Author's Note:

Hello! Thank you all for continuing to read and review…and to my newer readers, welcome! I'm so glad you're here! I'm terrible about responding to reviews, but please know I read and appreciate them all!

Anyway, please note the passage of time here. We're moving ahead. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 26

EPOV

"Thanks, man, I owe you one," I said with a grin to my brother as he got up to leave my office.

"Hell, yeah, you do. And I'm waiting until the baby comes to cash in," he said with a laugh. I just rolled my eyes, knowing he wasn't kidding.

With that favor lined up, I settled back into my chair to finish up a few things before I left for the day. It was Friday and I was hosting game night. Well, Bella and I were hosting at my house. I hoped that it would be her house as well before too long. It had been almost three months since my relationship with Bella came to light and some days, I still couldn't believe how perfect my life was with her in it. We'd talked about her moving in a few times, but she was still hesitant about staying over when Maggie was home. I figured Maggie and I would wear her down soon enough.

Driving home, later than I'd planned due to a phone call from a new client, I thought back over the last three months. While things had not gone exactly how we'd planned, my relationship with Bella was stronger than ever. Now that we didn't have to hide our feelings around anyone, we'd settled into life together in a whole new way. As much as I enjoyed time alone with Bella, I still favored time spent as a family with Maggie. I always had, but now the dynamic was so much sweeter. There would always be a small part of me that wished our beginning could have been simpler, but I'd never regret any of the time I'd had with Bella, no matter how we began. The only thing I regretted was Alice finding out about us the way she had, but if I were honest with myself, I'd admit that she wouldn't have reacted well either way. Other than that, though, things had gone more smoothly than I could have hoped for. The people who mattered the most were all on our side, and I'd expected a little disapproval from a few people, but it hadn't really happened.

I pulled into my garage to find Bella's car already there, and I felt the familiar pang in my chest. This is what I wanted for the long haul. I wanted Bella here every day. Granted, she pretty much was here every day, but I wanted this to be her home. I didn't want to have to say goodbye to her most evenings. But for now, I'd take what I could get and be grateful I wouldn't have to see her off to her own place tonight.

I entered the kitchen and found Bella there, starting dinner. I walked up behind her and slid my arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her neck.

"Hi, honey, I'm home," I said, causing Bella to giggle.

"Hi yourself," she said, turning and pressing a kiss to my lips. "You're late."

"Yeah, sorry about that. Client called at the last minute with some questions," I explained.

"It's no big deal," she said. "I was just giving you a hard time. Although, it is too bad. Since Rose and Em will be here in a little while, we don't have time for the, um, appetizer I had planned for you."

I groaned at her suggestive tone and cursed the phone call that had delayed me. Bella smirked and stood on her tip toes to press her lips to mine again. I immediately deepened the kiss and grabbed her hips, yanking her toward me. Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself even closer. I reached down and hooked my hands around the back of her thighs and lifted her onto the counter and stepped in between her legs, my mouth never leaving hers. She wrapped her legs around my hips and arched her head back as I moved my lips along her jaw and down her neck, then back to her mouth. I slid a hand under her shirt and didn't waste any time in yanking the cup of her bra down and pinching her nipple. She moaned then tore her mouth from mine.

"Edward, we can't. Not enough time," she panted as she straightened her bra and shirt.

"Don't care. They can wait on the porch," I growled, and Bella laughed as she hopped off the counter.

She turned her back to me to go back to chopping the vegetables she'd been working on when I came in, but I wasn't ready to give up. Emmett and Rose had never hesitated to hide their lust. They'd understand if the door was locked when they got here. I stepped closer to Bella and reached around to gently remove the knife from her hand, then spun her back toward me. I plunged my hand into her hair and crushed my mouth back to hers. Bella moaned into my mouth, the sound shooting straight to my already hard dick, making it even harder, but then she pulled away again.

"Babe, really, I need to get dinner ready. We really don't have time," she said, but she arched into my hand when it found her breast again and her head dropped back with her eyes closed. I grinned, knowing she was about to cave.

"Fuck dinner," I growled, then captured her lips again in a searing kiss.

