We're the Cullens
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Emmett: What now? What's Bella gonna say?
Me: No, no, no, no. You have to read the story. *smirks*
Emmett: That's a lot of no. *huffs*
Me: I know but I can tell you something no one knows. *wiggling eyebrows*
Emmett: What is it? *rubbing his hands together*
Me: Bella and Eli go out together!
Emmett: And Eddie let's her? *challenging*
Me: *roll my eyes*Yes. You'll see why.
Emmett: Wait, but now everybody knows! *whines*
Me: Yeah, I didn't think this through. *rubbing the back of my neck*
Emmett: Am I there in this chapter?
Me: I'm not sure yet. I swear you are there when in Seattle.
Emmett: I know that and I better be.
Me: You want to read or what?
Emmett: *starts reading the chapter like you all*
;)
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Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns it all.
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Bella
"What was so important, that you had to be at my door at-" he looked over, at a clock I guess "Three in the morning?"
I was dumbly staring at the little girl who was clutching Edward's leg. Her hair was a mess, she didn't look much older than a 3 year old. She is the most adorable girl I have ever seen.
Did Edward Cullen had a child in between Monday and today?
Maybe he already had her. But why didn't he bring her here then?
Wait a minute. She doesn't look like Edward, at all.
Something's missing.
I was taken out of my musings when I heard a throat clear. I looked up to see Edward Cullen staring at me. His green eyes were amused and he had a curious expression on his face.
I'm not in trouble.
He motioned his hand over to the baseball bat, waiting for an explanation.
"I uh, heard some noi-" I was cut off by another thunder and a little scream followed after. What is it with thunders and no rain?
Edward sighed and picked up the little girl in his arms, holding her close. I would've never taken Edward for a man who loves kids. Wow.
"Where did you keep the blanket?" Edward asked her softly. I never knew he could talk at this frequency.
The little girl pointed somewhere inside the apartment and he turned to me.
"Why don't you come inside?" he suggested. My eyes widened on their own accord, a reaction when Edward talks politely. Which is not that often.
I bit my lip contemplating whether to run back to my apartment or enter his.
"It's dark outside, you might trip on your own feet." He said cockily. And the jerk is back.
"You don't want to start a fight at 3 in the morning, do you?" I said angrily.
"I was just trying to be nice." Edward said glaring at me. We stood there glaring at each other. The little girl looked back and forth between us with her big blue eyes.
Another thunder cracked and made me jump. Oh my god! What is wrong with New York.
"Ehwad." The little girl said with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry sweetie." Edward said kissing her forehead.
"Just get inside Bella." Edward told me with tired eyes and walking ahead. I stepped inside his apartment.
"And keep your baseball bat outside." He called out. I hadn't even realized that the bat was still on the floor. I kept it in a corner and stepped inside his apartment.
Edward's apartment was so not what I expected to be. I thought it'd be disordered and dirty but oh my, it was flawless.
I think my apartment is messier compared to this. Every room is similar to what I have in mine, well obviously. He has a black couch in the living room, in front of the big television hung on the wall.
I walked over to his living room and saw the open kitchen to the left. There were three barstools, and a granite countertop.
I took a good look at his kitchen from a distance, and turned towards the couch to find his green eyes staring back at mine. His eyes were the most beautiful shade I had ever seen. I could stare at them all day. Like that's gonna happen.
I blinked shaking my thoughts and he cleared his throat, looking straight ahead. I went over and sat in the one of the chairs, keeping a safe distance from him.
The little girl was bundled up in a warm blanket, her head was on Edward's lap as he ran his fingers through her brown hair. I stared at the little girl, her face was round, she had a Band-Aid on the right corner of her forehead, her hair came up to her shoulders.
The strange thing was her clothes though. They were very dirty. Her red dress was wrinkled and torn at the bottom corners. It might be uncomfortable for her to sleep in.
Why didn't he give her some clothes? She really needs some good ones. She looked like an little angel, sleeping peacefully. I came out of my musings when Edward cleared his throat. I looked up at him.
"What were you doing at this time of the hour outside?" Edward asked, his green eyes were curious.
"I, uh heard a scream coming and I eh, thought I might check." I stammered. I wasn't going to tell him that I thought he was beating up a girl and I came to kill him.
