Chapter 34: Lucky

B POV

Edward releases me just as the steaks finish and the potatoes beep they're completion. I lay them on a hot pad on the middle of the table and sit across from Edward. He gives me a wink and one of his reassuring smiles that makes me swoon and want to jump him at the same time. I look over at my grandfather who has his lips in a straight line and his forehead is creased.

"Should we say grace?" He asks as if nothing is wrong.

"The honor is all yours," Charlie nods his head in assent. Dad and I never pray unless grandpa is around, I don't think Charlie would even know where to start.

"Dear Lord, today I'm praying for forgiveness." He continues into a pregnant pause and I begin to wonder if he is going to continue. Before I get a chance to look up though, he continues. "Isabella, I'm sorry for the things I have said to you in the past. If you can believe it, I say them because I care. I want you to be tough; I want you to strive to better yourself. I know I've probably only hindered you in the past, causing you to grow a complex. I think I did the same thing to my son, Charlie. He's been a blessing as a son and an excellent Chief of Police. You both mean more to me than I would ever admit due to my blind and stubborn pride. As I ask for forgiveness I would also like to thank you Lord, for bringing Edward to my granddaughter's defense. This respectful young man has opened my eyes and for that I owe him. So, thank you Lord for my family and I will try to appreciate them more. Amen."

I open my eyes and peek over at my grandfather, his head is still bowed. I turn to look at Charlie whose mouth has dropped and whose eyes are bugging out of his head. Edward has a proud yet sympathetic smirk on his face. He most definitely is going to know how much I appreciate and love him later. Grandpa looks up.

"Shall we eat?" He grunts and we all snap into action mode, nodding and smiling and passing food around the table.

"Pass the salad please," Edward looks at me. I smile and hand him the salad, meanwhile slipping my foot out of my shoe and stretching my leg out under the table. My foot finds purchase on his sneaker and his eyes snap up from serving himself the salad to look at me. I give him a bright smile and let my toes run up and down his ankle. He gives me a salacious smirk and goes back to serving the salad.

The rest of dinner passes in light conversation, mainly sports. By six o'clock I'm in the kitchen cleaning dishes, Edward at my side drying.

"Hey Bells," Charlie peeks his head around the corner. "Just letting you know I'm taking your grandfather home now. In case you wanted to say good-bye."

"Yeah," I nod and dry my hands on my jeans before heading out to the living room.

"Hey grandpa thanks for coming." I wave as I near him.

"I'm glad I did." He nods as he meanders over to me. He wraps his arms around me in a hug and bends down to whisper in my ear. "I like that young man of yours."

"I do too, thanks grandpa." I smile as I pull away and he returns a smile.

"See you soon Isabella?" He asks cheerfully.

"Hope so," I nod. If this new and improved grandfather sticks around then I won't mind seeing him as much. But if stubborn ass grandfather comes back, well I think I'll be able to hold my own. I stand at the door and wave as dad pulls away from the curb. As I go to back up into the house to close the door I run in to Edward. His arms wrap around me as he buries his nose in my neck.

"Thank you," I say as I pull his arms tighter around me.

"Anytime." He whispers. "You are worth more than a few honest words Bella."

"And you are worth more than a dinner and some dishes." I say as I turn around and pull him in for a kiss.

"Oh yeah," he teases. "What am I worth to you?"

"Hmm, besides a great lay?" I tease back. His smile turns sheepish and he blushes. "You are the best boyfriend, ever." I say as I kiss him on the tip of the nose. "And you deserve a shoulder rub."

"Hmm, I'll take it." He says as he leans in to kiss me again.

"Right after I finish dishes." I add as I untangle from his arms and head into the kitchen. He follows close behind and returns to position awaiting the next pot to dry. I smile and give him a slight hip check. He bumps me back and returns a bright smile.

"So your grandfather seems to have had a change of heart." He concludes.

"God I hope so." I huff. "If he keeps up with this new and improved grandpa thing I might have to invite him to more family events." Edward laughs and continues with the dishes.

"Come to dinner tomorrow?" He asks again.

"Edwaaaard," I whine. "I don't want to intrude." I say as I rinse off the last dish and hand it to him.

"Why do you keep insisting that you are intruding? My mom invited you and Carlisle asked if you were coming as well. They want you there Bella."

"Are you sure?" I ask again, still feeling unsure of myself.

"Yes!" He shouts. "Screw mom and Carlisle…I want you to come." I peek up at him from under my lashes and the look on his face nearly breaks my heart. He's pouting like a little kid begging for puppy.

