Smoke and Mirrors
Chapter Seven
…
"It'll be fine," Edward said reassuring his mother, as she checked Evan's straps, "seriously, it's fine. You know what, screw it, get in," he ordered, opening the passenger door for her.
His mother blinked at him, "what about Ellie?"
He rolled his eyes, dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone and pressed it to his ear, "Rose. Can you pick up El after school and watch her until my ma and I can get back from taking Evan to the doctor in Dallas."
"Sure, no problem. But ya know if you'd ask Bella she wouldn't hesitate." He smiled at her words, and he nodded, "I know she would, but they haven't met yet."
"You need to remedy that." She sassed, her chastisement light and friendly.
He laughed, "yeah, yeah, thanks, Rosie." He hung up before she could scold him and looked at his mother expectantly, and motioned to the passenger seat. "Let's go."
The drive into Dallas was quiet, every so often he'd cast a glance back at his little brother who seemed content with watching the cars around them or twirling his fidget spinner.
When they arrived, he had to circle the block twice before finding a parking spot.
They made their way into the medical center, and he carried Evan off to the children's waiting room as his mother checked his brother in for his appointment. "It'll be about twenty minutes," she told Edward as she took a seat.
His gaze met hers as she nervously rubbed a soothing stone between her index finger and thumb, "has he called again?" He asked his tone aloof and detached as he absentmindedly scrolled through Facebook while waiting for her answer.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her stiffen, "no he hasn't." He raised his eyebrow doubtfully and let the silence linger between them.
"But he's texted me a few times. Asked about you guys. He'd like to send some money to pay you back for Evan's hearing aids." She murmured.
His jaw tightened, "I don't need his fuckin' … I don't need his money," he corrected himself shortly, clamping down on the rage that shot through his veins. He knew what his father was doing, feeding into her loneliness and twirling her in with his charm, weaving his masterful manipulation.
She flushed and nodded, "I … well ..." she stammered, her beautiful eyes flooded with guilt.
"We don't need anything from him, Ma," he assured her, forcing his tone light but firm. "Don't worry about the money. Pops gave me a loan." He turned his eyes to Evan, watching him play with his cars as they waited for a nurse to call them back to the examination room.
"Height and weight," a young nurse motioned to the scale. He placed Evan on his feet and stepped back, watching as the nurse gathered the information and went over his medical history with them. "He was born at thirty-three weeks, weighed three pounds."
"And look at him now; he's a handsome little man." She complimented, running her eyes up and down Edward, "just like his daddy." She flirted as she opened the door to a colorful room, with toys and books to occupy Evan's attention.
He rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest, "brother," he corrected. He really needed to introduce Bella to his family before she ran into them at the grocery store or somewhere and thought he was a two-timing bastard.
"Dr. Kubina will be here in a little while," She flushed in embarrassment. He gave her a short nod, doing his best to keep the worried scowl from forming on his face.
Evan glanced up at him, "it's going to be okay," he stated, receiving a smile from Evan as he held up the picture he was drawing on his tablet, a stick figure, surrounded by a farmyard of animals.
He gave him a thumbs up, "that's right kid, you're brilliant." He ruffled Evan's hair.
The door swung open and a young, redheaded doctor dressed in a lab coat that covered her colorful flowery dress, entered the small space. Evan's face lit up as he took in the beautiful woman smiling at him. She dropped down to his level and signed 'hello.'
Evan's eyes brightened as he copied the sign, one of the many he had mastered in the last few weeks.
Edward smirked proudly. As she rose, she offered him her hand, "Good afternoon, I'm Dr. Kubina," she greeted them as she shook Edward's hand gently. "I'll be managing Evan's case with my pediatric audiologist, Megan Chism."
He nodded as his mom pulled Evan onto her lap. He remembered Megan from their previous visit a few weeks ago. He shook away the memory of holding Evan down so she could get an impression of his outer ears.
"I'm sorry for the wait, I was looking over Evan's notes from his last visit and the progress report his school faxed over. I promise this visit will be much more pleasant."
Edward shrugged, "it's fine," there were a few places in the world it seemed like there was some sort of mandatory universal law where you had to wait. The DMV and the doctor's office seemed to be at the top of the list.
"I'm pleased that he's adjusting so well," she opened the box that held Evan's new hearing aids. "How has he been at keeping his temporary set in?" She asked looking at Esme.
Esme glanced at Edward, who stared back at her expectantly, "umm, the first week was hard, the second was better, and this week he's done really well."