"So you thought, you should go out in the dark to see?" he asked, a tinge of anger in his eyes.
I shrugged not knowing what to say. Why was he angry anyway?
"Are you babysitting?" I asked motioning towards the little girl. Edward chuckled.
"And I thought you would never ask." He said. "I'm not babysitting."
"Then is she your daughter?" I asked holding my breathe. Please don't have a secret wife.
"No, she's not my daughter." Edward said smirking. Smug bastard. He knows what I'm trying to ask.
I released the breath I was holding and went back to staring at his walls. He did not have a single family picture in his living room. Strange again.
I looked over at his clock and saw it was 3:30 in the morning. I have to meet Angela at 10 and say goodbye. She'll be gone for 4 days. How I am gonna survive?
Maybe I am too dependent on her. I swore to myself that I'm not gonna ask her for money or any kind of help.
Well, to spice up my life a little, my bank account is maxed out. I know it's that dickhead James. Guess, Angela was wrong. He is an accountant.
By today I'm going to be officially homeless. Maybe I can stay Angela's using the extra key she left with me.
I can ask for my paycheck early. Maybe. I haven't taken a single leave this month and I worked extra too.
Ugh. I don't know. It's just so messed up these days for me.
I have to continue the job now. There go my perfect dreams about writing a good book. I scoffed at that.
"Is there a problem?" Edward asked tersely, bringing me back from my musings.
"No." I said blushing and shuffling my feet.
What's wrong with me? And what the fuck am I doing in his apartment still? I should go back to mine.
Well I won't be able to sleep anyway now. I found Edward staring at me again. He stares a lot.
He put the little girl's head down on the couch and stood up.
"I'm making myself coffee. Do you want some?" he asked heading over to the kitchen. Sure, what the hell.
"Coffee sounds good." I called after his retreating form.
The little girl stirred when I spoke, but thankfully went back to sleep. I stood up and sprinted to the kitchen so that I won't wake her up with any other noise.
When I walked over to the kitchen Edward's back was facing me. He was humming some unknown tune as he made coffee.
I bit my lip, trying to contemplate whether to sit on one of the barstools or not. Maybe he wouldn't like it if I sat. I think I should just go and sit over in the living room.
"You just don't have to stand there." Edward said as I was about to turn. His back was still to me, but it was surprising how he knew I was there.
I went over and sat on one of the barstools. His kitchen cabinets looked well-stocked, but I've heard him order take-out so many times.
He flexed his arms over the cabinet to get two cups for coffee. His arms weren't muscled but they looked strong.
How much I wish they were wrapped around me. Whoa, there. What's happening? Don't worry, it's the four o'clock brain talking.
Edward Cullen has a cute butt too. I remember the first day when I came to live here. He was walking ahead of me, while I stayed behind and stared at his butt. I was brought back from my memories when I smelled coffee.
I looked down to see a steaming cup of coffee staring at me, and I looked up to see Edward Cullen smirking at me.
He must think I'm crazy.
"What?" I asked him flatly.
"Nothing." Edward said shrugging, the smirk still in place.
"You do know I can get that smirk right off your face." I told him taking a sip of my coffee.
"I would love to see you try Bella." Edward said leaning against the counter.
I love how my name rolls off his tongue. He doesn't say it that often. What's happening again? Don't worry, it's the four o'clock brain talking.
We drank our coffees in silence until I realized something. I thought about asking it, but I'm not sure if I'll get a simple answer, without any smirks or cockiness.
After a minute or two, I found Edward's green eyes staring at me again. Let's ask, I'm dying of curiosity.
"What is it?" Edward asked, his face impassive.
"What's the little girl's name?" I asked, running my finger over the rim of the cup.
I waited for an obnoxious remark or a snide comment but I heard nothing. I looked up to see Edward staring at me.
"Elizabeth." He said coming over and taking the empty cup from my hands.
That's a pretty name, I thought.
"It is." Edward agreed washing the cups.
Did I say that I out loud? I heard Edward chuckle, yep I said it out loud. Don't worry, it's the four o'clock brain talking.
"What's her last name?" I asked trying to get as much information as I could. Not that my questions made any sense.
Edward turned around and raised his eyebrow. His green eyes looked conflicted whether to tell me or not.
