AN: Epp! Sorry for the long wait. I am hoping to update weekly, but PLEASE don't hold me to that! I need to say a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. You don't know how much it means to read all you fantastic reviews! I LOVE YOU ALL! So I will now let you read…
"Mooooommy," My daughters angelic voice chimed as it filled the small bedroom.
"Mom. Mooom. Mom!" I groaned, turning in my bed to meet Mackenzie hanging off Charlie's back, both wearing goofy grins.
"And what can I do for you two chipmunks?" I grinned, until Kenz jumped off Charlie's back, body slamming into mine. I winced. She noticed, her bottom lip began to quiver. I smoothed it out kissing her nose, I silently telling her I was okay.
"Sowwy Mommy" She hugged tight. We watched cartoons on the small T.V in my room.
"So Mom" Charlie looked at me, he's blonde lock sticking in every direction.
"So Charlie" I said in the same toned. Kenzie was fast asleep on my chest.
"What time did you get home last night?" Last night. My night with Edward wasn't what I expected. I started talking then suddenly, I couldn't stop. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now I can tell him everything. I still have questions for him. But for some reason, I feel like…needed him.
"I don't know, I wasn't really watching the time last night" I shrugged keeping my eyes on the T.V.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him roll his eyes and fall back on the pillows. "Right"
When Mike died, Charlie grew up a whole lot. It was heart breaking to see, yet amazing to watch. He matured in a way no 8 year old should have to, heck no kid should have to. But Charlie was his father's son and worried about everybody but himself. I worried about him, so I asked Emmett to have a talk to him, now, he has the attitude of a 18 year old teen.
The door flung open and Emmett stood in the doorway with the goofiest smile on his face. He held up 3 fingers, then 2. One remained, which happened to be his middle. Then I heard the scream.
"Were having a baby!" He sang in the doorway doing a little happy dance. I looked down at Kenzie who was still sleeping soundly, then to Charlie who looked confuse as he watched his uncle dance around the room.
"Uncle Em and Auntie Rosie are having a baby" I whispered knocking his knee with mine, his eyes lit up and he joined in the dance. I was surprised at his reaction.
When Mike and I told Charlie about Mackenzie he was 4 and really wanted a little brother. We found out the sex before she was born and told Charlie that day. He refused to talk to us, claiming we were wrong, and he was getting a baby brother. He stayed with Mike's sister, Victoria, for 3 days following. As soon as he started to miss us, he came home. He surprised us all when Kenzie was born, he became the ultimate big brother, evening telling us he would change her dipper and feed her. That flew out the window on the first night.
Emmett and Charlie's antics woke Kenzie up. She raised her head a little and Emmett picked her up swinging her around the room. He was so cute when he was happy. They all were.
Mackenzie's giggles filled the room while Emmett and Charlie dance around, Mom and Rose stood in the door way taking in the scene before then, with wide ass smile on their faces, matching everyone in the room.
"Well, I'm off to work, so I will see you all after I get back Mom danced over kissing and hugging everyone, I pulled away when she got to me. I hadn't talk to her since dinner Sunday night, and probably wouldn't till I knew what to say to her. She shot me a look, but I didn't look up.
"So what are your plans for the day Bella bee" We all sat on my queen bed, Charlie on my lap, Mackenzie on Emmett's and Rose in between us.
"I'm going to talk to Edward" Charlie boasted looking at Em with a mischievous grin. I should worn Edward.
"Ands I'm going to ask Eddie-Ward to pway wif me and my Barbie's" Kenz smiled brightly at Rose.
Rose laughed pulling Kenz from Em's lap "I'm sure Eddie-ward would love to play Barbie's with you Mac"
"He don't has a choice Rwosie"
"Well, I don't think Eddie-ward will be playing with anyone today" Emmett stood at the window that looked out to the deck. I slid off the bed moseying over. Edward told me last night he was going to be working here for a few weeks, instead, there was a young boy, early teens, working on mom's deck.
I Wrapped my robe around me walking out to the deck with Mackenzie on my hip. He looked up from his hammering, pulling out his ear phones. He was cute in a baby faced teen way, much like the beaver kid. He was no Edward though.
"Mornin'" He slurred waving his hand in acknowledgement.
