Hi! Well, there are a few details before we start with the story.
This one will deal with four married couples, most of the story will be told on the perspective of the women, but I planned two or three chapters with the male's perspective so we know what's going on inside their heads.
Bella/Edward are 27, Rosalie is also 27 and Emmett is 29; Alice is 42, Jasper is 45, Esme is fifty, and Carlisle is 55.
And the most important, this story is about marriages' crises so yes, there's always the possibility of infidelity. If you feel this is a big no or you want to know if a certain couple will be faced with that specific problem, you can PM me and I will answer without giving away the plot for the rest and certainly without giving you spoilers. Remember I'm a firm believer of HEA, and my first and only rule is that I can guarantee certain couple (wink, wink) will end happily together.
'This is the part when I say I don't want ya
I'm stronger than I've been before
This is the part when I break free
'Cause I can't resist it no more...'
"5,6,7,8 and again!" Jane guided the class with the same enthusiasm as always. She felt extremely proud of this class because the women were pretty constant and outside the glass walls of Volterra's gym, they'd become friends.
"Last eight!" she wandered around the room, correcting postures and smiling at her pupils enthusiasm.
"And its' over. Give yourself an applause, you were great."
Rosalie, the tall blond at the back, huffed. "You're killing us Jane!"
"Nah. You'll thank me when you wear that sinful bikini this summer."
Jane watched with glee as the girls picked up their things, joking between each other. Except Leah, who came and hugged her. This was her last class.
"Promise me to keep the good work at home." Jane asked, and Leah nodded, hugging her tightly.
xxx
Leah watched as the others took their seat around the table. This wasn't the first she came with them, but surely will be the last one.
"We will miss you, Leah. Are you sure you can't arrange your schedule to come at least once a week?" Esme Cullen asked. She was the oldest on the group of friends at fifty, but looking like forty.
"No, this new job is very strict with the hours. I was used to working from seven to three, but with little Sammy now at school, I can take more hours. My mother in law is going to help."
"Where did you say you're working?" Rosalie asked. Leah always felt intimidated by her, always so beautiful and with that air of confidence. You would never think she was around Leah's age of twenty-seven and that a year ago she was this shy, scaredy-cat woman.
"Volturi and Carson. I'm a paralegal in their legal department." when Leah noticed what she said she corrected, "not as if I would be a paralegal in their sales department, right?" And the girls laughed.
Bella beamed. "That's where my husband works! You may know him, his name is Edward Masen, tall, reddish hair, green eyes which he cover with glasses, always frowning in concentration."
Leah played it dumb and said she only met her future boss, Renata Carson, the wife of the main partner and CEO. Bella smiled and told her she was going to put a good word with her husband. What Leah didn't mention was that she already met Edward. Renata sent her to the copy room and Leah was scared to manipulate the gigantic copy machine. Edward was really kind to help her get the copies done... until his harpy assistant came and ushered her out, there was something kind of possessive in the way Jessica looked at Edward, but as far as Leah knew, he had a stable marriage and she didn't want to worry sweet Bella.
"My husband works in there too, but he's in another floor. He's an engineer and works in IT. But hey, if your computer ever breaks ask for Jasper Whitlock and tell him you know me." Alice beamed to Leah. What a small world! That way she will have another friend for the Company's events.
Leah smiled at Alice's enthusiasm. She didn't want to mention that she ventured to ask job in that company after she heard them talking about the employee benefits program and the lack of personnel in legal.
"Oh, let me brag about this. My daughter Bree is pregnant and she's coming back home!" Esme broke in a smile of joy. Her eldest daughter finally settled down with Joham and they were moving back to the States. Of course, they were welcomed at her home until they find a home since they left theirs in Germany after so many years.
And while everybody congratulated her, really enjoying her happiness, there was one of them who despite her joy felt a pang of sadness, her smile never reaching her eyes.
xxx
When Rosalie arrived home, she expected silence and a bit of time to set Emmett's dinner. Today was Thursday, the day he uses to go bowling with a few friends of work. Imagine her surprise when she turned on the light and Emmett was waiting for her in the couch.
"Where were you, Rose?" His face didn't show the dimples that always turned her into a puddle of goo, no, he was frowning.
"At my Zumba class. You know I like to take a cup of coffee with the girls later." Rose just passed him by and proceeded to empty her duffel bag with her work clothes. She had to hang that pantsuit or it would wrinkle.
"And you're just back?" Emmett walked to stand behind her pointing to his watch.
