A/N: It was very hard to contain my emotions as I completed making the corrections given by my final beta. Knowing that I would be able to mark the story complete after this chapter posts was humbling. I have gone over it several times and any mistakes missed are purely my fault.
I would like to thank everyone who's ever touched TLC in any way. Early on, I did not have a beta and had no idea what I was doing, but soon I was embraced by some wonderful women in the fandom who helped me to shape TLC into the story it has become. My heartfelt thanks to SSHG316 and Irritable Grizzzly for beta'ing this final chapter. They took 14K superfluous words and helped me to carve it into what you are reading here. I still have to work on my tendency to be too wordy, as evidenced by this A/N (ugh!).
TLC was never a story that was recommended by the big fandom blogs, big name authors, or bestowed any fandom awards, and for this reason, I am even more proud of you, the readers who have remained steadfast in sharing your love for it by word of mouth. I can't thank you enough for blessing me with the more than twenty-two hundred reviews this story has received at this writing. Thanks for each and every word of praise and criticism. Your words have made my words better.
See Comprehensive Thanks List Below.
Trust, Loyalty, Commitment
Men always want to be a woman's first love; women have a more subtle instinct: what they like is to be a man's last romance.–Unknown
TLC – Chapter 38 –The Beginning of Forever
The Seychellois Honeymoon
The driver from the Constance Lemuria Hotel on Praslin Island was prompt. As they deplaned, Edward couldn't help but smirk proudly when he spied him holding a sign bearing the hotel's logo that read Monsieur et Madame Edward Cullen. Bella was able to practice her seldom-used French with the driver and asked him about some of the local attractions as they wended their way to the hotel.
Hearing her converse in French was sexy as hell and Edward employed his Taps trick as soon as he felt his libido responding. He considered her interest as polite conversation, because he had other plans for at least the next forty-eight hours. Now that he'd had the opportunity to make love to his wife properly on their wedding night he wanted more of her. The flights over had already taken up another day of their honeymoon.
They wouldn't be staying in the hotel proper, but in one of eight exclusive thatched-roof villas facing the Anse Kerlan beach because of the privacy it afforded. They were nestled in a natural garden, in a spacious one-bedroom bungalow with a separate lounge area, a dining pavilion, a massage pavilion with an open-air bath, and a private swimming pool with a Jacuzzi.
The Villa Master would be taking care of their needs during their stay. His name was Victor, and he greeted them and helped them acclimate to their surroundings, and then Edward arranged for food deliveries only for the next couple of days.
Edward found Bella unpacking in the bedroom. "I was going to help you do that—later," he said, his eyes drinking her in, and then he wound his arms around her waist and kissed her. "Let's stay in for a couple of days. I'd like to experience more of the 'honey' in our honeymoon before I have to share you with anyone else."
With an impish grin, Bella began unbuckling his belt. "I like the sound of that. We'll have seven more days after that to be tourists and sightsee."
Within a minute, they were both undressed, and used the shower to begin their honeymoon with a "bang."
Edward was elated as he made love to his Bella in the shower. Bracing himself with one hand, he cupped her bottom with the other. Arms wound possessively around his shoulders and legs crossed loosely at the ankles behind him, she moved her hips in excruciating swivels that made him dizzy with sensation.
Thank God for strong legs and abdominal muscles.
This would be fast and that was okay, because they had nine days for their bodies to become even more intimately acquainted before they returned home.
"Bella..." he moaned as he gripped her hips and pressed forward into her, "God I love you..." He felt the build intensifying to a delicious burn, touching and filling what had been reserved only for him.
"Love you, too... baby," she said, her voice breathy with need. Then she found and sucked on the mole she'd discovered behind his ear just below his hairline that had become her favorite form of torture. He responded with a guttural groan as she dusted the skin of his shoulder with kisses, and then moved back up to his lips, sucking his tongue hard as the tremble of her release began.
Edward cupped her face and kissed her tenderly, leaving them joined until after the last tremor of his climax dissipated. As they broke the kiss, he lowered her feet to the tile, and they emerged grinning. Bella nuzzled his nose, and they touched foreheads.
"Edward?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it always going to be like this?"
"God, I hope so."
Clean at last, they slipped between the cool sheets of the king-sized bed in the master suite. Shared feather-light kisses and caresses lulled them to sleep.
Edward was awakened by a noise in the lounge area and slid on a pair of pajama pants to go out and investigate. Victor had left them a late lunch and he fixed plates for Bella and himself, and carried a tray into the bedroom. She was still sleeping, so he set the tray on the bedside table and slipped back into bed, awakening her with a shower of soft kisses. Smiling, she wriggled as close to him as she could, then frowned as she patted his pajama pants.
"I thought we were staying in bed without clothing for at least two days," she said with a pout.
He kissed her pout away. "I went out into the pavilion to get food. I didn't want to startle Victor," he explained. "You want more of this?" He held her close allowing her to feel the evidence of his renewed passion. "Or food?"
"Both," she said with a sexy smile, as she slid his pajama pants down.
~888~
Determined to prolong their lovemaking, Bella set a slow erotic rhythm as she took control midway through their second round. "Oh. My. God." she groaned as she swiveled herself onto her husband, causing such a glorious filling, words were difficult to articulate. Edward clasped her hips, helping her to keep pace, but then he reached up and cupped her breasts, and when his eyes locked on hers, it was if a haze cleared and all she could see was vibrant green. Bella felt shy for a moment, and closed her eyes against his intense gaze.
