowd would let them.

"Jenks is…well, he's amazing. So is Mrs. Jenks."

"You met Tanya?"

"You know her," he looked at her with surprise.

"Of course I know her, Edward," she giggled. It was girlish and sweet and it was one of the many things he adored about his mother.

"You know, you and Dad have a lot of explaining to do," he laughed as they reached the baggage claim. Suitcases of all shapes and sizes were riding past them on a conveyor belt. He easily spotted his mother's Louis Vuitton rolling case and snatched the heavy luggage from the belt with a grunt.

"Jesus, Mom. What the hell do you have in here?"

"The suitcase itself is heavy, Edward." She took the case from him, pulling the handle up from its hiding place and rolled it behind her as they walked toward the terminal doors.

"Jenks is waiting for us," he informed her. This was one of the good things about having a faithful butler. You didn't have to self park at the airport. Or anywhere really. Jenks was always there, ready to help in any way. And while Edward hated to let the much older man lift or carry anything for him, he did appreciate him bringing the car around for him, especially in the icy cold conditions that they now lived in.

The inside of the Mercedes was warm, but Edward snuggled in close to his mother as they sat in the back seat anyway. Esme wrapped her arms around her son and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Miss me?"

"Oh yeah," he nodded. Everything probably would have been so much easier had his mother's arms been available to hold him every time he'd needed holding.

"I missed you too, my sweet boy," she kissed the top of his head. "You need a haircut."

"I'm fine, Mom," he sighed.

"Still, I want you to get your hair cut before Christmas. Jenks, can you please make those arrangements?"

"Of course, Madam," Jenks didn't turn to look at her.

"Thank you, sir," she nodded, a smug smile on her face.

"Oh man, Jenks, you're supposed to be on my side," Edward laughed.

"I am on your side, young Master Edward," the butler's cultured tones held a smile. "I want you to look human, sir."

Edward rolled his eyes. "I'll remember this, Jenks."

"I am most certain you will, sir."

They fell into a comfortable silence, Edward's head resting on his mother's shoulder while her fingers danced through his messy bronze hair.

"So?" Esme finally broke the silence and Edward sighed heavily.

"So…I'm someone's father."

"And?"

"And…he's beautiful. Perfect. Amazing and so much more," he sounded like he felt: breathless.

"But?"

"But…" he shifted, sitting up and leaning back into the soft seat. "But I'm not in love with his mother," he sighed as he leaned his head back.

"And?"

"And I'm scared shitless, Mom," his voice was low with emotion.

"Have you explored Grandfather's rooms yet?" Esme cut a delicate piece of her steak, sliding it into her mouth in a delicate manner.

They'd arrived home from the airport late, having encountered Chicago's rush hour traffic on the way, and opted for a quite dinner in, with Jenks and his wife joining them at the cozy kitchen table. Everyone had helped with the dinner preparations, with Esme making mashed potatoes and Edward helping Tanya Jenks set the table.

"A little," Edward took a sip of water, swallowing hard. "It's been…weird. It's like, all this stuff I remember, but I didn't remember it until I got here."

She nodded. "You were quite young when you came to live with us. It's natural that you'd forget some things."

"More mashed potato's Edward?" Tanya held her hand out for Edward's plate.

"Please," he handed it to her, minding his manners.

"Your grandfather's rooms were largely left as they were when he passed away," Jenks wiped his mouth with his crisp, cloth napkin.

"I noticed. He had so many papers and books," Edward sighed. "It's just…it's…it's a lot to digest, you know?"

"Of course it is, dear. That's why I'm here now," Esme sipped her wine. "Did you get in touch with Victoria?"

Edward nodded. "Yeah. She was going to talk to her mom."

"Good," Esme smiled. "I can't wait to meet my beautiful grandson!"

Edward swallowed hard. Grandson. A shiver went through him, as though he suddenly realized how very real this all was.

"And you're keeping up with the schoolwork that Alice has been sending you," Esme switched topics as effortlessly as ever.

