AN: The response for this story makes me proud. :) Reviews always help the writing process along in my opinion. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it so far!
Adjusting
Edward didn't wake up when I left which was fine with me because I wanted to avoid the whole awkward situation. I tiptoed through the apartment and made my way downstairs. Paul was at the bar, or more specifically, Paul was on top of the bar, snoring. Empty bottles and trash littered the floor and I had to walk over several unconscious bodies to get to the door.
By the time I reached my neighborhood my nerves were shot. Seeing Riley's truck in the driveway didn't help either. If he wasn't planning on leaving me before he definitely will now... If I tell him. It was a mistake. Maybe it would be best if I didn't mention it, just pretend it never happened...
My hands trembled so badly that I had a hard time unlocking the door. Finally it unlatched and I forced myself to walk inside. I hesitated in the hallway when I heard laughter coming from the living room. "Riley," I called out timidly.
Riley emerged from the living room looking tired but relieved to see me. My guilt intensified. He deserves better, I admitted to myself.
He rushed towards me and engulfed me in a comforting hug. "Where have you been, babe? I got home last night and you were gone. I'm sorry I walked out on you like that, I just had to think, you know? That was a big bombshell you dropped on me. But I'm okay. We're okay. I promise."
Riley still had me in his embrace, squeezing tight. Eventually he held me out at arms length looking me over. "You look like shit, babe. And who's shirt is that," he asked confused.
I blushed when I looked down. I was wearing Edward's shirt. "It's a friend's," I mumbled looking down at my feet. I was a horrible liar so I decided to give half truths. "I went to a bar. I got drunk. I stayed at a friend's until I sobered up," I fibbed.
Riley frowned but accepted my lies. "Someone's here to see you," he said changing the subject. He led me to the living room. I gasped. Rosalie stood by the fireplace with Emmett by her side. She looked older than the last time I had seen her but that was expected. It had been years. Her hair had lightened and she had gained a couple of pounds but it looked good on her. Emmett's hair was thinning and his once muscular toned stomach now had a little pooch.
A bubble of laughter escaped my throat and then I was sobbing. Seeing my sister brought back all the overwhelming emotions I had been battling the past few days. Rosalie choked back her own tears and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close.
"Emmett, why don't you and Riley go pick up some breakfast. Bella and I need to catch up," she sniffled.
Emmett draped his arms around Rosie and me and kissed both our heads. "Okay, but we'll get lunch. Riley and I need to get to know each other better," Emmett said seeing that we needed some time.
It took a while for Rosie to convince me to talk but once I started it was hard to hold back.
"I slept with Edward Cullen last night."
Rosalie sat back in shock. Her eyes were wide and she blinked several times, shaking her head. "Oh, Bella," she sighed. "Didn't you learn anything from the last time you got involved with that prick?"
"I know," I moaned. "But we were getting along so well and we were talking about Nessie and then there were shots and... I don't know what I was thinking, Rose!"
"You weren't thinking," she growled. "And if you're serious about taking care of Nessie then you need to get your shit together. Right now."
She stared at me a long moment and then stood up. "Riley's a good guy and he told me that he's serious about supporting you. He's ready to commit to not just you but your daughter too. So, I would suggest you keep this lapse of judgment to yourself. It was a mistake. Right?"
I agreed.
"Good, so let's move on." She grinned suddenly. "When do I get to meet my niece?"
…
The phone rang shortly after Rosalie and Emmett left. It was Nessie's case worker. "Ms. Swan," she trilled into the receiver. "This is Kate. I have made my recommendations to the Judge this morning and she has approved your temporary joint custody. However, I have spoken with Mr. Cullen already about this. The judge has decided to give you full living custody until we can re-evaluate Mr. Cullen's housing arrangements in six months time."
"I don't understand," I answered. "Edward failed inspection?"
"It's not as black and white as that, Ms. Swan. His apartment as it stands right now is not suitable for a teenage girl to reside in but that does not mean she cannot visit him. Since there are unrelated, older men also living in the same apartment, the judge and I felt it best that Renesmee always sleeps at your home. Mr. Cullen did express a desire to move and from what he has shown me, it will be a big step forward to sharing living custody with you."
