Hello Sister, Goodbye Life
Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight saga. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Warning: Adult themes. Language.
Author's Note: So... 134 reviews. Awesome! Happy New Year, guys :D Um, so, I'm kind of hoping to get 150 reviews with this chapter, at least, anyways. So, sixteen reviews, guys, you can totally do that! Um, another thing, if you can come up with a son for chapter nine and ten, I'll give you a preview of chapter eleven. It has to have a good, I dunno, similiarity to what goes on in the chapter. I'm stumped for both chapters so, if you can come up with a song that relates to both chaps, or one or the other, you get a preview to chapter 11. Ummm... I think that is all. Again, Happy New Year!
Chapter Ten
Bella Swan
I was eating some leftover lasagna when Rosalie came and said sorry half an hour later. My hair was matted to my face, I was wearing the rattiest pair of trackpants I could find and I was glaring at her like she was, well, evil.
"Look, I'm sorry, well, really, I'm not, but, you know, sorry for pissing you off but, seriously, totally worth it; your face was priceless." She snickered once before clearing her throat awkwardly. "But I can't say sorry for something I don't regret. What's the point if you don't mean it? So, forgive me?"
I rolled my eyes and returned to eating my dinner.
"Oh, I see how it is, then, you're going to give me the silent treatment." She huffed. "What do I need to do to have you forgive me?"
"BabysitFridaynight," i said in a rush before shoving a fork full of lasagna into my mouth.
"Bu-" she protested, "Bella!"
Edward had texted me ten minutes ago three lines.
Friday 7pm Ill pick u up
Wear casual
I look forward to then E
She huffed again, resigning herself to a weekend with no social life. Really, it was only one night and she was acting as if it was the end of the world before trudging out of the room, leaving me to eat my lasagna in peace.
It was Thursday lunch time when Esme braught it up. I'd been expecting it first thing Tuesday and I'd been surprised when it hadn't been braught up then. Nonetheless, I had been expecting it sooner or later and I wasn't disappointed.
"So I hear you've got dinner plans with Edward tomorrow," Esme said, a little smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
I blushed, remembering our convresation on Monday, but nodded nonetheless. "Yes, he asked me to dinner after I rescued Anthony and Eva from the clutches of wicked drugmother."
Her brows knitted in consternation at the mention of "Wicked Drugmother" – what I'd taken to calling Edward's ex-wife as I didn't know her name – and I was curious, though I didn't question it. For one, it wasn't Esme's story to tell and for another, if she wasn't willing to tell, I wasn't going to push.
"They told me about that, and believe me, Bella, we are very greatful for your presence and assistance in the situation."
"It's fine, really, settling cases like that is my job." I shrugged, not telling her that I was truly worried for the two children I hardly knew and the man I was slowly giving a piece of my heart to without even realising it.
She shrugged. "Your job doesn't matter, Bella, you saved my grandchildren and we, my whole family, are forever in your debt for that."
I wasn't sure if this family was one for melodrama or this woman was actually considering being in my debt. Either way, I didn't need to be paid back for my job as a civil servant. It was what I was paid for, after all.
"It's fine, really, I really don't want anyone in my debt, least of all your family; you've already done so much for me."
Before she could retort, our lunches came – a grilled chicken and cheese sandwhich for me and a kebab for Esme.
As I strolled into the office with a triumphant grin, I was nearly bowled over backwards by Leah. "Christ Almighty!" I gasped as I staggered for my balance.
Leah helped me straighten myself, smiling sheepishly. "Sorry, Bella, I didn't mean to bowl you over. Guess what! Guess what! Guess what!" She was bouncing in her place on the balls of her feet and she looked like a little kid who'd just found Christmas had come early.
"You're mad and I'm not." It was something Charlie always said when he got a "Guess what" question and it put a bittersweet smile on my face.
Leah rolled her eyes. "I told Jake and he's practically jumping over the bloody moon his so excited."
My eyes widened and I whipped my head around so fast I briefly wondered if I cricked my neck before blurting out, "No way! Oh my gosh! I'm so happy for you!" I wrapped my arms around her and we began jumping up and down, still hugging, until the bell above the door announced the arrival of possible clients.
Alas, it was only Billy with Jake and Jake and Leah's son Seth. I sprinted to Jake and threw my arms around him, squealing all the while.
He laughed and hugged me back, setting me down on the ground as Seth flew into his mother's arms.
"Momma!" He cheered delightfully, bringing a smile to all four of our faces. And he was off, chatting nonstop of everything and anything.
Friday evening, around four, found me standing in my walk in closet, eyeing everything I owned. Casual. What did he mean by casual? Casual casual as in, 'I'm going to a mate's house for dinner' or Smart casual as in 'This will get you a reputation so dress the part'. Fuck me.
This is why I barely dated – I'm neurotic and overthink everything and am totally not dating material. Over analytical, neurotic and a perfect example of a lawyer raised by one.
Thank you, daddy!
Deciding on a pair of black super skinny jeans and a sort of aquamarine spaghetti strap camisole top sinched below the bust with a brooch-thing just below the breastbone, topping it off with a black fleece knit jacket and black ballet flats. With minor amounts of make up and my tote slung over my shoulder, I was headed down the stairs when the intercom buzzed.
Rosalie, who was closer, answered and allowed Edward in through the gates as I moved over to the kitchen island where Rosalie had been feeding Madeleine what looked like mushed peas and carrots with little success.
"I don't blame you, kid, that stuff looks rank." I leaned forward and kissed her forehead softly. "Ma'll be back by the time you wake up tomorrow morning, Princess, I promise."
As I neared the door, Rosalie passed me on the way back to the kitchen and gave me a hip check. "Have fun, girlie; and don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"What don't you do?" I called after her. Her tinkling laugh was what I got in return. "Remember to lock up and put maddie in bed by eight and, for the love of God, don't leave her alone."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes mother." She gave me another shove, this time towards the front door. "Go, enjoy yourself, you deserve it."
"Thanks, Rose," I said, disappearing into the foyer, only to stop at the sight of Edward in my front doorway. He was leaning up against the doorframe, head lolled to the side, facing the foyer and his eyes seemed to light up at the sight of me. "Hey," he greeted, getting to his feet and burrowing his hands in his pockets. "You, uh, look beautiful tonight."
I smiled, taking inventory of the jeans and shirt he wore with it's sleeves up past his elbows, the knees slightly worn in his jeans. "You look really good, too." I stepped outside and shut the door behind me before turning to walk down the stairs, only to stop in my tracks. An Aston fucking Martin was parked right in front of the stairs leading up to my front door. Now, i was no stranger to flashy cars – Charlie had owned a Merc and Renee an Audi. Rosalie owned a BMW and I owned a Honda Convertible that wasn't even on the market yet. But the Aston in front of me was drool inducing and I was sure, had Rosalie seen it, she'd have proposed to Edward, or maybe the car, right then and there.
"Wow" I said, regaining my composure, "Nice car."
He gave me a lopsided smile as we neared the passenger side and I was further surprised when he opened the door for me. Once I slid into the leather interior of the car, he gently shut the door and moved to the driver side, sliding in with an ease that I wasn't even sure Rosalie had managed with her convertible.
A light and airy piano tune was playing when he started the engine, and I smiled at the sound of it. "Clair de Lune is what my mother put Maddie and I to sleep with; it's beautiful."
"You listen to classical music?" He asked, surprised. "Not many do that these days."
I shrugged, staring out the side window. "I grew up listening to it; it's soothing and it makes me think of home."
We talked music the whole drive to the parking lot of a swanky looking steakhouse. Apparently he thought Death Cab for Cutie was the best thing that ever existed – and I was prone to agreeing – but thought The Fray was, well, not. Needless to say, it made for an interesting debate. I did think The Fray was amazing and he didn't, though we both agreed that Death Cab was, well, to die for.
At the hostess stand was a teenaged girl around sixteen and she smiled welcomingly. "Welcome to Britz, table for two?"
Edward nodded and we followed the hostess, Edward's hand at my lower back, to a somewhat secluded part of the restaurant. She gave us menus, told us that our waiter would be with us shortly and walked away, her ebony ponytail floating along behind her.
He held out my chair for me and, blushing, I slid in, allowing him to slide my chair until I was tucked securely under the table.
He slid in across from me and, after browsing the drinks menu and deciding what we both wanted – a lemonade for me and a root beer for him – we began to talk work.
"So, twenty eight, right?"
He nodded in affirmative, "Yeah, twenty eight." He cringed. "And to think, Emmett's turning thirty in two months."
"Ah, he's been seeing Rosalie, right? She really likes him."
He laughed. "Their feelings are mutual, then, because all I've heard from him has something to do with Rosalie."
I laughed at the harassed expression on his face and patted his hand comfortingly. "I know how you feel. Emmett is all I hear about, too."
Our waiter arrived and we ordered our drinks before he gave us our food menus. Deciding on a pasta dish, I went with the tortellini in mushroom sauce and Edward went for the TBone.
We chatted amicably until dinner arrived. My pasta was amazing and I devoured every little bit of it like I hadn't eaten for three weeks. Not willing the night to end, we ordered dessert – a choc fudge brownie with two spoons and chatted more. The topics were nonsensical and pointless – baseball, Mozart, Australia (of all things) and the Brittish Prime Minister. Harry Potter was thrown in there and I was stoked to find a fellow Harry Potter nerd in Edward.
Dessert finished, though, and Edward paid the bill and we slowly made our way to the Aston Martin. We chatted more about Harry Potter on the way back, our conversation somehow turning to Star Wars and the brilliance that was Jedi knights. We pulled up at the gate, I gave him the combination to punch in, he did so, and he drove to the front of the house.
I checked my watch as we walked up the stairs. 10:30pm. I nearly tripped over my feet in shock. "Christ! Where the hell did the time go?"
He looked at his own watch and his brows furrowed together. "Huh, fancy that, it's already half past ten." He shrugged as we came to a stop in front of my door. I burrowed through my handbag and withdrew my house key, smiling up at him.
"I had a great time tonight, Edward," I mumbled, blushing softly. The moon behind me cast an irridescent glow upon his pale face, illuminating the green of his eyes so they looked like emeralds lit from within.
"I did, too. Maybe... we could do it again some time?"
I bit back a snort at the cliche of the moment and pushed open the door. "I'd really like that, Edward."
He grinned and said, "Great! I'll uh, call you?"
"Sounds like a plan," I replied, leaning against the door jamb as he began to walk backwards towards the porch steps. When he was securely in his car and driving down the drive, I clicked the door shut and headed upstairs. Rosalie was fast asleep in her room, light on and spread eagle across her comforter, mouth open, hair askew and looking completely uncomfortable.
Switching off her light, I closed her door and headed to Maddie's room. She was lying awake in her crib as I neared her and, as she saw me, her face lit up. "Ma!"
"Hey, what're you doing awake, blue eyes?" I asked her, scooping her up and moving to sit in the rocking chair. She gurgled happily, locking her arms around my neck. I clicked play on the remote and Claire de Lune began to play as I began to rock back and forth with my baby sister in my arms.
She was asleep before the song could repeat and so I slid her into bed before heading to my own room, slipping under my own covers and falling asleep.
Author's Note: Thankies for reading. Reviewers are awesome. Because I think I'm mean, I'll say, not only song-suggesters get a review, but everyone who reviews. Maybe that will give you an incentive to do so - review, I mean - I do like reviews... :D x