I dont own anything. Stephenie Meyer is much more talented. Sorry it took all week. Please be patient with me. On top of working 40 hrs a week, and keeping a house together, im planning my wedding. So im a bit stressed right now.
3. Family Drama
The sun was finally filtering in through my curtains as I starting waking up. I sighed, last night had been very awkward. Edward had basically confessed how he felt about me and all I could say was that I agreed. I groaned, I already didn't want to go to school. Well, at least I only have 1 lab today. My favorite class, physics. I rolled, stretching my limbs and relishing the feeling of Edward curled up to my side. God how did this man manage to make me so weak in the span of a day. Course I had officially known him for close to a month, but we didn't have any correspondence when he went back to Seattle to finish things up there before he moved. I wondered to myself what exactly had made him move to the great flat state of Kansas. I smiled, he was finally walking up. His breathing coming quicker and his eyes fluttered open. I smiled again, he returned it.
"I could wake up like this everyday." He whispered. I nodded in agreement, and kissed him softly. I pulled away, needing to shower and get ready for class. He pouted.
"It's only an hour class. I'll be back before you know it. Stay." I ordered. He gave up his protest and snuggled deeper into my down comforter.
"We don't have practice today either." He reminded me. I shrugged. Practice never bothered me, something about getting out and moving every muscle in your body excited me. After this year, I would have to figure out a way to stay in shape. After my shower, which took me much longer than usual... my mind kept drifting off into its own little world. I drug him out of bed, and headed downstairs. Emmett was already up, which was amazing in itself.
"Morning sunshine." He quipped as I grabbed a can of Pepsi from the fridge. No coffee for me. Edward was helping himself to the coffee Emmett had made earlier though.
"So. Any idea why dad wanted you to come home?" I asked him, meeting his gaze. I knew that look. He was silently telling me that something was up.
"I don't know. You know I don't like being here. But family is family." He finished. Edward raised his eyebrows. I think he was feeling a little out of place, being new to the family, and not quite knowing what was going on. Once Emmett was old enough to move out, he was gone. Relocated to California to attend U.S.C. and found the love of his life out there. Rose was a great girl. Emmett never had handled our father being away ok, while I handled it with grace, he did everything imaginable to get his attention. I knew why he never wanted to be here, this was the home he built with our mother, and when she died...he died to. We just reminded him to much of her. Oh, Emmett was really good about making sure I was doing ok. He was my brother after all, he just separated himself from me too. We continued to stare at each other, Edward making his presence known again. He cleared his throat. Some one was here. The precious laugh of a toddler filled my ears as Rose entered with Lilly. Emmett rushed to her, hugging her to him. I ran to Lilly, she coiled away from me, of course she wouldn't remember me. Edward laughed at my look of rejection, and followed me out to the garage where Emmett was helping unload the limo. I said my goodbyes to everyone and headed for my own car.
"Stay. Get to know Emmett." I told him. I pecked his lips, and sank into my car. He shut my door and backed away. I watched him disappear in my rearview mirror. I had a feeling this was going to be a very trying day.
Alice was there already, having caught a ride with Jasper. Was it me, or were we already letting ourselves get to wrapped up into these men? I just hoped our friendship wouldn't suffer because of it. I filled her in on all the details, she was always happy to see Emmett, her parents would love to see him to. They practically raised us.
"I'll come over when my last class is over." She promised.
"I don't know Alice, my dad is coming in. You never know what will happen there." I told her. Her serious eyes told me that If I should need anything, that I had better come over.
"Ok. Just let me know." She answered my statement. She walked off, heading to her next class. Since my day was done, I climbed into my car. I wondered if Edward and Emmett were getting along. Was my dad already in town? I glanced at my clock, noon. I sped towards home, hoping there were no police on the streets that I flew by, I was just to excited to see him.