"What did he show you exactly," I questioned.
"I will let you two discuss that, Ms. Swan. I have a three o'clock appointment so I must run. I can bring Renesmee by later this afternoon if it is convenient for you?"
"Of course. See you this afternoon. Thank you."
"No, thank you. Goodbye."
Riley stood with his back to the kitchen sink waiting for me to hang up the telephone. "That was Kate," I explained. "Renesmee will be here this afternoon."
"So soon," he gulped, his face paled.
"Listen, Riley," I started feeling guilty all over again. "You don't have to do this. If you're not ready walk away now. I will understand."
"Bella," he breathed. "I'm not running from this... from you. I'm scared to death but I think you are too."
I nod confirming his suspicion.
"We can do this together," he insisted. "I care about you too much to leave and I can't blame you for what happened in your past and I can't blame you for wanting to make up for that. All I can do... All I want to do is support you."
My eyes overflowed with tears and I felt like the world's biggest shit for last night. Riley only made it worse as he comforted me, wiping away the streaks that fell down my cheeks. "I don't deserve you," I whispered hoarsely.
Riley just held me in his arms, rocking us back and forth. After several moments of silence he let go and looked around with a calculated expression. "Where will she stay?"
I smiled happy he was concerned. "I was thinking the sofa bed temporarily. I want to call in someone to fix up the attic into another bedroom and bath."
"I'll make a call," he stated pulling out his cell. "My cousin Alec is a contractor. He'll give us a good deal."
I mouthed a thank you to Riley and he winked in return. Yeah, I'm a major ass. The house phone rang again so I answered quickly thinking maybe Kate forgot to tell me something.
"Hello?"
"Why did you leave before I woke up," Edward asked. I blushed and discreetly looked around to make sure Riley couldn't overhear.
"That was a mistake, Edward. As far as I'm concerned, it didn't happen. Let's put that behind us, okay?"
Edward sucked in a sharp breath. "What about everything we talked about."
"I meant every word of that," I assured him. "We will work together to take care of our daughter."
"And us?" He asked.
"There is no 'us,' Edward," I whispered, looking around once again. I could hear Riley's voice in the living room so I relaxed.
"Did you hear from Kate," he asked his tone clipped.
"Yes, I just got off the phone. Renesmee will be here this afternoon."
"Oh," he trailed off. "I assume Kate told you she can't stay with me," he said sadly.
I didn't have it in me to say 'I told you so.' He sounded like someone just kicked his puppy. Before I registered what I was offering it had already flown out of my mouth. "Why don't you come over for dinner? I can order pizza or something."
"Sure," he agreed already sounding happier. "Say around seven?"
"Absolutely. See you at seven."
"See who at seven," Riley asked from behind me. I cursed, my heart jumping out of my chest.
"Don't be mad," I cringed hanging up the phone. "I invited Nessie's dad over for dinner."
A flicker of emotion sparked in his eyes and he groaned. "Really, Bella?"
"I'm sorry," I apologized. "He just sounded so sad when he found out Nessie can't stay with him and I felt bad."
"I don't like him," he muttered pouting. "You had sex with him."
I coughed, choking on air. I calmed down when I realized he was talking about the sex that happened fifteen years ago. Wanting to assure him I placed my hand on his cheek and kissed his lips tenderly. "You're my rock, Ri. Besides," I laughed trying to cut the tension. "I've slept with you way more than I ever did with him."
Riley smiled satisfied for now. "Alec said he would come take a look at the attic tomorrow. He said he'd be here around eight a.m."
"What about Nessie," I asked remembering it was a school day. "I need to take her to school."
"See if Edward can take her. That way he can spend more time with Nessie and you can be hear to meet Alec."
…
Kate arrived just after five. Nessie smiled timidly and glanced at Riley in confusion. I shook Kate's hand and ushered the girls inside.
"Kate, Nessie, this is my..." I paused wondering how I should refer to Riley. He jumped in quickly and introduced himself surprising me.
"Fiancé," he finished for me. "Riley. Nice to meet you, Nessie. Kate."
Kate shook his hand and apologized. "I have some paperwork to do back at the office but it was very nice to meet you." She turned to Nessie last. "Renesmee, if you ever need anything you give me a call, okay?"