"Scuse' me, where's Eddie-ward?" Kenzie played with the strains of my hair.
"Oh, I'm Garret, a builder for Cullen Construction. Um whoever was working here didn't call in this morning, they sent me instead"
Last night was great. We reconnected in ways am really excited about. Everything felt so natural again. I could tell him anything and everything.
"Edward Cullen? As in the 'boss' Edward?"
"Uh yeah I guess. He's not here today Kenzie" I poked her nose, she giggled jumping down and running inside. I left the boy to do his work and pulled out my phone, contemplating on texting Edward.
Did our dinner really go that bad? I didn't want to call it a date, because it was far from one. Too much heart to heart and heavy conversation for a date.
I ran up the stairs flicking him a quick text.
Hey, had fun lst nite :-) Where r u this morning?~B
I wandered back down stairs.
Kenzie, Charlie and Rose lined the kitchen bench on Mom's stools watching Emmett cook up a storm in the kitchen. Literally.
In the few minutes it took for me to enter the kitchen, Mackenzie had flour and pancake batter all over her face and hair, Charlie looked like he'd had a bath in it, and Emmett well….no comment.
"I hope uncle Em plans on giving you both baths to clean the flour off you face" Kenzie giggle hysterically while I attempted to wipe the flour off her face and out of her hair.
Two sets of hands touched my back and cheeks. Rose started to laugh until she too had and prints of flour on her face and back, wiping all traces of laughter.
Rosalie picked up the container full of flour throwing flour all over Emmett and Charlie who stood with gaping expressions.
15 minutes later and 5 kg of flour later, the 5 of us sat on the flour giggling and covered in flour.
"How about breakfast at the diner?" I suggested, taking in the mess we just made. A flour fight wasn't the best of ideas I have to admit. The kitchen was now white. I stood up dusting flour off my pyjama shorts.
"You" I pointed to Emmett "Are cleaning this up. Oh, and these 2" I pointed to Charlie and Kenzie who were still throwing left over flour at each other. I smiled sweetly taking Rosie's hand so we could get cleaned up.
~O~
"Expecting a call?" Rose nudged me under the table.
"Huh?" I looked down at my phone hoping to find a message.
"Bella, you've been checking your phone religiously the whole time we've been here" Busted. Edward still hadn't replied to my text or called. I shrugged her off.
Kenzie jumped over Emmett and Charlie crawling onto my lap "Momma? Will you have another baby wike Rwosie and Emmy?" I choked on my pancake but Emmett couldn't hold in his laughter, spiting his food in Rosalie's face and laughing loudly. Rose wiped her face glaring at Em
"No baby"
"But why not? I reawy want a sister" Her big blue eyes pleaded, she shovelled a mouth full of maple syrup and pancake into her mouth grinning.
I giggled at her innocence "No more babies for Mommy" I kissed both her and Charlie's foreheads.
The door chimed for the first time since we had entered. The diner hadn't changed much, the same owners and I'm sure the same chiefs.
This was our local hang out after school. I tall brunet figure stood at the counter a few younger children following behind her.
"Em, check that out!" Charlie whispered. I followed their glance, my eyes landing on a very petite brunet standing with the women at the counter, she look at least 10.
"Isn't that Webber?" Emmett turned back to me with half a pancake hanging out his mouth. Sure enough, the brunet standing at the counter was Angela Webber. Angela was Emmett dated briefly in high school, but when we left, we lost contact with her and the rest of her family.
"Emmett?" he sweet voice came from behind me.
"Ang! Hey" he got up to hug her, only now did I notice the 3 kids running around her and the baby in her arms. One of them, the girl Charlie was "checking out". Someone's been busy.
"How have you been? I had no idea you were in Forks" they pulled apart, Angela pulled a chair over to our booth. "Oh Bella! Hi! I didn't see you there, you're looking great" we exchange plenaries and mingle for a while.
Charlie was gaga for Ang's oldest daughter Ruby who was a whole 2 years older than him, but 'age doesn't matter mom'. Rose and I gushed over 5 month old Reece and Emmett was fully immersed by 6 year old twin boys Fraser and Jace.
"So um, you come here a lot" Charlie was trying to play it cool unaware of the Rose and I watching him.
