Edward

Bella said she loved him again in her sleep, and though Edward wanted to echo the words, he found himself guarded, as though his heart was waiting for approval. Whose? Edward knew Rose was gone, and imagined that she wanted him to live his life and be happy. He felt more confident than ever that even though it was early in their relationship that this was the best case scenario. His daughter already loved Bella. He told himself not to overthink and let himself accept their connection. School was starting back up for Renesmee, and Bella accompanied them on some back to school shopping at the mall. Bella encouraged her to buy clothing beyond her uniforms, looks that expressed her tastes. It wasn't something that Edward looked forward to doing, usually leaving it as a duty for the nanny, but Bella had a spontaneity about her. She could take a situation and make it fun, engaging in their inner child as they nibbled cotton candy, posed for photos in booths, and took turns trying on silly hats.

Renesmee modeled a blue dress, and Edward loved the color on her…appreciating the variation and change from her habitual pink.

That was when the call came through on his phone.

Nessie and Bella both heard the tone and saw that it was Edward's mom calling, and though he'd try to put her off, she was persistent.

Edward frowned, looking down at the call with dread, then announced to them he needed to answer it. He found a sitting area a little ways away. "Hi, Mom."

"Edward! You're still alive."

How dramatic, he thought. "Of course I am. I've been texting you."

"Yes, but I wanted to hear my son's voice. I'd really like to see you and my granddaughter…and meet this new girl of yours."

Edward closed his eyes. He didn't know if Bella was ready for this…or if any of them were. "I'm going to have to get back to you on that."

"You are overdue for a visit. Or, if you wish, I could come see you…"

He stiffened. "No…you're right," he said hurriedly. "How about tomorrow?" Edward imagined his mother's little smile of satisfaction. "I don't know if Bella's busy or not, but if she is then I'll just come up with Nessie."

"I would love that, Edward."

They made the plans, and Edward walked hesitantly back towards the shop. He sat beside Bella outside the dressing room, and she looked up at him in question.

"Everything okay?"

"My mom…I have to take Nessie tomorrow to go see her, or she's threatening to show up at my house."

"Oh…" Her gaze fell downward.

"She wants to meet you, Bella. I'm not sure how she found out…if Esme let it slip or what…but I didn't want to rush you into meeting her."

"I would love to meet your mom, Edward."

"Really? I mean, are you sure?"

"Of course. You are important to me." Her gaze shot over to the dressing room. "You both are. I want to know more about the woman who gave birth to you."

He took her hand in his, wanting to kiss her. He tried to keep public displays of affection to a minimum…especially around Nessie. "That means so much to me. I just don't know what to tell her about us."

"Why don't we start with the truth?"

"So, you want to tell her that…"

"That we pretended to be engaged to get my dad to agree to cancer treatments, and then we started seeing each other. Now, we're just taking it slow."

When she put it that way it sounded so reasonable. "Okay, then. The truth it is."

Bella

Since Edward's mom lived 2 hours north of Bella, they picked her up on the way, and Nessie sat quietly in the backseat on her ipad with her headphones.

Bella tried not to think about a label. She'd mentioned doing whatever served them both, and a certain dis-ease about their relationship seemed to wash over her.

It had only been 6 weeks, and their relationship was still new. Though, she imagined it easy to see herself with him and Nessie. Physically, Edward and Bella were very compatible. Still, Bella wondered how emotionally invested he was. She wanted to confess that she loved him. Though she was the one that professed not rushing and jumping into something they were both not ready for, Bella wanted to dive in.

Elizabeth Masen lived alone, except for the company of her maid and other staff in a large Victorian home, obviously too large for her. Bella guessed it was easily over 100 years old, yet it was well kept with its tile floors and modern furnishings. She had this sternness about her that was completely the opposite of her sister Esme. It was odd to her how different they were, how formal Elizabeth had been, barely embracing Renesmee and Edward, and giving Bella's hand the briefest of shakes.

Bella sat stiffly on the leather couch, questioning all of her choices. Maybe she should've worn something more dressy than the blue sundress she had on. Or done more with her hair, other than leaving it down. This woman's gaze was troubling to her, and though Bella was comfortable in her own skin, she'd now felt the questioning judgment of Edward's mother burrowing into her. Bella tried to tell herself that even if the hard to please Elizabeth Masen didn't like her that she wasn't going to try to be more or less than who she was.

"How did you meet my son?"

That one was a relief. Bella turned to Renesmee, who, thank God, was sitting beside her and holding her hand. "Ness?"

Renesmee giggled and Edward shook his head, "You're gonna love this, Mom."

Nessie laid her head against Bella's arm. "I manifested her."

Elizabeth repeated the word as if she was trying to make it make sense in her brain. "Manifested?"

"Yes. See, Bella is a celebrity. She creates all these videos on YouTube and helps people, and I fell in love with her and decided she would be perfect for Daddy, so I put it out into the universe, and…here we are."

Well, not as easy as all that, but she wasn't going to argue with her. Besides, Bella didn't think that maybe telling all the dramatic ins and outs was a good idea.

"Actually, Mom, Bella and I are taking it slow. When we met, I still had to do some work on myself…"

"Work on yourself? What? Are you a car?" She smirked.

Bella wondered if she should jump in. "No, he just had wounds that needed to be healed."

She shook her head. "You kids these days are so complicated. What happened to meeting somebody and then just letting it be? I swear that if the world worked that way, with the complication of this "needing to be healed" and having to figure out "who you are" that relationships would never form at all."