"Hello!!" I yelled when I broke through the front door. It was like it knew I was eager to see what was behind it. I heard the laughter of Lilly first, and then Edwards sweet laugh came into my ears as I walked outside to the pool. Lilly was in Edwards lap, feeding him grapes. He had the biggest crooked smile plastered on his face. Rose and Emmett were loving it too. He looked to cute sitting there letting my baby niece feed him grapes.
"Hey Bells!" Emmett called to me. Edwards eyes met my own, and I melted. This man was going to be the death of me. He motioned for me to come join them, I plucked a grape from the table and popped it into my mouth. Lilly pouted when she realized I stole the last one.
"When is dad's plane getting in?" I questioned, Emmett shrugged and I smiled at him. He always tries to act like he doesn't care, but I know he does.
A few hours later, Lilly had finally warmed up to me, and was snuggled into my lap for a her afternoon nap. Edward and I filled Emmett in on everything going around here. School was ok, I told him. Cheer was great as always. Edward excused himself to the restroom while I relaxed when Lilly in my arms. Emmett was quick to grill me for details. Even Rose looked shocked that she didn't get the first word in.
"He's great Bella. He cares about you." He said. My heart melted, and I could feel the smile as it spread its way across my face. Rose nodded in agreement at his side.
"I care about him too." Was all I could say. What was with me? Was I that scared of all this happening to even admit it to myself? Maybe today was just really stressing me out. I was brought out of my thoughts when we heard a glass breaking and yelling.
"Edward!" I shouted, quickly getting up, handing Lilly to Rose as I swept past her. Emmett was already up, following me inside. We found Edward in a corner, my father berating him like he was a child. Apparently Charlie thought that Edward had broken into the house.
"Dad. Dad! DAD!" I screamed trying to get him to leave Edward alone. Emmett got in between him and our father and created some space for him to breathe. Edward came quickly to my side. His eyes held anger, I was glad that he got to see this side of my father first. Because after that it was usually smooth sailing with him.
"Who is this?" He questioned, motioning towards Edward. Edward stepped forward as if he was going to answer back. Emmett beat him to it.
"You know dad, Bella is not a child anymore. She is an adult, and I think you need to acknowledge that. This is her boyfriend from school." He shouted. Edward and I both looked at each other when he said boyfriend, obviously he had made no effort to correct Emmett's thought on what we were, but I wasn't complaining. I was unusually quiet with my father after that. Usually I curled up to him when he was actually home, but something was way different about him. He looked younger, happier. That was when he broke the news.
"Guys, I have a surprise for you." Emmett rolled his eyes. We knew how this usually ended, a new car, another credit card. But his next sentence was answered with silence.
"Im getting married." He stated. He was met with silence, no one know what to say. I was the first to say something.
"To who?" I quietly asked. All this time, he was away, and someone else was getting his attention. I knew Emmett would blow up, I was waiting for it. I waited for his answer, Edward was looking at me, waiting for the explosion of anger. It wasn't coming. I was angry at myself for not being angry.
"Her name is Sue. She's great..you'll love her." He was hesitant in his answers, but he said the last part to me. The anger still wasn't showing itself. It was like my mind was in overdrive, seconds ago I was relaxing by the pool and now I was being put through a hoop.
"She has a daughter, just older than you Bella." Charlie continued. Emmett's face was turned into an angry sneer, Rose looked like she didn't know what to say.
"How long...how long have you been seeing her?" He asked, his voice unsure. I didn't know if I wanted to hear the answer to this. All this time we've been on our own and he had another family?
"6 years." Yes he had another family. Did we mean that little to him.
"Bella, next week is your birthday. Think of somewhere to go and we'll go." Charlie said on deaf ears. I looked at Edward, yes there was so much more to learn about each other. His face was expectant, he was still very excited.
"there's more." I whispered, my father was looking directly at me. He knew that I could see through his transparencies. Emmett and I locked eyes, the hurt that washed through Emmett's face was unmistakable. I knew he would be leaving as soon as possible, no way was he going to stick around for this.
