A/N… We're still at the hospital. I'll let you get to it.

~oOo~

Chapter 22

BELLA

I sipped my coffee as Edward paced just outside the hospital's front doors. I could see his fierce demeanor, but occasionally, that gorgeous smile would quirk up on his face, so I assumed he was talking to either Emmett or Garrett. Maybe Tanya.

We were waiting on…well, everyone. Jasper had woken in pain, but he was sleeping again without having said much. He was stable, and he was going to make it; he just had a tough road ahead. Alice was now in labor, and her contractions were getting closer. We were kind of stuck at the hospital for at least a few more hours. Though, I had a feeling Edward was trying to get back into Common Ground so we could start to get back to normal. Whatever normal was about to become. Because with my brother back in the fold, a baby about to arrive, and my new relationship with Edward, things were going to be way different.

When he finally took a seat back in front of me, I glanced down at my half-eaten breakfast. Edward took a bite of eggs, setting the fork down.

"I miss Common Ground's food," he grumped, grinning when I burst into a giggle. "What? I do! Tanya brought me a muffin yesterday, and it was just…okay." His scowl was adorably childlike. He picked his fork back up, pointing it at me. "And those banana pancakes you made… Holy fucking shit."

"Okay, I'll be sure to make some again, Edward."

He grinned. "You don't have to, but those are fantastic."

I shook my head, meeting his gaze. This Edward was just about all things I could barely resist. Once he let someone in, he was a completely different person. And there were only so many of us he'd truly let in – his family, me, and maybe Garrett. I knew he respected my dad, and he was pretty good with Alice, but he stayed just a little back from them. No, it was only a rare few people he trusted with his true self.

Which brought my thoughts to Maggie.

I took a bite of toast, thinking that girl fucked up. Or maybe she didn't. She certainly regretted some things. Edward had told me he'd kept her at arm's length. He'd never told her about his parents, and he'd never brought her to Carlisle and Esme's home. If he was as standoffish with her throughout their entire relationship as he'd been with me at the beginning, I could understand why she'd finally walked away. A girl could only take so much.

Glancing back up at Edward, I asked, "Was it awkward with Maggie when I left the room?"

His gaze shot to mine. "Yes."

I almost laughed at his one-word answer, but I'd grown used to them. "Should I have stayed?" I chuckled a little through the question, but he smiled softly.

"No. I've moved on. She's moved on."

"No, she really hasn't."

He grimaced a bit before taking a sip of his coffee. He didn't say anything for a minute. "I never loved her, Bella. I love you."

Smirking his way, I shook my head. "I know. That wasn't my concern, Edward. I trust you. I just… Did she even try to get to know you? Or did she simply accept your grumpy-gruff personality?"

He huffed a light laugh. "She tried." He took the last bite of his food, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I wasn't… She wouldn't have understood it, Bella."

"Maybe," I allowed, because his story wasn't an easy one to hear. In fact, I still had moments I wished Ed Sr. was still around just so I could junk-punch him for what he'd done to Edward and his mother.

However, Maggie came across as one of those girls who confused a crush with the real deal. And a crush makes a girl stupid, taking away their ability to grow or assess boundaries and red flags. The object of a crush can dictate all the rules. And since Edward had walls around him as tall as a skyscraper, he most likely set all sorts of boundaries.

Edward's face darkened a little, but he reached for my hand, playing with my fingers before linking ours together. "And don't ask me why it felt okay to tell you, to let you in. I don't know the reason. I thought you were the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, even when you were pissed at me, but getting to know you, watching how you care for people… You're just as stunning on the inside, Bella."

My brow furrowed at that, and if we were anywhere other than the hospital cafeteria, I'd have kissed him stupid. As it was, I squeezed his hand and thanked him.

"Okay, so what now?" I asked, gesturing to his phone.

Edward leaned forward. "Banner is sending Clearwater and Yorkie to Common Ground today. Soon. They'll make sure we're clear to go back in." He glanced around us as the place started to get busy. "If you're finished, we can make our way back upstairs to check on Alice."

I nodded, and we got up to throw our trash away.

Once we were in the elevators, he turned back to me. "I'm also waiting to hear back from Emmett or Garrett. I need to know if they've spoken to Felix. Powell – and Aro, for that matter – are still out there, still doing what they've always done, but James was Powell's nephew by marriage. I want to make sure he's not going to come back with revenge. I don't think he will, because James's actions started to draw too much attention."