"Bella, look at me..."
When she opened up her eyes and saw his expression of sheer adoration, she became emboldened. He circled up with his hips as she swirled down with hers, and their eyes rolled in concert as the sensation changed. Bella splayed her hands over his where he palmed her breasts, laced her fingers through his, tipping her head back as they connected repeatedly. When they had perfected the pace and the intensity had spiraled as high as it could go, Edward levered himself upright, wound her legs around his waist so she straddled him, and pulled them together into a lotus position.
"I want to see your face... when you come for me, baby." He kissed her again, deeply, as he continued to stroke and she reciprocated.
Planting her hands on either side of his head, Bella feasted on his mouth. She loved the taste of him. It was so exquisite she would never tire of it. She wanted to patent the way their lips fit, and the glide of his tongue it was so good. She could spend hours, days, and weeks kissing him it was such a potent high.
He brushed his thumbs in a circular motion over her nipples making her breath quicken. She cried out in sheer pleasure as he drove her over the first precipice. This. The utter joy of what they experienced together, the love they made, the unity of them coming together would always delight her. Having him inside her, each thrust taking away the need that ravaged them, rushed through her like a tidal wave.
She smiled, gazing lovingly at his face, as she witnessed his excruciating desperation. The idea that she made him feel that way was overwhelming, and he was even more devastatingly handsome when he lost control.
Edward kissed her hard until his trembling abated. Still connected, they remained in an embrace under the canopy of the four-poster bed.
"It's like you read what I wrote in my journal when I was sixteen, everything is so perfect." She pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"You deserve this because you're perfect for me." He returned her kiss.
As planned, they remained sequestered in the villa for two days, destroying the bed and emerging only when necessity required it. On the third day, they finally dressed to go sightseeing, giving their Villa Master the opportunity to have their room fully serviced.
~888~
On their first day out, they took a private two-hour car tour to get the lay of the tiny island. As Bella rested in the crook of Edward's arm, the tour guide droned on, "The island was named Praslin after the Duc de Praslin, the French Minister of Marine in 1768, when the original 'Stone of Possession' was erected on the island in what is still known as Anse Possession. As folklore would have it, Praslin's Côte d'Or was a favorite haunt of pirates prior to settlement of the islands by the French in the mid-eighteenth century."
In a surprisingly good impression, Edward whispered a Captain Jack Sparrow quote in her ear. "'You cannot let him near the chest, man, trust me on this. You can mistrust me less than you can mistrust him. Trust me.'"
Bella giggled. "All this talk of pirates makes me want to watch Pirates of the Caribbean again."
"I'm sure we can make that happen tonight. I'll give Victor a call after lunch," he said, kissing her temple.
"You're probably the only guest on a first-name basis with the hotel staff."
"Not just any staff—Victor, the Villa Master," he teased.
She gestured to the tour guide. "Ooh, listen to this, baby."
"...Almost a century and a half later the visiting General Gordon of Khartoum fame became convinced that the Vallée de Mai was the original site of the Garden of Eden. The General developed this idea when he insisted the infamous coconut shaped like a female pelvis, was a representation of Eve. The legendary Coco-de-Mer is the world's heaviest nut and grows high on ancient palms in the primeval forest. These coconuts only grow on the ancient giant palm trees in The Vallée de Mai nature park, and are used locally as an aphrodisiac drink..."
Bella lowered her voice. "Let's do a role-play tonight. I'll be Eve to your Adam—we can partake of forbidden fruit..."
Edward's eyes lit up, and he raised his voice. "Uh, driver, back to the Lemuria after this..."
"Oui, Monsieur, " the driver responded.
Bella rolled her eyes. "The Black Pearl Ltd. at Amitié, Monsieur," she corrected.
"Oui…Madame," the driver replied, as he shot a hesitant look through the rearview mirror.
Edward rescued the poor man. "She's the boss," he said with a shrug. Then he turned his attention back to Bella. "Are we going on Captain Jack's ship instead?"
"No, we're surrounded by the Indian Ocean, baby, not the Caribbean Sea."
"I didn't pay close attention in Geography," he said as he nuzzled her. "Then where are we going after this?"
"To a jewelry shop. I want to bring something back for Esme and 'our' mothers. A little thanks for all they did to make our wedding so special."
"That's great. I'm sure they'll love whatever you get. Maybe we should bring something back for your dad and Uncle Carlisle."
"Aren't you forgetting someone?"
"He's already getting part of my liver. What more could he want?" Bella looked aghast, but then realized he was kidding as he grinned mischievously.
"You're right," she said. "That is a big gift, but you already used that excuse at Christmas."
"That was his idea, and honestly, I wouldn't know what to get him."
"It could be as simple as a goofy souvenir. It's just the thought."
He tipped her chin up and gave her a soft kiss. "You're right, as usual, my love."
Bella's stomach tightened so pleasurably from that simple kiss, she made a hasty change of subject and the trajectory of her thoughts. "Okay, let's listen up—we've missed at least five good minutes of riveting information from our excellent tour guide."
On Saturday, they decided to take it easy and make a lazy day of it at the Villa. Victor was only too happy to schedule food deliveries, a couples massage, and a manicure and pedicure for Bella. She tried to talk Edward into joining her at least for the pedicure, but he politely declined and opted to spend that time in the pool. The manicurist, a local Seychellois girl, swore softly in French when Edward emerged, looking like a mythical god. "Mon Dieu."