Bella moaned again, then suddenly her hands were everywhere. She yanked the tail of my polo shirt out of my jeans and pulled it off in one motion. I returned the favor and whipped her shirt off, then quickly unhooked her bra and yanked it down her arms and off. I stooped and my mouth found her breast as my right hand trailed down her stomach. She'd changed from her work clothes into a pair of yoga pants she kept here, and I'd never been more grateful for the stretchy fabric than now when my hand dipped easily inside and cupped her sex. I slipped a finger between her folds and found her hot and wet. I circled my finger around her clitoris as she undid my belt and worked on the button fly of my jeans. She swiveled her hips for a moment as I dipped a finger inside her heat, but then she pulled away.

Before I could protest, she was on her knees in front of me, tugging my jeans and boxers down all at once. Thankful I'd had the foresight to leave my boots at the door, I kicked free of my jeans as Bella wrapped her hand around my shaft. I watched as she stroked up and down the length once, twice, then swirled her thumb over the tip, spreading the bead of fluid that had gathered there. I grunted involuntarily and Bella grinned up at me, then leaned forward and flicked her tongue over the tip. She didn't waste any time teasing and I nearly came the second I was enveloped in her warm, wet mouth.

"Fuck," I breathed as she swirled her tongue around me, then took me even deeper. I grabbed the counter with my left hand for support and my right locked into Bella's hair. I tried hard not to be too rough, but I couldn't help but rock my hips gently as Bella slid her mouth up and down my shaft, her tongue doing wicked things to the head on each upstroke. I could already feel the familiar tightening and I nearly exploded when she increased the suction and rolled my balls in her hot little hand, but I held on and stepped back to get myself under control.

"What's the matter?" she asked, looking up at me.

"Nothing, but as much as I love your mouth on me, I want to be inside you when I come," I told her gruffly as I reached for her and helped her stand. Once she was on her feet, I spun her around to face the counter and pressed lightly on her back until she was bent forward, hands braced on the granite surface.

I knelt behind her and drew her pants down her legs and moaned at the sight of the pink lace boy shorts that cupped her perfect ass. I stood back up and rubbed my erection against her behind as I reached around and dipped my hand into the front and found her clit.

"Do you have any idea what these panties do to me, Isabella?" I whispered in her ear before taking the lobe in between my teeth and pulling gently.

"No," she breathed, grinding her ass back into me.

"They drive me crazy," I growled. "Every time I picture the way your ass looks in them, I want to just rip them off and bury my cock inside you. The lace looks all innocent and sweet, but I know that underneath that lace you're hot and wet for me. You're always ready for me, aren't you, Isabella?"

"Yes, God, yes," she moaned through clenched teeth as my fingers continued their exploration of her core.

"You're so wet, baby. Only for me." I kissed her neck and increased my speed on her clit.

"Yes, yes. Always just for you," she panted. "Edward?"

"Yes, my love?" I asked.

"You know how you said you wanted to rip my panties off and bury yourself inside me?"

"Mmmhmmm," I murmured, still kissing her neck.

"Fucking do it, then!" she growled. She didn't have to tell me twice. I loved it when my girl got demanding and frantic. I reached down and grabbed the delicate lace at her hips and tugged hard. The fabric gave way, and I yanked them away from her body, frantic now myself.

I leaned over her back and said, "You better hold on tight, baby." Then I lined up at her opening and plunged inside.

"Oh, God, yes!" she shouted as I set a punishing pace.

I reached back around to her front and found her clit again as I drove my cock into her over and over. It didn't take long before Bella was crying out and I could feel her walls gripping me as she climaxed. Her release milked my own and I clamped my teeth onto the skin of her shoulder as thrust as deep as I could, then froze as I spilled inside her.

My legs nearly gave out with the force of my climax, so I eased myself out of Bella and sank to the floor, pulling her with me. She landed on my lap and curled into my chest. I banded my arms around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

"Jesus, woman, you're going to be the death of me."

"You've said that before, but you seem to be holding up pretty well," she giggled, then looked up and kissed me softly. We lingered over the kiss for just a minute before she pulled back and said, "Okay, we really need to get dinner going now. Em and Rose are going to be here really soon."

