Chapter 28

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

Chapter 28

"Remind me why I thought it would be a good idea to have Thanksgiving at our house, please?" Isabella sighed as she laid her pencil down on the ever-growing grocery list. She had less than a week to get everything she needed and she wasn't at all sure it could be done.

Edward chuckled and then handed her the cup of hot chocolate he'd made for her. He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her nose before turning around to get his own. "Love, I would guess it's because you are...nuts." He grinned and then took a sip of his drink, choking on it when she glared at him.

"Serves you right," she harrumphed and then picked her pencil up again to write down something else she just remembered she needed to pick up.

He set his mug down on the island and then walked over to stand behind her. She didn't acknowledge him standing there, but she didn't push him away either. He figured he had about a fifty-fifty shot of digging himself out of the hole he'd suddenly found himself in. He should have known better, really. Usually Isabella had a wicked sense of humor and they enjoyed teasing each other on a daily basis, but she'd been unusually stressed about the upcoming holiday, though for the life of him he couldn't figure out why.

"I'm sorry for teasing you," he whispered as he brushed her hair back over her shoulder. "Can I do anything to help?"

"No," she uncharacteristically snapped at him. Of course, she followed that immediately with a sigh of remorse and laid the pencil down once more. "I'm sorry, sweetheart, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I'm just...I have so much to do and I know I'm going to forget something," she finished, blowing a piece of hair out of her face.

"Hmmm," he said and then turned and sat on the stool next to her. He was facing her and he reached out and took her hands in his. "Yeah, that isn't gonna fly, Beautiful. Talk to me. What's going on?" he asked softly and squeezed her hands in his.

She'd known damn good and well that he would never let her stew and fret so why she bothered trying to pretend things were just fine, she had no clue. Though, in her defense, she couldn't really pinpoint what was causing her to excessively worry either. It's not like she wasn't fully capable of arranging dinner, though that dinner was now for nineteen people. All the members of both families would be there, as well as Jasper, Alice, Marcus, Camille, Alec, Sophie, Max, and a mystery guest of Nonna's named Alessandra that Nonna swore would be a perfect match for Alec. Isabella had learned long ago to not question anything her wise grandmother ever did.

The number of people that would be coming for dinner was daunting to be sure, but it was nothing she couldn't handle, especially with her mother's and Nonna's help. No, it was much more than that.

Knowing she might as well tell him, because there was no way he'd let it go, she said, "Edward, this the first time we've ever spent a holiday here, at our house, with everyone. It's kind of a big deal. I just want everything to be perfect."

"That's because you're you. Look, I'm not saying this isn't a big deal," he went on in a rush when he spied that dip between her eyebrows, "but everything will be great. Isabella, if all we had was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner, it wouldn't matter as long as we're all together. The fact that we get to eat some fucking awesome food cooked by you, Renée, and Nonna is just icing on the cake." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, then continued, "For the first time, ever, we'll all be able to spend the day together without any walls and without any secrets. Honestly? I can't wait."

"I know you're right, sweetheart, but it doesn't stop me from worrying, but I'll try to keep it to a minimum, okay? Besides, I can't wait to meet the mysterious Alessandra. Nonna hasn't stopped talking about her since she asked me if she could join us," she giggled.

She was so excited to meet the woman her Nonna professed was a perfect match for Alec. Isabella couldn't even begin to imagine what such a woman was like but she was excited to meet her. Alec not only deserved to find someone special, he sure needed someone to keep him in line as well. To most it would seem impossible that Nonna could find Alec someone after spending so little time with him, but Isabella knew better. Her grandmother was the most intuitive person she'd ever met.

Poor Alec was beside himself with both anticipation and dread, though the only person he let know that was her, and that was only after she threatened him during their weekly lunch date. Alec was able to fool most people, but never her, nor did he ever really try. He was ready to settle down and make a life with someone, but he didn't have the first idea how to go about finding that special someone. He'd been on more dates than he could count since the opera with Amber and not one ever resulted in a second. He was about to give up dating altogether, he'd proclaimed, when she'd told him about her grandmother's request to invite someone to dinner. She chuckled when she remembered the terrified but hopeful way he'd looked at her.

"I pity the poor woman if it turns out she's as perfect for Alec as Nonna says she is. He can be a real pain in the ass when he wants to be, though, selfishly I must say, if he finds himself a good woman, maybe he can stop pining after mine," Edward grumbled and then scooted her stool closer to his.

"So, I'm a good woman, huh?" she teased as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"The best and even more important than that, mine," he growled and then leaned forward and kissed her...hard.

He quickly felt things take a turn and considering she didn't resist him, he pulled her even closer. He curled his fingers in her hair and let out a low groan when she wrapped her arms tightly around him. For weeks now, ever since he'd gotten the tattoo and he'd given her the necklace, their love life had taken a decided turn toward...hell, he didn't even know. It wasn't like it was an area that needed improvement, but even he had to admit that each and every time they made love now, and he was lucky enough that it was even more frequent than before, was even better than the time before.

