Hey there! One quick thing:

I just want to clarify an earlier note about reviews. If you are reading and reviewing this story, I am honored and grateful and I appreciate each and every comment you leave me. The way I've gone about this story is a complete departure for me, so I was a little blasé when mentioned reviews. I didn't want anyone to feel obligated to review every chapter because I didn't know how long or frequent they would be. It wasn't because I don't want them, or don't care about getting them. I do! That said, I want to thank those who have left reviews so far. You've really blown me away with your support and the positive feedback has been a huge help getting me back on track. Thank you.

~Ginnie

PS- SM owns all.

Hopefully…

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Holed up in their out of the way corner of the coffeehouse, neither Bella nor Edward are in any real hurry to leave.

They keep things as light as they can. Edward asks about Charlie and his new bride, their wedding, and even how her old friends in La Push are doing. He doesn't bring up Jacob, and Bella leaves that topic alone as well.

When she's had her fill of talking about herself, she turns the tables on him.

"How's your family doing?"

Edward shrugs. "They're good. Dad is the Chief of Staff at the hospital now, and my mom is running the bookstore in town. They're um… they're back together. I don't know if you knew, but they split up for a while. Mom pretty much moved to L.A. while I was in rehab, and it took a toll on them."

He rubs the back of his neck uncomfortably.

Bella kicks the toe of his shoe gently. "Hey, you know their issues aren't really your fault?"

"Yeah, that's gonna be a tough sell, Bella. When your mother all but leaves your father to take care of you, it's sort of hard to deny."

She frowns at his tone. "Your drug use may have been a huge source of strain, but I highly doubt it was the only one. No marriage is perfect. In fact, I seem to remember a few times your father slept on the couch back in the day because of Emmett's antics, and even Alice's, too."

He nods a little. "Yeah, I know."

"How is Alice?" Bella asks, changing the subject. "I know she tried to keep in touch with me, but, it was so... complicated."

"I know. So does she." He smiles. "And she's actually doing really well. She's pregnant."

"Seriously?"

"This will be her third… and fourth." Bella's eyebrows shoot up and Edward laughs. "Yeah, I know. They're having twins. Can you believe it?"

"No! Oh, my God! How could not mention that in your emails?"

"We just found out. She's not that far along, I don't think. They're really hoping for at least one girl this time. They have two little boys already."

"Oh, Lord help us. Two little Jasper's running around."

"One little Jasper," Edward corrects her. "The other one could be Alice's clone and is almost as tall as she is already."

Bella rolls her eyes, but giggles. "You're mean. How old are they?"

"Colby is two, and Caleb is four."

"Wow… I cannot believe she has kids. And twins?"

"I know. I think everyone is a little bit shocked about that."

"So, she and Jasper are happy, then?"

"Well, they keep popping out babies, so I assume things are going well enough between them."

Bella laughs and looks away at what Edward's insinuating. He chuckles, secretly enjoying her blush.

"Emmett and Rose have a little girl, too. She's gorgeous and she knows it, so of course she's a complete brat. They named her after me though."

Bella makes a face. "They named their daughter after you?"

"Yeah, Edwina Lucille Cullen."

Edward lets her sit with her mouth hanging open for a while before he laughs and admits he's kidding.

Bella smacks his leg. "I thought you were serious!"

"I know! You should have seen your face."

He lets out a man-ish sort of giggle and Bella smirks.

"With that giggle of yours, I'm not at all surprised they named their baby girl after you."

He pretends to be offended. "Just for that, I'm not telling you her name."

"Who are you, Rumpelstiltskin?"

He shakes his head. "Start spinning those napkins into gold, baby."

Bella laughs, but feels her face flush when the last of his teasing words dawns on her. She looks away and pretends to be interested in something near the front of the store.

Edward clears his throat. "They named her Antonia. Antonia Lucille Cullen."

"Antonia?"

"Yeah, I guess it would have been Anthony if they'd had a boy."

"Ah…" Bella nods. "That was really sweet of them."

Edward nods and moves on.

"Dad said to say 'hello'. I completely forgot."

"Oh. So they know we're speaking?"

"Yeah."

"How do they feel about that?"

He shrugs. "My father thought it would be good for both of us, but my mom…" He sighs. "Mom is still struggling to forgive things."

Bella shifts in her oversized chair. "You mean me, Edward. She's still struggling to forgive me."

He shakes his head. "She just doesn't understand is all."

Bella nods. "She loves her son. I don't blame her, I'm just sorry she hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, Bella. She's just… overprotective. We're working on that though."

Bella looks skeptical. "Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Well, good luck. Let me know when it's safe to go near the Forks' book store again, eh?"

He smiles. "I will."

Bella looks around at the mostly empty coffeehouse. "It's getting late."

"Yeah," he sighs. "I guess we should probably think about wrapping this up soon."

"I can't believe we've been here all day."

Edward nods. "I know. I think my legs are numb."

Bella laughs. "Mine are definitely getting there."

"Maybe next time we can go for a walk or something," he suggests as he stands.

"Maybe," she answers, biting her bottom lip and wondering when that will be.

They clear their table and stretch a little, then stop by the restrooms before heading to the door.

As they approach, Edward jumps forward and opens it for Bella. The gesture makes her pause.

"What is it?" he asks a little nervously.

Bella opens her mouth, then shakes her head. "Nothing."

She begins walking again, knowing he'll fall in line beside her.

He does. "Tell me. Please?"

She smiles and watches their feet move alongside each other on the pavement. "I guess I was just wondering what you hoped to get out of our meeting today, and I wondered if you got it."

They walk slowly another moment, reaching her truck too soon and turning to face one another. He appears thoughtful and his blue eyes are narrowed in thought when Bella up looks at him.

"Yes," he says finally. "I got what I hoped for. And more."

She blinks. "Which was?"

He grins. "To make sure you weren't saying the things you've been saying in our emails just to make me feel better. I wanted to know whether or not you've really forgiven me."

She tilts her head to the side. "So this was a test?"

"Maybe a little. But you passed so no worries."

"Did I now?" Her eyes narrow.

"Well, let's see…" he says, taking a breath. "Can you truly forgive me for all the damage I caused? For everything I put you through because of my addiction?"

She doesn't have to think about it, but she watches him watching her for a long moment.

"Yes," she answers simply.

"Then, yes, you passed. You passed with flying colors."

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