Ruby blushed and slipped on her milkshake. Is it even right to say seductively? "Sometimes. Daddy brings us down every Friday morning, but he had to work, so mom brought us today. You?"
"First time" He slug his arm over her chair "We had a flour fight at home. Flour everywhere! So I said, why no come to the diner, go someplace new. Fresh" He drew out the word smirking. Charlie was nothing like his father when it came to girls.
The diner door chimed again, a small frail woman walked in, behind her a tall lanky frame. Edward.
I excused myself from the table, walking towards him. The small woman in front of him turned. My eyes meet with ferocious green ones, much like Edwards.
I looked up meeting Edward's eyes. He looked scared and tried to block his mother view from me.
"Hey, um-"
"Go away Bella. I don't want to see you" His voice was tired and sad. He didn't keep eye contact with me, looking down.
"Uh – What?"
"I don't want to see you, ever. Last night. It was a mistake. We have to go" He struggled to get the words eye. I was stunned.
"Eddie-Ward!" Mackenzie ran up and hugged Edward's leg. He had a light smile and picked her up. "Are you ganna pway Barbie's wif me now?"
"Not today" He push her into my arms and turned to leave with his mother on his arm. I watched him leave wonder if I did something wrong.
"Momma. Is Eddie-Ward everganna pway Barbie's wif me?" Kenzie sighed resting her head on my shoulder. I kept my eyes on the door watching the retreating car in the car park.
"Mommy? Will he?" I snapped out of my haze my eyes landing on Rosalie You OK? She mouthed. Was I OK? I don't know.
"I'm not sure"
"Well. Uncwe Emmy, he isn't reawwy good to pway the boy Barbie's and Charwie wont pway. Eddie-Ward promised he would pway" She winded giving me the puppy dog eyes.
"I know he did baby, how about when we get home Rose and I play with you?" I really wanted to bargain with her. Edward had promised her to play Barbie's with her, but keeps breaking that promise. My little spit fire won't be forgetting that any time soon.
She let out a loud sigh "No Momma, you and Rwosie can't pway!"
"Well why not?" Rose came up behind me, putting her hand on the small of my back. I gave her a tight smile.
"Because I pway awl of the girl dolls and I need some boy pwayers" She was clearly getting tired after her big explanation of why girls can't play the girl Barbie's.
"Why don't we get all you're make up and we can decorate uncle Emmy!" Rose suggested excitedy. Kenzie eyes lit up she slide of my hip and over to Emmett. There was only our group with Ange and another elderly couple so it was easy to ease drop.
"Emmy! Guess what Rwosie told me!"
"Oh great work sweetie, blame it on Rosie" I giggled.
"You OK? What happened?" Rose pulled.
"I don't know, I mean. I don't know" I shrugged.
Later that night I put Kenz and Charlie to bed after an afternoon of baking cookies and 'decorating' Emmett.
Must say he looked great. Mackenzie had pulled out all her make-up, Rose and I even pitched in with ours. Em even managed to squeeze into one of Rosalie's evening gowns.
I hadn't checked my e-mails since I arrived so now was the perfect time. I had a few from Liam and 2 from work.
I got bored with that, flicking on the T.V when my phone started vibrating.
Bella, I am so sorry for this morning. I hope we can still talk or have that dinner I promised~E
Half way through reading the text my phone began ringing. I slide the bar across reading a private number.
"Hello?"
"Bella?" A whisper came over the line.
"Yeah" I whispered back.
"Hi"
"Who is this?"
"It's Edward"
I groaned "Is there something you wanted?"
"Look, I am really sorry about this morning. It's just my Mom-"
"I don't really want to hear your excuses Edward. How old are? 9 or 29?"
"I know, I'm really really sorry"
"Sorry won't cut it this time Edward" I sighed. The line was quite for a few minutes.
"Do you still want to have lunch? Or even be with me?"
I sighed. Did I want to get together with him? "You know, every time we take two steps forward, your mother swoops in and suddenly we're ten feet back. You let her do that. Every time" I was about the hang up. I didn't want to hear any more excuses.
"I-I know" his voice was laced with sadness and I wanted nothing more than to hold him in my arms and for him to tell me everything would be okay. Were this was coming from, I have no idea.
"Then why let her do it?"