"Il me fait la même chose, moi aussi," Bella replied, "fréquemment." While she didn't feel jealous or threatened by the girl, Bella subtly let her know that she understood what she was saying.
The girl apologized profusely. "Je suis vraiment désolé, Madame Cullen."
"It's okay," Bella said. "Many women find my husband attractive..."
"But, that was very unprofessional of me. Please don't tell Victor," she pleaded. "I could be fired."
Edward grabbed his wallet off the chaise and approached her with a tip. "No, Monsieur...that is not necessary..." She kept her eyes down, as if she was afraid to look now that he was right in front of her.
However, Edward insisted, and Bella nodded when the girl looked to her for guidance. She took to the offered bill and quickly retreated.
Bella did her demonstration of "spirit fingers" from the movie Bring It On to alert him that her nails were still wet so Edward would be careful when he embraced her. "That's a first," he said. "A service person unwilling to take a tip."
"It was her penance for ogling my husband."
Edward's brow furrowed and his mouth fell open. "What?"
"You had the poor girl swearing like a pirate," she teased.
"I'm sure she's a nice Seychellois girl and everything, but I don't see anybody but you, Mrs. Cullen."
"Good answer, Mr. Cullen," she said and kissed him thoroughly.
~888~
Their honeymoon on Praslin had been like existing in a contemporary Garden of Eden. The tropical warmth enveloped Bella like a blanket as she stepped out into the lush green foliage surrounding their villa on their final afternoon there. The pool area, secluded by the natural rock formations and landscaping, gave the villa a grotto feel, especially at night when they were sans swimsuits.
Today Edward had brought his iPod outside as he swam, and his smooth, rhythmic strokes resembled synchronized swimming. For a few moments she stood and admired his muscles rippling as he cut masterfully though the bold blue water.
She would never tire of admiring his body or wanting him, if their activities over the last eight days was anything to go by. There was no comparison she could make, but she believed her husband to be uniquely skilled in the art of lovemaking. Never had she been more thankful for having kept in shape. If she had stopped exercising when her gymnastics career ended, she would be in so much trouble right now. As it stood, she'd been able to keep up with him because they had taken full advantage of the exercise facilities at the condo and resumed running when she'd recovered.
Depositing her towel, sunscreen and shades on a chaise, she slipped off her flip-flops, took position on the edge, and dove in to join him. When she surfaced, he was treading water and watching her with an expression that spoke of future pleasures. She swam over to him and gave him a kiss that promised she would be ready and willing. He held her with his left arm, as he supported them on the side of the pool with his other.
"How long have you been in?" she asked. "When I woke up to your note, I couldn't believe I'd napped so long."
"Only about fifteen minutes. Biking around the Vallée de Mai in this heat takes a lot out of you. I'm glad we rested so we can go out tonight."
"Great plan. I can't believe we have only one more day here."
"I know. Did you want to stay a few more days? I'm sure the Lemuria would love it if we did." She knew he could only make this offer because of his trust fund. It had taken a while, but she'd learned to be thankful for it, and his refusal to sign a pre-nup was a testimony to his unconditional love and trust in her.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure they would. It's been wonderful, but I think I'm ready to go home and be Mrs. Edward Cullen in Tallahassee."
He smiled and kissed her. "I like the sound of that."
"In that case, let's enjoy the pool one final time."
She kissed him and pushed off the side, cutting cleanly into the water; Edward followed, pacing her. They hit the wall together, rolled into a turn, and pushed off again, completing several leisurely laps together. Bella lost herself in the rhythm, in the pleasure of doing something so enjoyable with Edward. They took turns skimming underwater intermittently as they did their laps, until their muscles were completely loose, then they floated to the edge to climb out.
Slipping into the warmer water of the outdoor Jacuzzi, Bella didn't think either of them intended to do anything other than relax there for a few minutes before showering and getting ready for dinner. Instead, the simple act of shedding her bikini top for a more even tan was the catalyst for what actually transpired. Edward reached for her and they embraced chest to chest.
"This is my Coco-de-Mer," he said as he palmed her hips, referring to the coconut the tour guide had talked about earlier.
"I don't know if I agree with the general's theory," Bella said as she encircled him through his swim trunks. "Where is the male counterpart? There couldn't have been an Eve without an Adam." He began to grow in her hand almost immediately, and she smirked.
"Not sure what represented Eve's Adam in the local folklore, but I've got your Adam right here." He pulled her close and ran his hands over her breasts, making her heart stutter. "The milk of that coconut may be an aphrodisiac," he said, "but, I don't think we need any."
"No, we don't," she agreed.
She grasped and dug her fingers into his shoulders as his mouth descended onto her breast. Her head fell back, and her eyes closed as she gasped in shock and pleasure. Despite the warmth of the water, she trembled from his assault to her senses.
"Yes," she said as the water roared and pounded, in sync with the pounding of her blood. Bella wondered how anyone could live without wanting and being wanted like this. He hoisted her up onto one of the steps leading from the tub, and she gripped the edge.
Her moans echoed in the humid air as his mouth traveled down her torso to her stomach, where he made love to her belly button. From there he traversed her thighs, his tongue forging a hot streak until it plunged inside her. "Oh, yes," she moaned again. Shifting her so the gush of the jets pulsed over her as his tongue continued working her toward a frenzy, Bella grew limp with sensation.
"I can't...I can't even... Oh my God!"
His mouth traversed along each leg and finally to her feet where he sucked, one by one, her newly-pedicured toes into his mouth. Damn! As the heat of his lips and tongue trailed back up, and he clamped upon her sex, she couldn't control herself. "Oh, shit!"