"If I give you a chance to ask two questions, will you stop asking me questions about her anymore?" Edward asked me.
"Okay." I agreed. Sure I can do that.
"Ask away then." Edward said coming over and sitting on the barstool next to mine.
"Why is she here?" I asked the question that has been eating me for a long time.
"I have temporary guardianship of Elizabeth." Edward answered shortly. He was trying to gauge my reaction to this.
Frankly, it shocked me. Edward Cullen taking care of a child. Wow again.
"Where are her parents?" I asked my second question. Edward broke his eye contact from me and looked at the wall behind.
"They died." Edward said and I gasped.
Oh my god. Poor little girl. She's so small to lose her parents this early. At least I was old enough, but I still get sad over them. She won't even remember them.
It's so much like mine. I could already feel bile rise up my throat. I'm not going to cry over this right now.
It's been way too long, it's time to let go. Angela's words kept going around in my head.
"How? What happened?" I whispered.
For the first time I saw fear in those green eyes. What is he scared of? I couldn't come up with anything that can get him scared at this moment.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked him.
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Edward
Maybe she shouldn't have asked me.
I know her parents died in a car crash. How can I not? That's the only thing that has stuck with me about her parents. What makes it worse is that they died in a car crash like Eli's parents.
She wouldn't be able to hear. I can't tell her. Her brown eyes were already filled with anguish when I told Eli's parents are dead. I can't see that expression again.
No, I won't tell her.
She doesn't even ask questions like a normal person. She could've asked how old she is or where I did find her. Nope, she has to ask the questions that I never want to answer.
Why did I even give her a choice to ask questions? Because you don't want her to leave. I sighed.
"I said only two questions Bella." I told her, keeping my voice steady. Understanding flashed across her face and she sighed.
"Right, sorry." Bella said quietly.
There was silence for another five minutes, Bella looked down at her hands with a sad expression. Shit, it's because of me.
I looked over at the clock and saw it was 5 already. It was still pretty dark outside, I was extremely tired, but couldn't go to sleep even if I wanted to.
"I uh think I should go." Bella said sliding out of the barstool unsteadily. I held her shoulders just as she was to clash with counter.
Little sparks of electricity ran through my arms at the touch and I pulled my hands away.
"Thanks." Bella whispered blushing.
I walked her to the door and opened it for her.
"Thanks for the um coffee." Bella said awkwardly shuffling her feet.
"No problem." I said to her.
"I'll see you around then." Bella said and turned back to her apartment.
I shut my door with a soft click and went over to sit on the couch.
For the first time in two years, I shut the door on Bella Swan, without a fight or burning laundry.
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Bella
"Call me when you land." I told Angela, hugging her tightly.
"Okay Bells." Angela said. I pulled back and looked at her.
"Or maybe don't call." I told her and she laughed out loud.
"Okay Bells." Angela said. I gave her a big smile looking around the airport.
"Don't get sunburned there." I reminded her.
"Okay Bells." Angela said digging through her purse.
"Click some good pictures too!" I told her.
"Okay Bells." Angela said fidgeting in her seat.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked her uncertain.
"What's wrong with you?" Angela asked looking right at me.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"You are acting way too cheerful for being Bella Swan." Angela said and I rolled my eyes.
"It's nothing." I told her looking over her shoulder and waving at Ben.
"There's something different." Angela said and then her eyes went wide.
"You got laid." Angela said gasping. An older couple turned their heads in our direction and looked disapprovingly.
I smile apologetically at them and glared at Angela.
"I didn't get laid last night and thanks for that." I whispered harshly.
"You seem much che-" She was cut off when Ben approached us.
"Here's your coffee honey." Ben said handing a cup of coffee to Angela.
"Thanks sweetie." Angela said taking a sip of her coffee.
Ben is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. He didn't whine, even once when I woke them up at 3 o'clock in the morning or took Angela's time. He is always patient when it comes to me. He is much matured for his age.
Ben is tad shorter than Angela but, they look very cute together. He has brown eyes and shaggy black hair, back in high school he was a nerd. I still can't believe he got rid of those glasses. Well, Angela made him.
"Bella, are you sure you don't want some coffee?" Ben asked, always trying to be polite.
"Actually yes. Why don't you get her a cup of coffee while we talk." Angela suggested and Ben walked away from us.
