Early update because ... why not? :-)

First, thank you so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts with me. It means, and will continue to mean, more to me then I'll ever be able to put into words. Especially for NMW because I was so nervous about it that it almost didn't get posted at all.

Second, I've already addressed this once, and I apologize if this is the start of broken record syndrome. But I'd like to set something straight per a couple comments and concern I've received. Nothing that I can't handle though, so don't worry I'm okay ;-) I just don't want any confusion. YES, I am publishing some stuff next year. But NO I'm not pulling all my stuff and 'turning my back on everyone' - I'm not sure where the people who've asked me that got the idea from. And I'm sorry if anyone has ever felt 'hurt' or 'duped' or 'used' in the past by others, but that's not what I'm about. My stories on Hiatus or that are slow to update have been that way long before publishing came into the picture. I never thought the step to follow a dream is something someone would have to defend. I refuse to do it. I just have to hope that people will either choose to be supportive or they can just fallback with no hard feelings.

Third, well ... there is no third - LOL - other then the fact that Vancouver-Canuck Girl and Capricorn75 are the bomb dot com! :-)

Happy reading!

No Matter What

Chapter 10

*X—* Edward Masen *—X*

"Masen—"

"Nope." Edward cut Ephraim off. He already knew what his boss wanted, and today he wasn't having it. "I have somewhere to be in an hour. I can't stay over today."

Ephraim grinned. As a manager, he'd always loved how committed Edward was to the company—how he hardly ever told him no. But as a man old enough to be Edward's father, he'd always had sympathy for the young man who spent all his time in a dusty, old warehouse. He'd never admit it to anyone, but he'd noticed the recent smiles on Edward's face, and how he worked less overtime and thought, Good for him. He was proud of him but still couldn't resist some friendly teasing.

"You have somewhere to be, huh?"

"Yes, sir."

And that somewhere was making sure he was waiting outside the hospital as soon as Bella got off of work.

Now that she was his girlfriend, he reasoned with her that she couldn't turn down his offer for a ride home on the days their schedules coincided.

She tried to argue at first, but her smile every time she walked out and saw him waiting gave her away.

She loved how attentive he was.

And he loved being able to be there for her.

Today was even more important for him to be there waiting because it kicked off her birthday weekend. They'd made plans to spend the night together—have a date night—but not before having dinner at his mother's house.

It would be the first time his family met Briella. Then the next day he would finally meet Laurent. Edward's feelings on the matter—meeting Bella's ex and Briella's father—fluctuated between indifference and … well, more indifference. He didn't care if they never met, but Bella stressing how important it was to her, along with Bree's innocent excitement for Edward to meet her daddy, coerced him.

"All right." Ephraim nodded toward the door. "Get on outta here, then. I don't want to see you until Monday."

"But I'm scheduled Sunday."

"Like I said, I don't want to see you in here until Monday."

Before Ephraim could change his mind, Edward smiled and made his way toward the time clock. "Have a good weekend," he called out to whoever could hear him; adding in his mind, I know I will.

X—X

"Where are you?" Edward smiled into his phone as he whipped his head back and forth looking for Bella. "I'm outside."

"I'm so sorry. We're short-staffed, then there was an emergency and ... I'm sorry. Can you do me a huge favor and pick up Briella first, then come back and get me?"

"Can I do that?"

"I don't know…" he could hear the sarcastic smile in Bella's voice. "Can you?"

"I mean, am I allowed to? Will they let her come with me?"

"Oh. Yeah, I can just call her teacher and let her know. That's if you don't mind?"

Edward couldn't wipe the proud grin off his face. No matter how much Bella opened up to him, let him in her life, he knew moments like this one were when she proved how much she trusted him. It might seem like a simple request for some, but asking him to pick up her daughter was a big deal.

"Not at all."

"Thanks, babe. I owe you one."

Edward rolled his eyes at the palpable relief in her voice. He couldn't believe she'd actually thought he might say no.

Picking Briella up from daycare went smoothly. The teacher's aide didn't give him any problem, and when Briella saw him she catapulted herself into his legs, giggling and squealing. They were both clearly excited to start their weekend, but when the two arrived back at the hospital, Bella still wasn't ready.

