Disclaimer: All characters in this story and the Twilight Saga itself belong to Stephenie Meyer. I do not own any songs in this story. I merely own the plot.

Chapter 24: Home

It was around a month and a half before Edward and I were able to return to Washington. His family had returned two weeks after the baby was born since Carlisle couldn't take much time off from the hospital. Before leaving Jacksonville, I said teary goodbyes to my mother and Phil. Renee was so upset about us leaving already, with the baby just being born, but she accepted that we had to get home.

Edward brought our bags into the house, and shook his head as he looked around. He noticed how horrible the house was beaten up, and just smiled comically for a moment.

Torn books scattered the floor, the television was smashed on the floor, the glass coffee table was shattered, and broken dishes were all over the floor.

Edward noticed the note on the fridge and read it as he sat down on the couch.

While he read the note, I pushed Renesmee's stroller into the living room next to the couch. She made a quiet sighing noise as I unbuckled the stroller and picked her up. I cradled her in my arms as I sat down next to Edward. He automatically wrapped his arm around my shoulders, and smiled at me, giving me a quick peck on the lips before turning his attention to Renesmee.

I handed Renesmee to Edward before taking the note from his hand. I read it and frowned slightly at Tanya's stupidity.

The note read, "I'm surprised you didn't change the locks, but I guess you wouldn't have had time since you were so busy trying to get Bella back. I tore up the house. Have fun with your new family. It would've been better with me in it. P.S. I was screwing one of my old professors behind your back our entire marriage. Love, Tanya."

I glared at the paper with my mouth wide open in surprise. Tanya was really cheating on Edward their entire four years of marriage? I was beyond shocked. I didn't think Tanya would do something that messed up; let alone get away with doing it for so long.

"Unbelievable, right? I'm just as shocked as you are, but I always had my suspicions about Tanya, after all," Edward spoke softly, as to not wake the baby, and took the note from me before crumbling it up. He didn't even seem the least bit hurt by what Tanya had written. I wondered if he did still have feelings for her, but, judging from his reaction, maybe he didn't.

We sat there for a while, just taking in all of the reality. Edward began rubbing soothing circles on my thigh with his thumb as he hummed a tune for the baby.

Edward and I were finally together. We had our little Renesmee. We had our engagement rings on – which, I had bought him his in Jacksonville before we left. Already, Alice had even decided to start planning out wedding for in a few months.

A smile played on my lips as he made a joke, "Well, Bella, we have everything we want, besides some new dishes, a new coffee table…and a television." He nodded his head toward the broken television, laughing lightly. I chuckled at his joke, and he offered me his gorgeous crooked grin.

"We'll have to go shopping soon to replace those things…and we need to replace your bed. I don't really feel comfortable sleeping in the same bed where you and Tanya…" I let my voice trail off, embarrassed slightly, and kept my head down. I looked down at my lap, wringing my fingers together.

Edward tilted my face up toward his with his finger, grabbing my chin firmly. He smiled at me before leaning to kiss me deeply, teasing my bottom lip with his tongue. I sighed into his lips. He always tasted so good.

He pulled back and started, "Bella, you know that I don't have feelings for Tanya still, don't you? After all that she did…and I mean, how could I when I have you? You, Renesmee, and our family are all I need now."

Looking into his eyes, all I saw was sincerity and love and concern. He really did only need us. Even through all the hardships we had gone through, he still loved just me.

"Thank you, Edward. I really needed to hear you say that. It makes me feel so much better…" I smiled widely at him, biting my lip before leaning in and kissing him once again.

Edward put sleeping Renesmee in her crib, and we had spent the next hour just lying on the couch, cuddling and talking. It had been so long since we just sat and talked together.

Afterward, we figured we should stop stalling and start to clean up the mess that Tanya had made. I picked up all of the books, putting the non-torn ones back on the shelf. Edward swept up all the glass from the dishes, coffee table, and television.

As I was cleaning up the books, underneath a pile of torn papers, I found a picture. The picture was of me. I was lying down in the barn we had once visited. My eyes were closed, and I seemed to be asleep. Thinking back on it now, I guess I had fallen asleep that one night, but only for a little bit. Edward must have taken this while I was asleep. The thought causes a big smile to come across my face. I usually don't like having my picture taken, but with Edward, it feels right. I bite my lip as I examine the picture further.

I turned the picture over. On the back, in Edward's handwriting, the date was written along with, "Has Bella always been this beautiful, or was I just too dense to realize it? I will always love her."

I giggled quietly as I read it. A blush erupted on my face as Edward came over, "I'm all done cleaning the glass up. What are you giggling about?" He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, kissing my neck softly as he looks over my shoulder.

"This picture. I didn't know that you had taken one. Why didn't you tell me?" I looked up at Edward, turning my head. He smiled sheepishly as he looked down at the picture. I flipped it over to the writing, and his face turned a light shade of pink.

"I didn't think you'd let me keep it. I know how you feel about pictures. And, I was always just a bit…embarrassed."

"I know, but…this is just too adorable. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. You will always love me, huh?"

He turned me around in his arms, and kissed my forehead. Looking into my eyes, he cupped my blushing face in his hand, rubbing my bottom lip with his thumb. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and slid my hands underneath his shirt onto his bare back.

"Yes, I will always love you, Isabella Marie Swan soon-to-be-Cullen." He brought me closer to him, pressing my body against his chest. I loved this feeling. Being so close to him, so warm, and so loved.

I smiled against his chest before speaking into it, "And I will always love you, Edward Anthony Cullen."

We embraced each other for a few more minutes before crying noises boomed through the house. I backed away from Edward's embrace slowly, kissing his lips before leaving to go pick up Renesmee.

As I was walking away, I turned back around, and Edward was still watching me.

"And, yes, you were always that dense," I teased him.

I heard an "I know, I know" as I turned back around to get Renesmee.

I whispered to myself, "But that's okay. We will always love each other."

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