It didn't matter if it was slow and gentle or hard and fast. It was like some switch had been flipped and they couldn't keep their hands off each other. It also didn't matter where they were as evidenced by the workout the couch in his office had gotten as of late, not to mention the penthouse when they couldn't wait until they got back to Evanston. He wanted her - every second of every day. There were times he literally thought he would go mad if he couldn't have her, couldn't be inside of her, feeling her fall apart, hearing her whimper and moan his name.

Isabella was as turned on as ever and she swore every time he kissed her, she thought she would come undone. She could spend hours just kissing him and really it was one of her favorite things to do...ever. The way he kissed her, as if he was literally making love to her mouth, set her on fire every damn time. Even if it was just a quick peck on the lips as he rushed to the office in the morning or when they were at home making dinner together and he pressed her up against the counter because he couldn't wait another moment, it didn't matter. There wasn't anything, well besides making love to him of course, that she enjoyed more.

"Ah, shit...Edward," she murmured when she had to breathe.

He chuckled and sucked on the skin of her neck taking care to make sure he breathed in her ear and when she did that sexy as hell squeak-whimper thing he loved so much, he sat back and gave her a heart-stopping, panty-wetting smile.

"Yes, love?" he questioned none too innocently, especially when he ran a thumb across her now hardened nipple.

"You are such an ass," she giggled at him and shook her head.

"Yes, love," he agreed and then did it again because he just couldn't help it.

Well, she thought, two could play that game, so she leaned forward and casually let her fingers graze the front of his jeans. When he sucked in a sharp breath she smiled seductively at him and raised her eyebrow at him.

"Did you have something else you wanted to say, sweetheart?" she asked him in the same tone of voice he'd just used on her.

He chuckled again and shook his head. "Point made, you sexy vixen," he said and bent forward and kissed the tip of her nose. "Now, unless you want to take this upstairs or hell, even the wall over there," he motioned with a tip of his chin, "I say we call a truce. At least until we get everything done we need to today."

"Fine, fine," she teased and kissed him quickly on the lips before she slid off the stool and stood up.

He looked at her dressed in a pair of ass-hugging black jeans, a red turtleneck sweater that did nothing to hide how perfect her breasts were, and a pair of black boots with a heel that looked anything but comfortable and groaned. Christ, she was so damn beautiful... and sexy...and...his. Her hair fell down over her shoulders in soft waves, her necklace hung prominently around her neck, and her friendship bracelet was around her small wrist. Suddenly, he couldn't wait to spend the whole day with her, doing normal things like grocery shopping, picking up their dry cleaning, going by the home improvement store to get the things she needed to winterize her garden. Things he had never pictured himself doing but things he couldn't live without now.

He had wanted to ask Seth if he knew how much time he had left, it had been on the tip of his tongue more times than he could count, he just couldn't make himself ask the damn question. He was terrified of the answer of course, but still, he really wanted to know. Ever since he'd told Isabella about his birth parents, he wanted to take her on a trip to Ireland so she could see where he came from. He had almost made his peace with Liam and Maggie and though he was sure he'd always have some lingering feelings of animosity toward them, he really was trying to lay them to rest and move on. Taking Isabella to Ireland he figured, would be the perfect way to do that. He just wasn't sure there would be time for it.

Time. It really was a word he'd begun to despise, but on the other hand, it was the guiding force to everything he did. Time to spend with Isabella. Time to heal his family. Time to live the life he'd always been meant to live. Time. It was everything and he'd long since learned not to take it for granted.

Ever.

Isabella watched Edward watching her out of the corner of her eye as she gathered her lists together and made sure she had her cell phone and her purse. He was dressed in a long-sleeved forest green button-down with the sleeves rolled up past his forearms, a pair of black jeans, and her favorite black boots. He was dressed casually and comfortably but she would be willing to bet that there wasn't a man alive that did comfortable and casual as sexily as her husband did. He positively exuded raw sex appeal and it was all she could do not to lick her lips as she stared at him.

She sighed. If only there weren't things that had to get done today, she thought with a regretful shake of her head. Oh, the things they could do to pass the time.

He stood up and asked, "You ready?"

She nodded and then they walked to the garage. She was surprised when he passed both his car and hers and instead stopped by the Escalade. "I figured we needed a bigger car today," he said with a shrug of his shoulders. He opened the door and helped her into the front seat, taking the time to make sure he ran his hand over her ass and when she whipped her head around to look at him, he didn't even try to act like he'd done it on accident.

They spent an incredible day together just doing normal, everyday things. They'd picked up some pumpkins and hay bales to decorate the front porch. At the home improvement store they spent over an hour in the outdoor department while Edward peppered the poor salesman with questions about the difference between LED Christmas lights and regular bulbs, questions Isabella would have bet every penny she'd ever made he wouldn't have ever asked in a million years. He was so cute and so sweet; she didn't stop smiling the whole time they were there. Edward had wanted to stop by the electronics store to buy a Wii to have at the house. He said it was so that Jack and Emma would have something to do when they came to visit, but he didn't fool her for one minute, especially when he made sure to ask the salesman if the bowling game came with the game console. They ate lunch a cute little diner, even sitting on the same side of the booth much to the amusement of their very friendly waitress. By the time they got home after grocery shopping, Isabella wasn't sure she'd ever had a better day.