"Are we still in danger?" I asked softly.

He shook his head. "No. You were all witnesses or victims of James's fuckery. Since he's gone, there's nothing to bear witness to, no testimony needed. And all his men are dead."

"That's what Emmett said… That the best outcome the night you guys tried to serve your warrant was that James didn't make it, because otherwise we'd all still have to hide until the trial."

"And he was right, beautiful." Edward leaned in to kiss my temple before the doors of the elevator opened. We stepped out into the corridor, and he went on. "Honestly, I can close the case on Maria Navarro, Bree Tanner, and the assault on Charlie all without going to court. And I'm not exactly sad about that shit either."

We neared the maternity ward, but I tugged Edward to a stop. "And Aro? The fact that he knew you? Knew your father? Doesn't that shit need… I don't know. Do you need to look into it?" I asked in a whisper. "Jesus, Edward. Have you even considered looking into your parents' case file?"

If I thought he'd be mad about the sudden barrage of not only personal questions but also triggering ones with him, I'd be wrong.

"He's not a threat to me," he answered gently. "And no, I never did. I maybe should at least read it. The fact that Emmett has read it…" He wrinkled his nose in a way that I'd truly come to love; it was a sign he knew he was being a little stubborn about something. "There's a part of me that knows deep down that whoever put the hit out on my dad did me a fucking favor."

I flinched a bit at that, but I reached up to push his hair off his forehead. "Maybe. But if you want to read it, I'll hold your hand through it, baby."

He smiled, tilted his head at me, and nodded a little. He didn't say anything at first, but he finally sighed and leaned in to kiss my lips. "Okay. But after babies and brothers and getting back home, Bella."

"That's a deal, Detective."

His grin was gorgeous, and he tugged my hand so we could continue on down the hallway. By the time we reached the waiting room for the maternity ward, my dad was a pacing mess.

He walked to me, taking me by the shoulders. "They need… I'm not… Someone should be in there with her, but her sister isn't coming."

My nostrils flared at that last thing. "I'm gonna keep my mouth shut about Alice's fucking family." It was bad enough that her sister kicked a pregnant Alice out onto the street, but to not show up at a time like this was just asinine.

"Right?" Dad huffed, rolling his eyes. But he gripped my shoulders gently. "Bella… Will you?"

I sighed, looking to Edward and then my dad. "Yeah, but I'm telling you people… One more emergency or fucking scary thing, and I may completely unravel. You'll be on that show Snapped, telling the interviewer, 'She warned us, so it wasn't a shock when she blew the hell up.'"

Edward chuckled, and my dad hid his smile behind his hand.

"I'll make sure it's justifiable homicide, Bella," Edward teased, and my dad grinned his way. Those two were going to end up being a bad influence on each other. I just fucking knew it as I narrowed eyes at them both.

However, Dad sobered up, saying, "I know, kiddo. And we all owe you a damned vacation, but—"

"Fine!" I said a little too loudly, catching the attention of a few people in the waiting room, when I interrupted my dad. "Fine. I'll go."

Dad nodded, guiding me back out to the nurse's station and telling them I was to go in with Alice Brandon. The nurse smiled and guided me back through some double doors.

"You'll have to wash up, honey," she told me, pointing to a door so I could scrub my hands.

Alice was in the bed by the time I got into the room with her. She was sweaty and crying, shaking and in pain. As tiny as she was, and despite the fact that she was a few weeks early, this was going to be hard on her.

"Motherfucker…" she ground out through gritted teeth.

"Hey, hey, hey," I said, walking to her to wipe her face with a soft cloth. "Breathe, Ali."

"I don't want to do this. I've changed my mind!" she growled at me, and the nurses chuckled softly. Thankfully, Alice didn't hear them.

"Well, it's too late, and I'm ready for my nephew. So… Breathe, Alice. C'mon, easy breaths through the pain." I offered her my hand, and she took it.

The room was in constant motion and a cacophony of noise. Nurses monitored Alice's stats, machines beeped, Alice screamed, and the doctor told her when to push.

We were lucky that the baby had turned, that he was in the right position. We were also lucky that Alice stayed relatively stable throughout the whole labor. I'd heard nightmarish stories about women in labor for days.

However, Baby Whitlock was born two hours after I stepped into the labor and delivery room. He was six pounds, seven ounces of healthy baby boy. His cry was loud and made everyone in the room smile and sigh with relief.