"Alright, I'll come." I give in and shrug my shoulders.

"Awesome!" He shouts as he pulls me in for a hug and kisses the top of my head. "It's going to be so much better with you there."

"I'm glad you think so. Now, come on boyfriend, I owe you a shoulder rub for being such a loving, caring, amazing person." I pull him into the living room and force him to sit in front of the couch on the floor and choose a show on TV while I work my hands along the tension in his shoulders.

E POV

"You ready?" I ask as she hits the bottom stair, dressed in a pair of black slacks and a white top.

"Think so," she looks around the room like she's searching for something or trying to remember something that she's forgotten.

"Great then let's go!" I cheer as I take her hand and lead her towards the door before she can come up with an excuse as to why she can't go.

"Okay," She huffs finally giving in to coming with me to my father's birthday dinner.

"What are you so worried about?" I ask aside to her as we make our way through town towards my home.

"I don't know. I just feel like I'm intruding on your family." She whispers.

"I don't understand why you feel that way. They love you and besides they were the ones who invited you before I even got the chance. You are not intruding in the least."

"If you say so," she sighs as she leans back further into her seat and fiddles with her bracelet. She added another charm to it, a fish to represent her father. I reach over and prevent her from nervously tearing the delicate bracelet apart. She smiles up at me and clings to my hand in an effort to push her reservations aside.

As we pull up to the house her breathing has become quicker. Honestly, I don't understand why she's freaking out at all. It's not like she hasn't met my family before. We exit the car and head up the walk to the front door. Before our feet land on the top stair the door flies open revealing Esme's smiling face. Bella's grip loosens and she smiles in return.

"Oh yay!" Esme coos. "I'm glad you decided to come. She spreads her arms towards Bella and brings her in for a hug. Bella relinquishes my hand in order to return the affection. When they disengage mom leans towards me and pecks me on the cheek.

"I hope you're both hungry. I've made your father's favorite, ribs."

"Awesome!" I reply.

"That sounds wonderful." Bella answers as well.

"Everyone is in the sitting room. Can I get you anything to drink?" She asks as we enter the kitchen.

"Nothing for me thanks." Bella responds. I shake my head at mom and lead Bella towards my family.

"-and that's when I told your Uncle that he was a fool for investing in post-it notes. Guess he proved me wrong." The room erupts in giggles and chortles as we enter.

"Oh Bella!" Alice scoots over on the couch allowing both Bella and I to take a seat. I sit first and allow Bella to lean against my shoulder as I drape my arm over the back of the couch.

"What are we talking about?" I ask.

"Oh, just some of my family history." Carlisle answers mildly.

"Oh yeah? Talking about Uncle Alistair again?" I ask curiously.

"Yes, I got a birthday call from him today. He's in France, again." Carlisle rolls his eyes.

"Ah, the life of a terminal bachelor." Emmett muses. "Is he ever going to get married?"

"I don't think so. He's forty-five years old and has never had a serious relationship. He doesn't know what he's missing out on." Carlisle speaks as his hand automatically winds its way up to Esme's hand which is now scratching lightly on his shoulder. He tilts his head up and smiles lovingly at my mother. Emmett makes a gagging noise but I just smile. The love Carlisle has for my mother has always impressed and intrigued me. He looks at her with more affection and caring in his eyes than my real father could ever dream of. I inherited my father's eyes, sometimes when I look in the mirror I see him, but then I remember that I'm me.

As if she can read my mind, Bella looks up at me from under lashes. Her expression matches that of my mother's and I can't help but return the intense gaze that she has entrapped me with. I lean in and kiss her lightly then pull back.

"Okay everyone." Esme interrupts. "Dinner is ready, let's head into the dining room."

"Alright!" Emmett shouts as he leaps from the love seat and rockets towards the food.

After everyone has stuffed themselves with the amazing ribs mom made, we all clean off the table as the dessert is prepared. Carlisle isn't allowed to help as it's his birthday dinner, and the rule is that you don't do dishes at your own birthday dinner.

"Mmmm," Carlisle groans at the cake mom is currently topping with two candles in the shape of a 4 and a 0. "German Chocolate, my favorite."

"Of course it is. I know your weaknesses old man." She teases. He feigns a blow to the chest and stumbles back a bit then breaks out in a thick grin and chuckles. "Don't go calling me old yet."

"Why not? You've hit a new landmark now." She continues.