Especially when she spent all night showing Edward just how much she enjoyed spending the day with him...over and over and over again.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

"Nonna," Isabella asked on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, "tell me more about Alessandra."

Renée and Gianna had come over to help her cook a few things to get ready for the next day. Isabella did not want to spend the entire day in the kitchen and hoped to have as much done ahead of time as possible. Some things like the turkey and the traditional Italian leg of lamb would have to wait until tomorrow, but others like the stuffing, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, and the pies could all be made ahead of time.

It had been a long time since the three women spent time in the kitchen together and Isabella was enjoying every moment of it. She had thought about inviting Esme, Rose, and Alice, but the opportunity to have some uninterrupted time with her mother and Nonna was just too good to pass up. Edward was with Charlie, Marcus, and Alec supposedly picking up firewood and an extra table and some chairs for tomorrow. Obviously it wasn't a job that required four people and Isabella knew full well that most of the night would be spent in front of a television somewhere watching some sports thing on TV, but she didn't care. Edward would enjoy himself and she would, too, and that was all that mattered.

"Well, Cari," Nonna said after taking a dainty sip of her wine, "she's positively lovely."

"Yes, Nonna, I figured as much, but tell me about her. Where did you meet her? Why isn't she spending the day with her family? Not that I mind her being here of course, but I'm just dying to know more about her." Isabella giggled and tried to rein in some of her excitement.

She was so looking forward to meeting Alessandra and seeing Alec's reaction to her. She had a feeling things were about to change for her dear friend and she honestly couldn't be happier about that.

"Well, I met her at church. She's recently moved to the area and works with special needs children. Her family is from Boston and she can't go home for the holiday and of course I didn't want her to be alone. Not to mention, she will be absolutely perfect for our Alec. That boy needs a good, strong woman to keep him in line and Alessandra is just the one to do that," Nonna answered emphatically. There was not one doubt in her mind that Alessandra and Alec would hit it off immediately. Poor Alec wouldn't know what hit him by the time tomorrow was done.

The women continued to work and visit and Renée was positively over the moon she was so happy to be spending time with her two favorite women. Since her father had passed away she had only gotten closer to her mother and the relationship she had with Isabella was the most special one she could envision. She hadn't had a whole lot of time to spend with her daughter as of late, due to it being busiest time of year for her at the studio, so to be able to spend a whole evening with both women was surely a treat.

She and Charlie had talked, and talked...and talked some more about the revelations Edward had shared with them and though they were both still struggling a bit to understand how both sets of Edward's parents could have acted the way they did, they were nothing but supportive toward Edward and Isabella. To finally know everything her son-in-law had had to endure in his life just made her love him all the more. And honestly speaking, she already loved him a whole hell of a lot before that to begin with, and always had.

The rest of the evening flew by and the counters, the island, and even the dining room table were covered with enough food to feed an army, though Isabella figured between Emmett, Alec, and her dad, they needed that much food. Just as she was taking the last pie out of the oven, she heard the garage door open and then in walked Edward, her dad, Marcus, and Alec who made a beeline straight for Nonna.

"Nonna, how's my favorite girl?" he flirted and kissed her soundly on the cheek.

"Oh, you stop that now," she said as she playfully swatted his arm. "You better behave yourself, Alec Tipton, and besides, we all know Isabella is your favorite girl, at least until tomorrow," she teased right back.

"Damn straight she is, especially when she's carrying apple pie," he said as he licked his lips only to run straight into Edward.

Edward stood with his arms folded across his chest, trying like hell to fight the smirk that really wanted to come out, but he had a point to make. "I think, Alec, you'd best remember whose girl Isabella is."

"Oh, whatever, Ed, besides...she has...pie!" Alec chuckled and pointed toward the pie as if that explained everything.

Marcus snickered under his breath and looked at Charlie, saying, "He's a fucking idiot."

Isabella rolled her eyes and set the aforementioned pie on the counter and then turned toward her moronic friend. "You know that pie is for tomorrow, so you'll just have to wait like everyone else."

"Ah, damn, Bella. You know apple pie is my favorite, especially yours." Alec pouted and he thought he was doing a damn fine job in getting her to give in...that was until she shook her head at him.

"Not going to work, pal. Tomorrow. No sooner," she admonished him and then wrapped her arm around Edward's waist. "Has he been this impossible all night?" she asked him.

"Worse," Charlie laughed and then Alec glared at Edward and Marcus when they both nodded their heads in complete agreement. "Seems he's a bit nervous about tomorrow."

No one missed the playful gleam in Charlie's eyes or the loud gulp that followed from Alec. "You guys all suck...well except for you, Renée, and of course you, Nonna," he grumbled, which just made everyone laugh even harder at his pitiful self.

Gianna set down the towel she had in her hand and then walked to the poor boy. "Cari, stop stressing yourself out over this," she told him with an indulgent smile. The man tried to be as hard as nails on the outside, but she saw straight through that. He was soft as a marshmallow on the inside and just wanted to be loved, and find someone to love in return, just like everyone else. Much like her granddaughter, she had quite the soft spot for Alec and selfishly she hoped if things went as well tomorrow as she felt they would, she would get to see a lot more of him.

"Hmph," he muttered and then tried not to smirk. He did have a reputation to uphold and all.