As they took him to clean him up and check him over, I leaned over to kiss Alice's sweaty forehead. "You did it, Ali. You did a fucking awesome job."

"I want to see him," she sobbed, looking to me when they brought him over.

I helped her hold him because she was damned exhausted. "Hey, buddy," I whispered. "Welcome to the family."

Alice sniffled and leaned in to kiss him. "You look like your dad," she whispered against his red cheek.

To me, he looked like her. I'd seen the dark shock of hair before they put the little blue cap on him, but I finally saw what she did – long eyelashes, my brother's pouty lips. My hope was that he kept his blue eyes, because he would've received just a touch of my mother through Jasper.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I kissed both Alice's temple and the baby's cheek. "He's gorgeous, Alice."

"He is," she agreed, looking to me. "Can you… Will you… Charlie needs to meet him."

Grinning, I nodded. "Absolutely," I sang, looking to the nurse who was watching us, and I could tell she was smiling, despite the mask on her face. "Can he meet his grandpa?"

"Sure. We'll clean Mom up and get her settled. Then you can bring him back."

I gently scooped up my brand-new nephew, unable to keep from kissing his temple. He'd calmed a little, and he was looking around at the world with wide eyes.

"Hey, sweet boy. I'm your Aunt Bella," I whispered to him, but I turned back to Alice. "What's his name, Mom?"

"Charles Jasper. CJ."

I swallowed thickly but decided to tease her anyway. "You're gonna give my dad's ego a serious boost, Ali."

She shrugged and nodded. "Maybe, but he's the only dad I have."

~oOo~

EDWARD

Once Bella left us to go help Alice, I pulled out my phone, scrolling through texts and missed calls, finally dialing Yorkie.

"Hey, Masen. How you feeling?" he answered.

"It hurts like hell, but I know Banner sent you to Common Ground. I wanted to tell you to wait for Emmett. He's bringing Bella's keys," I explained to him.

"You want everything checked? Top to bottom?"

"Yes."

"What are we looking for?" he asked curiously.

I paced in the hallway outside the waiting room, trying my best to ignore the pain in my shoulder. "Broken locks, jimmied doors, anyone inside. Please check the coffee shop for anything stolen. The kitchen will be a wreck, so just let me know how bad, okay?"

"Oh, damn. Okay. Anything else?"

"No, I just need to get everyone back into the building, Eric. Alice is in labor, so we need to catch up on getting shit ready."

"Fuck. She's early, right?" he asked worriedly.

"Yeah, but only by a few weeks. Everything they're telling me is good."

Eric went quiet for a moment. "Fuck this. I'm callin' some of the boys, Masen. We'll get the place ready. I know Miss Bella is ready to get back into her coffee shop. And you're not exactly at a hundred percent."

Grinning, I let out a chuckle. "That's a fact. Emmett is bringing help, too. They'll be in Charlie's apartment for the most part. But only call those you trust, Eric. Powell is still out there, and so is Aro Volturi."

"No, I get that. There are a few of us good guys still out there. Okay, I'll call you back."

I ended the call, glancing up when I saw Charlie standing there. "They'll be clearing Common Ground in a few minutes. Maybe by the time the baby is ready to go, we can take them home."

He smiled, rubbing his face wearily. "I'll have a full apartment."

Grinning, I nodded. "Maybe. You'll have to see what Jasper wants to do about rehab."

"Can he go back?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I checked with the supervisor of the center, told him Jasper was injured and hospitalized, not MIA. His place is being held…if he wants to continue."

"Why, Edward? Why go to all the trouble for us? Even from the beginning."

"Because you're important to Bella, which means you've become important to me," I stated instantly, smiling sadly his way. "She takes care of everyone. It's time someone did the same for her. So if cleaning up Common Ground or making sure Jasper's rehab continues or letting her sleep helps her, then I'm in, Charlie."

He studied my face, finally nodding once. "You love her."

"Yes. Very much, sir."

He huffed a laugh that had very little humor in it. "A cop. I never thought that would happen."

Grinning, I gazed down at my shoes. "Me either, but it did. And she… She took care of me even when I didn't feel she should, so…" I trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

He inhaled deeply, letting it out and nodding once. "Then when Carlisle lets us know when Jasper is awake again, we'll go see what he wants to do. Maybe meeting his kid will be what he needs to grow up."

