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EdwardPOV
A few days had passed since we had brought the twins home. What was supposed to be a day of celebration had turned into an epic me – and it had all been because of my stupidity. I was stupid for letting this happen.
I regretted letting Tanya say the things she did, and I regretted not doing a thing to stop her. If I could relive that day, I would change it. I would tell Tanya to leave. I would tell Bella that those pictures that James gave her were not real - that they were photoshopped. But more importantly, I would tell Bella that everything that Tanya had said was a lie. I would tell Bella that I loved her and that I never stopped loving her. I would also her that I loved the twins more than I ever thought possible.
Since that horrible day, Bella had ignored me. That was the worst part of all of this – not being able to see or talk to her. I had called Bella several times to apologize and explain what really happened, but all I would get was her voicemail or Charlie – who told me to leave her alone for a while. I even drove over to her house. I sat in my car and watched her in the yard with the twins. She was beautiful with them. When she held them, her face glowed, and her eyes sparkled. I desperately wanted to join her, but the minute she noticed me, she took the twins in the house and slammed the front door behind her. I took it as a sign that she was not ready to talk to me and went home, where I spent the next hour punching the living hell out of Emmett's punching bag. I hated being away from her. Thankfully, she called me last night to ask if I could take the twins while she was at work. Of course I told her I would. She politely thanked me before hanging up.
On top of all of this regret, I still had Tanya to worry about. She was becoming clingy and annoying. Every time I had called Bella she would throw a major fit saying that Bella was more important to me than she was. She was right, of course. Something needed to change in our relationship and soon. I was getting tired of it - and of her interfering in my life.
"Where are you?" Tanya whined. "I woke up during the night and you weren't here."
"I told you last night, Tanya. I'm home today with the twins. Bella's working," I replied. I was getting rather annoyed with the endless phone calls lately. Since I left her last night, she had called me at least a dozen times for various reasons - most of them were unimportant. "And you knew I was leaving after you fell asleep."
"I hate it that you don't stay the night," she pouted. "Can't you leave the twins with your parents and come over? We miss you."
"No. They're my kids, Tanya, and I haven't seen them in a few days, thanks to you," I spat.
"Don't you dare blame me for that! It's not my fault she's keeping them away from you. Just goes to show you how much of a bitch she is."
"Don't talk about Bella like that," I commanded. "She's the mother of my kids."
"But you should be here helping me with our baby."
"What is it that you need help with at nine in the morning?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.
"I just want you here with me."
"Bella will be here after work. I'll come over after that, okay?" I heard a tap at the front door and knew Bella was here. "Look, I have to go. I'll call you later." I didn't give her a chance to reply before snapping my phone shut.
I quickly went to the front door and saw my entire world standing there; diaper bags hung from Bella's shoulders, and both carriers were in her hands. The moment I saw her, my heart became lonely. I missed her - not just as a girlfriend, but as my friend.
"Good morning," I said with a smile as I opened the door.
"Hi," she replied softly.
"Here, let me take one of them." I took Masen's carrier from her hand and felt a spark when I touched her skin. I also grabbed one of the diaper bags and led her to the living room.
"They fell back asleep on the ride over, so you may have an hour or so of quiet before they're up again," Bella said. "There's a can of formula in one of the bags, so you should have enough for today. There are a few outfits in there too, just in case. I work until five or so, and I will be here after that."
"That's fine. I'm registering today, but other than that, I don't have anything planned, so don't rush back on my account."
"I'll be here after work," she said matter-of-factly. It was obvious she wasn't in the mood for talking. I desperately wanted to tell her how sorry I was for everything and beg for her forgiveness, but it was apparent that she wasn't ready yet.
"Oh, I turned my phone off, so if you need me, call the house."
"Okay."
"Bella," I said hesitantly. "Thanks...for bringing them over today. It means a lot."
"I may not like you right now, but I wouldn't keep them from you."
"Still...it means a lot. Thank you." She nodded and gave the twins one last look before leaving.