"I'm retiring." He said, I was shocked. The Charlie Swan I knew, or thought I knew would never retire. I had always thought that we would find him dead of a heart attack on his office floor. Edward was searching my face for something. I wondered what my face looked like, did it display the hurt and anger that felt? He came closer to me. His arm wrapped around my waist, and he tired to pull me away from the train wreck in front of me. Seconds ago my father had been yelling at Edward because he thought he had broken into the house, and now he was looking at Edward like he knew I was in need of a shoulder. Why was he looking at him that way.
"I look at you two, and see how much you're in love. And I see my granddaughter, and I see the light in her face, the love she conveys for you, and I need that again. I'm moving back here, you can stay." He directed towards Emmett.
"Like hell I will." Emmett answered. The hurt that flashed through Charlie's face was quick, and needless. He had hurt us, why would expect more from us.
"I guess I deserve that." He quickly replied to Emmett. He was suddenly very excited. I heard the front door opening, and shutting, and footsteps crossing the wood grained floor in the foyer. A woman came into sight, and I frowned. He brought her here already?
"Let's go Rose." Emmett cut in before she could say anything. Rose quickly gathered Lilly into her arms, and crossed the living room and out the door, not speaking one word to anybody else. I knew I should have tried to stop him, but when Emmett got something in his mind, that was it. No turning back. Edward was still at my side, comforting me. I felt like a deer in headlights now. Charlie expectantly watching me, my reactions. Something inside me clicked. I shrugged Edward off and approached the woman.
"I'm Bella." I stated harshly. Charlie was watching me still, did he think I would attack her? I motioned for Edward to follow, and followed my brothers previous path out to my car. I didn't speak as I climbed in, and started the ignition. Edward had stopped, and was standing at the open door to my car.
"You don't have to do this Bella." His voice hit me like ton of bricks. What did I need to do? He had known me for a total of 2 days, and he suddenly knew how screwed up my family was. I had to be mature about this. I had to act like the adult I was. I was gasping for air, it was like I couldn't breathe, the tears came quick and hot on my face. He was at my side in an instant. Pulling me to him, his lips were on my cheeks catching my tears as they fell. I cried myself out on his bare chest, and when I was done he slowly pulled me out of the car, and into the house. I was pulled off the ground as we entered the house, and he silently carried me upstairs. I was drifting into a peaceful sleep as he laid me on my bed. I felt his lips at my ear, and his voice was the last thing I remember before falling asleep.
"It will be ok Bella. We will get through this."
The first thing I noticed when my eyes cracked open was Edward sitting at my footboard and the TV was quietly playing. I yawned, rolling over to stretch my legs out. Edwards eyes met mine, and I was instantly embarrassed for my behavior earlier. The heat crept into my face, and he smiled at me. He laid back, and curled himself around me.
"No need to be embarrassed. Everybody has drama in their family. It just matters how you deal with it." He whispered. Why did he have to be so understanding. I wondered if he was always like this, what would it feel like to fight with him. Not just a little spat, I mean a screaming match where things were being thrown around. Would he always be so gentle and caring? He was rubbing my back, and placing light kisses along the back of my neck. No doubt about it, I was absolutely smitten with him and there was no turning back. I looked him over, he had changed, and showered while I was asleep. Hi jeans were snug against his hips, and his shirt was riding up just barely. I could see the muscles that defined his stomach, and the lines that led to his hips, where the muscles met. God he was hot, he was turning me on and he had no idea. Then another thought entered my mind, and it didn't help my composure right this second. Was he gentle in bed, or did he like rough and hard. It did not help my situation one bit. With his hands exploring inch by inch of my curves, everywhere but the one place I wanted him most , my breathe became labored, each one having to be thought about before it was actually taken. This was bad. Definitely bad. I shut my eyes, letting his lips take me to another world. Groaning, I pushed him off of me. It took every ounce of strength I had to that.
"I bet you didn't have drama like this." I stated. He probably had that perfect white picket fence fantasy every girl my age dreams about. He shook his head, still determined to shake me to the core. I was getting hot, and he needed to quit. If this relationship was going to be based on trust, and love, he most definitely needed to quit. I sat up, and left the bed.