We went back into the waiting room to sit down. I zoned out, watching TV – some awful reality thing – but I was a million miles away. I was pulled out of my own thoughts when Garrett stepped into the room.

"There's my boy," he greeted with a grin, tugging me up and hugging me with one arm. "How's the arm?"

"Sore, but I've been released. Alice is in labor."

"No shit?"

"Yeah. Bella's back there with her."

He held out my keys. "Here. I brought your truck. It's in the parking garage. Second floor."

"Thanks, Garrett."

"Can you drive?"

Grinning, I nodded. "Yeah, I should be fine. I just can't put on shoes without help."

He laughed and groaned at the same time. "You're still a lucky bastard."

"Yeah."

"How's Whitlock?"

"He's gonna pull through," I answered with a slow shake of my head. "He's still considered critical, but they're about to shift him to stable."

"Excellent. Okay. Katie's waiting for me downstairs. I'm gonna go help Yorkie with Common Ground," he said, his eyebrow rising. "Did you call in every favor you've ever hoarded away?"

Grinning, I shrugged. "Maybe."

"And your girl?" he asked seriously.

"She's… She'll… Yeah, she's amazing," I rambled, smirking at my own inability to put into words how I felt about Bella.

He cracked the fuck up. "Stick a fork in him, ladies and gents. He's done." He squeezed my good shoulder. "Good for you, Edward," he whispered before standing up. "I'll call you when Banner gives our badges back. And once you're medically able, we'll keep doing that thing we do, buddy. They asked me if I wanted another partner, and I just about punched them in the face. No, I'll wait. I'll work Cold Case or some shit until you're healthy or until Katie goes into labor."

My eyebrows shot up at that, but I nodded his way. "Thanks again, Garrett." I gazed around the room for a second but stood. "Have you heard from Felix?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. They released him that night. Once you and Whitlock were loaded in the ambulance, they let him go. Technically, he wasn't a player in those events. We were there for James, but we treated him like a snitch."

Nodding, I said, "If Powell poses a threat, I'm sure he'll tell us."

"I don't think he will be – a threat, that is."

"Yeah, that's what I think, too."

"Aro, on the other hand, kinda outted you…"

Sneering, I nodded again. "I'm still on board for helping Felix with those two."

"Me, too."

We glanced up when Bella stepped into the room. Charlie, who had been chatting with a family in the corner, just about tripped over himself to stand up.

"Bells?"

"You ready to meet your grandson?" she asked him, and the man nodded nervously.

Bella walked to me, and I cupped her chin. She looked like she'd run a marathon – tired, a little sweaty, yet still stunning. "How are they?" I asked her, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"C'mon. You guys can come, too," she told us, leading us out of the waiting room and down the hall.

We stepped into the room to find Alice sitting up in bed, looking weary and practically limp with exhaustion, but in her arms was a tiny infant.

"Well, would you look at that…" Garrett said, a chuckle lacing his words as Bella gently scooped the baby up and faced Charlie.

Bella grinned, but she pressed kisses to the baby's head over and over. "Grandpa Charlie, I'd like you to meet Charles Jasper. He prefers CJ."

Garrett and I laughed at Charlie's blustering and blush, and it was even better when she slipped the baby into Charlie's arms. He sat down in one of the chairs in the corner, simply staring at the little one.

"Congratulations, Aunt Bella," Garrett told her.

She grinned, letting out a light laugh. "Thanks, Garrett."

He looked to me. "Guess I'd better get going. I'm sure I'll see you soon," he said, tipping his chin toward CJ.

He walked to Alice to give her his congratulations before he turned back to me. I shook his hand, and he pulled me into a one-arm hug, careful of my injured shoulder. Once Garrett left, I took a seat next to Charlie, and Bella stood with us.

"Everything okay?" she asked me.

"Yes." I smiled her way, keeping the goings-on at Common Ground to myself because I wanted to surprise them. "He brought my truck."

CJ grumbled a little in Charlie's arms, and Bella soothed a hand over the little guy's head. Suddenly, I could see her with her own. Not just hers. Ours. And it didn't seem as daunting as before when we'd discussed children in my old room at my aunt and uncle's home.

Charlie glanced up to his daughter, a wistful expression on his face. "You were the last baby I held," he whispered to her, and she chuckled. "Your mom would've…"

"Yeah," she answered him as he trailed off. "Mom would've been all over this."

Charlie grinned her way, but it held a touch of sadness to it. Whatever happened between Bella's parents didn't seem to negate how her father felt about her mother. There was a small part of me that envied Charlie and Bella's relationship. They were close; they were buddies. A touch more hate for Ed Sr. enveloped me, but only for a split second. Uncle Carlisle had been more of a father to me than my own had ever been.

Charlie settled CJ back into Bella's arms again, giving her chin a soft tap. "Edward and I were about to go check on Jasper. I didn't know if you wanted to come with us."

She smiled and nodded, but she looked to me. "Should we at least…I dunno…take a picture of this guy to show him? I don't have my phone…"

Charlie chuckled at her rambling, and I couldn't help but join him, but I pulled out my phone, taking a few pictures of little CJ. And his beautiful aunt.

Bella turned to Alice, whispering, "Hey, Mom, you ready to hold him again?"

Alice nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. Bella helped her get comfortable.

"Alice," Charlie said, stepping closer and kissing her forehead. "You want pictures?"

"Yes! For sure."

Smiling, I happily took pictures for them. "I'll send them all once everyone has their phones back."

"Thanks, Edward," Alice said, glancing around at us. "How's Jasper?"

"We were about to go see him," Charlie replied, looking over at the nurse who'd just walked into the room. "The father is in ICU. Is it possible she could take a wheelchair down?"

"Of course!" She left the room and came back with a wheelchair. "I wouldn't take too long. This guy is going to want to eat soon. Are you breastfeeding?"

Charlie and I shifted on our feet, and Bella caught it. "Both of you…relax," she ordered wryly, and I huffed a laugh, looking away from them.

The nurse let out a giggle, waving us away. "I guess we'll figure it out."

Alice grinned, but she shook her head. "Okay."

Once they got Alice and baby settled into the chair, Charlie offered to push her. She was quiet, her eyes only on that little guy in her arms. Bella's fingers linked with mine, and we made our way down to ICU. My uncle was outside Jasper's room.

He took one look at Alice, a smile spreading over his face. "Congratulations, Alice."

She grinned his way. "Meet CJ, Carlisle."

He knelt by her chair, placing a gentle hand on CJ's head. "He's beautiful. Guess we did something right while you stayed with us," he teased her, because he'd single-handedly monitored her pregnancy these last couple of weeks.

It was one thing that I'd come to care for Bella's family, but it was another comfort altogether that my family had too. Aunt Esme loved the girls and Charlie. And I was fairly certain that Jasper would be accepted just as well.

When Carlisle stood back up, he smiled again. "He's awake. We're about to move him to a regular room. He'll have a special diet for a while, and he's refused pain meds. Well, the prescription-level pain meds. He says he's clean, and he wants to stay that way."

Everyone gaped at Carlisle, me included.

"However, he's asking for Bella first. He doesn't know about…" He trailed off, gesturing to CJ. He looked to Bella. "He heard you when you were in the room earlier, so he wants to set eyes on you, I think. He wants to talk to Edward, too. About James and whatever happened."

Bella looked to me. "Okay, we'll go together."

Bella and I walked into the room, and Jasper was sitting up in his bed, staring unseeingly at the TV on the wall. He'd taken a hell of a beating from James that night, so his face still had bruises and cuts. He was a little pale and shaky, but otherwise seemed to be on the mend.

He caught sight of us, and a smile quirked up one side of his mouth when Bella walked to him.

"Bells," he rasped, leaning in when she brushed his hair off his forehead. He looked to me. "Masen."

"Just…call me Edward, Jasper."

His eyes flickered to his sister. "I'm sorry."

"You gotta narrow that shit down, big brother."

He grinned. "I'm sorry I scared the shit out of you. Both of you. And I sort of lied about where I was working. I said a warehouse, which wasn't exactly a lie; I just didn't say it was specifically the one next to James's building. I got the job at the cement factory so I could watch for that asshole. Is he… Are you…" Jasper looked to me.

"James is dead. And I'm fine. The bullet went through you and ended here." I tapped my shoulder lightly.

"Good. Bat-shit crazy son of a bitch. I wanted to help. I owe both of you. I owe a lot of fucking people." He looked to me. "I'm sorry you got shot, though."

"I'll live. Though, you sent my whole precinct into a fucking frenzy," I told him, rolling my eyes. I waved off his contrite expression. "The end justified the means, I suppose. He might've run if you hadn't been there, so…" I trailed off, shrugging a little.

"Jasper…" Bella said through a deep sigh. "You could've just let Edward handle it." She looked to me and then my shoulder, but she gazed back at Jasper. "Or you maybe saved his life. I don't know. At this point, I've stopped guessing. Both of you are gonna give me ulcers."

I snorted into her hair, and Jasper's grin was mischief incarnate. However, he glanced between us, seeing we were holding hands. Something sad crossed his features, but he looked to Bella.

"Is Alice…"

Bella smiled, nodded, and picked up her brother's hand. "She's here. So is Dad."

"Yeah? He's okay?"

"He's fine," I answered, because the last conversation I'd had with Jasper was that Charlie had been assaulted. "Before they come in here, I need to know if you're going back to rehab. They're holding your spot. They know you're in here, so…"

His eyebrows shot up. "Yeah. It's totally fucking helping."

Bella cupped his face. "I'm very proud of you."

His face reddened, but he gazed up at her. "Thanks, B," he whispered to her. "It's…hard, but I'm… I'm gonna be a dad, so I need to do this."

Bella's eyes welled up, and she nodded. "I know it's hard, but we're all rooting for you. You're putting in a hell of an effort."

I could see he didn't quite know what to say to that. He had a long way to go, but she was right; he was putting in an amazing effort. Since his arrest, he'd been at the bottom – mentally, emotionally, and physically. He'd only had one way to go, which was up. And he'd slowly taken each step for the better. He may have fought it in the beginning, but I honestly thought that the removal of Maria, James, and all the other bullshit concerning Inferno would only serve to help him.

"Now, I have a surprise for you, Jazz," she said, walking to the door and waving her hand.

I stepped out of the way when Alice was wheeled into the room. Jasper paled a little more, but the emotions at seeing not only his whole family, but his little boy, were massive. I pulled out my phone, gently tugging Bella to me.

"Here, beautiful," I whispered, showing her the lock code for my phone because I had nothing to hide. "Take as many pictures as you wish, okay?"

"Thanks, Edward."

My brow wrinkled as I nodded, but we both turned to watch Charlie set the baby into his father's arms.

"Meet your son, Jasper," Alice told him with tears flowing yet wearing a small smile. "Charles Jasper. CJ, that's your daddy."

I backed out of the room, leaving them to their family moment. Out in the corridor, Uncle Carlisle was noting Jasper's chart.

He smiled my way when I leaned against the wall. "Our family has grown," he said with a light chuckle.

I huffed a laugh and nodded. "I thought that same thing just before we went in." I faced him fully. "I… I never thanked you, Uncle Carlisle. For everything you did for me, that you're still fucking doing for me."

"I don't want a thank-you, Edward," he countered, his brow furrowing. "I never did. You didn't deserve what happened to you, but you were Esme's blood. I'd do it again, maybe a little differently, but I have no regrets. I love you as much as I love Rosalie."

"Should I… Maybe it's time that I…" I trailed off, sighing deeply and shaking my head. "I think I need to read my parents' case file."

He set his hand on my uninjured shoulder. "If you feel the need to, then we'll back you one hundred percent." When I nodded, he hesitated a moment before asking, "Would you at least consider talking to someone about this? Think about it, Edward. No pressure. No bribery or cajoling. Just think about it."

I flinched a little at the offer that had been given to me since my mother died. I usually reacted poorly, snapping that I didn't need to talk about it.

"Okay," I said softly. "I'll think about it."

He smiled, and I noted the relief, but we looked up when Bella came out holding my phone. "Hey, this is kinda blowing up in my hand."

Grinning, I chuckled and took a look at the messages that were coming in. Emmett had built the crib at Charlie's. Seth and Eric had Common Ground's kitchen back together. Garrett was showing off the front doors all cleared of crime scene tape. I looked to her, leaning in to kiss her forehead.

"My turn for a surprise, Bella. Let's go home."

~oOo~

A/N… I changed a few things around after JenRar had cleaned this up, so any errors are on me.

A few things… For those waiting on the epi for When Angels Fall, I'm working on it in between writing this one. It's coming in small increments.

Next, my real-life job has changed my days off to Sun/Mon, so more than likely, this will update on Mondays. Most of you don't care, but I wanted to keep you in the loop.

So…until next time… Mooches, Deb ;)