Thanks for y'all's patience. This has been ready for a while, but I've been getting adjusted to my new shift work.

Thanks to Team Harpy.

Bella

Ang hands me the keys to my rental when she slides back into hers. I'm in the passenger seat slumped down out of sight. I make a face at the Chevy emblem on the key fob.

"Do you really want to pull up in a Benz in Forks? That's like putting up a billboard that says you're there, and the plan is to fly under the radar, remember?"

"Always the voice of reason."

"If you had only listened to that voice," she snarks.

"Yeah, yeah," I grumble as she pulls around so I can dash to the Cruze.

"Your belongings are already in the trunk, and here;s a bag of snacks so you don't have to stop. The car is gassed up, and it gets great gas mileage, so you should be good to go."

I grab the bag she hands me and look at her fondly. "I don't know what I would do without you."

"Let's hope you don't get fired so we never have to find out."

"There is that. I'll see you back in LA in a couple weeks."

Ang nods in the affirmative and waits until I'm in the car to drive off. I familiarize myself with the small sedan and am pleased it at least has Bluetooth so I can listen to my music. I connect my phone, then I'm off. At least, I'm not in a hurry because this car is a four cylinder and has no get-up-and-go.

I find myself skipping way too many songs on my playlist because they all make me think of Edward. Not for the first time, I wonder what he's doing. I don't dare text or call him, but according to the tabloids, he's either divorcing Jessica, reconciling with her, or romancing another woman altogether. So, who knows?

I sigh in relief when I see the Welcome to Forks sign. These people have always protected me and my privacy, so I hope it continues. But with the way I'm being painted in the media, I can't be too sure.

I pull into my dad's driveway and chuckle when I see the huge sign in his yard.

'THIS IS THE HOME OF POLICE CHIEF CHARLIE SWAN. FAAFO'

The old fuck-around-and-find-out spiel. I bet he learned that acronym from Seth. Glad my education money is going to good use.

I quietly let myself in and sniff in appreciation at the smell coming from the kitchen. I know it's not my dad cooking.

"Sue?"

"Bella!" She comes around the wall separating the kitchen and living room and rushes to hug me. I melt into it. "How are you holding up?"

"I've been better, but I think hiding out here will be good for me."

"You will not hide out. This is your home, and everyone here loves you. Besides, we'll be spending most of our time on the reservation. Good luck to anyone who tries to trespass there."

She's right.

"Are you nervous?" I ask her as I follow her to the kitchen and sit at the kitchen table.

She cocks her head to the side as she contemplates her answer. "No," she says simply but surely. "I've done this before, and your dad was Harry's friend for decades. Leah and Seth are happy for me, and that's all that really matters. They took their father's death hard, but they both like Charlie."

"Charlie is easy to like when he isn't threatening to shoot reporters. Have there been a lot around?"

"There were." Sue giggles. "When the first few showed up all at once, I had to convince him not to approach them until he put pants on. Can you imagine him all over People magazine in his tighty whities?"

"I didn't even want to imagine him in tighty whities, so thank you, Sue. Really."

She giggles again, and then ladles up some of what's cooking into a big bowl, placing it in front of me with a small plate of Fry Bread.

I peer into the bowl. "Three Sisters Soup? I haven't had this in years." I excitedly dig in, relishing the corn, bean, and squash soup.

Sue smiles and cleans up the kitchen as I eat before sitting down across from me with her own bowl.

"I heard Rachel Black was helping you."

I swallow a mouthful before answering. "Yeah, she knows her stuff."

"You know Billy will be at the wedding."

I scrunch up my nose in distaste. "I figured. Charlie and he go way back. Jake and I always found it hilarious that we never met before the show. But I guess Billy would keep his gay son under wraps." The last part is said bitterly.

"He's old school—"

"That's no excuse. That's his son, and that should be all that matters. I mean, what if Charlie decided to disown me because of what I did?"

"I don't agree with Billy. I'm just letting you know he'll be there."

"I won't cause drama at your wedding. I promise," I assure her.

"Oh, but I will. I invited Jake and Sam," she says smugly.

A shocked laugh escapes me. "Best stepmother ever."

Sue winks as she takes a spoonful of her soup.

"Whose damn Chevy is in my driveway? If a reporter got in here, I'm gonna …"

Sue and I are putting wedding favors together when he barges in.