"What?" He asked, he must have noticed the look of insanity on my face. I gathered my stuff for my shower, and headed for the bathroom.
"I need a cool shower." I was all I could say. He smiled, at least he was enjoying the effect he had on me. He followed me, and leaned against the counter as I undressed in the around the corner from him. I knew all he had to do was take four steps and it would be over. My brick wall of sanity would be gone, and it would happen right here on this floor. The cold, hard tiled floor. Not where I want our first time to be.
"Your dad wants to go to dinner tonight." He mentioned. That worked, I was officially turned off. Did he know that would be the key? To get me to calm down. I peered at him from around the wall. He was casually leaning up against he counter, arms crossed over his chest, a smiled playing at his lips. I nodded my answer to him, scared. I was very scared. He took a step forward, I stopped him with my hand.
"I'll go tell him you're joining him." He said, turning to leave.
"You're going right?" I asked, my voice giving my fear away. He looked back at me, shook his head and continued out the door. At least my shower was peaceful. But as soon as I got out the nerves crept back into my stomach. I dressed, and started towards my vanity. Alice was there, perched on my sink, she had her makeup case in her tiny hands. How did she know me so well.
"Edward called, said you might need some help covering up puffy eyes." Her soprano voice called to me. I needed, I wondered how beat down and broken I looked right now.
"Where's Jasper?" I asked, praying they weren't back to their old ways already. She smiled at my look, and started brushing my hair.
"In your room. Talking to Edward." She answered. For as much magic Alice worked on me, it only took her half and hour.
"So, what do you want to do for your birthday?" She asked out of the blue. I shrugged. Last year would be hard to beat. It was fun though.
"Whiskey Tango again?" I asked. She nodded, neither of us remembered much of that night. I had had way to much alcohol and prayed to the porcelain gods all night, and the next day for that matter.
"Ok. There all done." She said, backing away like I was a masterpiece. Which I was when I looked in the mirror. There was not one sign in my face or color that suggested I had been crying.
"Emmett's at my house by the way." She pointed out. I gasped. I couldn't believe he had stuck around. I nodded, and hugged her.
"Ready?" Edward asked, appearing in the doorway. I took his that he held out to me and followed him out of my room. Alice and Jasper followed, and exited the house when we went by the front door. I could my father and this Sue talking as we approached the kitchen, they were laughing.
"Ok, all ready." Edward said, making our presence known. I stayed behind him, not wanting to appear quite yet. I heard Charlie stand, and she followed suit.
"We'll drive ourselves." I spoke as we headed for the cars. My father nodded his consent and went to his own car, a brand new jaguar.
Dinner had been ok. She really was a very nice person, I was just going to have to face the music and come to terms with my childhood. And Charlie was the doting dad the whole through dinner, asking Edward where he grew up. What were his interests? What were his intentions with his daughter? I learned quite a bit about Edward through that conversation. His eyes never left mine, and I was very glad for that. This to shall pass I chanted to myself througout the meal, and was grateful I had Edward to confide in later. I had some majors epiphany's happen in my head these past few hours. And when we parted ways in the restaurant and Edward and I left before they did, he held my hand as we made our way the car.
"I cant believe you didn't tell me it was your birthday next week." He murmured as he maneuvered my car out of the parking lot. I shrugged, it wasn't a big deal.
"I don't know. There was a lot happening." I answered. He sensed my distance. He didn't push it any further, and took my hand as we headed inside my house. Did he have any idea how much I was falling in love with him? I only hoped his feelings were just as strong. He was staying the night again, and as soon are head hit the pillow he pulled me to him.
"We have our first game together tomorrow." He whispered in my ear. I was suddenly excited. To have him see me in action, I mean we've practiced together. But really doing my thing out there, made me very excited. Maybe that was exactly what I needed. A day full of doing what I did best would most definitely get my head back in the right place. But another thought crept into my mind, Edward was going to spend at least 6 hours looking up my skirt tomorrow. I was suddenly very embarrassed.