Nessie nodded in understanding. Kate smiled and said the rest of her goodbyes and then she was gone.
"I hope you don't mind," I said motioning towards the couch. "It will only be a temporary place for you to sleep. It pulls out into a bed. I changed the sheets for you already and I put some extra blankets and pillows out in case you need them."
Nessie scoffed. "I'm used to temporary," she said flatly looking around the living room. "No sweat."
Not knowing what to say to that I looked at Riley for help. "What she means is, the couch is only temporary not the living arrangements."
"I got it." Nessie flopped down on the couch and put her feet up on the coffee table.
"Ugh," I stalled trying to think of something to say. "The bathroom is the first door on your left. Right down the hall. Our room is straight back. The kitchen is through those doors. Make yourself at home, okay?"
Nessie cocked an eyebrow at me in disbelief. "Why don't we get to know each other before I do that," she suggested cautiously.
"Well," Riley said clapping his hands together walking backwards towards the kitchen. "I'm gonna go order dinner." Coward.
…
Edward arrived promptly at seven and I admit I was a little jealous when Nessie jumped up to greet him at the door. "Hey old man," she laughed.
He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "I'm not old yet," he insisted.
Nessie lifted the arm of her hoodie and flashed her wrist in his face. "I did this one yesterday."
I gasped in shock, reaching for her hand. "Is that a tattoo," I asked studying the intricate design. Nessie and Edward laughed and I frowned, feeling left out.
"Ness likes to draw," Edward stated as if it were common knowledge.
"Yeah," Nessie agreed. "I did it with a Sharpie."
My eyes lit up at finding common ground. "I love Sharpies," I told her excitedly. "I use them all the time for my sketches."
Nessie looked genuinely interested so I motioned for them to follow me to my office. As I flipped on the light Nessie uttered a quiet, "Cool." She approached the east wall where I hung all my drawings and she took her time looking at each one.
A knock at the door made the three of us turn around. Riley stood their awkwardly before he reached out to shake Edward's hand. "I'm Riley," he explained. "Bella's fiancé."
I glared at Riley to tell him to knock it off. He emphasized the word fiancé on purpose. This wasn't a pissing contest.
Edward seemed lost for words. "Uh, fiancé huh?" He looked at Riley and then me and back at Riley. "Um, I guess a congratulations is in order." Edward patted him on the back awkwardly. "Where's the bathroom," he asked suddenly.
Nessie's moody expression was back as she pulled on Edward's hand. "It's this way," she said. "I'll show you."
...
At the small dinner table in the kitchen I sat across from Nessie as Edward and Riley flanked us from the opposite heads of the table. Riley opened a box of pepperoni pizza and offered Nessie first pick. Her arms were crossed and she looked inside turning her nose up. "I don't eat meat."
"Oh," Riley said nervously. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't know."
Nessie sighed and pushed back her chair. "That's okay. I wasn't that hungry anyways. I need to go do some homework."
Edward who had been staring off into space pushed back away from the table as well. "I'm not that hungry either," he said. "I appreciate the invite though. Riley," he jerked his head in a nod. "It was nice to meet you. I'm just going to go say bye to Nessie. I'll show myself out."
"I'm sorry, babe." I squeezed Riley's knee in support. "I didn't know either."
Riley shrugged and grabbed a piece of pizza. "We shouldn't waste this," he said taking a big bite. I could tell he was disappointed but I didn't know what to say to make things better. I knew having Nessie move in would be a big transition but I didn't realize it would be this difficult. I also knew something was wrong with my daughter and I wasn't sure what exactly that was but I would try to find out.
I sighed and placed two pieces on a plate. "I'm going to go talk to Nessie."
Nessie had her pajamas on already and instead of working on any school subjects I caught her doodling in a beat-up notebook. I sat down on the coffee table and handed her a bottle of water and a plate of pizza with the pepperoni picked off.
She looked at the food and sighed. A blush spread across her cheeks when her stomach growled. "I picked off the meat for you."
Nessie looked up at me then, studying my face. She took the plate from my hands and whispered a soft 'thank you.' I just smiled as she took a tiny bite of the pizza.
Maybe this parenting thing won't be so hard after all.