"And probably a great deal less divorces," Bella said.

"So, you've never been married?"

"Unfortunately, I am divorced. I became pregnant and married young. Now I know better. I've allowed myself to learn what I needed to know to become a good partner for my future spouse." She cringed after she said it. Bella wanted to avoid falling into the trap of impressing Edward's mom.

"So, you have a child?"

"No, I miscarried years ago."

"Oh, I see."

Edward spoke up. "Look, Mom…there's no rush for us. I thought it better to be sure I was over Rosalie before getting involved with anyone else."

"Because there should only be two people in a marriage," Renesmee put in. "Well, 3, if you count me, but you know what I mean. And Daddy's done a lot of work. He's gotten rid of Mama's things and made room for Bella."

Her brows remained furrowed. "Made room. Hmmm…well, I am relieved you aren't rushing things then. Relationships become so much more difficult when children are involved."

"I'm so blessed," Bella said. "Renesmee is very special to me, and I want the relationship to work for all of us."

"How do your parents feel about Edward and Renesmee?"

"To tell the truth, Edward did a huge favor for me and pretended to be my fiancee to get my dad to accept medical treatments for his cancer."

"That sounds like a lot to ask. And not a proper way to begin a relationship, if you ask me."

"I really liked Bella," Edward said, "And honestly it wasn't that difficult pretending. I managed to get his blessing."

"Does your father still believe you two are getting married?"

The dread was like water swirling down a toilet bowl. "I am waiting until he's completed his treatment to tell him the truth."

Elizabeth shook her head. "And your mother?"

"Our relationship is still new, Elizabeth. It might even be premature meeting you here today."

She narrowed her eyes at Edward. "So you haven't met Bella's mother?"

"Well, no. She lives in Florida. And we are seeing Bella as often as we can, but work is busy."

"Doesn't seem very serious to me."

"Mother, we didn't say it was. You said you wanted to meet her, so here she is."

Elizabeth's lips tightened. "I see." She turned to Bella then. "Did you see the garden or the pool? Renesmee, would you care to show Bella around?"

Renesmee's hand tightened around her arm. "Oh, it's beautiful! Let's go."

Bella's gaze darted to Edward, and Elizabeth's hand met his. "Maybe you and I can have a chat."

She didn't like the idea of this private talk Elizabeth wanted to have with her son, but what could she do? It's not like she had anything else to add. A new sense of dread swallowed her up as Ness tugged her towards the French doors, leading out to a rose garden. Edward simply nodded to Bella as they left.

She tried to be present with Renesmee as they walked through the manicured lawns and the rows of bushes of flowers. Bella admired the large swimming pool and the waterfall that accompanied it, imagining Edward swimming in it.

"You don't have to worry about Grandmother," Nessie said. "Daddy always does what he wants anyway."

That sentiment didn't provide the comfort Bella was looking for. She'd tried to tell herself that whether Elizabeth Masen liked her or not, it didn't make a bit of difference. It wouldn't change how Bella felt about Edward…but would it change how Edward felt about her? Besides, Bella had never had to try so hard to get a person's approval, nor did she care to. But this was Edward's mother…

When they entered, Edward's hands were on his hips.

"No, Mother. I am an adult. You don't get to decide what's best for me. Bella isn't anything like Rose, and I love that about her."

Bella and Renesmee stiffened when he said that. Instead of making themselves known, they lingered around the corner.

"Did you say love?" Elizabeth asked.

"I guess I did. I love Bella. That's a huge thing for me. It's taken me years to get over Rose. Bella is very special, and I can't guarantee this will work out, but I know I'm willing to give it every chance at working."

"I don't want my granddaughter to get hurt in the process."

"I won't," Renesmee practically shouted, pulling the two of them back into the room. "I would be sad, of course, but I would rather Dad and Bella find out together if it's going to work than not try at all."

Edward joined Renesmee at her side. "We are being very open with our communication."

Well, not quite, Bella thought. Edward had never said the "L" word to her. Nor had she to him.

"Elizabeth, I am in love with your son. And I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

Edward's eyes met hers as Renesmee gasped. "You are in love with me?"

He took Bella's hands in his. "Yes. Very much."

"I…I love you, too, Bella."

Nessie braced her arms around the both of them, squealing her excitement. "And I love you both."

The three engaged in a tight group hug as Elizabeth's voice penetrated their little circle. "I just want what's best," she said. "I am happy to see you smiling, Edward. It's been a long time since I've seen that."

The three turned to face her, who seemed to be standing alone in front of her sofa. Bella felt sorry for her just then. She'd remained a widow for so many years.

"Edward's composing again," Bella pulled away from their circle and met her. "I'm assuming that was your influence."

A brilliant smile lit up Elizabeth's face. "It is. Edward's always had a natural talent. I've always told him he could be a pianist."

"Bella's brought music back into our lives, Mom."

A tear trickled down her face. "The piano is still there, Edward. Will you play for us?"

This was something very personal, and Bella wondered if he would agree.

He bowed then. "It would be my pleasure."

A/N: Whether we like it or not, mothers sure do have a lot of influence, don't they? Stay with me to see where mother's influence takes them. Thanks so, so much to EdwardsFirstKiss for all her lovely help with this chapter—she is so on top of it! (Unlike myself). Many thanks for your patience, for reading, and for your reviews. Much love to you all!