"Relax, Dad, it's me," I call out. He appears immediately.

"In a Chevy?"

I laugh at his incredulity. "Staying under the radar for a bit. Something about a married man and …"

He opens his arms, and I dive into them, inhaling his woodsy dad scent. "Are you okay?"

"I don't know yet." I sigh. We stay that way for a couple minutes. "Dad?"

"Yeah?"

"The signs are a bit much."

"Do you see any reporters?"

"Point taken." I step away slightly and grin up at him. It feels good to be home.

Leah and Seth join us, and we sit down for dinner, and even though I thought I had my fill of the soup and bread, I haven't. We chat about school—theirs—and work—theirs—and the wedding. Until the only topic left was me. Leah was the first to break the ice.

"So, how hot is the sex?"

"Leah!" Sue exclaims as Charlie chokes on his drink.

"Come on! I'm not getting any. Help your new sister out with some details." She waits eagerly for me to answer.

"As to not give my father a coronary days before his nuptials, we never had sex. Recently, anyway."

"Like Bill Clinton didn't have sex or like you actually didn't have sex?"

"'I did not have sex with that man'," I joke before sobering up. "In all seriousness, people got hurt, and I would take it back if I could. But for the record, it was just a kiss."

"I saw the pics. That was some kiss," Seth chimes in.

Yes, it was.

"You two leave your sister alone. She's had enough explaining to do without having to be interrogated by her family," Sue says sternly.

"Sorry," they both mutter.

"There's no one I'd rather have to explain to."

Sue changes the subject anyway, and we enjoy the rest of our dinner. Afterward, I shoo Sue out of the kitchen so I can clean up, and Charlie says he'll join me, which can only mean one thing—he wants to talk privately.

Sure enough, as I'm loading the dishwasher, he clears his throat. "What is your mother saying about all this?"

"I'm avoiding her," I admit.

He groans. "That explains why she's been blowing up my phone then."

"What did you tell her?"

"You think I answered? No, ma'am, no ham, no turkey. You're in your thirties, so I'm not required to co-parent. But she's still your mother, so why are you avoiding her?"

"Christmas Day, we had a conversation. 'We're not homewreckers, Bella'," I mimic. "I just don't want to hear it. With you all, I knew you wouldn't judge. With her, everything is black and white, which is hilarious, considering my upbringing. Until she found Phil, there was a revolving door of men. There's a reason I moved in with you."

"I know. She might surprise you though." I shoot him a look. "I said might."

I sigh. "I'll contact her after your wedding. Speaking of which, you excited?"

"It's a big deal, ya know? Going from Charlie Swan, Famous Ladies Man to a married man will be an adjustment."

"Dad, you were a monk."

He scowls. "It's not polite to call me out like that."

We share a smile, then I close the dishwasher, kiss him on his cheek, and go to bed, leaving him laughing in the kitchen.

Wedding prep takes over, and we spend the next week and a half getting everything done. I envy my father, who simply has to take Seth to pick up their suits. Sue must feel the same way because, suddenly, some things needed to be built and assembled, and she knew just the man for the job.

Like Sue assured me, we spend most of the days on the rez as we tie in her Quileute traditions with our more Americanized ones—not that we Swans utilize them much. We're not much for tradition. Unless beer and fishing count?

The ceremony will be simple, though she is incorporating the blanket ceremony. But the real fun happens after. The reception will be one to remember for decades to come. If there is one thing the Quileute know how to do, it's throw a party. The sheer amount of food that will be on hand is astounding, and there will be a mixture of Native American and contemporary music playing all night long. They originally were going to have it on a tribal member's land but just decided to have it at the ceremony spot so they weren't so stressed out trying to be in two places at once.

The night before, Sue, Leah, and I stay in an AirBnB that I booked while Seth, Dad, and other friends are on the Rez, sitting around a fire and telling stories.

"This face mask feels amazing," Leah gushes. "Where did you get it?"

"Ang sent all this up from LA, so I'll have to check with her. The masseuse should be here soon."

"We're getting massages?" Leah squeals.

"Yes, but I hired women so everyone could be comfortable," I assure them, noticing Sue's worried look. "We are also getting manicures and pedicures."

"This is too much."