Edward chuckled, but didn't stop, and the vibrations from his mouth toppled her tenuous control.
This orgasm illuminated the thin line between sanity and insanity. He didn't let go and just let her savor the experience, his fingers replacing his tongue as he looked lovingly into her eyes, witnessing her complete surrender to him.
As he once again entered her, Bella couldn't resist saying his name, it was so good. "Ah...Edward..."
She wanted to whip him into the same frenzy. "Right there...Oh...that...Bell...ah..."
Bella had not thought what they had experienced for the last several days could get any better. Boy, was she wrong. They must have been hitting a sweet spot, because something truly magical happened. As he surrendered to his release, she climaxed again, and then there was nothing else, save the nirvana of their shared orgasm.
For a few minutes, it was completely quiet, until Edward spoke. "My foul cop's mouth is rubbing off on you, preacher's daughter," he teased, as he lazily ran his hands from her waist, to just below her breast. The water made his soft touch even softer.
Bella blushed. "I just couldn't control myself. Baby, what you do to me...there are no words."
"Same here, baby. Same here."
Later, they drove to the Hotel Le Duc de Praslin and had dinner at Le Dauphin, an amazing open-air restaurant. The poolside seating provided an excellent setting for a romantic candlelit dinner. They had the fish Carpaccio, seafood gratin, and a delicious curry with cinnamon and coconut milk.
After dinner, they went to the Casino de Îles on Côte d'Or to enjoy an evening of gaming. After they cashed out, they decided to go to the bar area for a nightcap where they were surprised to find a cozy little dance floor.
He extended a hand, and Bella took it and followed him to the floor. They moved slowly and sensually to the music around the tiny space. She rested her head on his shoulder as they settled into the second song, an Adele ballad.
Bella remembered their wedding day as he whirled her around. They danced to a few more tunes, before agreeing to call it a night.
Back at the villa, they made love again, slowly, in the lounge pavilion on the wide plush swing that doubled as a hammock, enveloped by the muted light of about thirty candles strategically placed around the pavilion. Edward must have alerted Victor prior to their return, because everything was perfect, right down to the champagne chilling in a bucket of ice and the fresh strawberries, the tips dusted alternately with powdered sugar and chocolate.
It was a bittersweet goodbye to Praslin. The next morning, they would fly back to Mahé, the largest island, to catch their flight back to Miami. They entered a waiting bubble bath in the open-air tub, and Bella leaned back into him as he lazily washed her.
She kissed the top of his hand wielding the sponge. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"You're welcome, but I should be thanking you for making this the best honeymoon ever."
She laughed. "You say that as if you have something to compare it to."
"I don't, but nothing else could possibly top it."
Bella thought for a moment. "You're right, this has been spectacular..."
"But you're still ready to go home, huh?"
"Yeah, I can't describe it. I'm just anxious for us to begin our normal lives." She leaned back and turned to look into his eyes. "Is that weird?"
"No, it's not." He kissed her tenderly. "To be honest, in the back of my mind, I've been worried that my dad would get worse while we were gone. I just want to get the operation over with. I'm ready to go home, too."
She wasn't anxious to have him undergo surgery, but she could agree with his final sentiment. Home. Bella loved the sound of that.
~888~
Home Again
They retrieved Edward's beloved Volvo that Emmett and Rosalie had left in the lot at the airport once they'd cleaned off all the "Just Married," decorations. It had been convenient to claim their baggage and head home without needing anyone to pick them up, or having to wait for a ride. When Edward carried her over the threshold of the condo and flicked on the lights, people jumped out of every conceivable nook and cranny in their living room and yelled "Surprise!"
Bella tried not to look disappointed. She put on a smile and greeted their close friends and family.
Renee wasn't fooled. "I hope this is okay, baby," she whispered when she finally got her chance to greet her daughter. "Alice and Rosalie insisted."
When Bella saw Edward avoiding the throng, making a beeline for his parents, she was more than okay with it.
"It's fine, Mom, really," she whispered back. "Edward was worried about his dad, so it's good he got to see him right away."
Over her mother's shoulder, she spied her dad patiently waiting his turn to talk to her, and she realized how much she'd missed her parents.
"Daddy!" she said, in much the same way she had when she was a little girl, and he swooped her up into his arms. "I missed you."
"Hey, baby girl," he said against her ear. When he released her, he was grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Wow, you got a tan. Looks like Edward did, too."
She grinned. "It's not as if I needed one, right? But his skin matches mine a little more now that he's been kissed by the sun."
As she talked to her parents, Bella kept watching Edward as he talked to his mom and dad with a huge smile on his face. Just a short time ago, she hadn't thought the scene before her would ever be possible. God was truly good.
After Bella and Edward doled out gifts and souvenirs to all their friends and family, his parents were the first to leave, followed closely by Carlisle, Esme, and Bella's parents. Their friends stayed a while longer. James and Maria were so cute together and were the first to suggest they dance now that the parents were gone.
Edward's cell phone buzzed, and he pulled it out, indicating it was Reisa, and asking Bella silently if he should take it. She nodded and he took it on the balcony. Bella refreshed her drink and watched the other couples dance until the song ended, and Maria and James joined her near the bar.
"You really do have a glow, namorada." Maria said, and James agreed.
"Thanks," she said with a smile.
"May I use your facilities?" Maria asked shyly.
"Sure, first door on your right down the hall."