"Come on, spill." Angela said sipping her coffee.
"There is nothing to spill Angela." I said rolling my eyes. Angela kept looking at me with a stoic expression.
"Fine. Edward Cullen has a little girl at his place." I told her sighing. The next thing I know is that Angela's coffee is stained on my shirt.
"What?" Angela sputtered.
"How about 'sorry'" I retorted.
"Bella." Angela said in a warning tone.
So, I told her everything that happened in the morning. The storm, the coffee, the questions. Angela patiently listened to whatever I said trying to gauge my reaction.
"Are you sure, you weren't dreaming?" Angela asked unsure. Edward Cullen in his bedhead look, nope I wasn't dreaming.
"No Ang, I wasn't. Maybe I can talk to the little girl sometime." I said getting lost in my thoughts.
"Bella, your coffee." Ben said handing me the cup. We didn't even see him arrive.
"Um yeah. Thanks." I said taking the cup in my hands. I looked at my watch and saw it was 12 already, my shift starts at 1. I now have to change my shirt too.
"Guys, I would love to stay but I really have to go, my shift starts at 1 and I have to go change my clothes." I said glaring at Angela. My favorite shirt. Angela gave me an apologetic smile and stood up again to hug me.
"I'll call you on Monday." Angela said. I hugged her back feeling sad immediately.
"Yeah, I'll see you on Monday." I said collecting my purse.
"If you want to get something, go over to our place. You don't have to be shy. I already told Susie about your paycheck, she'll give it to you today when you go. I know you don't want it now, but I would be restless if you didn't get it before I leave." Angela noted out all the things, hugging me again.
I've never felt luckier to have Angela in my life. She takes care of me like I'm am her little sister, which she claims I am. I felt tears start to build in my eyes, but I didn't let them linger. I swallowed hard and pulled back from her.
"Thanks." I whispered shyly.
"No need to be all shy now Bella." Ben said coming over and hugging me.
After all the goodbyes, Angela looked at me with a calm face. Her light brown eyes were showing concern, she was contemplating whether to tell me or not.
"Be safe Bella. You have no idea what people around you can turn out to be." Angela said anxiously. I stared at her for a moment, thinking that maybe she understood about my bank accounts and rent. I don't think she did.
"Okay Ang, stop worrying about me for now, enjoy your weekend, I'll be waiting for you." I said hurriedly giving them both one last hug and rushing out of the crowded airport.
Man, Angela can be cryptic sometimes.
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"I can't Jacob. I have to stay here, I can't leave Eli alone." I heard Edward's voice in the hallway.
"No, she doesn't have any clothes either. I just said I can't leave her alone." Edward said, his voice distressed.
"Well, Leah brought just one dress. She can't wear that for another week." Edward said after a long pause.
"I'll see what I can do." Edward said in a resigned tone.
I was standing at my front door with my ear pressed against it. So, Edward can't leave her alone. Hmm. Maybe, I can help. But, why should I help this jerk? Well he wasn't a jerk yesterday, I mean today.
I opened my door and Edward looked up at me with a grim expression. Wrong move. Well, it's my door, I can open it any time I want.
Then change your expression! My mind screamed at me. I changed my expression to utter boredom. I'll be doing him a favor.
"So I heard you talking on the phone." I started casually. His expression turned to anger.
"Well I'm not in the mood for another of your stupid quarrels." Edward spat angrily, running his fingers through his hair. I was about to try and be nice, maybe I shouldn't have thought about it.
"I came here to tell you that maybe I can take care of the girl, but if you want to act like an ass, whatever." I snapped and turned to my door.
I heard him mutter 'fuck' and he called my name, I turned around looking at him expectantly.
"Can you please look after her until 5?" Edward asked his face looked urgent. I was having second thoughts after his lash out.
"I will owe you big time." Edward said and his green eyes looked desperate.
Either, I can act like a bitch and refuse. Or, I can be understanding and help him out.
"Fine, only till 5." I said giving in. Part of me was excited.
"Okay, come on in. I'll have to check if she's okay with this." Edward said opening his door and offering me to enter first.
Elizabeth was sitting on the couch watching some kind of weird cartoon on the television. She had changed into some pretty decent clothes. A black polka dot dress, with a clip on one side of her hair.
