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The next day, I awoke to the sun streaming on my face through the open window. I rolled over in the creaky twin bed I used to sleep on while visiting my Dad those brief periods of time I had been allowed to. I had brought Aunt Irina's quilt with me and snuggled deeper into the warmth. The light breeze wafted fresh air into my room, along with the morning chirps from birds. I sat up, stretching, feeling much lighter than two days ago. Pressure I had not realized I had had been taken off my shoulders.

Today would be a good day.

The sizzling of a frying pan alerted me, as I knew my father would set the house on fire if he decided to cook the bacon I had bought. I jumped out of bed, tripping on my suitcase and bounded down the stairs to stop a catastrophe from occurring.

I stopped short when I saw Dad in the at the kitchen table, holding a newspaper. My hand flew to my fluttering heart. Edward stood at the stove, laying one last strip of bacon in the pan.

"Jeez," I mumbled, alerting the men to my presence, "I almost had a heart attack."

Dad's paper lowered and he raised a brow at me.

"I thought you were trying to cook, Dad." He rolled his eyes.

"Good morning to you too, Bella."

"Good morning," I said, my breath still recovering.

"Morning," Edward smiled. He turned around, leaning against the counter. I walked over to him to wrap my arms around him. Flush against his chest, he held my waist with one hand and kissed my hair.

Shit! My hair! It probably looked like a rat's nest. I need to brush my teeth! I ducked from his embrace. "I'll be right back," I tried to smooth my hair down.

"Breakfast should be ready in fifteen," he grinned lazily back at me. He turned back to the stove and flipped the bacon.

I climbed the stairs, careful not to trip, and grabbed my toiletries from my room, bringing them to the shared bathroom upstairs. I sighed in relief as my reflection displayed my hair wasn't as chaotic as I thought it would be. I brushed it through, braiding it back into a loose french braid. I finished getting ready for the day and went back downstairs.

"It was nice of you to start breakfast, Edward," Dad said as his paper crinkled, probably setting it down on the table. I paused on the steps, just out of view.

"My pleasure, Charlie. Bella needed to sleep in, and it's the least I could do to show my gratitude for your hospitality."

"So you're parents live next door to Bella?"

"Yes sir, Esme and Carlisle."

"That big ole' house that used to be a bed and breakfast?"

"My mother is an architect. She said she fell in love with the house as a little girl and she had always dreamed of living in it. When she and my dad moved, they spent a couple of months renovating it."

"Huh," Dad grunted, "I remember when it was open as the bed and breakfast. We saw all sorts of people stay there. Your mother is from Clear Lake, then?"

"Yes, she lived there until her pre-teen years, then she moved to South Carolina, where her family still resides. She knew Bella's Aunt Irina and met Renee when they were children."

Silence.

I decided to make my presence known.

"Did you know Edward's mom knew Irina?" Dad asked, his newspaper had been discarded in a heap on the table.

"Yeah, Esme told me how she knew her. Edward's grandmother and Aunt Irina were friends. Aunt Irina babysat Esme when she was a baby and through her childhood."

"Wow, small world," Dad said in surprise.

Edward was quiet, stirring the scrambled eggs. I grabbed some plates from the cabinet.

"Sure is," I said, eyes on Edward.

"Smells good, Edward," Dad said collecting his paper from the table and folding it back up. "I'll grab some drinks. Anybody want some coffee, orange juice?"

"I'll take some coffee," I smiled.

"Me as well," Edward looked to me. I passed him a plate for the finished eggs. His eyes searched mine, but I didn't put much thought into what he could be thinking. It would have to wait until later.

Dad poured three cups of coffee, retrieving some half and half from the fridge. "Here you two go, the sugar is just to the right of the coffee maker."

"Thanks, Dad," He sat back in his spot at the table. Edward brought both of the plates of eggs and bacon to the table while I grabbed the utensils and plates to use. I made a second trip for my coffee, with the addition of half and half and sugar, and Edward's cup without any additives. I never could understand how he likes it black.

"Thanks," he murmured.

"Well, let's dig in," Dad said, grabbing the plate filled with eggs.

Breakfast passed smoothly and Dad muttered about an important game he was missing. He excused himself and told me to show Edward the backyard.

Edward and I walked hand in hand through Dad's large backyard. His yard backed into a creek, where tall pine, red maple, and American beech trees stood, providing nice covers of shade. Although it was mid-morning, the weather had been warming quickly. The creek flowed over the rocks, and if you paid close enough attention, you could see little fish darting about.