The rest of the evening passed while the women finished their cooking and tried to keep the men out of the food. It was a good thing Emmett wasn't there; Isabella wasn't sure how they would have managed that.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOOO~~~~~

The next morning Edward woke up alone in bed; a fact which displeased him immensely. He hated waking up alone, and it was only the smells from downstairs floating upward that kept him from pouting...much. He knew Isabella would be in the kitchen at the crack of dawn so he wasn't the least bit surprised, no matter that he was really hoping to start their Thanksgiving showing proper thanks, but he supposed it could wait.

He laid in bed for a few minutes going over a mental list of all the things he was thankful for, starting with his magnificent wife and then worked his way down. Not surprising, the list was rather extensive and it seemed to grow with each passing day. He supposed that was the one good thing in knowing your time was going to be up soon: you sure as hell never took things for granted and you definitely learned to appreciate the little things. It also went without saying he'd much rather have learned that particular lesson a long time ago, and without a pain in the ass angel reminding him every time he turned around, too.

Speaking of pain in the ass..."Happy Thanksgiving, Edward Anthony," the annoying voice said from his usual perch in the corner chair.

Edward lazily turned his head, not sure how he felt at being interrupted while he was being introspective, and said, "Morning."

Seth smirked at him and let his ice blue eyes twinkle playfully. He supposed he could have given Edward a bit more time to lay in bed and think, but Seth wanted to talk to him for a few minutes before he had to get up and begin his day. Besides, he wouldn't want Edward to think he was slacking in the whole being a pain in the ass department now would he?

"How's things today?" the angel asked casually.

Edward rolled his eyes impressively and snorted, "As I've only been awake less than ten minutes, it's kind of hard to say yet, but so far so good."

Seth shrugged his shoulders, not bothered in the least by the implications of that statement. He had things he wanted to speak with Edward about and because the lovely Isabella was occupied downstairs, he figured now was as good a time as any. There really wasn't a lot left to say or do, the angel admitted with a sense of both pride and sadness, in regard to Edward. This assignment had most definitely been his most challenging, but as he'd known from the very beginning all those years ago, his most rewarding as well. There would never be another one that would mean as much as this one did. Of that, Seth was certain.

As always with these things, Seth still did not know when Edward's time would end, and as difficult as that fact had always been with his other assignments, with this one, it was positively excruciating. He often found himself hoping and fervently praying that somehow Edward would be spared and be granted the time he so deservedly worked for, even though Seth knew it really wasn't his place to ask or pray for such a thing. As an angel, he was well aware of the way it worked. When it was time, it was time. Didn't mean he had to like it though, and he most certainly did not like it...at all...at least in this particular case.

But, that was really neither here nor there, especially at the moment.

"How are you feeling about today?" Seth questioned, though it probably wasn't necessary as Edward had done nothing but smile all week.

"Spectacular," Edward answered simply...simply because there wasn't anything else to say about it.

Both he and the all-knowing angel knew full well that having all his family and friends over to spend the holiday together was a big deal. They both knew nothing of the sort had ever happened before, barring his wedding reception. They both also knew it was just one more milestone to mark off on the imaginary list Seth was checking things off on...or whatever he was using to keep track of all the things Edward had accomplished.

The keen angel scrutinized his charge and once again marveled, silently of course, how content he seemed. Yep, he silently fist bumped himself, helping get Edward to this place was most definitely his greatest accomplishment. He frowned, though, when he realized that now that such a thing had happened, he wasn't sure what that meant for him going forward. How could any other assignment ever fulfill him as much as this one had? Make no mistake, he wished and hoped that he would have to continue watching over and guiding Edward for a very long, long time to come, but the thought of what came after...well, he figured he and Gideon were going to have to have a very serious discussion very soon.

"How do you think the others will react to Max and especially Sophie being here?"

Edward sat up higher against the back of the bed and crossed his arms but he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. "I think it'll be fine to be honest with you. Isabella and Sophie have gotten along great the few times we've seen her over the past few weeks and Max is a pretty cool guy. He and Emmett will get along really well, I think."

It was so unexpected to have Sophie back in his life after all this time, but he couldn't deny how happy it made him either. Especially so because truthfully, Isabella seemed to welcome her presence as much, if not more, than he did. Sophie and Isabella were fast becoming friends and that made him more pleased than he could express. He was painfully aware of how much his past behavior had affected them both, especially in relation to how much time they spent with others. His wife was such a captivating person, she literally drew almost everyone that was around her to her, and it was really almost unforgivable that he had held her back for so long. Not that she would ever tell him that of course, but he knew it was true even if she was too sweet to say anything.

She was too sweet to say a lot of things he was sure he had deserved over the years. He shook his head to stop himself from going down a road that did not need to be traveled, today of all days especially.

"Any idea how Alec and Alessandra's meeting will go today?" Edward questioned with a smirk.

It made him ridiculously happy, though he would never admit it in a million years, that whenever Alec's name was brought up, the angel looked like he couldn't decide if he wanted to throttle poor Alec or give him a hug. Honestly speaking, Edward usually had much the same dilemma, even though Alec was one of his closest friends.

The angel chuckled and the scowl was replaced with a knowing smile. "Eddie, my boy, I'd be willing to bet, and we've long established not to bet against me, that by the end of the day you will have one less person to compete with for the attentions of the lovely Isabella."

Edward snorted, loudly, and rolled his eyes. "Not to sound too full of myself or anything," he said casually and with a very self-satisfied grin, "but we all know Isabella is totally nuts about me so the rest of you fools should all just stop while you're ahead, even you, my friend."

Seth laughed loudly and the sound, very much like a locomotive rumbling over the railroad tracks, made the windows rattle as well. "That she is, my boy, most assuredly," he conceded. "Always has been, always will be, too," he teased and then sobered immediately when the smile fell from his charges face. "Ah, Edward Anthony," the tone changing to one of patience and knowing, "try not to think about that today. Enjoy your day with your family and friends. Celebrate all you have to be thankful for and trust that things will work out the way they are meant to be."

Edward sighed, pushing back all feelings of despair and melancholy. "I will," he said and squared his shoulders. That feeling, the one that was present almost every waking moment now, enveloped him again and he felt his muscles relax and his stomach unclench as the warmth worked its magic. He heard Isabella on the steps and his heart lurched in anticipation. Christ he really was a lovesick fool, and was about to admit to just that but noticed that he was...blessedly alone.

"Damn show off, pain in the ass angel," he muttered just as the door opened to reveal his very beautiful wife.

"You're awake," Isabella said in a half squeal half gasp of surprise and he swore, if it was possible, and only God knew how it could be, he fell in love with her just a bit more in that very instant.

She had on a pair of flannel pajama pants, one of his t-shirts that she'd knotted at the bottom and had her hair up in a high ponytail, emphasizing a large amount of mouthwatering pale skin on her neck. A few strands had come loose and stuck to the side of her face because she'd been busy moving in the kitchen. Her cheeks were flushed with the prettiest shade of pink he'd ever seen in his life and her eyes...he groaned when he lost himself in them, even from across the room. They were so clear and bright, and sparkled in a way he'd never seen before. She'd been so tense all week, though thankfully the time spent with Renée and Nonna last night had seemed to ease most of her worries. But this morning, right now, she positively glowed from the inside out.

"Beautiful," he said on a stuttered breath, having no idea whether he was commenting on her appearance or calling her the name he used for her, though they were one in the same as far as he was concerned.

"Happy Thanksgiving," she told him as she stared at him from the doorway. He was still deliciously sleep rumpled; his hair was a riotous mess on top of his head, his smile was lazy and so damn sexy, and his chest, she groaned, was all hard and still thankfully, naked...as was the rest of him she rather hoped.

"Come here," he beckoned her with a sinful smirk and a curl of his finger.

She thought, for about zero point two seconds, of being stubborn and staying where she was, but she could no more resist him when he looked like that than she could breathing. It just wasn't possible.

Wasting no time she hurried to her side of the bed and as soon as she had one knee on it, he'd reached over and pulled her onto his lap. Giggling, she ran her hands through his hair and looked down at him. He stared up into the coffee-colored windows to her heart and soul and groaned needily in the back on his throat. "Damn, Isabella," he whispered as he slid his hand around her neck, purposely sweeping his thumb along her jaw and then over her pulse point, which he noted with supreme satisfaction was racing. He pulled her down to him, tilting her head just slightly to the side, and then covered her mouth with his. Her top lip fit perfectly between both of his and they were so fucking soft, he would swear there wasn't anything as soft as her lips. When his tongue darted out and flicked at her bottom lip, he growled when the taste of sweet pumpkin exploded in his mouth. "Have you been sampling this morning, love?" he asked, smiling against her lips...the ones which he swept his tongue across again before plunging it into her mouth.

She tasted so sweet and a little spicy. She tasted like warmth and love and happiness...and home.

He was sure he never, ever wanted to stop kissing her.

"Hmmm, yes," she answered him. "You would have been able to as well, if you wouldn't have stayed in bed all morning," she teased and rocked against him. Yep, definitely still naked, she noted when her center was pressed against him.

Before she knew what was happening, she was on her back, looking up at him and of course he made her so damn wet when he looked at her like he wanted to sample her...not that she saw anything wrong with that...at all. Apparently he was of the same mind because he bent his head down and nipped and licked up the side of her neck so very slowly she thought she would go crazy until he was finally breathing heavily in her ear saying, "But if I would have gotten up, Beautiful, I couldn't do this, now could I?"

He slid his hand underneath her pajamas and bit down on her neck when he realized she didn't have anything underneath them. His fingers slipped through her already slick folds and when he circled her bundle of nerves with his very talented and insistent fingers, she was definitely most thankful he hadn't gotten out of bed yet, and was even more so when he pushed her shirt over her head and her pants down her legs and entered her slowly, whispering, "Happy Thanksgiving, Isabella."

A few hours later, their house was more full than it had ever been. Alec and Alessandra hadn't stopped talking since they'd been introduced and paid no attention to anyone but each other as they sat huddled in the corner of the living room by the fireplace. Emma hadn't left Edward's arms since she threw herself into them, Emmett hadn't stopped trying to sneak bites of food, and Charlie hadn't taken his eyes off the football game on the television.