So with her permission, Edward and Bree bid their time at a nearby park. Though it wasn't their favorite one, Bree was just as amused. Her laugh when Edward pushed her on the swing, the smile on her face as he waited for her at the end of the slide, and the victorious look she had when she chased and 'caught' Edward made his day.

"Did you have fun?" Edward asked as they made their way to the car. Briella's little hand was squeezed tight in his.

"Uh huh!" She nodded vigorously. "Are we please getting ice cream now?"

"Umm ..." Edward paused as he helped her get settled in his back seat. He wasn't surprised she asked—that's what they always did on park days. If it was up to him, the answer would be yes. But he didn't want to ruin her dinner. That, and he didn't want to just take her when he was pretty sure Bella would have said no. "Don't you want to wait for Mommy?"

"Ok!"

Edward let out a relieved sigh, thankful she let it go easily. Until he got a text from Bella saying she wouldn't be ready for at least another 30 minutes. Now he had to find a way to fill more time. Both he and Briella would go stir crazy if they had to sit in the car that long. "On second thought, what do you think if we get some ice cream now and it will be our little secret?"

Through the reflection in the rearview mirror, Briella beamed.

.

"Can I have vamella please?"

Both Edward and the girl behind the counter snickered at Briella's request. "Vanilla?" She looked to Edward for confirmation. He nodded. "Cup or cone?"

"Just do a small waffle bowl for her." That way she got the best of both worlds.

"Anything for you?" The clerk grinned. But the look in her eyes made Edward uncomfortable. One side of his brain told him she was simply trying to flirt. That thought was immediately tackled by the other side that reminded him what he looked like these days. It wasn't something he thought about as often as he used to, not since he met Bella, and he found himself irrationally hating this stranger for conjuring up those feelings.

"Umm ... no."

"Are you sure there isn't anything I can do for you?"

Her voice was meant to be seductive. He realized that. But it came out rough—commandeering, and in a way that made his body tense. She narrowed her eyes slightly, at least that's the way he saw it, but he tried not to react any further. Years of ... talking to people made him see that his perception had been off more times than he'd be willing to admit. His judgment of people, women in particular, had been stilted and tainted since his first kiss. At the memory, he started fidgeting.

Even Briella could sense how on edge Edward was. She pulled on his shirt, then raised her arms high—wanting to get picked up. When he settled her on his hip, Briella smiled at him, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace. She didn't like that he seemed upset, and hugs always made her feel better.

"Your daughter is adorable."

Edward didn't know how to respond. He couldn't even muster up a polite smile. So he simply stepped away from the counter with Briella and pretended not to hear her.

Their time eating ice cream was spent catching up on Briella's day at school. Today was all about the letter 'Y' and she decided her new favorite color was yellow. During reading time, she was excited that her teacher read her favorite book. In arts and crafts, she made her mom a special card for her birthday. She had a good day, she said. But when Edward asked her what was her favorite part of the day, and she answered, "Having ice cream witchu!", he thought his heart was going to explode out of his chest.

"All right, messy girl." He sighed when he saw she managed to get some ice cream on herself. "Ready to go get Mommy?"

"Yes!"

She seemed excited, but Edward was not. The evidence of him spoiling Briella, and possibly spoiling her dinner, was written all over her face and her shirt. There was no way this wasn't going to end badly.

X—* Bella Swan *—X*

"Oh, my god. I'm so sorry," Bella said as soon as she got in the car. "Every time I tried to leave, my charge nurse saw me and asked me to help her or someone else with something. It was crazy. So, what did you guys do?" She turned to look at Briella, smiling.

"Is a secret!" Briella giggled.

"Oh?" Bella looked at Edward with questioning eyes. He gulped.

"Well …"

"I sure hope no one ruined their appetite," Bella sang. She wanted to show Edward he wasn't fooling anyone and that she wasn't mad. How could she be when she could see how happy he made Briella? When he didn't relax, she reached over and placed a hand on his thigh. "Get her to eat some vegetables tonight, and we're even."

Edward chuckled. That was never a problem for him. Bella knew it, too.