Edward sat down in the grass, pulling me with him and onto my back. We were far enough away from the house where the trees and bushes gave us shelter. The grass felt cool against my back, dew still clinging to the blades. Edward's body hovered over mine.

"I've been waiting too long to give you a proper kiss," he said huskily.

"What are you waiting for now?" I murmured, eyes falling to his full lips.

His face inched closer and closer to mine until I brought my head up to meet him, not able to wait any longer. Our lips moved urgently together as if we hadn't seen each other in ages. He slid his knee in between my legs for stability and brought his hands under my head, gently cradling it in his palms.

"I love you, Isabella Marie Swan, with my whole life," he hummed against my lips. He rolled off of me and onto his back beside me. I immediately curled into his side, leaning my head on his outstretched arm.

"I love you too, Edward––wait, I don't know your middle name. Why don't I know your middle name?" my brows furrowed.

"Hm, I guess it never came up. Anthony Masen. I have two. Anthony from my Mom's side, Masen from my Dad's.

"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen," I tested.

"Am I in trouble?" he laughed, the sound vibrating through his chest.

"Very funny. I love it."

"Alice Mary Cynthia Cullen. Emmett John Robert Cullen."

"Wow, everyone has two middle names?"

"Yes, and Alice loathes hers. She says it sounds like she's an old lady."

"Everyone has family names?"

"Pretty much."

My thoughts turned to children, particularly our children.

"Do you want children?"

"Yes," he answered decidedly.

"I used to think I didn't want children."

"Really?" Edward questioned, moving his head to look at me.

"Not every woman desires to have children, Edward."

"I know, but your personality would help you be a good mother."

I paused. "You think so?"

"I know so, you'd be the best mother to our children."

Another pause. "Our children?"

Edward turned on his side, facing me resting against his hand, elbow in the grass. I mirrored his position.

He green eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn't name. "Yes," he said softly, "I see a whole life with you, Bella. My whole future."

Nerves but yet also giddiness fluttered in my stomach. Am I good enough to marry Edward?

"I—" I began, my face reddening, and not from the sun.

"You don't need to say anything now, this wasn't a proposal. Someday, though," he said thoughtfully. He traced a pattern lazily on my hand, finger drifting to my ring finger.

"I...would like that," I replied slowly, dumbly, not knowing how to respond. All I knew is if he would ask me to marry him, I would say yes. I couldn't picture living without him now. Marriage never had been on my list of priorities, but since loving Edward, I truly did yearn for it.

"Someday I will surprise you unexpectedly. I want to do it right. I'll bend down on one knee and attempt to express how much you mean to me and how you have made me a better person. I'll open that velvet box, revealing a ring I picked out for you, and only you. I'll ask those few words and––hopefully—slide a ring onto your finger, a sign showcasing you as mine." While he spoke his lips crept towards mine, his last word mumbled against them. He kissed me ever so sweetly, then all at once fiercely.

He pulled me on top of him, rolling over where his back now lay against the grass. My hands found their way into his bronze locks, his rested on the small of my back. I broke apart.

"And then I would tear up at your confession of love," I said playfully, "then accept your ring and show it off to all of my friends."

"I like that," he smirked, "And then I'll have all of the nurses off my back."

"Oh no," I rolled my eyes in amusement, "don't tell me the nurses fawn all over you." A giggle escaped my lips.

"Some do, whether they're married or not. But I only have eyes for one particular person."

I pressed my forehead against his. "I hope that person is me," I teased.

"Only you," he murmured meeting my lips once more.

The faint calling of my name broke us apart.

"My Dad is calling us, we better get back before he decides to come looking for us. I'm not sure how he will react when he sees his only daughter on top of her boyfriend he just met."

He chuckled and gently rolled me onto the grass so I could stand. Edward and I walked hand in hand back towards the house ignoring the grass stains on the back of his jeans.

"Yes, Dad, I'll call you as soon as we make it to Charleston, I promise."

"Thank you for making time to come see me, Bella-Bean. Means the world to me."

I wrapped my arms around him. "I'm glad I was able to." He hugged me back fiercely.

"Edward," Dad said over my shoulder, "thank you for making the detour. It was very kind of you."

"No problem, Charlie. I really enjoyed meeting you. Thank you for your hospitality, again."

"That pull out couch must be more comfortable than I thought," Dad chuckled, releasing me from his hug.

Edward joined him in laughter. "Not really, sir, but it was worth it to see Bella so happy."

"You've found a keeper, Bella," Dad winked at me.

"Don't I know it," my smile grew wide.

"You're not forgetting anything?"

"No, Dad. I made sure of it."

"Alright, I guess you two should get on the road."