Isabella had stepped outside onto the deck to get a breath of fresh air once things were well in hand in the kitchen and turned when she heard someone open the door behind her.

"You don't mind some company do you?" Sophie asked and handed her new friend a glass of wine Renée had poured for them.

Isabella smiled warmly at her and shook her head. Dinner would be an hour or so away yet, because they'd decided to actually have their meal at dinner time. That way the others, like Alice, Marcus, and Max that had family close by could have time to go to both places.

"Thank you so much for asking Max and me to come today, Bella. It's been so great catching up with Emmett and Alec and everyone else. I haven't seen Carlisle and Esme in a long time either, so it has been nice seeing them as well," Sophie told her and had to stop herself from cringing as soon as the words left her mouth.

It had taken quite the stern talking to from Isabella for her not to feel guilty about her friendship with Edward. Rationally she knew she had nothing to apologize for, but after Edward had told her the same story he'd told everyone else and he'd told her a bit of what his behavior had been like for the past few years, she couldn't help but wish she'd done more for him. Isabella was absolutely perfect for him, and she was so happy for Edward to finally be at a place in his life that he wasn't afraid to let others in and let everyone see the real him. She'd always known he could be happy if he'd only let himself.

Honestly, she was pleasantly surprised at how close she and Isabella had gotten already. She was prepared for her to be wary of her but nothing could have been farther from the truth. The instant Edward had introduced them to each other, it was as if they'd known each other for years. At that first dinner, she spent more time talking to Isabella than she had Edward. She supposed it was because they both understood Edward and Isabella was so confident in Edward's love for her that she was able to appreciate what she'd try to do for Edward all those years ago, and know without a shadow of a doubt, that friendship had been the only thing between them.

"Well, we're so happy you were able to be here and that Max's family decided to do their Thanksgiving so early," Isabella said and took a sip of her wine.

"Things seem to be much better between Edward and Carlisle and Esme," Sophie remarked after a moment.

Isabella turned and sat down on the bench that she and Edward had often used for their late night cuddle sessions under the stars. "Yeah, they are. It's been a long time, Sophie, and it's been so hard for him, for all of them really. There have been so many years of distance and bitterness, I sometimes wonder how the hell he managed to even survive it at all." She knew she could be perfectly honest with Sophie, in a way she couldn't with most everyone else because she had seen Edward at his worst and had always understood that there was someone very different under the veneer he'd hidden beneath for so long.

"Bella, what do you really think happened to make Edward change? Do you really believe it was just a plane ride that got a bit bumpy?" Sophie asked because she really, truly wanted to know.

Taking another sip of her wine, Isabella took a moment to look around the deck and let her eyes fall on the chaise where Edward had made love to her all those months ago. She'd known the moment he'd touched her when she first opened her eyes, that her Edward was fighting his way through the hurt, the pain, the fear, and the walls he'd erected to find his way...to her. She'd had her moments over the course of the last few years and even over the past few months when she was certain she was destined to live her life not ever being truly happy because Edward would never be. She was convinced that those walls would never come down, no matter how hard she tried or prayed or begged, but then he'd do something: touch her a certain way, look at her when he thought she couldn't see, say something and she knew...knew...that he would find his way out of the dark and truly let her in.

"Edward hasn't changed, Sophie, not really. The Edward that plays the Wii with Jack and colors in a coloring book on the floor with Emma, is the real Edward. The one that plays golf with my dad and beats him because he can't stand to lose, is the real Edward. The one that teases Alec mercilessly but secretly can't wait for him to be happy because he loves him so much, is the real Edward. The one that came home and looked like a kid in a candy store because he'd caught up with and reconnected with an old and dear friend, is the real Edward. The one that single-handedly put his family back together...that is the real Edward...my Edward. You and I have both always known he was there, he was just too scared and had been hurt too much to risk letting anyone see that. Was it a plane ride that made him realize he could open up to me and to everyone else? I have no idea and frankly, I don't give a damn. It doesn't matter a bit to me what opened his eyes, only that they did. You were a good friend to him when he needed one the most, Sophie, and I can never, ever thank you enough for that. I know it's because of you that he was able to let me in, just the tiny bit he did, to take a chance on loving me. He's my entire world, as I'm his, as sappy and sentimental as that is to say, but it's nothing but the truth. We are each other's other half," Isabella said with a shrug and totally non-apologetic for sounding like a princess in a fairytale as she talked about her imaginary Prince Charming.

"You two are so good for and to each other. It's quite beautiful to watch," Sophie told her.

Isabella didn't say anything to that because a response wasn't necessary, though she did offer her a smile. She'd always felt that way watching her parents together, or when she heard her Nonna talk about her Angelo, and the fact that someone felt that way watching her and Edward filled her with a sense of pride and so many other things she couldn't even name them all. Instead she changed the subject so she didn't bore poor Sophie to tears going on and on about how wonderful her husband was.

"Did you know that Edward got an email from Anna just this week?" she asked and then chuckled when poor Sophie very nearly choked on her wine.

"You are kidding me, right? I mean I know Edward said Anna had changed but holy...that is just...wow," Sophie breathed out and shook her head now that she had caught her breath.