"I'll give you a landmark," he whispers a little too loudly as he snuggles into her back.

"Ugh, gross!" Emmett interrupts. "Contain yourselves before I puke up the wonderful dinner that I just tucked away!"

"Shut up Emmett!" Alice fires back at him. "I think it's cute! They're in love, leave 'em alone."

"Thank you Alice." Mom sticks her tongue out at Emmett who rolls his eyes and continues putting away dishes.

"How long have you two been married?" Bella asks looking up from the pan she's rinsing.

"Oh goodness," Esme scrunches her face in concentration.

"Eleven years." Carlisle fires off quickly, not needing to think about it. "But it feels like it's still brand new."

"I couldn't agree more." Esme says as she offers a finger of frosting for Carlisle to lick. He quickly rids her finger of the sticky substance then goes in for a kiss.

You'd think the actions my parents are currently involved in would disgust or repulse me, but I've just gotten so used to it that I don't really notice it anymore. Affection between them has never been something that has lacked, even when times are tough or tense, they always show each other little reminders of how much they love one another.

"Edward told me that you two knew each other before that though." Bella says as she finishes her last dish and turns back to them.

"Well yes." Esme nods. "Carlisle and I were friends before anything ever got romantic."

"Well for her maybe. I was in love with her the moment I saw her." Carlisle smiles sheepishly. "I don't know how much Edward told you Bella, but my first wife, God rest her soul, had died in child birth with Alice and I had a rough go of it for years. I really struggled with raising an infant daughter and an awnry two year old. I took time away from work in order to find myself, deal with my grief and focus on my children. When Alice was about a year and a half old I decided to go back to working. That's when I met Esme."

"More like ran into me." Mom corrects him. "I was juggling a crying Edward, an arm load of paperwork and a bag of groceries as I was headed home from work when all of a sudden I was practically mowed down by this gorgeous man with a chart in his hand."

"Really?" Bella giggles.

"Yes, I dropped my paperwork everywhere." Esme laughs at her memory.

"I helped her pick it up of course, apologizing profusely. Then when I finally managed to look her in the eye I was stunned speechless." Carlisle chimes in.

"I believe his exact words were, 'I'm so sorry miss…gorgeous'." Esme offers.

"Aww," Bella tilts her head and I return to her side, pulling her to me a little closer.

"Yeah, I pretty much gawked at her for the rest of the exchange until she walked out of the door. Then I kept having to make excuses to go down to her floor to see her again." Carlisle laughs. "I had some great pick up lines."

"I think my favorite was, 'How do I get my daughter to potty train?' Or maybe, 'What time is 415 scheduled for his enema?'" Esme teases.

"I knew she was married. I mean the ring and the kid were kind of obvious. I didn't want to be a home wrecker or anything though. So I struck up a parental advice friendship." Carlisle admits. "I would mostly come to her with questions about kid stuff."

"That's cute." Bella grins widely.

"Yeah, I lucked out." Esme sighs as she turns to grab the cake from the counter. "Now, is everyone ready for cake and presents?"

"More than ready!" Emmett booms. We follow mom back into the dining room. She sets the cake on the table and we all form a semi-circle around Carlisle who is beaming.

As the last lines of 'Happy Birthday' are followed with Emmett's crude edits Carlisle closes his eyes, takes in a breath and easily extinguishes the two candles. A round of applause goes up and Carlisle slowly opens his eyes.

"Would you look at that, my wish already came true." He chuckles.

"Oh, you..." Esme pulls him in and kisses him thoroughly. I smile and pull Bella closer to my side as Alice begins cutting the cake and Emmett piles the presents on the table.

After the presents have been opened and cake has been half-eaten Bella and I head back out to the car.

"Was it as bad as you thought it was going to be?" I tease. Bella shoots me a death glare which makes me laugh even more.

"No," she huffs as she slides into the passenger seat. "Your mom and Carlisle are so adorable, so in love. They remind me of Phil and Renee, except they've been married over a decade."

"Yeah, the love my parents have for one another amazes me. I can't fathom having a marriage without as much dedication and love as the one they have." I answer looking at Bella out of the corner of my eye. She settles further into her seat as we turn back on to the highway and closes her eyes. I reach over and grab her hand to run my lips across her knuckles. She hums contentedly and looks at me.

"Thank you Edward." She whispers. "It was nice to see how your family interacts. It helps me understand you more, understand how you're such a loving, caring, perfect person." I smile in response as I ponder over how lucky I am, again, for the billionth time tonight.