I'll say it, and I'll say it again...Not mine. :)

Chapter Nine
close to you

Edward

I'm not going to make it home for Thanksgiving, Tanya had said over the phone this morning.

We fought, and she hung up on me.

I didn't call her back.

Now, I'm standing in Bella's kitchen watching tears fall down her eyes as she stares at the burnt turkey on the stove.

"Do we have to eat that?" Harlow whispers, yanking on my hand.

"It's burned," Max says, standing on the other side of Harlow.

"Really burned," Harlow says.

I hold back my laugh, and let go of Harlow's hand, moving toward Bella at the stove. I place my hand on her back and rub soothing circles as she hiccups.

"It's okay, babe. We can buy another turkey!"

She jerks her head up, appalled. "It's Thanksgiving! All the stores are closed. I can't buy another turkey. Thanksgiving is ruined! Rosalie can't make it so her parents aren't coming." She leans sideways into me, whispering, "Tanya can't make it," and then in her normal voice, "Just call Emmett and cancel, okay."

"Edwud!" Leo yells from the living room. "Play trucks!"

I keep rubbing Bella's back. "Have you never made a turkey before?"

She sniffles, rubbing her nose with the back of her hand. She hesitates, like she doesn't want to answer. "I burn it every year!"

I bust up laughing, and she glares at me, elbowing me in the stomach.

"Edwud!"

"We'll order something," I tell her. "Some restaurants stay open on holidays."

"Probably only the gross places," she mumbles.

"EDWUD!"

"Go play with Bubby. I'll figure something out."

I kiss her hair, leaving my mouth pressed against her longer than what is appropriate before backing away.

"Daddy," Max whispers. "I'm starving!"

"I can hear you, Maximoose. Come here, you can have pie!"

His eyes light up, and then him and Harlow run to the table waiting for Bella to give them pie.

I go play trucks with Leo.

…

…

…

It's the day after Thanksgiving, and Tanya is home. I'm outside with Max and Harlow watching them ride their bikes.

Bella ran to the store, taking Leo with her. Tanya's inside, not speaking to me. I don't give a fuck. I'm tired of her shit.

Way past fucking tired.

Yesterday, after Bella stopped crying, we ordered pizza delivery and ate that with Bella's mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. It wasn't a normal Thanksgiving, but it was fucking perfect.

"Mommy, look!" Max yells, looking over my head. I look behind me, and Tanya is standing at the door in her robe in the middle of the day.

"Good job," Tanya calls after him as he races down the sidewalk.

Tanya comes up behind me, bending down to wrap her arms around my neck as I sit on the steps. She kisses the side of my neck, and I keep my eyes on the kids ignoring her.

"You smell good, baby," She says, her tongue darting out to lick at my neck.

I pull away from her, not wanting her lips on me, her arms around me.

"You're still mad?" She asks when I stand up.

I keep my back to her.

If I wasn't watching the kids, I'd get in my truck and be the one who fucking leaves for a change. Bella probably wouldn't even care if I took Harlow. I'd come back to her of course.

"I have a job, Edward. A respectable one. I do what I have to do to keep my clients happy!"

"What about keeping your family happy?" I say, narrowing my eyes at her over my shoulder.

She shrugs like she doesn't give one fuck about her family. "Max doesn't look miserable to me. He loves being with Bella while I'm gone."

So do I.

I stand, turning halfway towards her, but where I can still see the kids."What about me? You want Bella to keep me happy, too?"

Because she does, she really fucking does.

She scoffs, like what I'm insinuating is ridiculous. "Don't be stupid. She's too young for you."

I laugh, but not one fucking thing is funny. Bella's not too young for me. She's fucking perfect, and she loves my kid more than too much, if that's possible. She loves him enough that he rarely asks where his mom is anymore. It's not where is mommy or when is mommy coming home anymore. Now he wakes up each morning and goes to bed every night anxious to see Bella again, anxious to spend time with Harlow even if it is playing with boy barbies.

"Get a fucking clue, Tanya."

She crosses her arms over her chest, waiting for me to elaborate, but I fucking don't. I don't owe her shit.

"I came out here to tell you that Mike called. I have to leave tonight. I'll be gone for a few days."

I roll my eyes.

I'm fucking done.

"Go Tanya, run to Mike, go fucking work or whatever it is you do. I'm done."

She has the nerve to look hurt. She slams the front door, and I stay outside with my kids.

When Bella gets home, everything is better, and I help her carry her bags and Leo inside while she makes sure Max and Harlow follow us.

"Here," she says. "I bought you a candy."

She moves around the kitchen, putting shit away, her eyes moving to me every once in a while. I eat the chocolate she bought me, feeding Leo pieces as he sits on my lap before he gets tired of sharing and steals it all for himself.

"Why are you mad?" She finally asks.

"I'm not mad, Bella."

She narrows her eyes, but lets it go.

"I was thinking tacos for dinner. Are you staying?"

"Yeah, babe. I'm staying."

After dinner, and of course dessert, me and Max go home. Tanya's already gone. Max doesn't ask for her, and I can't find it in me to give a shit anymore.

Bella

What are you doing?

Putting Bubby to sleep.

Come watch movies with me and Max.

Bubby's going to fall asleep any second.

Bring him to me. He can sleep in my arms.

I grin at my phone, and Leo sits up squeezing my lips together as he giggles.

Fine, if you insist.

I do. Bring snacks. And Low.

You only want me for my snacks.

I wish I could take that message back. It sounds too flirty, and I can't flirt with Edward.

Tanya's going to kill me for sneaking Maximoose snacks all the time, I say when he doesn't text back right away.

Who cares, Bella. Come now.

I turn the TV off, and Harlow protests in outrage. "We're going to watch a movie with Edward and Max."

Her eyes light up, and she jumps up. "What movie?"

"I don't know. I didn't ask."

She shrugs and runs upstairs to get her shoes on. I drag Leo to the kitchen and stuff a grocery bag with snacks; cupcakes, twizzlers, jerky, popcorn, and sour fruit snacks. I'm going to give the Masen's cavities.

"I'm ready," Harlow says, carrying her blanket and pillow.

"I'm sure Edward has a pillow and blanket for you."

"I like these ones."

Leo rests his head on my shoulder, snuggling in my arms. He's a few months away from turning three, but I hope he never stops loving me.

Harlow opens the door and lets out a little scream. "Sorry, baby," Edward says, rubbing her hair as he walks by.

"What are you doing? We're coming over."

"Edwud," Leo says sleepily reaching for Edward, the little betrayer.

"You were taking too long, so I came to get you. Max is waiting so hurry, babe."

"It's been like five minutes. I had to get all the snacks," I say, holding up the bag of goodies. He takes it from my arm and grabs my hand, dragging me out the door. Harlow walks in front of us, dragging her blanket on the ground.

"Where are your shoes?"

"You didn't give me time to grab them!"

He shakes his head, grinning.

We walk into the house, and Edward releases my hand. It felt so natural and right to hold his hand, I didn't even realize what it might look like us holding hands like that.

"Bella!" Max yells. "Come sit by me."

"I'm sitting by you," Harlow says, scooting closer to Max.

"Bella can sit on the other side."

"How about I sit between the two of you."

"But then I'm not sitting by Max," Harlow replies.

I give up, and sit on Max's other side. Edward sits below us with Leo still in his arms. I hold my hands out to Leo wiggling them from behind Edward's head, but Leo grunts, and snuggles deeper into Edward's arms.

"You stole my son," I say, rubbing the back of Edward's head.

He smiles over his shoulder, leaning into my touch. "You stole mine first."

I grin, knowing it's true.

Max wraps his arms around mine and leans his head on me. Harlow leans against Max, her blanket pulled all the way up to her neck. We're like dominoes.

"Can we watch Bratz, Edward?"

Max groans, already knowing Edward will give Harlow whatever her little heart desires.

I guess he stole my daughter too or maybe she claimed him. Either way, I don't mind at all.