"We should," I half smiled, suddenly feeling sad. "I'm really happy I was able to spend some time with you, Dad."

"Me too, kiddo."

"Love you."

"Love you too, Bella."

"Goodbye, Charlie. I'm glad I finally got to meet you."

"Same here, Edward. Take care of my girl," he said seriously.

"Always." Edward took my hand and we walked up the driveway to his car. Ever the gentleman, he opened my car door for me. I gave another wave to Dad through the window. He was grinning, but there was a glassiness to his eyes.

Edward started the car and we were off to Charleston.

"Remember when you were frying the bacon back at my Dad's?"

"Yes, you ran down the stairs and your hair looked like a haystack." I smacked his shoulder from across the car. "It was a beautiful haystack, mind you," he chuckled.

"What were you thinking about? You gave me a look."

"I was just thinking…"

"Yes?"

"About your Mom. And my Mom."

"What do you mean?"

"Our mothers knew each other."

"I guess that does sound a little weird."

"And my Mom knew your great aunt."

"Like my Dad was saying, it's a small world."

"I was just thinking, does that bother you? Your Mom and my Mom have a history?"

"Esme told me my Mom wasn't very nice to her. It does feel a little weird. Does it bother you?"

"No, no. I was just thinking about different circumstances. If things played out any different, our lives could have been drastically different."

"You can't think of what could have been. Life has so many decisions, trying to think of different outcomes of those decisions is exhausting. We can't change anything that happened in the past, especially between our Moms. Everything happens for a reason, right? I could have never met you."

"You're right. Telling your Dad that our Moms knew each other in a different time was just brought up those thoughts. I do wonder if Renee recognized me at all. I do have some similarities to my Mom, especially my weird hair color."

"She didn't say anything, and I love your weird hair color."

"She wouldn't have recognized my last name either. Mom's maiden name is Platt."

"No, she didn't. She would have made some comment, I'm sure."

Edward cocked his head to the side but didn't say anything else.

We arrived in Charleston before we knew it. Miraculously, I didn't fall asleep. Maybe I was too keyed up in preparing myself to meet Edward's grandmother. We pulled off of the main road, twisting and turning under large trees. We finally pulled up to a beautiful home on a large lot of land.

The house was clearly built very long ago, as homes built today couldn't compare. The house was white brick with a wrap around porch complete with rocking chairs and side tables. The front door was magnificent, it was arched with large windows. All of the windows had very large black shutters. From the front of the house, I could see a barn to the right, obviously renovated into a guest house. Everything was stunning. Large, mature trees surrounded the property, providing plenty of shade.

Truly this house looked like something out of a movie.

"Here we are," Edward muttered pulling next to Carlisle's car parked in front of the three-car garage. I shot my Dad a text, letting him know we had made it safely. Edward picked up his phone, dialing quickly.

"Hey, Mom, we're here." Esme must have said something and he hung up. We both got out of the car and retrieved our luggage, much like we had done at my Dad's.

Esme opened the front door, followed by Emmett. Esme wore a white cotton eyelet sundress with short sleeves. Her hair was curled and in perfect place as usual.

"Edward, Bella, I am so glad you two made it safely." She wrapped me up in a hug and then her son. "Emmett, help Bella with her luggage."

"Thank you, Emmett. I'm glad we made it too, I'm tired of sitting in the car." Esme laughed.

"How was the drive, son?"

"Not too bad, Bella even stayed awake the entire time." I swatted his shoulder playfully.

"Well, come on in, Bella. My mother has been waiting to meet you."

"Oh," I tried to smile through my nerves.

"Don't worry, she will adore you, sweetheart. Emmett put Bella's things in Alice's room. Edward, you will be in your usual room."

"Yes, Mom," Edward kissed her cheek as we turned to go inside the exquisite house. Esme looped her arm through mine as we walked up the steps and into the house.

The foyer was truly impressive. The curved grand staircase dominated the room to the right. A room with glass doors to the left looked to be an office.

"Come inside, do you need anything? Water?" Edward and Emmett climbed the stairs leaving me alone with Esme.

"Water sounds great."

"My mother is in the living room, we can go meet her once Edward comes back."

She led me into a huge kitchen with white marble countertops and light stained wood cabinets. The appliances in stainless steel gleamed under the lights. Further in the back, a breakfast nook complete with a large round table looked into the backyard with floor to ceiling windows.

Esme grabbed a glass and filled it with ice from an ice machine hidden under the large island. I looked around again and noticed another set of stairs in the corner. Alice gracefully descended the stairs, looking at me in surprise.