"Excellent, I see you've chosen total communication as his goal. I know you most likely feel guilty for not seeing the signs sooner." At their nods, she continued, "I suspect he was born hearing, but that it declined over the first few years. That would explain why it wasn't detected when the hospital administered his hearing test."
Edward blew out a breath, and Dr. Kubina smiled and carried on, "and kids are smart and extremely adaptable. For Evan, his quiet world was, and is, normal for him. He observed and learned how to fit in. He'll flourish wonderfully over the next year. Just you watch."
He was quiet and observant as she explained how to care for Evan's new hearing aids. He smiled as she placed the colorful red and blue marble molds in Evan's ears and turned them on. Once they were adjusted correctly and Evan was happy, they rose to leave.
"I'll see you guys in three months," she smiled as they left.
On the drive back to the farm, he turned on the radio to fill the quiet. "If you need anything, call Jasper or Em, Ma. I'll be home on Monday." He instructed as he parked in her driveway.
"We'll be fine, Eddie. Do have fun and be safe," she blessed him as she lifted Evan out of his car seat, carrying the sleeping boy into the house.
He blew out a deep breath and followed her in, placing Evan's seat in the garage, "and thanks for watching Duke," he scratched the puppy's head before letting him out the back door. He placed three twenties on the coffee table, "give one of those to Rosie when she brings back El." He glanced at his cell and headed for the door, "Later Ma."
…
"And … don't coddle him too much but don't let him spend the whole weekend in front of the television." Bella told her aunt as she looked through her bags and added Adeline's stuffed bear, an extra pack of baby wipes, and another pair of pajamas.
Carol dangled a soft plum nightie on the end of her finger, "I wanted something sexy but modest," Bella blushed tucking it back into her suitcase with a happy sigh.
"Are you hoping, too," she wiggled her eyebrows up and down suggestively.
Bella rolled her eyes in response, "maybe. He got a room with a kid's corner, which is basically just a cute little-themed room inside the room for kids to sleep, giving their parents more privacy."
"Oh …" She laughed, "he's totally hoping to bone," she helped Bella carry her luggage downstairs.
Bella shot her a look, "hush," she jerked a thumb towards father and her daughter. "Edward is the kindest, most considerate, mature man, I've ever been with." She stated and revealed, "when I'm with him, I have so much hope for the future. Addy took to him right away … and she never does that to anyone. I don't want to mess this up."
Carol nodded, "if it's meant to be, it'll be," she reassured her with a smile.
Bella shook her head and giggled, "You did not just try to pass off Florida Georgia Line lyrics as great love advice, did you?"
She laughed and placed Adeline's bag down next to Bella's, "I did."
"Car seat, check, bags, special blanket, check, diaper bag and wallet, I think this is everything," Bella stated as she again looked over her list.
"You're coming back, right?" Carol teased, Charlie barked out a laugh as they took in the pile of luggage as Edward knocked on the door.
Bella's face grew hot as she let out a little snort, "funny, I just wanted to be prepared and not have to spend any unnecessary money." She explained before she opened the door and greeted Edward warmly with an excited grin.
"Ready?" He asked smoothly, stepping inside and lifting Adeline up in his arms. "Hey, pretty girl."
She motioned to her stuff, "I know it's a lot," she murmured, as he took in the diaper bag, Pack 'n Play, and two small suitcases.
"Nah, kids require a lot," He passed Addy over to Carol and scooped up the car seat, "I'll go install this in the truck, safety first," he relaxed as Charlie gave him a shaky nod of approval before he headed back out with the seat and a bag.
Bella turned on Carol, "all Dad's meals are in the fridge and freezer, his evening nurse will be here at five," she instructed as her aunt nudged them out the door handing her niece back to Bella.
Carol held up a hand cutting off any more of Bella's instructions, "go on, have fun, I've got it, and you deserve this. Go, all instructions will be followed to the T." She promised, "And you, make sure she has a great time, celebrate her new job."
"Yes ma'am," Edward smirked as Bella buckled Adeline into her seat. Carol nodded in approval and headed back inside, her voice carried out to the lawn, "how about Pizza tonight, Charlie?"
Bella turned back towards the house, her hand on the passenger door, "she's teasing, get in," Edward laughed while he helped her into the truck, and pressed a kiss to her lips, "relax, deep breath," He instructed before shutting the door.
The atmosphere at the Lodge was similar to a theme park or cruise ship, with multiple restaurants, shops, and children activities. Edward smiled and accepted their wristbands and room keys.
"Swim," Addy chanted as she bounced up and down in her Minnie Mouse bathing suit.