Edward can take care of a child alright. He went over and sat beside her on the couch. I stood at a distance, not intruding their conversation.
Eli face looked disapproving for a minute and then she had tears in her eyes. Edward wiped them away and she looked over at me later. I gave her an encouraging smile, or I thought I did.
Few more minutes of whispering later, Edward held her hand and they made their way over to me. I bent down to her level and shook her little hand.
"Hi, I'm Bella. It's nice to meet you Elizabeth." I said softly, trying to sound friendly.
"Eli." She said tightening her hold on Edward's hand.
"Okay. Eli it is." I said agreeing with her.
"Do you mind if I stay with you for a while? We can play games and have lots of fun." I told Eli trying to make her willingly agree.
Eli shook her head and looked up at Edward, who smiled encouragingly at her.
"Okay Eli. I have to go, I'll see you in the evening." Edward said picking her up and kissing her forehead. Eli nodded her head sadly and pouted her lips.
"I wish I could stay honey, but I really have to go. I'll be back before you know it sweetie." Edward said kissing her nose. He set her down and ruffled her hair.
"Go watch your cartoons and be good for Bella." Edward said to which she nodded and ran back over to the couch.
For the first time I looked at his clothes, he was wearing a black suit, with the first two buttons of his shirt undone. He looked hot. His hair was a disheveled mess, like usual. His green eyes looked brighter in this suit, they were conflicted right now.
"Do you want me to pay you for the um babysitting?" Edward asked awkwardly.
"No I don't. I'm just doing this because I want to." I said clearly shocked by his intentions to pay me. His eyes looked surprised by my answer and he let out a tired sigh.
"I'm sorry I asked." Edward said removing his wallet from the back pocket and handing me a shiny black credit card.
"What-" he cut me off.
"If Eli needs anything, please don't hesitate to get her and could you do me another favor?" Edward asked. Hmm. This is interesting. Edward requesting me. I shrugged and waited for him to speak.
"Could you maybe take her out to buy some clothes or toys or any other thing she needs?' Edward asked. He is clearly new at this. Unprepared for sure.
"I'll see what I can do." I said taking the credit card from his hands.
"That's all I can ask for. Thanks." He said relieved. He bid me goodbye and was out of the door in seconds.
I took a deep breath and went over to the couch, where Eli was sitting. I sat on the nearest chair and she looked over at me, giving me a small smile.
"Eli, do you wanna play something?" I asked and she shook her head. I sighed. So, no games.
"Do you like to color then?" I asked and she nodded her head eagerly. Score!
"Do you have some coloring books around?" I asked Eli and she looked over at me sadly, shaking her head no. Poor dear.
"Are you hungry then? It's almost time for lunch. I can make you something." I suggested and right on cue her stomach growled. She gave me a shy smile and nodded her head.
I stood to go to the kitchen when I felt a tug on my blouse. I looked down at Eli, her blue eyes hesitant.
"Bewa, I help?" Eli asked. Great, she loves cooking like me!
"Of course you can help sweetie!" I said happily. She grabbed my hand as we made our way to the kitchen. Somehow this felt right.
"What did you have for breakfast?" I asked her looking around a spatula.
"Ehwad make pancwakes." Eli said and I looked up at her in shock, tipping my head with the counter in process.
"Ow." I said rubbing my head.
"Edward can cook?" I asked her and she nodded her little head.
"Yummy food." Eli said giggling lightly. Could he be more prefect?
"That's great." I said opening his cabinets and looking for all the stuff.
"So, do you like grilled cheese?" I asked her going over to the refrigerator.
"What gwilled cheese?" Eli asked adorably scratching her head.
"It's a sandwich with lots of cheese in it." I told her in the simplest way. Which is the only way.
"Otay, I help Bewa?" Eli asked looking up at me. I picked her up in my arms and set her on one of the barstools.
"How about you tell me about yourself and I let you put lots of cheese?" I asked negotiating.
"What say?" Eli asked leaning over to see what I'm doing.
"Um you can tell me about your favorite cartoon?" I suggested and she started the story of some beast who eats all the fairies. By the time she had to put the cheese, Eli was done with her story.
Eli giggled as I let her put cheese, too much cheese if you ask me but she was having a good time so I didn't say anything. I set her plate in front of the barstool she was sitting on and took her to wash her hands.
Eli was midway through her lunch when I thought of asking a question.
"Eli, do you have any friends?" I asked trying to make her talk. Her beautiful face turned sad and she looked up at me with her blue eyes.
"Ehwad is my best fwend. No more fwends." Eli said quietly. I tipped her chin up and looked into her eyes.
"I don't have much friends either. You and I can be great friends." I promised her excitedly.
"Weally?" Eli asked her blue eyes sparkling.
"Really really." I said hopefully. She went back to eating her lunch and by the time she was finished it was 1 already.
We went back over to the couch and Eli was watching some cartoons. When I suddenly remembered about my shift. Shit, it has already started.
I called Susie.
"Hello?" Susie said in a bored tone.
"Hey, Susie it's Bella." I answered.
"Bella your shift started." Susie said in a distracted tone not really caring.
"I know, listen I won't be able to make it until 5." I told her biting my lip.
"Whatever, you can just come over and collect your paycheck then." Susie said shouting out orders to somebody.
"Okay. I'll be the-" Before I could finish the line went off. She was never really a big fan of me.
I was looking at Eli when remembered something else. Oh! The credit card.
"Hey Eli, that's a pretty dress just like you." I said and she smiled at me.
"You pwetty too." Eli said shyly.
"Well, thank you." I said softly kissing her cheek.
"Do you wanna go out?" I asked and she looked up at me with wide eyes.
"Ehwad?" Eli asked.
"Edward told me that a pretty girl just has this one dress, so I thought maybe I can take the pretty girl out and we both can buy many cute dresses and dolls?" I told her and she clapped her hands excitedly.
"We go buy dwesses?" Eli asked her face delighted.
"Yes we will." I told her getting up and holding out my hand for her which she immediately took.
"Eli you can't buy everything in the store!" I shouted as I ran after her small frame. I had never seen a kid so excited about buying dolls. Maybe that's because I never met many kids.
I finally caught onto her and I knelt down to her height. Her blue eyes were filled with joy and made her look even more beautiful. I couldn't scold her.
"You can't run away like that honey. What if you get lost?" I asked Eli, fixing her hair.
"Sowwy." Eli whispered shuffling her feet.
"It's fine Eli. Do you remember what I told you when we were coming here?" I asked.
"Stay wif you." Eli said giving me a small smile.
"Good girl." I appreciated Eli, kissing her cheek.
"Come on, we'll go buy the pink doll you liked." I said standing up and holding her little hand.
It was half an hour later when I felt a tug on my shirt. I looked down at Eli.
"Hungwy." Eli said rubbing her stomach. Well I was hungry too, I last ate before I went over at Edward's place.
"What do you want to have?" I asked her looking around for the nearest food court.
"Wateh." She said. Okay, so she was thirsty not hungry.
"How about some juice?" I suggested and she shrugged.
I took her to the café and saw a short queue at the counter. I made Eli sit on one of the chairs near the counter so that I can watch her.
The line dissolved slowly and it was the turn of the woman standing in front of me with caramel colored hair. She dropped the change and I bent down to pick it up for her.
I handed her the change and saw her face for the first time. Forest green eyes were staring with a kind smile on her face. Her hair was flowing down in loose curls till her shoulders. She wore an expensive purple colored dress that fell till her knees. Her face looked familiar but I couldn't pin where I had seen her.
"Thanks dear." The woman said in a motherly voice. She looked about in her late 30s but the way she spoke, definitely older.
"No problem." I mumbled and went over to the counter and ordered what I wanted.
Eli was happily sipping on the juice and I drank my coffee. Man, I'm drinking a lot of coffee today.
I shared a brownie with Eli and stood up to dump the empty cups when I bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry, I'm just clum-" I stopped talking and looked up to see the woman from the counter.
"Hey." I greeted instead.
"Hi." The woman said politely.
"Might as well introduce myself if we bump again," I said extending my hand, "I'm Bella."
"I'm Esme." She shook my hand giving me a wide grin.
"I take it you're not from New York." I said gesturing to her small suitcase.
"No, I'm from Seattle. I am accompanying my husband for a medical conference here." Esme said and I nodded my head in understanding.