Rose was tired and in no mood to deal with her husband crankiness. "The class goes from six to seven and a half, then we go for coffee. Jesus, Emmett, you're reacting like it's midnight when it's just nine o'clock."
"You waste too much time with them, worst, you knew I was waiting here for you."
"You're just mad because the bowling tournament starts in two months. And then what? You come home at midnight! I never give you a hard time for coming home late." Rose huffed and left their bedroom. That's was an old rule they set in the beginning of their marriage. Never bring problems to the bedroom; so now they resorted to fighting in the living room.
"Ok, I'll leave bowling if you leave your classes."
Rosalie stopped and turned back to glare at her husband. "No! That's my only personal time; just like you have bowling, poker nights with the guys, oh and let's not forget Sundays at O'Malley's when it's football season."
"But I was waiting here with dinner ready!" Emmett whined. Rose walked fast to the kitchen, feeling a bit guilty. But that feeling died as soon as she noticed that 'dinner' consisted in two hot dogs full of ketchup, mustard, and pickles. She hated pickles and Emmett knew it! Obviously, Emmett was about to eat when she arrived.
"You know, I'm tired. I'm just going to take a bath and then go to sleep."
xxx
Feeling relaxed after her hot bath, she started to analyze why she and Emmett were fighting so much lately. Sure, Emmett was having a rough time with his construction crew lately, but she got a promotion at work six months ago, one big enough they'll keep their lifestyle even if he kept this spell of bad luck. And if she got the certifications her salary will get higher. She was making a lot more than Emmett as it was!
She closed her eyes, determined to reconsider the situation after a good night of sleep.
Emmett got to bed and he had to admit he was feeling horny. He turned around to his wife and deftly pulled her top up and his hands got to her breasts. It was his not so subtle way to ask for sex.
"No Emmett. I'm tired." She said and pushed his hands out of her top.
"What? Are you kidding me? We hadn't had any in so long!"
Rose woke up when he kicked the mattress.
"Emmett I told you I was tired, besides, I'm angry. I'm not really in the mood like I told you before."
"Right. You waste your energy on that stupid class." He took the comforter leaving Rose uncovered and walked to the spare room.
"Jerk," Rose muttered.
xxx
Not far from the McCarty's abode, Bella arrived at a lonely home. The answering machine was beeping and she went closer to hear the messages.
"Good afternoon Bella. I'm Jessica Stanly from Volturi and Carson and I'm calling to tell you Edward will be busy in a meeting and said to not wait up for him."
Jesus! Could it hurt her for one time to be professional and call her Mrs. Cullen?
It isn't like they were acquainted before.
Well, Edward told her he was getting a new partner. The company grew and they hired more people for the legal department, Leah being one of them. This was exciting for Edward, who got a promotion to a senior position in the legal department and the new employee will tackle the cases with him. The only bad thing was that they assigned Jessica Stanley to be their assistant. She was always boorish to Bella.
Anyway, it was better this way. She needed a few moments alone. Skipping dinner she went up to take a shower, hoping the hot water relaxed her and made her forget. It wasn't like she resented Esme's happiness, it was that she reopened old wounds.
Bella walked to that room in her house, the one she usually avoided and just entered once a week to clean. She walked decisively to the bed, thanking her family and friends for changing the furniture all those months ago, and looked under it. There it was. She took the old shoebox and opened it. The tears fell fast after she did that. She took out her most cherished possession, one tiny blue onesie, and sniffed it.
She got lost on her memories, each clearer as if they happened yesterday. The awful cramps that woke her up. The realization that nothing was moving in her abdomen and the faint feeling of loss and dread. The day passing as a blur, but when the doctor finally came back to give them the terrible news the time stopped. It was all her fault. Letting all her anguish flow she found herself getting more tired until she laid in fetal position and closed her eyes. If she wasn't so weak...
The annoying beep of her alarm woke her up. Where was she? Wait, what was she doing in her bedroom? The last thing she remembered was falling asleep in the ba... in that room. She turned around and sure enough, Edward was deeply asleep behind her. He always managed to bring her closer to him with his arm at her waist like he was holding her down. So very slowly she turned and twisted to get our of his embrace. He would be disappointed to find she broke down again.
"Bella?" His sleepy voice called to her.
"Shh, I'm up." She kissed his forehead. "Go back to sleep."
"No, wait. What happened? You were... you know."
Bella knew she had to come clean to him. "Esme's daughter is pregnant."
"Oh." He pulled her back to the bed and squeezed her hard. No words were needed, he understood.
While she was enclosed in his arms, she came to realize that despite their loss, she had a great husband who was always there for her.
xxx
So, did you like it?