"This is not enough. We'd go out but …"

"I prefer to stay in. We're gonna be traveling the next few weeks, so I could use the downtime, especially after the last few weeks. I am never getting married again," Sue laughs.

"After the last couple weeks, I don't think I'll get married ever," Leah proclaims.

"Same, sister, same."

"You two hush. You'll meet your soulmates."

"What do you do when your soulmate is married?" I tease, but the jovial mood dampens immediately, and I instantly regret being flippant.

"You kill her and make it look like an accident." Leah winks at me. Sue throws a pillow at her, but I laugh, appreciative that Leah and I can banter like this. Even if it does drive my new mother crazy.

The weather is perfect. No rain in sight, which is a miracle in itself. The morning is a flurry of hair, makeup, and dresses. I make sure Sue eats a good breakfast so she's not starving all day. I'm all decked out in an asymmetrical chiffon and lace blue dress. It's simple but gorgeous. I check my makeup and head out of the room, bumping into Leah, who looks just as stunning in hers.

"Mom's ready."

The photographer I hired is hovering, waiting for the first-look shoot—the only two we will be getting. Dad and Sue have decided not to do one, so I made sure I hired two photographers for the ceremony so I can get both of their reactions while she walks down the aisle. The other one is with the guys as they get ready. No moment of this is going unrecorded.

We have our backs to the door as we wait to be told to turn around, and when we do, damn my makeup because she's stunning in her chiffon, flowy dress. It's modest in nature, as she's in her late forties, but … "My dad is gonna pass out."

"Lord, I hope not. Seth isn't sturdy enough to catch him."

We laugh through our tears, hug it out, and then it's time to go. I make sure everything is in place before I walk down the path toward where my dad is hidden. Seth greets me with a big smile, then goes to find Sue for their photoshoot.

"Bella," he gushes. "You look amazing."

"You clean up well yourself, old man."

We stand there, just taking each other in. "You know I always thought this would be us on my wedding day, not yours."

"There's still time, you spinster."

"Yeah, maybe."

"No maybes about it, Bella Marie. But there is something you have to promise me."

"What's that?"

"You'll never settle for less than what Sue and I have," he says seriously.

I nod, choking back tears. "I won't. I promise."

"Okay. Now come here." He grabs me into a hug, and we don't let go until there's a knock on the door.

Billy sticks his head in. "It's time."

I extract myself. "I'll meet you out there, Dad. I'm gonna go say hi to Jake and Sam." Then I give a quick, knowing glance to Billy as I let myself out.

I do give them a brief hug before heading to my mark. I see Leah and Seth near Sue, who's standing out of sight. I wait for Charlie, as it was decided that their children would give them away today.

When we get the cue, I slip my hand in the crook of his arm.

"You ready?"

"I feel like I've been waiting for her for my whole life, which is kind of speaking ill of the dead, but …"

"Harry would understand, and he would give his blessing. He loved you both."

Charlie clears his throat, though his eyes glaze over. "Let's go, kid; they're waiting on us."

I walk my father down the short aisle, people who love them sitting on both sides, history spanning over four decades. I kiss his cheek, and then we take our marks as we wait for his bride.

I've never seen Charlie cry until now. Until he sees his future wife floating down the aisle toward him. I hear the distant click of two camera shutters, taking everything in so we'll have this for later. Leah joins me, Seth joins my dad where we watch as they promise forever to each other. I sniff and wipe an errant tear off my cheek.

Then it's done, and I officially have a new family. Just like clockwork, the reception is in full swing by the time we get all the pictures out of the way, though they'll be doing candids throughout the night. So many people around, and yet, I don't see any side-eyes or hear any whispers. I see no judgment, and not for the first time, I wonder why I avoided this place for so long.

The sunset over the beach catches my eye, and I walk toward the water's edge, slipping off my shoes as I head that way. The sand is colder as night falls, but I squish it between my toes anyway. I'd sit down, but water stains on a chiffon dress might not be attractive or comfortable.

I watch the sun slip almost out of sight, and I feel peace. It's been so long since I've felt that, and I revel in it for as long as I can before I get interrupted.

"Bella."

It's not a voice I expected to hear today … or any day in the near future. But it's a voice I hear in my dreams every night and in my thoughts every day.

"Edward?"

See you in a couple of weeks.