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not beta'd

prompt - element


Riley and Royce had finally abandoned Zelda, drawn away by more base urges like hunger. They flopped in to seats around the table, where I was securing Embry into a highchair.

I dropped cut up pieces of grape onto Emery's tray and returned to the counter, where the Bagel Bites were cooling. "How many do you want?" I asked, holding up the pan.

"Eleven," Royce said, slouching.

"There are only twelve. So, how about six each?"

"I'm older; I should get more," he said, lacing his fingers atop his belly.

"Nope. Anyway, there are brownies, too, so..."

"Six is good," he said quickly, nodding and smiling.

Shaking my head, I slid the Bagel Bites onto two plates and served the boys, making sure they had paper towels to wipe their hands on. "You guys washed your hands, right?"

"Yeah," Riley muttered, digging in.

"Hey," I said, poking his shoulder. "What's with you today? You're all moody."

He shrugged, glowering."Nothin'."

I wondered if he was going through puberty. Hormones could make the sweetest person a beast. I remembered when Edward's voice had started changing, and for a minute, I was slightly taller than him. It didn't last for more than a summer, but he'd hated it. But then I'd started breaking out and getting boobs, making me feel disgusting on some days and sexy on others. It hadn't been a fun stage for either of us.

Outside, the rain had abated for the time being, but the wind had picked up. Growing up in Forks meant we were no strangers to the harsher elements, but this storm had been worse than most. I was glad the power hadn't gone off.

"So my Dad just called," announced Edward, striding back into the room.

I hadn't seen him since our last failed attempt at making up or whatever. I wondered where he'd been. Probably practicing guitar in the garage or moping around his room. Edward wasn't used to not getting his way, most especially when it came to me.

"Are they stuck?" I asked, pouring glasses of juice.

"Yup." He grinned, winking at me. "Looks like it's just us. All night."

Biting my lip, I turned away before he caught me smiling back. It was pretty hard not to, with him looking so appealing and suggestive and just like...mine.

"If you guys sleep together I'm telling Mom," Royce said calmly.

I felt my face warm. "What?"

"Not that it's any of your business, numb-nuts," Edward said, just as calmly, "but Bella and I broke up. Like two weeks ago. So shut your face."

Royce jerked his head up at me, his surprise evident. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh." Edward gave him a look, and then glanced at me. Again, the unreadable expression and then he was gone. I wasn't sure if he'd told Royce that to get him off our backs or because he'd finally accepted that we were, in fact, broken up. For real.

Somehow that just made it even worse. I didn't want to be broken up; I couldn't imagine being with anyone else, or being alone, or worst of all seeing him with someone else. Seeing Rosalie put her lips on him had been a nightmare, and even though I knew now it was all her, and that it had meant nothing, it had hurt.

But I had to think about me, too. Edward and I had been together for so long that at first I hadn't noticed things changing. He had his things and I had mine: baseball and music for him, honor society and student government for me. We'd always been active at school, involved with different things. Bit by bit, though, he started choosing his things over me. Band rehearsals ran late, post-game parties started replacing dates, and when we were together, we were still with everyone else. Eventually, our alone time was relegated to quick hookups in his room or the van.

I did express how I felt, and he said he knew, but it changed nothing. I guess I nagged a little too much, because after awhile he stopped listening. Alice understood; she'd been my best friend –besides Edward –forever. Thank God I'd had her to vent to; otherwise I would've imploded.

Homecoming, with its promise of being Edward's audience member instead of his actual date, was just the last straw.

"Helloooooo," Royce was saying, snapping his fingers. "Bellaaaaaa..."

"What?" I blinked, looking around. "Sorry, what's up?"

"I said, Embry spilled his juice."

"Oh shoot." I ran to grab a rag from the sink, trying to minimize the mini disaster as Embry dragged his remaining grapes through puddles of apple juice.

Meanwhile, the boys polished off their food and cleared their plates. I had to hand it to Esme, she ran a tight ship when it came to chores. Snark and attitude aside, I rarely had to ask Riley or Royce to clean up after themselves.

"Can we have brownies now?" Riley asked.

I nodded, scooping the baby out and putting him on the ground. "Go ahead."

To my relief, they retired to their rooms afterward, leaving the den quiet. Embry was starting to rub his eyes, a sure sign he was getting sleepy again. The hours had flown by; it was already nearly seven.

"Wanna take a bath?" I asked him.

"Bah?" He arched an eyebrow.

"Bath." I nodded.

"Bah." He started for the stairs, checking over his shoulder every couple of seconds to make sure I was following. With a quiet laugh, I picked him up and climbed the stairs, kissing his sticky little cheek.

Edward's door was closed. I could hear faint strumming coming from inside. My heart ached; I wanted to go to him. Maybe, after Embry's bath, I would.

After a long, rather splashy bath, where we utilized all one hundred of the bath toys, I unplugged the drain and dried Embry off. He squirmed and cried, trying to get back in the tub.

"Sorry, dude. It's bed time."

"No no no!"

"Yes yes yes."

"No!" he screeched, leaving all semblance of cuteness behind. Ugh, bratty time.

"Stop it," I said, wrapping him in the towel and picking him up. "Bath time is all done."

"All done?" he echoed mournfully.

"All done."

"No!"

I carried him out of the bathroom, wincing as he started crying loudly. I'd just gotten him into his pj's when Edward joined me. "Need help? I can hear him freaking out."

"He's tired, I guess. Right?"

"Looks like it."

"Okay, well..."

"Want me to do it?"

"You can put him to sleep?"

"I play songs for him sometimes. He likes it."

Ugh, my heart. There it went, swelling and aching again. "Sure, that would be great."

"'kay. Be right back."

I turned to Embry, who was watching quietly. His face crumpled when Edward left.

"He'll be right back, buddy," I promised, cuddling him.

It only took about nine songs for Embry to finally pass out. I was about to doze off myself. The room was mellow and dim, little ocean scenes floating peacefully around the walls, and the rain had started up again, providing a soothing backdrop to Edward's lullabies.

Plus, the rocking chair I was sitting in had the cushiest pillows ever...

"Bella."

I jerked awake, pushing my hair out of my face. "Is he asleep?" I whispered.

Edward nodded, and then tiptoed from the room. I watched him go, feeling calmer about him than I had in awhile. He'd had always had a gorgeous voice, and hearing it again did nothing to help my resolve.

I went over to the crib and carefully pulled the blanket to Embry's chin, then made sure the baby monitor was back on. Edward was back in his room as I walked down the hall, but his door was open. Without another thought, I knocked softly and walked in.

He was at his desk, writing something. Probably another song. He was so good at that.

"That was amazing," I said, yawning. "Thank you. I love that you...do that. I bet your Mom loves it, too."

Rolling his eyes, he grinned. "She does."

I nodded, looking around the room. It was nearly as familiar as mine.

"Bella?"

I looked at him.

"Are you still mad?"

"No."

"Do you love me?" He asked playfully, but there was a hint of vulnerability there.

"Yes." I sat on the edge of his bed. "Play me a song."


some of you think bella is stubborn/whiny, some think edward is selfish and clueless. some of you, like me, think they're just teens. the reviews are awesome, js. i love you guys.