Isabella's eyes gleamed and she nodded in agreement. "I know. It's really strange but I find myself rooting for her to change her life around. Apparently, she's left town for the time being. With the mess Vincent has made of things at Sinclair Publishing, she kind of had to. The man was harassing her and trying to do everything within his power to get her and her family to help him when the banks called in their loans. He's really not stable at all, so I'm happy she's away from the mess. She deserves to turn her life around and she can't do that here or with him trying to weasel his way back into her life. She took the first step when she left him, she'll do what she needs to do, I have faith in that."

Sophie was, quite literally, speechless listening to Isabella talk, as was evident by the fact that her bottom jaw was about to come unhinged her mouth hung open so much. "Soph, stop looking at me like I started talking to you in tongues for goodness sake!"

"Bella, I can't believe, after everything that happened, after what she did to Edward, that you'd be that...gracious toward her. I mean I can because, well, you're you, but no way would anyone else do that," Sophie told her, being completely serious.

"I know she was horrible to Edward when they were together," she began and she had to physically force that word out of her mouth, "but he wasn't totally without blame either. She's changed, and we all know he has, so as long as she doesn't try to hurt him again, I'm fine."

Sophie laughed when she saw that fire in Isabella's eyes. "Remind me not to get on your bad side, Bella,"

"Not likely, Sophie. Did Edward tell you what happened with Vincent when we saw him at the opera?" she asked with a gleam in her eye and when Sophie shook her head no, Isabella chuckled and leaned in close to tell her about their confrontation.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

Edward walked past the door to the deck and smiled when he saw Isabella and Sophie laughing about something. He figured more than likely it was about him and he was really okay with that. He was headed for the dining room where the table was already covered with food and his stomach growled when he could smell the turkey from the kitchen. Apparently he wasn't the only one that couldn't resist sampling something, because when he walked in the room, Carlisle was pilfering a deviled egg from the platter.

"Hungry, Carlisle?" Edward teased and then chuckled when he whipped his head around looking sheepish.

"All this food," Carlisle answered, popping the hors d'ouerve in his mouth and waving his hand over the table. "What do they expect?"

Edward followed suit and grabbed an egg and ate it in two bites. He grabbed two more and handed Carlisle one saying, "They should expect we're going to eat it if they are going to tempt us."

The two men stood in silence for a few moments though thankfully it wasn't uncomfortable. They had really come such a long way already and it made what Carlisle was about to say much, much easier.

"Thank you for having us here today, son. I can't think of a better way to spend the holiday than all together."

Edward wiped his mouth on a napkin and nodded his head. "I totally agree. I have a lot to be thankful for," he said truthfully.

"I think we all do," Carlisle answered back. "Are you...I mean...I know this is a lot for you, having so many people here at one time. How are you holding up?"

"It's fine," Edward told him actually quite touched that Carlisle would be concerned about such a thing. "I actually don't mind so much, you know? Things are so much better now that it almost seems silly to have acted the way I did for so long."

"Edward, no," Carlisle said immediately, not wanting to hear Edward berate himself at all for things that had happened in the past. "You were hurt first by your parents and then by your mother and me by our actions. I still have yet to decide which is worse: parents completely ignoring their own child or parents that do nothing to help when it's obvious the child is hurting."

"Sorry," Edward said after a deep sigh. "I didn't mean to bring this up, today of all days."
Carlisle strode toward the windows and looked out them for a moment not really seeing what was out there though, because his mind was so full of flashes of images that flickered in and out of focus. "I hate what they did to you, Edward. I hate that you never celebrated a birthday or opened presents on Christmas morning. I hate that Liam never taught you how to play baseball and that you were never able to go on family vacations." He turned around and said softly, "I hate that I'm not sure I can ever forgive either one of them for hurting you the way they did. I have my own mistakes to live with and atone for, but they were your flesh and blood, Edward, I just don't understand. How do you do it? How do you forgive when you're so damn angry?"

Edward was shocked by the words that Carlisle had just spoken and the agonized tone he'd said them in. However, he would try to answer him as best he could. "It's hard, Carlisle, so fucking hard," he said and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe it's harder with them than it was with you and Esme because they aren't here, I don't know. I'm trying to get there, to forgive them, but I'm not there yet. I've made...peace I suppose...with what happened to me, but I'll never forget. I'll never forget what it felt like to feel like I didn't matter, that I could never be enough, but thanks to Isabella and to the rest of you, I know I do matter and I know I am enough. I hope to get to a place where I can forgive them, but it's going to take some time. I'd like to think that making the effort to forgive is what matters the most," he finished and had to take a few deep breaths.

Jesus, he wanted to forgive them, he really did, but he just wasn't there yet. He and Seth had talked about it, a lot, and the angel had told him over and over again that recognizing he wanted to try to forgive them was the first step...the rest would come when he was ready. He wasn't going to beat himself up because he wasn't ready though, not when he had done so much already.

Carlisle looked, as was becoming a habit where Edward was concerned, in awe at his son. The grace and wisdom he let shine through was something to behold. He was so damn proud of him, for being the man he was, after all he'd been through. There was never anyone Carlisle had admired more, and he doubted he ever would.

"I love you, son," Carlisle said over the huge lump that had taken up permanent residence in his throat.

