Picking up the Pieces

Chapter Twenty-Two

This story is dedicated to my friend, Pam, who recently lost her husband to cancer. She's a wonderful friend with a beautiful soul who didn't deserve losing her best friend to such a devastating and deadly disease. I love you, girl.

Up next will be Thanksgiving, Christmas and wedding planning ... we need to figure out dresses and bridal colors. I'm open to suggestions. Bella and Edward are getting married on Valentine's Day. They'd be more sophisticated than a red and pink wedding ... share your ideas. You can post ideas on my Facebook page: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. I'm also on twitter: tufano79.

Chapter Twenty-Two

BPOV

I pinched my nose. Despite Grace's well-written story of who she admired that made me cry like a baby last night, she was trying my last nerve this morning as we got ready for Thanksgiving weekend. "Grace, you need to pack a bag. Two outfits, pajamas, a pair of underwear and Wolfie. We're not having costume changes on Thanksgiving, young lady."

"But, what happens if something gets spilled on my dress, Mommy?" Grace asked.

"Then, we wipe you off and life goes on, baby girl," I answered. I plucked out a pretty purple dress with some black leggings. "This with your booties, little one. We're already running late. I told Nana Esme that we'd be at her house an hour ago. We're still waiting for a mini fashionista to finish packing." I shook my head, making my way up to my bedroom. I finished tossing in my clothes into a bag, along with my toiletry bag and a curling iron. "Edward?"

"Yes, sweetness?" he replied.

"Can you put our duffel into the car? I'm afraid I'll fall down the stairs with it," I snorted. I heard him jog up the stairs, a wry smirk on his face. "Admit it. It's a distinct possibility."

"This is true," he chuckled, picking up the bag easily. "Did you put my uniform in there?"

I wrinkled my nose. "Yeah. It's in there. You have to work tonight? An overnight?"

"I do, baby," he said, kissing my nose. "It gives me the rest of the weekend to spend with my family. I'm not going to be out in the field due to my rib injury, but I'm manning the phones and possibly doing a few speed traps."

"Or, in cop speak, take a nap?" I teased.

"Bingo. I'll probably catch a nap after dinner, before I go in at nine. I'll be home by nine the next morning, on Thanksgiving," he said, kissing me sweetly and making his way down the stairs, with our bag slung over his shoulder.

I threw on a pair of shoes, tossing my hair into a ponytail and made my way to Grace's room. She still wasn't packed. "I swear, Grace," I huffed, tossing her stuff into her bag. She grumbled as I zipped up her bag. "Sloths are faster than you today, baby girl. We've got to go." My cell phone vibrated in my pocket with a text from my mother. "Grandma and Nana are anxious to see you, munchkin. Go get your coat on and get into the car." I slid her smaller bag over my arm and picked up Wolfie and her iPad from its charger, stuffing it into the front pocket. I carefully walked down the stairs. John took the bag, hugging my waist and he ducked out of the front door, putting the bag into Edward's SUV. Pulling on my coat and picking up an envelope stuffed with Thanksgiving favorite recipes, I went outside. Grace was strapped into her booster seat and John was helping Edward with the bags.

"Can you start the car, sweetness?" Edward asked. I nodded, twisting the key in the ignition. He and John fumbled in the back for a few moments before they both got into the car. "Ready?"

"Always," I snickered. Edward put the car into reverse, backing out the driveway and making our way to his parents' home. It was decided that Rose, the kids and I would spend the night at the house since both of our significant others were working overnight. I think that after the work was done, it would turn into a wedding planning session. The only thing we had planned was the church, which was more for Edward's side of the family, not mine and the location of the reception. From brief discussions I had with my mom and conversations with Esme while we got our pedicures, we needed to get our asses in gear.