"Yep. I've been doing my best. Emailing teachers and stuff. I'm missing biology lab stuff though," he sighed at the thought of biology lab and his lab partner.

"You'll make it up, dear," Esme patted his cheek. "You were always such a smart boy. That's why the school is ok with allowing you to do independent study for now."

He nodded mutely. He suddenly missed Forks, and Forks High School terribly. He even missed gym class.

His cell phone rang and he pulled it from his pocket.

"It's Victoria," he murmured as he answered. "Hey…uh huh…um…yeah, I guess that's good. Hang on," he pulled the phone from his ear. "Mom, is lunch tomorrow good?"

Esme's eyes lit up. "Lunch? I believe that's fine, Edward. Jenks," she looked at the older gentleman. "Is lunch tomorrow doable?"

"Of course, Mrs. Cullen. Are there any particular requests for the menu?"

"Edward?" She looked at her son.

He brought the phone back to his ear. "Um, yeah, lunch tomorrow is good. Do you want anything in particular...For Alec? Or your mom...Uh huh...Oh, you'll be in school? I forgot," but Esme could see the relief wash over her son's face. "Ok…Yeah, I don't think that'll be a problem...yep. Ok, well, then we'll see them tomorrow at noon…no…no I haven't decided about Friday night. No…yeah…I'll let you know. Night." And he ended the call.

He shook his head a little bit, blinking twice before looking at his mother. "Kate will be here with the baby at noon. She says he eats most everything, but I know he's kind of partial to noodles, so," he looked at Jenks. "If that's not too hard, can we do some noodles for him?"

"Of course, Master Edward," the older man nodded.

"We will take care of Alec, Edward," Tanya smiled at him. "You know that."

"Good," he let out a shaky breath, nodding his head. "Thanks. And I guess…I don't really know what to serve to Kate for lunch," his brow furrowed. This was all so new, so over his head. He suddenly felt like he was sinking, until his mother took his trembling hand in her own warm, soft one, buoying him up.

"I'll take care of that with Jenks, Edward," she leaned over and kissed his forehead. "What's Friday night?"

"Oh," he shook his head. "Some big party Victoria and her friends are going to. She wants me to go with them."

"Oh, that sounds like fun, sweetheart. Why don't you go?"

He looked at his mother with wide eyes. "After the stunt she pulled with her friend that day in the café?"

"You two seem to have mended your fences, Edward. Besides, you need to get along with her, and it has nothing to do with you. It does, however have everything to do with that child," Esme's voice was soft but firm.

"Yeah, well, I'd walk through fire for Alec. But I draw the line at suffering through another exhibition like that one," he pulled his napkin from his lap and wiped his mouth with it.

Esme reached out and cupped his chin in her hand, turning him to face her. "Promise me you'll think about going, Edward? It's the holidays and you need a little bit of fun," she smiled sadly at him. "Everything's just been so serious lately."

He studied her face. She was so beautiful, his mother. He loved her more than he could ever express. Esme saved him. How could he deny her even the easiest thing to deny? So he nodded. "Ok, I'll think about it, Mom."

"That's my boy," she brushed her fingers through the wayward hair hanging over his forehead as she smiled at him. "Why don't you go finish up your school work now, darling?"

He nodded, smiling sheepishly at the three adults remaining in the kitchen before he got up and went up to his bedroom. He owed Alice a few emails…and a few favors.

XxXxXxXxXx

Ok, there it is...a mostly transitional chapter, which is, for me, the hardest to write. I think things are going to be moving a bit more swiftly from this point out, both within the story and with my updates. At least I hope they are. Mr Man returns next week, and even though I've lost my muse, he might be enough to inspire me...or not...our relationship's like that, you see LOL

Then again, I have 2 other stories in process, plus an idea for another...yeah, I know...but you know, sometimes you just have to get that story out! I hope to begin posting one of them once BIAPR wraps up :)

As always, thanks again to everyone who's reading. Please let me know what you think! I do appreciate your comments!

And, if you really like it, please pass the link along to your friends =D

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day :D