After Maria left there was an awkward moment between her and James until he finally said, "I never thought I'd be able to say this, Bella, but I truly believe God spoke to you. You and Edward are blessed to be so well-suited, and I wish you two the very best life has to offer."
"Thanks, and I pray that what you and Maria have will grow to be everything you both desire."
"She's amazing," he said, his blue eyes shining with affection.
Bella smiled. "I told you, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did, and I'll be forever grateful to you for pointing me in her direction."
Edward came back in and took Bella's hand.
"Hall," he said.
"Cullen," James shot back.
"Don't tell me you're regressing," Bella said.
They laughed and shook hands, even employing the bro shoulder bump thing. Bella grinned. "That's more like it."
Then James held out his arms and Bella came in to give him a hug. "You be good to my girl, Maria, or I'm going to hunt you down with my husband's Glock."
Edward did a double-take, and pulled her into his side.
Emmett overheard and yelled, "Whoa! Bella Swan Cullen's packing." Rosalie promptly grabbed and squeezed his cheeks, making his lips purse like a fish. "Shh...baby. Use your inside voice," she encouraged, even more loudly than Emmett.
James rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"You're a music minister so you feel you can't retaliate, but I have no such problem," Edward said, and flipped Emmett off. "That's for James, you moron."
Emmett rushed him, and Edward took off toward the back of the house, Emmett following. Bella smiled and shook her head as Maria rejoined them.
"Bella, I love your place," she said. "It has everything you could ever dream of needing in a first home."
"Thank you. It's kinda perfect for our needs right now."
Maria and James exchanged a look. "I think we're going to head out, now. Say our goodbyes to Edward. I hope he's not taking too much of a beating on my account from the big guy."
"Don't worry, they do this all the time. I don't think Emmett would hurt him."
She hugged Maria and then said, "Goodnight you guys. Drive safe," as they waved and walked hand-in-hand toward the elevator.
Bella joined Rosalie on the stuffed chair across from Alice and Jasper, who were happily ensconced on the love seat. Ben and Angela had gone out onto the balcony.
Rosalie sighed and leaned her head on Bella's shoulder.
"I really missed you," she said with a sappy grin on her face.
Bella returned her smile. "I missed you, too, Rose."
Looking over at Jasper, rubbing his wife's tummy, Bella asked. "Is the baby kicking...?"
"Yeah," Jasper said proudly. His smile could have lit up the room.
Alice stood. "Come on, honey," she said. "Let's help get this place cleaned up so Bella and Edward can get some rest. We've imposed on them long enough."
"Hey, you guys don't have to. We can do that in the morning," Bella protested, standing as well. It was then she got a good look at Alice. She also rubbed Alice's belly, as Jasper sauntered off into the kitchen.
"I think baby Whitlock has grown since we've been gone," she said, a look of awe on her face.
"You really think so?" Alice asked with a frown. "I worry that my poor baby will weigh less than five pounds when he's born."
"He?"
"Oh yeah, we caved at the last ultrasound and allowed her to tell us the sex."
Edward came up, wound his arms around Bella, and scolded his cousin. "Alice, don't be talking to my wife about sex."
Bella giggled. "Baby, she wasn't—"
"Don't tell him anything, Bella. He'll be the last one to know the gender of our baby."
"Oh, you meant that sex. So, am I having, a niece or nephew?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
"Jasper, am I having a niece or nephew?" Edward asked.
"Don't—"Alice warned.
"Nephew," Jasper said proudly before Alice could get the words out.
Alice pummeled Edward on his shoulder with her tiny fist and flitted off into the kitchen to join her husband. With everyone pitching in, the condo was back in order in no time.
By the time they slipped into bed, Bella felt as if she'd run a marathon. Edward silently pulled her into his arms, and they lay there a few moments, each reveling in the fact that they were finally in their own home.
Yawning, Bella broke the silence. "That was so nice of them, even though I was looking forward to a peaceful evening."
Edward regarded her lovingly.
"What?" Bella asked.
"We're not quite done, yet."
"What do you mean?"
He smiled. "We have to christen our marriage bed, and then we'll be done."
Suddenly, Bella wasn't tired anymore. She kissed her husband like she meant it and he kissed her back in the very same way.
~888~
A feeling of déjà vu descended on the blended Cullen and Swan families and their friends as they gathered at TMH again. This time, Edward Jr. and Sr. were behind the doors of the operating room, and Bella and Elizabeth sat holding hands in the waiting room. All the praying and nervous small-talk had been exhausted, and now everyone was doing what the room was designated for.
Carlisle was the only notable absence, because he was in the room with his brother and his nephew, doing what he did best. It was thirty minutes past the time they'd expected the surgery to be over, and Bella was concerned but determined not to clue anyone in. She launched into a silent prayer and was about to say her amen when the door swung open. She and Elizabeth sucked in a breath simultaneously, and when Carlisle and Dr. Waldenberg strode into the room smiling, they exhaled in relief.
"They came through fine," Carlisle said to the room at large.
Dr. Waldenberg approached Bella and Elizabeth and talked quietly to them. "Ted experienced a bit of hemorrhaging due to the weakened condition of his blood vessels, but we were able to get it under control fairly quickly. Edward's response was one for the textbooks. He should be good as new in six to eight weeks. Ted's recovery will take a while longer, but within a year, he should be returning to a normal life. They're in the recovery room, and the nurses will let you both come back to see them when they regain consciousness."