"Tell me more about your day." He grabbed the hand that was on his thigh and laced their fingers together. "If you're too tired we can cancel dinner."

"No way."

Bella was tired; exhausted in fact. But canceling dinner wasn't an option. It didn't matter if all Esme did was order them a pizza. She'd personally reached out to Bella, inviting her and Briella over for a 'family' dinner. It had been a while since someone other than Briella's grandparents referred to them as family, and it meant more to her than she'd ever admit. If she fell asleep mid-sentence at the dinner table, then so be it. She was going no matter what.

"I didn't know what you liked," Esme announced with a small frown. "I wanted to make your favorites but all Edward was able to supply was that you loved pasta." Bella smiled. It was true. He'd never asked, but she wasn't surprised he picked up on it. "So, I hope lasagna, salad, and bread is okay. I know it's kind of general, but —"

"It's perfect," Bella cut her off. "Thank you so much, Ms. Esme."

"You are more than welcome, dear. And don't worry. Edward told me too much cheese and sauce upsets Briella's stomach. I made a really small pan just for her."

"Y-you didn't have to that. Thank you." Gulping, Bella had to look away. It was amazing to her—if not a little unbelievable—that people like the Masens existed. Bella had only met Esme weeks ago and seen her twice since then. This was the first time she had even met Briella, and in a short five minute span she showed that she cared about her more than the child's own grandmother did. Suddenly, Bella felt like her phone was burning a hole in her purse. Renee had called twice just that morning. Bella hadn't given her the satisfaction of answering—she felt there wasn't much to say and hadn't been in the mood to respond to a contrived birthday greeting. However, all the appreciation she felt for Esme brought up the resentment she felt for her mother.

It was just the two of them in the kitchen. Edward and Briella were watching a movie in the living room while Carlisle and Jasper were having a smoke outside. Esme had just wanted a moment alone with Bella to have some girl talk. To let her know how he happy she was that Edward had more smiles on his face nowadays. It would have to wait, Esme decided. She'd pushed a sensitive button she hadn't meant to, and knew Bella needed a minute to herself.

"I'll go let everyone know dinner is ready." Esme patted her hand. "You just take as long as you need." She slid off the barstool and reached for one of her crutches at the same time Bella reached for it. To herself, Esme huffed and rolled her eyes. If it weren't for Edward, she knew Bella wouldn't see her as a fragile old lady. And she hoped that if they got to talk some more she would be able to convince Bella into talking some sense into Edward. He worried way too much for her liking.

Now alone in the kitchen, Bella pulled out her phone. Her thumb hovered over her mother's name, but before she could connect the call a surprising sob caught in her throat. She pushed the back of her hand to her mouth and sucked in a deep breath.

"Bella?"

Shit! She flipped her hand around and realized she'd accidentally pushed the call button.

"Bella, are you there? If you can hear me, I love you." She couldn't respond even if she wanted to. The lump in her throat blocked all her words. "I miss you so much, honey. And I hope you have a great birthday. I hope … my hope is that you're happy and healthy. That you get to spend the day with people who love you. With the people who loved you in a way I've failed to."

She was talking about the Revins, Bella realized.

And that realization was like a bucket of cold water. A reality check as to how disconnected they truly were.

"Mom."

"Bella! Bella, oh my goodness. For a second I thought your phone just dialed me by accident."

In a way it had. But Bella didn't say that. She didn't say anything at all until Renee asked her how she was doing. "I'm fine."

"And Gabriela? How is she?"

More cold water.

"Briella. Bree-el-la. No G and no A. How hard is it to get her name right?"

"I'm sorry," Renee said after a long moment of silence.

"Of course you are. I have to go."

"No, wait! Please don't go. How … how is everything? Did you make special plans for your birthday?"

Bella thought about shutting her out. Hanging up the phone and even changing her number—severing all ties like she'd tried to in the past year. She felt like she was talking to a stranger, or in the midst of the awkward catching up conversation you had with an old acquaintance. She wasn't sure, anymore, if Renee really cared or if she was asking as a way to find out just how much Bella had fucked up her life like she'd predicted.

She couldn't resist gloating—rubbing it in her mother's face that she was doing good. Not because of her, but despite her.