"My hometown is Forks, it's a 4 hour drive from Seattle." I told her having no idea why I just said that. I never tell about myself to strangers.
"Oh Forks is a lovely town, I've been there once." Esme said excitedly. I felt a tug on my shirt and I saw Eli frowning at me.
"Bewa." Eli said precisely.
"Oh right I completely forgot, Esme this is little Elizabeth but you can call her Eli." I introduced Eli to Esme. She knelt down to Eli's height and shook her little hand.
"Hewo." Eli said shyly.
"Hi Eli, you have a lovely name. Well, you want to know something?" Esme asked her excitedly and Eli nodded her little head.
"My middle name is Elizabeth too." Esme said secretively as if sharing a big secret.
"Weally?" Eli gasped shocked.
"Yes really." Esme nodded. Esme stood up to her height and looked over at Eli lovingly.
"She is the most beautiful little girl I have seen." Esme said getting lost in her memories.
"I have a grandson her age, kids are precious when they are little. Everything changes when they grow up." Esme said and I could feel some other emotion underlying in her tone. I decided to just nod along.
"Is she your daughter?" Esme asked.
"No actually I'm-" Before I could continue I heard a loud voice interrupt me.
"Ma, we have to get going!" A booming voice shouted.
"That'll be my son Emmett," She said smiling loving, "I have to get going, I'll see you around some time, Bella. Bye Eli." She bid us goodbye.
I turned to see her son standing near the café. He was tall, muscled and his wide grin was just like Esme. He looked about a year or two older than me, he had cute dimples and he looked kind of intimidating though. His big form could scare anyone away. Emmett cleared loved his mother.
Guess some people are just lucky…
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"Ehwad!" Eli called out as she ran across the living to Edward. He had a big smile plastered on his face and my heart sped up.
Edward picked Eli up gave her a loud kiss on the cheek. Eli giggled happily, glad to see Edward again. He looked over at me with a grateful expression and carried her over to the living room.
Eli squirmed in Edward's arms and he set her down. She immediately grabbed Edward's hand and dragged him to the couch.
"Ehwad, Bewa and I gots pwetty dwesses and dollies!" Eli said excitedly. Edward took a look around the living room, taking in the sight filled with toys, dresses and crayons.
"I can see that." Edward said nodding his head. Eli went over into her room, probably getting something to show Edward.
"What did you buy, the entire store?" Edward asked chuckling. He looked over at me and I gasped. His merry green eyes turned confused and I smacked my head internally.
"What's wrong?" Edward asked running his fingers through his copper hair.
"N-nothing." I stuttered. His green eyes looked just like Esme, they were the same rare, beautiful shade. He cannot be, can he?
"I just forgot some dresses back at the store." I lied and he laughed lightly. He couldn't see through my lie? I must be getting good at this.
"You think they still have some left in there?" Edward joked and I shrugged. I looked over at the clock to see it was 4 o'clock already. Eli came in the living room with an armful of dresses and dolls and Edward let out a big sigh. He looked tired than when he left. Must be his work? What is his work?
"I uh have to get going, I need to make a stop at the restaurant." I said standing up, Edward looked at me and gave me a small smile.
He stood up with the dolls Eli was showing him and came over to me.
"Thank you so much for your help Bella. I would not have been able to do this." Edward thanked me which clearly shocked me.
"Sure, Eli is a very sweet girl." I said looking over at Eli, who was running back to her room to get some more stuff. Good luck Edward.
"I uh have to talk with you on an important topic. Could you come over here when you come back. It's pretty urgent." Edward said nervously, running his fingers through his disheveled hair. Edward Cullen is nervous, wow. What can it be?
"Sure." I mumbled and after a quick goodbye to Eli, I went to my apartment. I shut the door and stood there with my back to it.
I could get used to this. What am I saying?
Don't worry, it's the 4o'clock brain talking.
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I'm so so so so so sorry for the late update… Things have been crazy at my place currently but I promise next update as soon as possible! Thank you for the amazing reviews you guys are giving!
If you have any questions you can ask away like Bella did! ;)
What might be so urgent? You'll find out in the next chapter…. Until then!
Love always, Paint the Walls!
PS- Mireads, you are always the first one to review after my chapter update. You make me smile… Love you!