"Fine, let's cook, then," I said and smacked her on the ass as she climbed off me. I was pulling on my jeans and Bella was hooking her bra when we heard Emmett shout his arrival from the front door.

"Shit! I forgot I had already unlocked the door!" she yelped as she grabbed her clothes and ran for the bathroom. I laughed as I pulled on my shirt and heard the door to the downstairs powder room slam just as Emmett and Rose entered the kitchen.

"Hey, guys," I greeted. "We're running a little late on dinner tonight."

"So I see," Rosalie said with a smirk as Emmett walked over and put a six-pack of beer in the refrigerator.

"Well, Rosie," Emmett said, "looks like we just missed the fun."

"What are you talking about?" I asked as nonchalantly as I could.

Rose and Emmett shared a laugh then Emmett slapped me on the back. "I gotta say, I'm proud of you, little brother, and a little jealous. Rosie gets pissed when I tear things up," he said with a waggle of his eyebrows.

"Fuck," I muttered when I followed his gaze and my eyes landed on the pink lacy scraps formerly known as Bella's panties. I was seldom embarrassed, but I could feel the tips of my ears burning at nearly being caught like a horny teenager.

"Hey, guys!" Bella said a little too brightly as she came back into the room. I could tell she'd tried to tame her hair and had washed her face, but with her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed, she still looked like she'd just been thoroughly fucked. I could admit I felt a perverse sense of pride in that.

"Sorry dinner's not ready," Bella said. "Edward and I both got in a little late." She looked confused when Emmett and Rose laughed.

"The jig is up, baby," I said with a smirk as I stooped to pick up her panties and held them up, hanging from one finger.

"Shit," she groaned as her cheeks burned scarlet. Her blush just made Rose and Emmett laugh even harder. Finally, Bella joined in, and I sighed in relief that she wasn't too embarrassed or upset.

Once we'd settled down, we all pitched in to get dinner ready while we talked about our weeks. Later that evening, after we'd eaten dinner and played a few hands of cards, Rose brought up the next day.

"So, we were talking about taking the kids to the children's museum tomorrow afternoon. Maybe Maggie could go with us and spend the night at our place tomorrow night?" Rose suggested.

"Yeah, I'm sure she'd love that," I said.

"Great. We'll just pick her up from your parents' when we get Tyler and Kate and go from there and then we'll bring her with us to brunch on Sunday. I know she has clothes over there, but if you want to send something else, we can take it tonight," Rose said.

"Nah, she has plenty of stuff at Mom and Dad's. No big deal. I'll call her in the morning and let her know she's going with you," I said. Rose nodded and Emmett caught my eye and winked when Bella wasn't looking. I nodded in thanks, and we chatted a while longer before Emmett and Rose called it a night.

The next day turned out to be beautiful and sunny. A perfect spring day. Bella and I had gotten up and made breakfast together, then I'd told her I wanted to take her out for lunch. We left the house and went to Carlo's, one of our favorite restaurants, and then went for a walk in our favorite park. We walked along in comfortable silence, taking in the scenery of budding flowers and trees. Color was bleeding back into the landscape after the gray of winter. I looked down at Bella as she walked beside me, her hand tucked in mine, and smiled when I saw her looking back at me. I pulled her off the path and led her to a bench overlooking a small pond.

"I love spring," she said, looking over the pond and laughing at a gaggle of baby ducks.

"Yeah, it's beautiful," I said, but I only saw her. "And so are you."

She smiled up at me and I leaned down and softly kissed her lips, then took a deep breath to gather my courage. "Bella, I know our relationship has been a bit unorthodox from the beginning, but it doesn't diminish my feelings for you. Even if we'd started off in a more conventional way, some would say we've moved a little fast, but all I know is that I love you and having you in my arms feels right. I've never felt more whole than I do with you beside me."

"I feel the same way," she said softly, then gasped as I slid off the bench onto one knee and pulled the little velvet box from my pocket.

"Well, that's a good thing," I said with a grin. "And since we both feel that way, I'm hoping you'll agree to be my wife. Marry me?"

I flipped open the box and looked into her eyes, shining brightly with unshed tears. "Yes!" she said, then launched herself into my arms, nearly knocking me over. I laughed and stood up and swung her around in a circle. I set her back on her feet, then pulled the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger.

"Oh my God, Edward! It's gorgeous!" she exclaimed as she held her hand up and examined the diamond flanked by emeralds.

"You really like it?" I asked, feeling a moment of uncertainty.

"I love it! Just like my earrings from Christmas, you know I love emeralds."

"I know. And I have to confess. I bought the ring at the same time I bought the earrings," I grinned.

"You've had it that long? Pretty sure of yourself, Cullen," she laughed.

"No, I'm just sure of us. I've known since the first time I kissed you that I would marry you someday, Bella."

"I love you," she said, tears welling in her eyes again.

"I love you, too."

The rest of Saturday was spent curled up together talking about the future and making love. Bella called her parents to tell them the news and we decided to tell my family the next day at brunch, although I confessed that Emmett and Rose already knew I was proposing. Their offer to keep Maggie for the night had been part of my plan.

Sunday morning, we got up and headed to my parents' house, anxious to share our excitement with them. When we got there, Bella offered to help my mom in the kitchen while my dad and I set the table. I was walking back into the kitchen from the dining room and heard Bella and my mom talking quietly.

"Esme, I don't want to bring up a sore subject, but I have to ask," Bella said, "have you heard from Alice?"

"No, dear, I haven't," Mom said, and I sighed softly as I walked up behind Bella and dropped kiss on the top of her head. "As you know, your father and I have been in touch with Jasper and we've let Alice know that we miss her and want to talk to her, but she has to be willing to admit she was wrong and apologize."

"Mom, I'm sorry," I said, but she just shook her head. Bella and I had apologized and made amends for being the catalyst for Alice's anger, but we were all aware she would have made an issue out of nothing even if Bella and I had never gotten together. I still felt bad though that my family was missing a vital piece, but I appreciated my parents' support.

"No, we've been over this. It doesn't matter what happened to cause her behavior, your sister is an adult and had no right to treat any of us the way she did. She owes everyone in this family an apology, especially you two, and she's going to have to own up to her mistakes. Now, let's get food on the table and enjoy our time together."

There was no point in arguing or drawing out the discussion, so Bella and I each grabbed a dish and carried them into the dining room. Just as we got everything on the table, Rose, Emmett, and the kids arrived, and we all settled down in the dining room and loaded our plates. We had agreed to wait until we were all seated before making our announcement, but I was surprised my mom hadn't noticed the ring the moment we walked in. I knew Rose had noticed when she caught my eye and winked shortly after they'd arrived, but she and Emmett wouldn't say anything until we did. Once we'd all tucked into our meals, I reached for Bella's hand under the table and she looked up and smiled at me, giving me a small nod, telling me to go ahead.

"So, Mom, Dad, Bella and I have some news," I began, and they looked up at us expectantly. "Yesterday, I asked her to be my wife, and she said yes!" The room erupted into cheers.

"What?! That's wonderful!" Mom exclaimed, getting up and coming around the table to hug Bella and admire the ring.

Dad clapped me on the shoulder and said, "Congratulations, son."

"Really?!" Maggie squealed as she ran around the table and threw herself into my lap. "Bella? You're gonna be my mom?"

"Yeah, sweetie, I am if that's okay with you," Bella said with a teary smile.

"Yes!" Maggie said and launched herself into Bella's arms. I looked on with a smile then glanced up and caught my mom's watery smile as she watched them.

"Well, I think this news calls for champagne," Dad said as he rose from the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Rose followed him to gather glasses and just as they left the room, the doorbell rang. I glanced at my mother and caught a questioning look crossing her face, but she left the room to answer the door. A minute later, she returned with Alice and Jasper on her heels.

Jumping into action, Emmett stood up and said, "Kids, it looks like you're done eating. Why don't you guys go into the playroom." Maggie looked like she wanted to argue, but I gave her a stern look and she obeyed. The kids greeted their aunt and uncle, then took off up the stairs. Before anyone else could say anything, Dad and Rose came back into the dining room bearing glasses and a bottle of Dom Perignon.