Since Maddy and Masen were still sleeping, I left them in their carriers and sat on the couch. I grabbed my folder for Forks Tech that was sitting on the coffee table and prepared for my meeting today. As much as I wanted to become a doctor like my father, I realized that wasn't within my grasp anymore. Sure, I could still do it, but I didn't want to be in school forever. Instead, I decided to enroll at Forks Tech in computer programming. It was an intense, two-year program with lots of hands-on experience. I couldn't wait to start.
A tiny whimper pulled me from my work. I looked down to see Maddy's mouth moving a bit as she slept. I wondered what she was dreaming about. She reminded me so much of Bella – her soft, creamy skin and large eyes. Maddy and Masen were such miracles. They had been so tiny when they were born, and I wasn't sure if they would make it. Now, a few short weeks later, they were both healthy and in my living room. Maddy's eyes fluttered open, and I quickly took her out of her carrier.
"Hi, sweet girl," I said before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Her little grunts in reply were precious. However, a few minutes later, I realized why she was grunting. "Man, how can someone as small as you make a smell thatbad? Jeez, you could give your Uncle Emmett a run for his money, Princess. I guess it's time for a diaper change, huh?"
That afternoon, I left the twins with Mom and registered at school. Once that was done, I went and purchased my supplies and returned home. When I pulled into the driveway, I saw that my father's car was home. I had thought he was working a full shift today. As I walked to my room, I overheard the two of them talking in the twins' nursery.
"I know he has to grow up and learn from his mistakes, Carlisle, but we really haven't helped him," Mom said.
"He'll never learn if we do everything for him."
"I'm not saying we have to do it for him, but we haven't given him enough emotional support. It feels like we did more with Emmett when he was busted with pot than we've done with Edward and the twins. He feels like he's a failure to us. Do you know how heartbreaking that is?" she asked. I could tell she was on the verge of crying. "I can't sit back and do nothing anymore."
"And what, exactly, are you planning to do?" Dad asked. There was anger in his voice, but I wasn't sure if it was directed to her or if it was really for me.
"I want to meet with Tanya and her parents. Hand me that clean onesie, will you?"
"Really? What do you think will come of that? She's not the brightest bulb on the tree, you know."
"Plenty. I won't allow her to disrespect Bella and my grandbabies in my home. We don't let the kids act that way, and I won't let her do it, either."
I walked away then, not wanting to hear anymore of their conversation. A week ago I would have called Tanya to warn her what was coming, but I didn't. Warning her would have been a courtesy – a courtesy she didn't return to me when I needed to be there for Bella, even at the most important times. Maybe this meeting with her parents would be a blessing in the long run. I continued down the hall, put my school stuff away, and then went back downstairs. I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could since I didn't know when I would see them again.
I wondered if my parents would ever be proud of me again. I had once been on the straight and narrow. Now, they were upstairs arguing about the choices I had made and their subsequent consequences – twins with one more on the way. I had turned my life into an epic fuck-up. This wasn't how I had planned my life to go.
My plan was to go to college, med school, and then focus on my residency. Maybe I would get married somewhere in between and then have kids later on. I had hoped – at one point – that Bella would be by my side during all of this. I definitely didn't see myself with kids in high school. Nor did I ever think Bella would no longer speak to me, or no longer considered me a friend.
Well, I guess there's no use in pissin' and moanin' about it anymore, is there?I thought.
I spent the rest of the day in the living room with the twins. It was amazing to see the things they could already do. Masen was learning to lift his head, and Maddy kept reaching out for the toys that hung over her. The noises and grunts they made caused my heart to swell with love. These two were the two most perfect little beings on Earth, and I couldn't get enough of them. By the time they fell back asleep, I was just as tired. I was pretty sure I had fallen asleep with Maddy on my chest, but when I awoke, she had been placed in her crib. I stood there and watched both as they slept and wondered if my parents had done the same with me when I was this small.
"Edward, they're here," Alice said as she snuggled Maddy against her chest, "Tanya's parents just pulled in the driveway. God, where's Bella? I thought she was supposed to pick them up?"