Elizabeth threw her arms around Bella, and they thanked God for the outcome as Dr. Waldenberg retreated into the OR Suites. Carlisle hung around and answered a few more questions before he had to go back to work.
~888~
As Bella expected from watching her mom nurse her dad back to health throughout the years, Edward was a difficult and horribly non-compliant patient, especially as his healing progressed. She was afraid to leave him to his own devices because he was trying to get up and do things way before they were advisable. Most notably, he wanted to make love three days after he was released from the hospital, and only when Bella freaked out and threatened to call Carlisle did he disabuse himself of that notion.
At two weeks after the surgery, they participated in Angela and Ben's wedding. Ange was a radiant bride, whose only complaint was having to wear satin ballet flats so she wouldn't tower over her husband on their special day. Her family and friends from Malta were all in Tallahassee for the occasion, and Bella finally got a chance to meet her extended family. They were thrilled that Angela had the wedding in the States, because afterward most of them were making a holiday of it and going to Orlando to see the famous mouse.
Jackson Carlisle Whitlock made his entrance into the world on February 28th, weighing in at 6 lbs., 12 oz. and a startling length of twenty-three inches. Clearly he was going to be as tall and lanky as his father. Afraid that Edward wouldn't be able to withstand the long hours of waiting while Alice was in labor, Bella had driven them to the hospital the morning after Jackson was born. Alice and Jasper surprised them and asked them to be godparents, and it practically floored Edward.
Alice was matter-of-fact. "Think about it, cuz. Jasper's family is way over in Texas. It has to be you and Bella."
Edward swallowed a visible lump in his throat and looked to Bella for confirmation. She smiled and nodded vigorously. "Then I guess you've got yourselves a couple of godparents."
"Here you go, godfather," Alice said, handing her baby to him. "No time like the present to get in a little practice."
Edward ran his hand through his hair. "You might want Bella to hold him. I'm probably no good at that."
"Aw, come on," Alice coaxed. "You've been a Marine and a cop, and you're afraid of a tiny baby?"
"If I was able to do it the moment he came out all wet and wiggly, surely you can hold him in a blanket," Jasper chimed in.
Bella placed her hand in the small of his back and gave him a little nudge forward, and he finally reached out and took little Jackson into his arms. The baby squirmed and fussed a little bit, and Edward immediately turned to Bella.
"What am I doing wrong, baby?"
Bella grinned and placed his hands just so. "Keep him closely cradled and support his head. Newborns like being swaddled, because it reminds them of being in the womb."
They all looked at Bella like she'd grown two heads. "Oh, I read that somewhere when I was training to be a babysitter. I wanted to take care of my Aunt Lonette's twins so badly, and she only agreed to let me if I'd complete the training."
Edward resumed gazing at his nephew, while Jasper joined his wife on her bed for a little Mom and Dad snuggle time. Bella watched as Edward got comfortable with Jackson. He looked adorable, and she couldn't help but think about the future when they would be taking this step.
He looked at her again, his smile so breathtaking she could almost feel her ovaries melting. She wound an arm around his back and joined him as they both gazed lovingly into baby Jackson's beautiful face.
Emmett and Rosalie visited with them about a week later. Something had been amiss with Rosalie, but in true Rosalie Hale McCarty fashion, she wasn't forthcoming with her feelings. They hung out on a Friday night on the balcony of the condo, and Bella finally got to the bottom of what was bothering her.
Emmett and Edward had gone to replenish the beer, and she and Rosalie were left alone. She noted that Rosalie had already had one drink, as she downed a second and stood. "I'm getting a refill. You want anything while I'm up?"
Bella brandished her wine glass. "I'm good, but I'll come with."
She followed Rosalie inside and sat on a barstool, watching her fill her glass with about an ounce of cranberry juice and several ounces of vodka. "Whoa, Rose, that's quite a drink there."
Rosalie was insolent. "And?"
"Don't you think you ought to slow down a little?"
"Last time I checked, Marguerite Hale lived in Daytona Beach, and I don't need a surrogate in Tallahassee."
Bella smarted, but persisted. "I'm not trying to be your mother, Rosalie, but I care about you and don't want to see you self-destructing. You've been drinking excessively and short-tempered for weeks. What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong that a little vodka won't cure. Cheers," she said, and took a gulp of her drink, then wiped her mouth rather inelegantly with the back of her hand.
"If nothing's wrong, then why haven't you gone to visit Alice since she's had the baby?"
Rosalie closed her eyes briefly, took a deep breath and then said, "We couldn't get to the hospital..."
"You want to try that excuse on someone else?" Bella joined her on the other side of the bar. "Talk to me."
Rosalie turned agitatedly and dashed her drink into the sink, then plunked the glass on the countertop with such force it shattered. "Happy now?" Rosalie's eyes misted and she moved to walk away. Bella grabbed her by the arm, and that's when she saw the blood dripping from Rosalie's hand, but she still struggled to wrench away.
"Rose..."
"I don't know what's wrong with you and Emmett. I'm fucking fine—"
"Rose! Stop squirming. You're bleeding."
Rosalie looked down at her hand and lost it. She clutched Bella and bawled uncontrollably. Bella held onto her and gently maneuvered her to sink, where she ran cold water over her fingers.
When Rose had calmed considerably, Bella took her into the bathroom and examined her hand more closely, making sure there weren't any glass shards in the wound, and then bandaged her finger. They sat together on the bed in the guestroom and Rosalie poured her heart out.