"If you're asking if I'm busy right now … I am. I'm at my boyfriend's house, and his mother made me and Briella a nice dinner. So I can't stay on the phone. It's rude."

"Well, I'm sure they won't consider it rude that you're taking a moment to talk to your mother."

"Is that what we're doing? Talking?"

Because right now, it felt like she was in the middle of an interview. Renee asked a question—she answered. It was a one way conversation that wasn't flowing well.

Bella was getting ready to end the call, again, when movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned and was surprised to see Esme. "Mom, I really have to go. I'll talk to you later." It was a lie, they wouldn't be talking later, but Bella hung up before Renee could call her out on it and want a definite answer as to when.

"Are you okay?" Esme asked. "Are you feeling better now that you've talked to your mother?"

"How did you—"

"It was written all over your face. I'm a mom who's fought with her daughter, and a daughter who used to fight with her mom. I'd know that look anywhere."

"What look?" Bella wanted clarification. She was hurt, pissed, and annoyed. Which one did Esme see in her eyes?

Turned out, none of the three.

Esme hit it on the head in a way Bella never imagined. "The look that says you'd give almost everything to have things the way they used to be. Yet, at the same time, you wouldn't change anything because it's led you to where you are right now. You're doing a wonderful job, Bella. And that little girl out there …" Esme smiled. "She loves you so much. She's happy, healthy, and loved. You might have had some missteps along the way. And there will always be someone there waiting to tear you down; to remind you of what could have been. But no matter what's going on, you let her smile—the knowledge that she's happy and okay—build you right back up."

Esme's advice was amazing. It was something Bella knew she'd need to remember later. However, in that moment all she could dwell on was the fact Esme told her she was doing a wonderful job with Briella. Until that moment, she hadn't realized how much she needed to hear it. She hadn't realized part of her resentment lay in the fact that her own mother still hadn't said the words she longed to hear.

The sob Bella had been desperately trying to keep at bay, bubbled out of her. In a few haphazard steps, Esme was at her side and pulling her into a hug. Bella let out an awkward watery chuckle. "I don't even know why I'm crying. I mean … I know why, but it's stupid. I'm sorry. I'm ruining dinner and it hasn't even started yet."

"Don't you worry." Esme patted her back. "It's your birthday. You cry if you want to. Plus, I never really told anyone dinner was ready yet. I just wanted to give you time alone."

Her laugh was genuine this time. "Thank you. Seriously. For tonight, for giving me alone time when I didn't realize I needed it. You … you're a good mom—a good person."

"Some people beg to differ, I'm sure." Esme frowned. "Everyone makes mistakes. Trust me, I've stockpiled enough to last me a lifetime. But I try my best. Sometimes, it's good enough."

"Are you guys okay?"

Both heads snapped up at Edward's whisper. He was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, hands stuffed in his pockets and a frown on his face. His eyes landed on Bella's, but his expression gave nothing away.

There was no way for her to tell how long he'd been standing there—how much he heard if anything. But she could tell he didn't just walk up, either.

"Briella was asking for you."

"Oh!" Bella wiped at her face quickly and ran a hand through her hair. Her intention was to rush out of the kitchen, but Edward caught a hold of her arm.

"Ma, can you please tell Bree we'll be right out? I'd like a moment alone."

"But, Bree—"

"She's fine." Edward smiled to reassure Bella. "She just wanted you to come watch her movie with her. We'll only be a minute." He looked at his mom who still lingered.

The women shared a silent look before Esme left. Purposely hobbling away slowly.

"Really, Ma? Carlisle!"

"I'm going. I'm going."

"Are you okay?" Edward refocused on Bella. "And before you say you're fine, keep in mind I can tell you've been crying."

"I have been crying," Bella admitted easily. There was no sense in denying the obvious. "And I'm not fine, but I will be. And I promise to tell you all about it later. How about we start dinner? You have a vegetable mission to accomplish. Then you, mister, promised me a date."

Date night is next!

Soooo ... first real glimpse at Renee. Thoughts? I know the opinions will vary, and I hope you continue sharing them with me. :-)

For questions about age - Bella is turning 21, Edward is 27, Briella is almost 4.

Until Next Time

~Lo