"Edward," Rosalie tilted her head to the left, "You just turned white as a ghost, and your hands are shaking. Drinking much or did you take something?"
"I haven't taken anything."
"Well, what the hell has gotten into you?"
"I'm nervous, okay? My life is falling apart."
"Yeah, I know," Rosalie replied. "Bella texted me that she took an extra shift. She won't be home for a while."
"Thank God, I don't want her here for this."
I kissed the twins gently before going downstairs. Tanya and her parents, Jennifer and Weston, were sitting in the dining room opposite my parents. I quickly took a seat next to my dad. I wasn't sure what was going to go down, but I knew it wasn't going to be something quick and easy. I was so nervous about this meeting. Mom had a look in her eye, so I knew she meant business.
"I appreciate the both of you taking the time for this visit," Mom began. "I figured it would be best if we got to know each other, and with the recent development in their relationship, I figured it was time to meet."
"What recent developments?" Weston asked. His voice was deep and firm, and his posture was authoritative.
Oh, God. Tanya hasn't told her parents, I thought. How could she not tell them?
"Hasn't Tanya told you?" Dad asked, shocked.
"Told us what?" Jennifer finally asked.
"She's pregnant," I replied quietly.
"You're what?" Weston asked, angrily. "How far along are you?"
"I...um...not that far long," Tanya replied hesitantly.
"And when were you planning on telling us?" Jennifer asked.
"Um... soon? I've just been so...stressed. Edward spends so much time with his babies and that bitch of an ex-girlfriend," Tanya spat.
"Do notspeak of Bella like that in my home," Mom replied sternly.
"Wait, Edward already has kids?" Weston asked.
"Yes. Two of them," I answered. Weston's mouth fell open in shock.
"Good Lord, Tanya. What else are you keeping from us?" Jennifer asked.
"I do not appreciate the little comments your daughter has been making to and about Bella," Mom began. "Tanya, you may not like the fact that Bella's here, or that the twins are here, but they are family. I will not have you disrespecting them in my home. I do not let my children speak that way about anyone, and I certainly will not allow you to get away with it, either. Bella has done nothing to you to warrant this type of behavior, nor have my grandchildren."
"Your mother and I raised you better than this, Tanya Grace," Weston said. "Apologize. Now."
She let out a hard, annoyed sigh before saying, "I'm sorry." I knew she didn't mean it, and I wanted to scream at her for it. Here she was acting like she was a victim, when it was the other way around. She was nothing more than a bully picking on Bella and my children.
Mom continued, "Since Tanya has told us that she is pregnant, she hasn't mentioned any doctor visits, nor has my son. Now, I realize you're still early on, but you haven't produced a positive pregnancy test, either. This leads me to believe, Tanya, that you're not being completely honest."
"What? Of course I'm being honest!" Tanya shrieked. There was a fire in her eyes, and I could see that she was becoming angry. She had never acted like this before when talking about her pregnancy.
"You haven't been to a doctor?" Jennifer asked, shocked.
Tanya rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders before saying, "Nope."
"Tanya, getting prenatal care, even at an early stage in your pregnancy, is crucial," Dad said.
"I don't need to go. I know I'm pregnant, and that's all that matters."
"So then you'll have no problem taking a pregnancy test," Mom said with a small smirk on her face. She then pulled a plastic bag from under the table. Through the plastic, I could see the letters EPT, and knew exactly what she had.
"You can't be serious?" Tanya yelled. "I have never been so insulted in all my life!" I wasn't sure anyone had ever asked Tanya to do something like this.
"This isn't something I joke about. I want proof that you are, indeed, pregnant. And I want that proof now. If you really are expecting, then you won't have a problem taking this test into the bathroom down the hall, will you?" Mom asked again as she passed the bag to Tanya.
I was speechless. I hadn't realized my mom could be bad-ass.
"Are you insane? I will not do this! You didn't make Bella do this, did you?"
"No, because she had proof from her doctor," Dad said.
"Of course she did," Tanya replied sarcastically. "Little Miss Perfect Bella."
"Watch your tone," Weston replied. "Now, Mrs. Cullen's approach may be a bit harsh, but she has a point."
"Daddy! I'm not doing this! I won't!" Tanya hollered and shoved the bag away.
"Yes, you will," Jennifer said as she stood and reached for the bag. "I agree with your father and Mrs. Cullen. Let's go, Tanya." Jennifer then took hold of Tanya's arm and pulled her to her feet. "Where is the bathroom?"
"I'll show you." Mom stood and walked toward the hallway with Jennifer behind her.
"Tanya Grace, let's go!" Jennifer started to pull on Tanya's arm. "Do not make me say it again!"
"Edward! How could you let this happen to me? I'm having your baby and yet you sit there doing nothing!"
"Oh, I am doing something. I'm watching you prove to me that you're pregnant. You can do that, right, Tanya?"
A few moments later, I heard the bathroom door slam, followed by muted shouting. I quickly pulled my cell phone out and sent a quick text up to Alice, asking if Masen and Maddy were okay. She replied saying they were a bit fussy, but otherwise fine. I wanted to run upstairs to help calm them down, but I knew they were okay with Alice and Rose looking after them upstairs. While we waited for Mom, Tanya, and Jennifer to return, I quickly scrolled through the pictures of the twins on my cell phone. I was nervous and intimidated sitting here with Dad and Weston, so seeing their tiny, perfect faces seemed to calm me down a bit.
"New pictures of twins?" Dad asked as he leaned over to look at them.
"Yeah. They're getting so big."
"How old?" Weston asked.
"They're just shy of three months," I said. I felt Dad place his hand on my shoulder and gave it a firm, yet reassuring squeeze.
"Are you done in there?" Jennifer yelled down the hall. I couldn't hear Tanya's reply, but Jennifer appeared in the doorway a second later. "She wants you to come to the bathroom."
I stood and walked to the bathroom door before knocking. "Hey, I'm here." She opened the door then and hid her hands behind her back. "So?"
"I..."
"What does the test say?" I asked again. When she didn't reply, I reached behind her and pulled the test from her hands. I looked down and was confused by what I saw. I pushed my way into the bathroom and picked up the box.
"Edward, don't," Tanya said. She tried to reach for the test and the box, but I held it above her, out of reach.
"What the hell, Tanya? This says you're not pregnant."
"What? Let me see that," Jennifer said. "Why on Earth would you let him believe you were pregnant if you aren't?"
"It's wrong. I am pregnant. I am," she insisted.
My voice cracked as I said, "I don't... I don't believe you."
"You have to! That stupid test is wrong. Why won't you look at me or hold me? I need you, Edward. I need you to believe me."
"I need a minute to think." I walked out of the bathroom, which started to feel small around me. Not pregnant... not pregnant. What the hell? I felt a sense of relief come over me, if only for a moment before confusion hit me. How could this be happening?
"Edward, please," Tanya begged as she followed me into the living room where our parents were standing. "Please, believe me. It's wrong. I know my body, Edward."
"Stop! Just stop talking for a damn minute!" I shouted. "I want the truth. Were you pregnant?" Tanya didn't answer me right away. Instead, she looked at me, then her parents. "Were you?"
"Edward...please. I just -"
I held up my hand to stop Tanya from finishing her sentence. I just needed a minute of quiet to think. "Were you ever pregnant?" I asked again quietly. My voice was just above a whisper. Why couldn't she just answer me? Was it that difficult of a question?
"Answer him," Weston demanded behind me.
"No," she replied quietly. She wouldn't look at me.
"What?" Mom asked angrily.
"No. I wasn't pregnant."
"So then you lied?" I could feel the anger building. My cheeks were burning, and my hands kept clenching into fists.
"I didn't lie, I just wasn't -"
"How could you do this?" I shouted. "Do you even know what you've done?"
"Please, Edward. Don't do this," Tanya begged. She had tears in her eyes and for once, I didn't care. I was angry – no livid – with what she had done.
"You've ruined everything! You ruined my relationship with Bella! You've ruined my relationship with my family! God damn it, Tanya! Why? Why would you do something like this?"