"Oh, you made it!"

"We did, yes." I smiled.

"I'm glad you're here," she grinned, hugging me tightly.

"I'm a little nervous," I admitted quietly, "but glad to be here too."

"I'll have to show you the greenhouse. You'll love it, especially with your green thumb."

"A greenhouse?"

"Yes, Nana has one in the backyard. She grows all sorts of things."

"Wow."

"Here, dear," Esme handed me a crystal glass of ice water.

"Thank you," I smiled appreciatively. I sipped my water. Soon, I heard a commotion on the stairs and Edward and Emmett appeared. Edward's eyes immediately found mine and he grinned. My lips returned the favor and he stepped to my side. I offered my glass to him, which he accepted and took a large gulp. Emmett smirked at me and bounded back up the stairs, two at a time.

"Nana is probably wondering why I haven't greeted her yet," he said.

"She's in the living room, Edward."

"Alright, let's go," he set the glass on the countertop and took my hand in his. The four of us walked into the connecting room where expensive looking couches faced each other. In this room too, floor to ceiling windows flooded the room with natural light.

There in an impressive armchair, sat Elizabeth Platt. A thin woman with long hair wrapped in a bun, a shade between Edward's copper and Esme's caramel engrossed in a knitting project, her hands skillfully maneuvering the needles and yarn. It appeared she was making a blanket, a mint green blanket. She wore a simple, yet elegant, quarter sleeved dress and low heels. Her face had minimal wrinkles, something which surprised me.

"Nana," Edward said as we neared her.

She looked up at Edward with hazel eyes.

"Edward," she said, laying aside her knitting to stand. "I am so very happy to see you, my boy."

He let go of my hand to embrace her small frame. "I'm happy to see you too, Nana." She reached up with her hand and patted him on his cheek. Edward stepped aside and offered his hand back to me. "Nana, this is my girlfriend, Bella Swan." She looked me up and down, and I suddenly felt self-conscious in my patterned skirt and plain white shirt. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

After her appraisal, she took a step closer. "Bella? Short for a longer name?"

"Yes, ma'am. Isabella. It's nice to meet you, Ms. Platt." I offered my hand to hers.

She looked at it briefly and took it between both of hers. "My daughter has been telling me all about you. It is nice to put a face to her description." She gave me a controlled smile and released my hand.

"Thank you for allowing me to stay here, it's very kind of you."

"Oh, my daughter insisted. Welcome to my home."

"It's beautiful," I said, looking around the living room once more.

"Thank you, dear. It has been in my family for quite a while. There is a lot of history here."

"Nana, I would like to give Bella a tour of the grounds. We've been on the road for a while and need to stretch our legs."

"Alright, Edward," her words dismissed us. "Esme, dear, please tell Stefan I need to leave for my meeting in ten minutes. I need to freshen up." She turned to go with Esme following, leaving Alice, Edward, and I in the living room.

"So she's a little pompous, you get to used to it," Alice said once the room was clear. Edward snickered. "She also didn't glare at you, so that's a good sign."

I breathed out deeply. "She seems a little...cold?"

"What an accurate description! Also much kinder than what I would've said," she sniggered.

"Let's give you a tour." Edward shook his head, laughing along with his sister.

Edward and Alice indeed gave me a grand tour. Of the formal dining room, library, billiards room, another living room, and this was all on the first floor. They shied away from the master bedroom, also on the first floor, as Nana Platt wouldn't want to be bothered while she "freshened up" for her meeting. On the second floor, there were only more rooms to be discovered. I lost count of all of the rooms and bedrooms, noting Edward's room was a couple of doors down from mine and Alice's.

"I thought you would be more comfortable staying with me. Rose used to before marrying Emmett." Alice said, showing me into the large room. Two queen sized beds sat side by side. The room screamed femininity, in the traditional sense. The lux wallpaper was a delicate shade of pale pink with silver vine patterns interlocking and weaving through. The comforters were frilly with neutral shades of cream integrated throughout. A fireplace sat across the room, complete with pale pink sofas. A set of double doors on the left sat slightly ajar, revealing the spa-like bathroom.

"Nana had the room redone for me. When I was like ten. Hence all of the pink. She used to like to set up sleepovers with her friends' granddaughters when I was younger. That's why there are two beds. She hoped we would all become friends but they were too snobby."

"It's incredible." I shook my head in awe. I knew the Cullens were wealthy, but they weren't showy with their wealth. This house screamed money and privilege.

"Rosalie and Emmett's room is at the end of the hall. Another door down from mine." Edward said. "Jasper stays in that room."

Edward led me to his room with emerald green wallpaper and dark wooden details. This room was a lot less impressive than Alice's, but not less extravagant.

Lastly, we found Rose, Emmett, and Jasper and they joined us in the massive backyard. We all went into the greenhouse. There was a curved pebble path lined with stone leading up to the couple of stone steps to the greenhouse. Once inside, my breath was taken away. Beautiful, lush plants lined the walls in perfect rows. All sorts of vegetables peaked from the ground and under leaves. In the middle, displays of varieties of flowers bloomed. I noticed sunflowers, lilies, lavender, tulips, and daffodils. I couldn't name the impressive amount of fragrant blooms.

"Does your Nana do all of this herself?"

"No way," Alice chuckled, "she has a gardener. She doesn't like doing things herself."

"Alice used to get in trouble because she would pick some of the flowers. Nana would spank her," Emmett laughed.

Alice stuck out her tongue at her brother.

"Nana used to spank you because you were too damn loud all of the time." She retorted.

He shrugged. "He's still too loud most of the time," Rose grumbled playfully.

"Aw, babe," Emmett made a show of frowning.

"Learn to use your inside voice, sweetie," she smiled sweetly and patted his head twice.

"Do we have anything planned for tonight?" Jasper asked as we all stepped out of the greenhouse.

"Family dinner," Alice and Emmett grumbled together.

"Shit," Edward cursed.

"What's so bad about family dinner?"

"Nana likes to play dress up and have a very formal dinner when we all get together," Alice said.

"I've never been to a formal dinner." The six of us walked over to benches surrounding the trunk of a very large tree.

"It's just so stiff," Emmett sighed. "We have to dress up and everything."

"I don't have nice dresses in my suitcase," I admitted, nerves bubbling to the surface.

"I'm sure Alice or I have one you can borrow. We have some we keep in the closets here. Emmett hates family dinners in particular because he has to wear a tie."

"I fucking hate ties," Emmett griped.

"Also, it's irritating she wants to do this even though we're here not entirely for a social visit," Edward muttered. I thought of Clear Lake then. Hurricane Aro was only a hundred miles from the coast. The path had not changed. While it was beautiful and sunny here, Florida was drowning in rain and bracing wind damage. It did feel weird ignoring the hurricane.

We were all quiet. Each pair of couples sat on their own bench.

"I'm nervous to what we'll go back to," Jasper broke the silence. "I might have to go back early to help direct some of the cleanup. The station is anticipating keeping people away until the roads will be passable. But of course, nothing is known for sure. It all depends on Aro."

In the late afternoon, Alice and Rose showed me their dresses. We all decided on a pale blue chiffon dress with off the shoulder straps. The dresses they had were all beautiful, yet tastefully modest. Rose curled my hair for me.

"Don't be nervous for dinner, Bella. Alice will be sitting next to you, just follow her lead. It's just one of Nana's tests. When I first visited with the family, I went through the same thing. My family doesn't come from all this", she gestured around the grandiose room, "I was in your shoes before."

"Nana will just try to intimidate you," Alice added, swirling a powder brush over my cheeks. "There, that was the final touch. You're such a stunner."

I stood up from the vanity stool and took in my appearance in the floor length mirror. I had to admit, I did look nice.

"Edward will be sitting across from you, he will help you out too."

"Thanks for all of the reassurance," I tried to smile at them.

"Nana doesn't like side conversations at the dinner table," Alice noted.

"Also, remember to sit up straight. She thinks highly of good posture." Rose rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, because she has a stick up her ass all the time," Alice snickered. Rose joined in.

Alice and Rosalie looked magnificent in their own right. Rose wore a champagne sheath dress, belted at the waist. Alice wore a navy blue swing dress with lace short sleeves.

A bell rang from downstairs.

"Time for dinner," they giggled. I followed them out of Alice's room. Edward had just closed his bedroom door when he made eye contact with me. Edward wore a light gray suit with a pale blue tie, only a couple shades darker than my dress. His tousled bronze waves looked to be more in control then I have ever seen. His hair was combed over and darker. Must be all of the product needed to control it.

His lips pulled into a brilliant grin, looking me over. I waited for him as Rose and Alice went down the hall, Rosalie sent a knowing look over her shoulder. "You look remarkable," he breathed.

"You look handsome, except for all of that goo in your hair," I teased.

He frowned amusedly, "I hate this shit, but Nana insists. Let's go, we don't want to be late." His arm found its way around my waist and he kissed my cheek. His lips lingered and he paused mid-decision. "Yeah, we don't want to be late," he muttered again, but more to himself.