"I can't talk about this over the phone, can we meet up sometime"
This was going to be a long month "We're going to Alice and Jaspers for lunch tomorrow, I suppose we can come round afterwards"
"We meaning you, Charlie and Mackenzie?"
"Yes. Edward, do you plan on playing Barbie's with Mackenzie? She won't stop talking about it and I don't think Emmett can handle another make over to compensate" I laughed trying to lighten the mood.
Thankfully he laughed to "Explain this make-over"
~O~
"Bella!" jasper engulfed me in a comforting hug.
"Jasper! It's been what, 4 months?" I grinned at him.
"Dad whose? Oh hi Bella!" Abbey hugged me taking Kenzie's hand as they danced off together.
We found Alice sitting on the couch looking like shit. Jasper sat beside her wrapping him arms around her.
"I would hug you, but I'm so scared to move" She cringed a little at the slight moment when Jazz sat on the couch.
"Ali, Ali, Ali" I sat on the opposite chair watching Charlie and Jordan play on the floor.
"Soooo. How was your D.A.T.E with 'you know who'" She wagged her eyebrows at me, looking down at Charlie and Jordan.
"Aunt Ali, I can spell" Charlie informed us keeping his eyes his Lego creation.
"I bet you can, Charlie"
"I also know who 'you know who' is" He retorted smirking at Jazz and Alice on the couch.
Jasper burst out laugh, careful not to move Alice "Oh he is defiantly your kid"
I raised my eyebrow at Charlie; he shrugged and continued playing with the Lego "It wasn't a D.A.T.E Alice" I emphasised each word. "We talked about things. Charlie why don't you and Jordan go see what the girls are doing" I smiled sweetly at him, but I could tell his next words were not ones I wanted to hear.
"Nah, we're okay here Mom" He smiled back at me. I gave him my best Mom look.
"Going" He mumbled in surrender, leaving with Jordan and the box of Lego.
"You are one scary Mama Bells"
"So what 'things' did you talk about?" Alice interrupted impatiently
"Told him everything, from why I felt, to what his mother said to me. It felt natural, I felt. Free? Like I could tell him everything" I leaned back into the sofa remembering everything from our night. Every lite touch, every soft word, every glance shared.
"She's got it" Alice squealed. I looked at her questioningly.
"Bella's been bitten by the love bug!"
"Oh no I haven't! We went to the diner yesterday, and he and his mother came in, I went say hi and he completely shot me down in front of everyone. He wasn't exactly polite about it either" I grumbled, picking some lint off my shirt.
"Bella. I've known Edward all my life" Japser began giving me his I-know-what-I-am-talking-about-so-shut-up-and-listen look.
"He has" Alice backed him up.
"He has been in love with you since-"
"For a long time!" Alice jumped in. Jasper looked down watching her head bob.
"Alice?"
"Sorry Jazzy" She kissed his cheek, which then turned into a full blown snog feast. I cleared my throat. Both their heads snapped up.
"Sorry" they mumbled.
"So anyway, as I was saying. He has been in love with you since you were little, well not little, because that's just weird but for him, you were his hearts only option, for a long time. He slept walked through his relationship with Tanya. She proposed to him. Everyone who knew your relationship knew he was wishing it was you. They ended up having a shot gun wedding in Vegas. After that he threw himself into work" This was news to me. When I left Forks I expected him to move on, just like he always did. When we were younger there was always a steady flow of woman waiting for him. He said jump, every single one asked 'how high'.
"I know this may be hard to comprehend Bella. He loves you, truely"
"He really does" Alice was giving Jasper the goo goo eyes, but it was cut short when she started wrenching into a bucket.
"I'm okay" She mumbled clasping on Jasper's lap. If Edward really loved me, why is he being such a brat about everything?
AN: Well…Thanks you to my fantastic Beta xxtwilightx! Share some love! Please, I am in dire need of it. Even if you're an anonymous reader, be brave! Let me know what you think of Jalice, or just tell me to stop writing, either way! I love you all and I have a rec' for you!
Beyond Time - TKegl
After the Cullens leave Forks, a twist of fate lands Bella in Chicago in 1918. She thinks it's a second chance to build a life with Edward, but when she finds him, he's not quite what she expected. Can Bella create the future she's hoping for?
And its complete! Anyway, take care
x Amiee x