"I just -"
"Fuck! What the hell were you going to do? Were you just going to show up one day with an infant in your arms and pass it off as mine? How the fuck were you going to manage that?" I fell into the chair and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. I was pulling at it so hard, I thought for sure I would pull it out.
"Edward, I know you're angry, but please watch your language," Mom said. I heard Dad mutter something in response, but I couldn't make out the words.
"I keep thinking of all your lies. I'm remember every single one of them right now, Tanya. It's hard to think with my heart pounding like this...I don't know what I'm angrier at, you for lying, or me for standing back and letting you get away with it this long." How would Bella ever forgive me when she found out? This was a nightmare.
"Edward, you don't understand. I love you. You love me. What more do you need?" She fell to her knees in front of me and tried to take my hands in hers. I pulled away from her and stood. I didn't want her anywhere near me.
"Don't! Do not touch me! I've never said that I love you, and I certainly don't right now! You've ruined everything! How could you do this to Bella? She hasn't done a thing to you, yet you made senior year a living hell for her."
"What are you talking about?" Weston asked.
"She was spreading hateful rumors about her. It was bad enough that she had to face everyone being pregnant, but the things you said, Tanya! How could you?"
"What types of things?" Jennifer asked as I started pacing around the room.
"She tried to convince me that Masen and Maddy weren't mine. She convinced half of the student body that Bella was nothing more than a whore. Bella came so close to losing our kids a few times, and you couldn't leave me alone to deal with it without calling and texting me constantly. I could have lost all three of them."
"Now, to be fair Edward, Bella was carrying twins which factored into her complications. But, that plus the stress from the rumors and Tanya's actions didn't help, either," Dad said behind me.
Tanya jumped to her feet and shouted, "She deserved everything I said about her! She's the one that didn't want you around while she was pregnant!"
"Because she didn't want to deal with you, and you would never leave me the fuck alone! Yeah, the twins weren't planned, but what you did was worse! I lied to her because of you! I lied to my family because of you!" I shouted.
"She's nothing special! She's low-class, and you deserve better. You said it yourself – I was better."
"Never! I've never said that!"
"Maybe not with so many words, but you definitely enjoyed what I did."
I'd had enough this crap. "I'm done, Tanya. I cannot do this anymore."
"What?" I watched as her face turned from anger, to shock. She definitely wasn't expecting this.
"I want you to leave. Now."
"Edward..." She started moving toward me, a blank look on her face. "You don't mean that."
"I do. I don't want anything to do with you. I do not love you. I never did. I never said I did. I can't even stand to look at you."]. Stay away from Bella and my kids." Tanya reached out and touched my arm. "Don't touch me!" The minute she touched me I felt sick.
"Tanya, those pictures that were given to Bella, were they real?" Mom asked.
"Of course they weren't real!" she blurted out. "I was afraid you were going back to her, so I photoshopped them. I needed something to ensure you stayed with me! I can't lose you!"
"You bitch! Do you know what that did to her? Jesus. I can't look at you anymore. Get out!"
Weston and Jennifer quickly walked over to us. "Tanya, let's go. I think you've done enough tonight," Weston said.
"No! Edward, please, don't make me go! I'm not lying. I am pregnant."
"Get out!" I hollered again.
"Please, Edward!" Tanya cried. Weston wrapped his arms around her and lifted her from the floor. Tanya began struggling against him, kicking her legs and screaming.
"Shut your mouth, young lady," Jennifer said as she walked behind them.
"I'm not lying, Edward! I love you! You love me! I know you do! Let me go, Dad! I need to make him understand!"
As Dad walked Tanya and her parents to the door, Mom walked over to me and put her arms around me.
"Edward, son, you're shaking. Calm down. It's all over," Mom said soothingly. "It's all over. You won't have to deal with that bitch again."
I almost smiled at Mom's statement. "No. I need to get to Bella. I have to tell her what happened." I wasn't sure if Tanya would do anything, and needed to warn her. I couldn't let anything happen to her.
"Tell me what happened?" I heard her ask from the hall.