Edward leaned forward and wrapped his arms around him and said,"I...I love you, too." And then with one last look in which he flashed him a genuine smile, he went to go find his wife.

Carlisle stood stock still for he didn't even know how long as he tried to get his breathing under some semblance of control. He wasn't at all sure he ever would and if he felt as good as he did now, he wasn't sure that was a bad thing...at all.

He found his way to the restroom and splashed some cold water on his face, taking a moment to stare at his reflection in the mirror. The smile that he saw in the mirror was as big and bright as he could ever remember sporting, or at least as big as it had been in some time. He shook his head, going back over the conversation he'd just had with Edward and if it was possible, was more in awe of him now that the words had had time to float around in his mind than he was when Edward had spoken them the first time. He laughed out loud and then covered his mouth, hoping that no one had heard the outburst and then he dropped his hands, not caring in the least.

After he dried his hands he made his way back toward the kitchen and then followed the sound of the voices wafting in through the front door. Everyone, and he did mean everyone, had meandered outside to enjoy the last of the daylight and the perfect weather. He looked around and took a moment to drink in the scene. In one corner of the huge porch that ran the length of the front of the house sat Isabella, Camille, and Alessandra. Esme was deep in discussion at the other end with Gianna and Renée while Emma climbed on the hay bales in front of them. Rose, Alice, and Sophie were standing in the front yard laughing at the rest of the crew. Charlie and Jasper, along with Alec, Marcus, and Max, were deep in discussion over something that looked vitally important, judging from the way Charlie was waving his arms about. Beside them Edward and Emmett were tossing a football with Jack and it was a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

"Hey, Ed, let's play a quick game of touch football. You, me, Jack, and...hmmm, Jas, and Max against the rest of these yahoos. What do you say? Bella said dinner was at least an hour away. I'm starving and I need something to keep my mind off of turkey and stuffing," Emmett said and sounded like he was Ralphie asking for that Red Ryder BB gun.

"Sounds good to me, brother," Edward said and tossed him back the football. "Round everyone up and we'll get started." Edward looked toward the porch and found Isabella watching him and he very blatantly smirked and then winked at her, loving the fact that she not only blushed at his over the top flirting, but she loved it, too. He waved at his mom and then laughed when Emma stood on her little wobbly legs on the top of the hay bales, triumphant in her success. He then noticed Carlisle standing in the middle of the front steps and with not one second thought yelled out, "Hey, Dad, come play football with us."

Carlisle swore and he would swear every day until the day he died and hell, he'd still swear beyond that, that the second the word 'Dad' reached his ears it was as if Heaven above broke out in song. In twenty years, there wasn't ever...EVER...a word that had sounded so sweet.

Isabella gasped and then stood and then sat back down again totally stupefied at what she'd just heard. Tears ran down her face and she waited, because she knew he would, for Edward to look at her. She simply kissed the end of her fingertips and blew him a kiss because when his eyes found hers she knew nothing else was needed for him to know what she would say to him.

Esme held her shaking hand over her heart, a bit worried that the thing would fly right out of her chest. Edward...had called Carlisle...dad. She looked back and forth between the two to make sure she'd heard what she thought she did. When she saw the brilliant smile on her beloved husband's face, she knew she had. It was her dream come true and it was a moment she'd never forget.

"Holy mother of...damn," Emmett muttered and was immediately flanked by Rose on one side and Jack on the other. The former was well aware of the monumental moment that had just passed and the latter wondered what in the world was going on with all the grownups. "Rose, he just...did you hear?" he stammered and shook his head, almost afraid to do so for fear that what he'd just witnessed was just a dream.

Edward played the past ten seconds over again in his head. Yep, he'd definitely just called Carlisle dad. As it played once more he realized that not only did he use the word, he was happy about it. Ecstatic even. Actually, it bordered on insanely overjoyed but he didn't give a damn. Carlisle was Dad damn it, and he was more than ready to acknowledge that fact.

"Dad, come on, you can be on our team...Cullens against the rest of them. We'll show them how it's done," Edward called out and then looked up toward the sky.

"Thank you," he whispered and then slung an arm over his dad's shoulders.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

Far above, Seth answered back, "Happy Thanksgiving, indeed, Edward Anthony."

All around him the others of his kind had broken out in song, actually the instant the word 'dad' had left Edward's lips they'd started. They really were very emotional beings. Every single one of his brothers and sisters were as happy for Edward, and in turn for Seth, as Seth was himself. In all reality that wasn't quite the case, but he would never tell them that. He didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings you see.

Prisms of light danced all around, pulsating in time with the song being sung. The wings that Seth had never once shown Edward unfurled and he floated as his heart filled and soared. Edward had done it and as he felt the tears fall down his face he couldn't imagine anything as fulfilling as what he'd just witnessed.

He looked beside him as he dipped and twisted and saw Gideon. "My friend, I have never, ever witnessed anything like what I just saw. I'm in awe of you and of Edward. What you've done, what he's been able to accomplish, it's...miraculous," the older angel struggled to say because truly, he was at a loss for words.

"He's something else," Seth said with every ounce of love and pride he possessed as he looked down and watched the best damn game of touch football he'd ever seen.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~