Edward chuckled as he tugged on his Nike swim shirt, hiding his scars from view before reaching for Addy and helping her into her floaties. His hands stilled as Bella stepped out of the bathroom in her retro blue bikini. "So?" She asked, giving a little twirl with a playful grin.
"Beautiful," he smiled as she pulled on her white cover-up.
He placed their towels on a group of chairs and followed them into the water; the indoor park was busy but large enough that it didn't feel overly crowded. He trailed after them letting mother and child play together.
"I've got her," Edward chuckled, scooping up Addy as she rushed back to the toddler jungle gym.
She pointed the slide, " 'gain," she demanded with a happy grin.
"No more agains," he wrapped her up in a towel, giving her a little tickle to wipe the pout off her face, "your Mama says it time to go. We'll be back tomorrow," he carried her out of the waterpark and back to their room.
...
"Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere," Edward whispered as he patted Adeline's back as he placed her in her portable crib. "Now you're gonna be a good girl and go night-night, your Mama needs a break girl." He covered her as Bella turned on her night light and he stepped out leaving them to say their own goodnights.
He poured her a glass of wine and cracked open a beer as he helped himself to another slice of pizza. He smiled as she settled next to him on the sofa a while later with a chocolate bar in hand. He passed her a glass of wine, "she's a great kid, Bella."
"She is," she grinned proudly over the rim of her glass. "How are you so good with her?" She asked.
"Told you I wasn't an only child. I have a baby sister, Ellie; she's seven going on eight. Light of my life that girl." He grinned, "And my little brother, Evan, he's four and a half, complete handful and he's deaf." He explained slipping an arm around her and pulling her close. "My ma had me when she was a teen."
She nodded, "it's crazy, but it is what it is. My ma's life hasn't been pretty or nice," he continued quietly, "but I love her. You need to know that, remember that. At some point, I'll probably let slip some absurd shit that'll upset you, but just try to remember that she's my ma and I love her."
She turned to look at him before pulling him in for a long hug, as she trailed a few kisses across his jaw. "I'll try."
"That's all I ask," he kissed her temple. "So … Addy's father?" He asked quietly. "You said he was your last relationship."
She fiddled with her chocolate wrapper, "He was. I thought I had everything together. College graduate, truly single for the first time. Backpacked through Europe before settling into a new country for my first teaching job." She explained with a hint of smile filled with memories. "Thomas owned a cafe I'd pop into before work. He was captivating, older." She took another sip and finally opened the chocolate, "we clicked, it was easy and fun until I got pregnant. According to him, he wasn't in the place in his life where he wanted to raise another child."
Edward frowned and curled her into his side, "bastard," he muttered under his breath.
She carried on as she leaned into him, "once the DNA test proved he was the father, he wanted to sign his rights away immediately, but I made him think on it. He met her once and signed over his parental rights to me a few weeks later." She popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth, "I can't guarantee that he won't ever turn up on my doorstep someday full of regret, but he made his choice. I have to respect that for everyone's sake. What about your last relationship?"
"Tanya …" he cringed, "she liked to play games, and I couldn't see it because I suffered from a bad case of puppy lust, first love. Jasper and Emmett tried to make me see reason, but I'm a stubborn ass. One night I caught her being a regular ole' buckle bunny after the county rodeo." He rubbed his jaw, "I confronted her after a few beers at Billy's a couple nights later, and … yeah. Pretty sure Emmett has that horrible memory on video somewhere."
She squeezed his hand as he took another sip, "after that I backed off wanting anything serious, and sort of had a mild thing with Shelby at Billy's, but it never materialized into anything and I never really wanted it to not after hearing about how she was to Alice and y'all in high school."
"Speaking of Forks' High, I can't believe I'll be back in those halls again," she said with a sip, "socializing, teaching with some of the same teachers that taught me."
"Congratulations on that," he kissed her and refilled her glass. "Excited?"
"Oh yeah, I thought it would be forever before a spot opened up at the middle or high school. The Heritage Academy has been great, but teaching preschool in a daycare doesn't pay as well or have the benefits. I feel like things are finally starting to fall into place and that everything is going to be okay, maybe even great."
Her eyes met his with a smile. He grinned as she twisted in his arms so they were facing each other. He kissed her without any restraint as his hand wound its way up into her long hair.
"Celebrate naked?" She teased as she tugged her shirt over her head making him lose track of all thought as he nodded eagerly.
...
Author Note
Thank you, Sunflower Fran, for beta'ing.
And thank y'all for all your encouraging and positive reviews!
Evie :D