"I'm not jealous of Alice, but as her pregnancy progressed, I began to resent that I couldn't have children after what happened to me. I went to a couple of specialists, and they confirmed my previous diagnosis. There is a remote chance that a surgical procedure might repair me enough so I can carry to term, but it's only 50-50."
Bella steeled herself not to cry. Cupping Rosalie's cheek, she looked into her eyes. "The Rosalie I know would scoff at those odds. She would fight until there was no other alternative, not drown her misery in drink. And don't tell me she's not still in there somewhere."
Rosalie broke down, and Bella just held her. The guys returned and found them embracing on the bed. Bella realized that any other time, Emmett might have had a field day with the position he found them in, but this time he instinctively knew that it wasn't a time for crass jokes. He simply relieved Bella and took his wife into his arms. Bella went to Edward, and they quietly closed the door on them.
Finally, it was six weeks post-surgery, and they were headed out to visit Edward's parents. Elizabeth had called and asked Bella if they could come out, because they had some news to share. Bella didn't want Edward to be blindsided, so she decided to let him in on her thoughts as to what the news could be.
"Honey, I know we had this conversation in December, and I promise you, I'm not trying to beat you over the head with it, but I think your parents are about to tell us they're going to be re-married."
Originally, Edward had been looking at her attentively, but then turned to look forward. He didn't seem to be upset, but more introspective.
A minute or so later, he cleared his throat and turned to her again, looking like a little boy about to ask for something for Christmas that he wasn't at all sure he was going to get. "You really think so?"
"I do." Bella reached over and placed a hand on his thigh, rubbing him in a calming manner. "Are you going to be all right with this?"
"I guess I'll have to be. Mom is a strong woman, but I don't think she could handle it if things went downhill between them again. He'll have to reassure me that he's going to be good to her."
When Elizabeth greeted them at the door, Bella was shocked. Never had she seen her mother-in-law looking more beautiful. She had her hair down, and wore a pale pink sweater set and a pair of green Capri's. The black pearl earrings they had brought her back from the Seychelles, which had a decidedly green hue, were in her ears.
"Come in children," she said. "Ted will be out in a minute. He's still moving rather slowly."
"Should I go back and help him?" Edward asked as his mother headed toward the kitchen.
"No, have a seat," she said with a wink. "I'm going to bring out some tea and scones for my favorite daughter-in-law."
Bella smiled her thanks as they sat on the settee together. She couldn't resist teasing her husband when Elizabeth was out of earshot, "The infirmed helping the infirmed? Now that's rich."
"You weren't saying that last night, baby," he teased back. "I seem to recall you referring to me as your Lord and Master at one point."
Bella's face grew warm, and she remembered that she had been wholly incoherent a time or two from their activities. Her fading tan from their honeymoon allowed a hint of a blush to peek through on her skin.
Edward chuckled. "Yeah, you're as speechless now as you were last night."
Just then Ted walked gingerly around the corner. Edward looked up and then stood.
"Good morning," Ted said happily. Bella hadn't noticed before, but there was a timbre in his voice that was similar to Edward's.
"Need any help old man?" Edward asked, and moved to take his father's elbow.
Ted protested. "I might be slow, but I'm steady as she goes." Edward helped him to his chair anyway, and then rejoined Bella on the settee.
"You two are the absolute picture of marital bliss."
"Thanks," Edward and Bella said in unison.
"How are you feeling? Your skin seems to be clearing up and your hair looks much healthier," Edward commented.
"I'm feeling about seventy, seventy-five percent right now. I can't thank you enough for your precious gift, son."
"It was the least I could do for the man who made me."
"I know that decision didn't come easy, to save the father who abandoned you. Believe me when I say you are the best man I have ever had the privilege of knowing, son."
Edward was so uncomfortable with the heartfelt words. His voice was shaky with emotion as he said, "Enough with the thanks, Dad. God deserves all the glory. His change in me is the only reason I was able to do what I did for you."
Bella got a lump in her throat the size of Tallahassee, she was so proud of her husband. She took his hand and kissed his knuckles.
Elizabeth re-entered the room with a tray. Bella helped her serve everyone and took a seat.
"I guess you're wondering what our news is," Ted began. "But before we share it, I want to explain why we waited until now to tell you. Edward, Dr. Waldenberg and Carlisle both knew how weak I was going into the surgery. I had known since your wedding, and I didn't say anything because I didn't want you kids canceling your plans on my account. I wouldn't let them move the surgery date up. They wanted to do it the day after you came back from your honeymoon, and I knew that was too soon.
"While you two were away, your mother and I discussed all the ramifications of the operation and we also talked about what would happen if I didn't make it to the day of surgery—or died during surgery. I wanted to do right and make the decisions necessary for you and your mother to handle my estate should anything happen to me. A simple power of attorney and a good will would have done the trick, but I wanted to be tied to your mother in every way humanly possible, even if I didn't make it."
Ted paused and smiled at Elizabeth. "During the month your mother and I were in Indiana together, something unexpected happened. We remembered how much we liked each other's company, and then as time progressed and I came back here with her to Tallahassee, we remembered how much we loved one another before I foolishly ruined it —"
"Oh for heaven's sake, Teddy, you're taking forever," Elizabeth interrupted, her eyes shining with love and excitement. "What your father is trying to say in too many words, like he usually does, is we got married on January 7th."
Edward's jaw went slack and Bella's eyes bulged. They'd been expecting an engagement announcement, not a wedding announcement.
