I really like EPOV. He's an emotional dude, and I dig that.
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EPOV
I dialed Bella's number the next morning, knowing it probably wasn't too early. It was nearly eleven o'clock in the morning, but Annabelle was still sleeping and I was making her breakfast.
"Hello?" Bella answered on the third ring, and I instantly noticed how groggy she sounded.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Bella. Did I wake you?" I asked, holding the phone between my ear and shoulder as I stirred the pancake batter.
"Edward!" Bella's tone instantly brightened, and I smiled at her excitement. "No, you didn't wake me!" She said eagerly, and I grinned even wider. "What's up?"
"Well, I have this party at the hospital next weekend, and I was wondering if you'd like to come along with me." I couldn't believe I had just done that. Yes, I really liked Bella, but I hadn't been planning to invite her to the hospital party, only because my parents would be there, and I didn't want her to feel like things were moving too fast. But what was done was done.
"That sounds good! I can't wait." Bella answered.
"Great." I said easily, pouring a scoop of batter onto the skillet. "It's Saturday night at seven o'clock, and I'll pick you up at your apartment a little after six. Oh, and Bella…I wanted to let you know in advance that my parents will be at the party Saturday night." I paused, waiting to hear her reaction.
"Oh…um, okay." She said, although I could hear the hesitation in her voice.
"Bella, I don't want you to feel pressured or obligated." I said in a low voice, looking around the kitchen to ensure Annabelle wasn't listening in. She had the tendency to do that. "If you're not okay with that, we can just do something Friday night instead."
I heard Bella inhale deeply, and then she cleared her throat. "Actually, Saturday night sounds fantastic." She said, and I exhaled in relief. "I'll see you around six?"
"Yep. And again, you can talk to Alice about what to wear." I chuckled, and Bella giggled quietly. Her laugh was beautiful, and it made me smile. "Have a nice day, Bella. I might see you around Alice's sometime this week."
"I hope so." She said coyly. "Bye, Edward. I hope you have a nice day as well."
I was still grinning after I had hung up and Annabelle shuffled into the kitchen, her hair in a knotted ponytail and her pajamas rumpled.
"Ready for breakfast?" I asked, sliding two pancakes onto a plate for her.
"Thanks." She yawned, and I checked the time on the microwave clock.
"It's past eleven, kiddo. Your mom will be here to pick you up at noon." I reminded her, and she nodded wordlessly, taking a huge bite of her pancakes as I handed her a glass of orange juice.
"Okay." Annabelle said, taking a large gulp of juice. "Who was on the phone?" She asked, not looking up from her food.
I hesitated, then decided it was best to come clean with Annabelle. I had a feeling that this relationship with Bella could last a long time, if we could make things work. "That was my friend, Bella." I finally said, and Annabelle slowly looked up at me.
"Your friend?" She asked, furrowing her eyebrows. I nodded and started cleaning up the kitchen; I was too much of coward to tell her this face to face.
"I went out with her last night. And last weekend." I said, and Annabelle fell silent, staring down at her plate.
"Oh." She said quietly, and then she looked up at me. "Is she your girlfriend?" I coughed uncomfortably and shook my head.
"No, Anna. We've just gone out a few times, I promise." I assured her, and Annabelle nodded slowly.
"I'm going to go get my stuff together." She said after a few minutes of silence.
"Annabelle, I'm sorry, but-" I started to come up with some kind of apology, but Annabelle stopped me.
"I'm fine, dad. I swear." She murmured, and then spun around on her heel and hurried upstairs, her slippers flopping noisily against the wooden stairs.
I watched her go, wondering if I should go talk to her. Obviously, something was bothering her about this. But before I could make up my mind, the doorbell rang. I groaned, realizing it was probably my ex wife.
"Annabelle, your mother is here!" I called, hurrying to the front door. "Hey, Rose." I said as I opened the front door, revealing my ex wife. She was standing there with her phone in hand, looking perfectly polished and put together before it was even noon.
There was no denying that Rosalie was a very beautiful woman. She had curves, a well maintained body, blonde hair, and bright blue eyes. But ever since the divorce, she has become less and less attractive to me.
"Morning, Edward." She said, walking into the house and patting my arm. "Is Anna ready?"
"No." I said, closing the front door behind her. "She just got up, and she's getting dressed now." Rosalie sighed and put her phone in her purse, which I noticed, of course, was a brand new designer bag. Geez, what was this woman using the alimony I was paying her for; essentials or handbags?
"Edward, you're supposed to have her ready to go." She scolded, crossing her arms across her chest. "And you shouldn't let her sleep so long, it's not healthy. And she won't be able to sleep tonight." I automatically felt the need to defend myself.
"I'm the doctor here, Rosalie. If it were really that unhealthy, I would have woken her up." I said, and Rosalie glared at me for a moment. She opened her mouth to say something, but Annabelle came running down the stairs, her bookbag slung over her shoulder.
Rosalie's mouth snapped shut and she immediately pulled Anna into a hug. "Hey, baby! I've missed you!"
"Hi, mom! I missed you too." Annabelle said, squeezing Rosalie back and then handing her the bag on her shoulder. "Bye, dad." She said, giving me a long hug. "I love you." She said, and I kissed the top of her head.
"Bye, Anna. Love you too." I said, and Rosalie stared at me for a moment, but then gave me a quick one armed hug.
"Bye, Edward." She said, and both of them waved. I closed the door after them and sighed, walking into the open area of the house. Every time Rosalie came to pick Annabelle up, the house always felt so unbelievably empty.
Hopefully, the house would start feeling a lot less empty very soon.
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Did you know that today is the 40th Anniversary of Sesame Street? Celebrate!
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie
