A/N: I am sorry there was no update last week. I have had a case of writers block and holidayitis. On top of that i have been having back spasms and it's hard for me to sit to long in front of the computer.
I want to thank all my readers who are sticking with the story. Thank you for reading and reviewing. You all rock! I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.
Thank you to missouriangel for her ongoing encouragment and suggestions. You rock!
Because of the holiday I can almost guarantee I will not update next week but will try my hardest to get one out soon.
I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!
On with the chapter...
Sometime after the Tanya incident, as we're calling it, we left my parents house. Bella and Renee decided to stay with Riley and me another night claiming we needed the company and support. I selfishly did not argue.
Bella had driven home telling me I was in no mood to drive and I didn't even hesitate to accept. Everything else happened in a blur. I barely remember putting Riley to bed and crawling into bed myself. I'm not sure how long I had been lying here wrapped up in Bella's arms but it felt good. I must have slept all night since I could see the first signs of sunlight coming through the blinds.
I shifted my body so that I wasn't crushing Bella and laid her head on my chest. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at me sleepily.
"Hi." I said as I placed a kiss on her forehead.
"Hey, yourself. How do you feel?"
"Relaxed, much better than last night. Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being there for Riley, for me and for just being you."
"Silly man, I thought you would have figured it out by now. I want to be here, for you and Riley. You both mean a lot to me." Bella kissed my nose.
I snuggled Bella closer loving the feel of her warm body against mine. "You mean a lot to us too."
Our conversation was cut short by a little boy who was excited to see us. Riley jumped on the bed and then climbed up to Bella and gave her a kiss. "You stayed."
"You bet and guess what? We have the whole day to play with all your new toys."
"That. Is. Awesome." Riley said excitedly.
"Do I get a hug too?"
"I'm sorry Daddy." Riley gave me a great big hug and kiss.
"How about I make breakfast? Do you want pancakes?"
"Yeah, but I like the way Bella makes them. She makes funny shapes."
"I can make funny shapes." I said with a pout.
In the end Bella's pancakes beat mine and she made Riley funny shapes and Renee, Bella and me had blueberry pancakes. I did have to agree with Riley, Bella's pancakes were much better than mine. I guess I was going to have to keep her around, even if just for her cooking skills.
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Bella and Renee left later that day to go back to Bella's apartment even after I explained there was plenty of room for them here. They said they loved their time with Riley and me but wanted some mother daughter time.
The week between Christmas and New Year's was spent lounging around the house playing with Riley and his new toys. He loved his Batman play set and it keeps him occupied for long periods of time.
Bella and Renee stopped in a few times during their shopping trips and even stayed for dinner a couple nights. They even took Riley shopping with them one day and he was one happy child. He loved being with Bella and spending time with her. Even when Tanya was in his life she never spent that much time with Riley so Bella was like the mother her never had. Renee was like another grandmom to Riley too. While they went shopping she spoiled him and gave Riley just as much love as Bella, treating him just like her own grandchild.
Tanya hadn't made another appearance since Christmas and I was hoping she came to senses and signed the damn papers. Jasper had told me not to worry, everything would work out. After the holidays if we didn't hear anything from her we would start pushing for a hearing which eased my mind a little.
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Tonight was New Year's Eve and Esme and Carlisle were having a party at their house. It was nothing spectacular, just family and a few of their close friends. The kids would have their own sleepover party and fall asleep early while the adults would party later, so everyone was going to be staying over their house including Bella and Renee. I was looking forward to kissing Bella at midnight and having her in my arms in my bed, even if I longed for more.
"Daddy, when are we going to Grammy's?"
"We have a few more hours. Do you want to watch a movie you got for Christmas until we have to leave?"
"Can we watch Toy Story 3?"
"You bet. Go get it from under the tree."
After I put the movie in I plopped down on the couch and Riley curled up into my side and we watched Toy Story 3. It was times like these I truly treasured.
Around four I piled our stuff in the car and Riley and I headed to my parent's house. Bella and Renee were meeting us there. The car ride was filled with Riley's excitement of staying up late with his cousins. I knew he would never make it to midnight but I would never shatter his dreams.
Riley ran in the house as soon as the car was in park and headed straight for the family room where his cousins probably were. I looked around and noticed Bella wasn't here yet and disappointment filled me. I couldn't wait to see Bella, it had been almost a week since we were actually alone and that was too long for my liking.
I grabbed our bags and headed for the house. I didn't see anyone as I walked in the house so I headed upstairs to drop the bags off. When I headed back down I almost collided with Emmett.
"Hey bro. How you holding up?"
"Fine, as long as Tanya doesn't show her face tonight."
"If the witch knows what's good for her she'll leave us all alone."
"I hope so. I can do without another holiday being ruined."
I left Emmett in search of the rest of the family and found them in the family room. As soon as I walked in Esme looked up and walked over and hugged me.
"Sweetie, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing OK."
"Edward, everything is going to be fine. I feel like next year will be the start of new beginnings and good things will happen."
"I hope so, mom." I kissed Esme on the cheek.
I turned to Alice and smiled. They say that pregnancy made a woman glow and that is exactly what my sister did. She looked so happy. "So little sis, how are you feeling?" I kissed Alice on the cheek.
"I'm doing good, not too much nausea. What about you? You holding up OK?"
"I'm doing fine. As long as the wicked witch of the west stays away tonight I'll be great."
"I don't care if I'm pregnant or not, if she shows her face she's going to regret messing with my family."
"Is big bad Alice going to stand up for her big brother?" I said mocking her and receiving a glare in return.
"Don't mess with me Edward. You may older and bigger but I still know how to hurt you."
I grabbed Alice in a hug. "I love you, sis."
"Love you too."
Emmett walked in the room with Rose not far behind. "What I miss?"
I just rolled my eyes at Emmett who was just an overgrown child. Egging him on I said. "Nothing but some love between siblings."
"Hey."
"I love you too, Emmett." Alice gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.
Our simple sibling teasing continued while the kids laughed and played. Esme had left to finish getting dinner ready and eventually Rose and Alice left to help her.
I was getting a little anxious that Bella was still not here. I then heard the angelic voice I had missed, coming from the kitchen. I made my way to the kitchen and found that Renee and Bella had arrived and were talking to the Cullen women.
I quietly walked in the kitchen and wrapped my arms around Bella from behind and kissed her neck. Bella sighed and relaxed in my arms. "Hey, beautiful."
"Hey."
"Did you just get here?" Bella nodded and relaxed more in my arms. I turned her around and gently placed a kiss to her lips lingering a little. I rested my forehead to hers and sighed. I was content to stay like this but then I heard a throat clear. I looked up to see a grin on Alice's face and just rolled my eyes at her.
Dinner was filled with talking and laughter as everyone enjoyed another great meal by Esme. The conversations were light and no one talked about the Tanya situation, which I was grateful for. I looked around the table and smiled at how blessed I was to have all these wonderful people in my life.
Bella squeezed my knee under the table. "What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing, really." I kissed Bella's cheek
I hope Bella knew Renee and her were part of this family just as much as everyone else. I knew deep in my heart she was my future and I needed to find the courage to tell her how much I cared for her. Hell, I just needed to tell her I loved her but I wasn't sure how she would react and if she felt the same way.
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Esme and Carlise had invited a few of their close friends so Renee and my parents were gathered in the family room having a party of their own. Renee was staying tonight, as well as Bella, so I didn't have to worry about her getting home safely. Mom and Dad would make sure their friends made it home.
As the night went on the kids became tired and I knew they were fading fast. They went upstairs and got ready for bed to have a little sleepover of their own. When they were all settled into their beds and goodnight kisses were given, the three couples descended to the basement.
Alice had this vision of playing drinking games but hadn't thought the idea out far enough.
"Alice do you really think it's fair to play drinking games when you and Rose can't drink?" Jasper asked.
"You and Emmett can drink for us."
"I still don't think it's fair." I said.
After a heavy argument with Alice over playing drinking games when two of the six people were pregnant and couldn't drink, we settled on a non drinking game.
"Edward you always cheat." Emmett said.
"Emmett, you are such a child. How am I cheating at Pictionary?"
"There is no way Bella figured that out so quickly." Emmett whined.
"You're just jealous." Bella added.
"I want Bella on my team."
"Hey, you can't just ditch your wife." Rose gave Emmett the evil eye.
"Sorry babe, but Bella is good. Especially if she can figure out what Eddie is drawing."
"My drawing is not bad. Bella and I are just a good team." I pulled Bella close and kissed her cheek.
"Okay love birds enough of that." Alice joked.
We continued playing our game and eventually switched teams. Rose was not at all happy but was cheerful when we beat Emmett. I guess in the end Emmett was just that bad and no one could help him.
It was getting close to midnight so we cleaned up and put the TV on to watch the ball drop. Alice had planted herself on Jasper's lap on the recliner, Rose had forgiven Emmett and was curled up on his lap on the sofa and Bella and I were cuddled under a blanket on the floor with Bella on my lap.
Bella shifted on my lap and I groaned which only egged her on more. Apparently Bella though it was amusing and was fighting with fire. She wiggled her ass again and I had to bite my lip to hold in a moan.
"Bella." I whispered in her ear trying to be stern.
Bella surprised me by reaching behind her and rubbing my now rock hard dick through my pants. She kept rubbing me while I tried to control the urge to moan or scream. Bella just giggled like she was laughing at something on TV.
I looked around and noticed the other couples were wrapped up in their own little worlds and not paying attention to anything else.
Bella surprised me more when she slowly unbuttoned my button and lowered my zipper then slipped her hand in my pants and grabbed my dick in her hand. I knew I should stop her but apparently my brain was not working and I couldn't. She worked her hand up and down, gripping it with the right amount of pressure and I thought it was pure torture what she was doing.
"Bella, please." I begged. Not sure if I was begging her to stop or begging her to make me come.
Bella started to work me faster and faster and I could hear in the far distance the countdown to midnight. I kissed Bella's neck as she continued to work me holding back my moans. I knew I was on edge and ready to explode and hoped Bella never stopped. Then Bella's hand was gone and I thought I would die but she turned in my lap and her hand returned to my dick.
Five…Four…Three…Two…One and then I was coming and Bella kissed me capturing my moans working me into oblivion. As I slowly came down from my high I opened my eyes to see a smug smile on Bella's face. I rested my forehead to hers.
"Happy New Year, Edward."
"Happy New Year, baby." And I knew it was going to be a good year.
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