Elizabeth continued. "Esme and Carlisle stood up for us, and your parents, Bella dear, were marvelous. Rev. Swan performed the ceremony, Esme played the piano, and Renee sang the most beautiful song. It was just the six of us, and we swore them to secrecy until after the surgery and Ted was well on his way to recovery."
Ted chimed in. "We thought it was about time we let you two know before we announce it to the world. So, what do you kids think?"
Grinning from ear-to-ear, Bella recovered first. "I think it's wonderful!" She went over and hugged Elizabeth.
Edward seemed to be frozen in place, and Elizabeth looked at him expectantly as Bella moved on to congratulate Ted.
"Edward?" Elizabeth said, almost pleading.
Finally, he went to his mother and hugged her as Bella and Ted looked on anxiously.
"Congratulations, Mom," he said with a forced smile. "I hope he makes you happy this time."
Edward then walked over to his father, and Bella went over to Elizabeth and held her hand. Still standing, Ted looked steadily into his son's eyes. Edward didn't smile at all for his father's benefit.
"For whatever reason, my mother has chosen to give you another chance. If you hurt her again..." He let the threat hang heavy in the air.
Ted lips quivered, and his voice was husky when he replied. "Your reaction is nothing more than I deserve, son. But as God is my judge, I would hurt myself before I hurt your mother that way ever again."
Seemingly satisfied with his father's answer, Edward finally extended his hand to him for a shake. Ted took his hand and shook it, but then pulled his son in for a hug, while Bella and Elizabeth looked on happily.
~888~
Prior to the surgery, Bella couldn't envision the day coming when they would both be going back to work, but it had finally arrived. Edward was released by Dr. Waldenberg, so now they could both go back to work without fearing he would do anything he shouldn't.
Maria and Sean had worked in concert to keep things flowing smoothly under her dad's direction. They had even screened some new volunteers to take up the slack of all the manpower they'd lost. Bella would be resuming the mantle of her brainchild, and then she would return to FSU in the summer to finish up her graduate degree. Life for the newest Cullen couple was coming back into focus.
She had made a healthy breakfast and was waiting for Edward to join her. In the mean time, her first cup of coffee had sufficiently revived her so she could go out and face the day. When she saw him emerge from the hallway in full uniform, her heart leapt into her throat. They had come full circle. The first time she met him he had presented himself on the threshold of her office dressed precisely as he was now.
When he made it to the table, he pulled a chair out for her, but she ignored it and pounced on him, kissing him like they'd been separated for months. Some of the items in his service belt gouged her mercilessly, but she didn't care.
"Wow, I don't know what I did to deserve that, but I'm going to figure it out and spend the rest of my life making sure I do it over and over again," he said when they came up for air.
"You do that, Officer Cullen," she said, as she took her seat.
She had done exactly what she'd wanted to do that first time they'd met when he was the hot new liaison from TPD, and she was the virtuous Center Director. Now he was hers forever, and she liked it like that.
FINIS.
~888~
E/N: Finally (I hesitate to do this because I know I'm gonna miss someone, but here goes) I'd also like to thank Project Team Beta for taking TLC on around chapter six and helping me until I got a team of personal betas. Thanks to littlesecret84 and EZRocksAngel who gave me a one-off and beta'd a couple of chapters before PTB took me on. Thanks to Charmie77, acireamos and SSHG316 who were my first regular betas around chapter 7 and are some of my best friends in the fandom. Thanks to Jennday for guest-beta'ing a time or two and recommending TLC on Dancing With Jen & Tor way back when. Thanks to SavageWoman for coming on my beta team around chapter 17. She helped me through one helluva writer's block and became my writing partner & friend in the process. Thanks to IrritableGrizzzly who came onto the beta team around chapter 24, and her twitchy red pen became a good friend. Thanks to Nicnicd for beta'ing the final marathon of chapters to complete TLC. Thanks to EdwardBabyMomma (EBM07 on Twitter) and the marvelous team of Arfalcon and Nanette, who bought future takes of TLC for FGB. These will be coming soon. Also, these women have been faithful readers and reviews of TLC for as long as I can remember. Thanks to all the authors who recommended TLC in their A/N's, those I was aware of an unaware of. And once again, thanks to my readers & reviewers, because there are too many of you to name! However, I want to especially thank Songster 51, EBM07, sunfire04, ChefJayla, Swimom07, javamomma0921, sparklybabs and Funmbie, Rochelle_Allison (roglows), RebelMissAlex,TheWonderWoman (Shell29Bells), RadioFreeAmy, IWant2Sparkle, Sleepyval, GiselleLX, Twitina & Debbie Valente, who are readers and dear, dear friends.
Thanks to all my banner makers: Shug, Readergoof, & Angstgoddess003
Thanks to my research experts: Becca, Deb, Erin, Betsy, Robin and others. Special thanks to my Fictionista People. You know who you are!
I know I have forgotten someone, and if I have, please know that it was not intentional. Love you all!
Honeymoon E & B in Praslin, Seychelles .travel/en/about_seychelles/inner_
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FrenchTranslations: Monsieur et Madame - Mr. and Mrs.
"Perfect for Me" by Ron Pope: http : /youtu dot be/xEes9dKyjfA
"Il me fait la même chose, moi aussi," Bella replied, "fréquemment."- "He does that to me, too," Bella replied, "frequently."
"Je suis vraiment désolé, Madame Cullen." - "I am very sorry, Mrs. Cullen."
Portuguese Translation:
Namorada – Sweetheart.
. Seychelles Black Pearls (Jewelry)