"Alright, now we can really celebrate," Dad said as he tore off the foil covering the cork. He froze when he looked up and saw Alice and Jasper. Everyone was silent for another beat before Alice spoke up.

"What are you celebrating?" she asked softly.

"Well, um, nothing really," Bella said, then looked at the others. "We don't have to do this right now."

"Nonsense. Carlisle, pop the cork!" Mom said. "We are not going to diminish this happy occasion. Rose, will you grab a couple more glasses, please?" Rose nodded and slipped back into the kitchen and Mom turned back to Alice and Jasper. "We are celebrating Edward and Bella's engagement."

"Congratulations, guys," Jasper said and stepped around Alice to clap me on the back and kiss Bella's cheek. We thanked him quietly as Rose came back with the extra glasses and started passing around the ones Dad had already poured. Alice had been silent until Rose offered her a glass and I cringed as she shoved it away.

"No. This is not okay!" Alice cried, then stormed out of the room.

"I'm so sorry," Mom said softly. "I thought for sure she was going to apologize. I shouldn't have let her in to ruin your celebration."

Dad slid a comforting arm around her, but before Bella or I could speak up, we heard raised voices in the foyer.

"Alice, I do not understand what has happened to you, but I'm done. I don't even know who you are anymore. I've loved you since we were teenagers, but you're not that girl anymore. That girl would never have treated her family and her best friend the way you have. You changed the minute Tanya moved to town all those years ago, and you've only gotten progressively worse. I think it's way past time for you to get your head on straight and figure out why Tanya is so much more important to you than everyone else," Jasper said angrily.

"Just take me home, Jazz," Alice said, clearly crying.

"No," Jasper said. "You can take the car if you want to leave, but I'm not coming with you. I'll come by later to get my car and some clothes, but you're on your own until you can act like the girl I fell in love with."

"Are you serious?" Alice gasped.

"Yes, I am. I love you, Alice, and I've supported you for months even though I didn't agree with the way you were acting. I supported you coming here today to apologize to everyone at once, even though I believe you owe them each a separate apology. But now I'm done. I've tried to get you to see reason, but you refuse, and you've ruined your chance at taking the easy way out of this. Like I told you before, you owe everyone in that room an individual, heartfelt apology, and now you can add me to the list."

A moment later we heard the front door slam, and I saw Bella cringe out of the corner of my eye. Jasper came back into the dining room and picked up a glass of champagne.

"I'm sorry, everyone, but let's not let her ruin the entire day," he said, then raised his glass. "Bella, Edward, congratulations! I wish you a lifetime of happiness!"

We all raised our glasses for the toast, but there was an obvious lack of enthusiasm. A few minutes later, we all pitched in to clear the table, then Dad, Emmett, Jasper, and I settled into the living room while the girls settled at the kitchen table to start talking about the wedding.

"Jasper, I'm sorry that things have come to this. You okay?" I asked.

"You have nothing to apologize for," he said, then sighed. "I love your sister. I always have, and when we were younger her tenacity was one of the things I admired most about her. I found her quirkiness and her pushiness endearing for the most part, but she's crossed a line for no reason. She never saw Tanya clearly. Never saw how manipulative she could be or how she purposely alienated Alice from Bella, and she still refuses to see it, even when Tanya's own parents laid out the facts. I've just reached my limit."

The rest of us nodded, not knowing what to say.

"So, who wants to put me up for a few days?" Jasper said jokingly.

"I will, of course," I said, and Emmett echoed my offer.

"Jasper, you'll stay here," Dad said with a tone of finality. "You're family with or without Alice." Jasper just nodded his thanks, the matter settled. After that we talked about happier things, know Jasper would talk when he was ready, but even as I participated in the conversation, I couldn't help but wonder just how far Alice would go to hand on to her warped view of Tanya. She'd already gone further than I ever thought she would, so I guess time would tell.

Author's Note:

Well, there you have it. Alice finally pushed Jasper away. I feel bad for him, but I'm glad he finally got fed up with her. What about you?

Let me know what you think!