Quickly - thank you. You support is an amazing thing to me. That is all.

The front door slammed shut, and I looked up from the rare treat of a real book and smiled at Jake who came in running, his entire face lit up with a grin. "Hey, Mom."

"Hey, yourself." I smiled back at his happy expression. "How was the movie?"

"Awesome!"

After lunch, Edward had informed me he was taking the boys to the new action movie that had just opened, giving me another few hours to myself. When I'd tried to protest he had just smiled at me, his fingers dancing down my cheek. "Please let me do this, Bella. I get some time with the boys, they'll have a great time and you can … rest." His voice was quiet, and I could detect an underlying hint of worry.

I had moved forward, keeping my voice low as I tried to lay his worries to rest. "Edward. I fainted yesterday because I was too hot, hadn't eaten and was tired. I'm not ill. I'm perfectly fine. Please don't worry."

He had sighed. "I still want to do this, Bella. And besides, Jake told me you hate action movies."

"I don't … hate them."

"Come with us, then."

"Um, no … actually the couch sounds like a good idea."

He had laughed and swiftly kissed me. "Good to know there's no hate there."

I'd had to admit defeat. "A quiet couple of hours and a book versus loud explosions and car chases? Yeah, I'll take the book."

"Then it's settled."

Still overwhelmed at Edward's quiet thoughtfulness, I sat my book down and grinned at Jake's enthusiasm.

"Did you behave yourself for Ed … Coach E?"

Jake made a face at me and shook his head. "Mom. I know you don't call him Coach E. You can say Edward. I know who he is. He explained all of it."

"Oh, he did, did he?"

"Yeah. He's cool like that."

I patted the couch next to me. "Come talk to me, Jake. Tell me what the cool Coach E explained to you."

Jake rolled his eyes, but came and sat down. "I get it, Mom. Even though he's your boyfriend, I still have to call him Coach E at hockey. Even Emmett calls him Coach E at the rink. I can call him Edward when he's here or at his place."

I cleared my throat. "My, um, boyfriend?"

"Well, he says he wants to be. But it's up to you if he is."

I drew in a deep breath. Guy talk indeed. "I see. What else did you discuss?"

"He said that what we think of ourselves is the most important thing and we shouldn't care what other people think or say. But he also said if someone says something I don't like, or bothers me, I can go and talk to him any time."

Instantly, I forgave the use of the word boyfriend so early in their conversation.

"How do you feel about that?"

Jake pursed his lips as he pondered that question. "I'm good."

"Jake," I paused, "you know you're the most important thing in my life right?"

"I know, Mom."

"You like Coach E?"

"Yeah. I do. A lot."

"I do, as well. And sometimes when grownups like each other they, ah …" I trailed off, uncertain how exactly to say what I wanted to say.

Jake huffed a sigh through his nose. "Mom! I'm not a baby anymore. I know what dating is. You want to date Coach E, right?"

His exasperated tone made me chuckle. "I'd like to if that is okay with you."

"Yeah. I was worried about some stuff, but I talked to Coach E about that, too."

"Oh?"

My little boy suddenly disappeared and a young man sat in front of me. "I told him I didn't want him to hurt you … like Dad did."

My heart clenched at his words. "Oh, Jake."

He straightened his shoulders. "I told him I'd kick his ass if he did."

"Jake!"

He shrugged and looked at me beseechingly. "I hafta look after you Mom. That's my job. Coach E understands that completely."

"What did he say?"

"He said he'd kick his own ass if he hurt you."

"Oh."

"And then he said he'd rather cut off his left nut than do that."

My eyebrows shot up.

Jake looked at me seriously. "Nuts are important to guys, Mom. I don't think he's gonna hurt you."

I bit the inside of my cheek, desperately trying not to laugh. I wasn't sure if I needed to call Edward and ream him out for his version of guy talk or demand he come over so I could kiss him — hard.

I picked up Jake's hand and squeezed it. "For what it's worth, Jake, I don't think your dad set out to hurt me either. Or you. Sometimes, people do things they don't mean to do."

Jake leaned forward, his voice unhappy. "Do you know that Emmett's mom only sees him every few months?"

Reaching out I combed my fingers through his dark hair. "I know, honey."

"Coach E says she loves him, though." His brow furrowed. I got the feeling he was trying to recall what Edward had said. "In her own way."

"Your dad loves you, Jake. He does. He's just in a different place right now."

He regarded me sadly. "Coach E says that too. He says I have to let him figure it out and be the bigger man and forgive him."

My breath caught in my throat. I definitely needed to kiss Edward.

"But he says it's okay for me to be mad at him, too." Jake's lips trembled and I reached out and pulled him into my arms, rocking him like I did when he was a little boy. How on earth had Edward managed to get Jake to open up like this?

"Coach E is right. You feel whatever you need to feel, Jake. I love you no matter what."

"I love you, Mom. I'm glad you're not like Em's mom. I'm glad you kept me — I don't think I'd want to stay with dad."

I held him closer. "I'd never give you up, Jake. Ever. I'll always be here. Always, Jake."

He looked up at me. "So are you going to let Coach E be your boyfriend?"

I smiled down at him, running my hand over his head. "I think I might, Jake."

He sighed and surprised me by snuggling in closely, allowing me a brief moment of tenderness with him.

"Good. I like him, Mom."

I smiled into his hair. "Me too, Jake. Me, too."

*()*

After dinner I went into the hall, laughing when I saw Jake's jacket, as usual, dumped on the floor instead of hanging on the hook a mere three feet away. I picked it up along with a bag that was hidden under the coat.

Carrying the bag I went into the living room, where Jake was playing one of his many video games I couldn't even remotely understand how to play. "Jake, what's in the bag?"

He looked up briefly and then frowned. "Oh, yeah. Coach E asked me to give you that. Sorry, Mom." Then his eyes turned back to the TV screen and I was forgotten.

Curious, I went down the hall to my room to open the closed bag. Reaching in, I pulled out a team jersey and an envelope. I held up the jersey and I bit my lip I read the words on the back placed over the number zero.

Jake's Mom

Still holding the jersey, I sat down and opened the envelope, drawing out a card that had a picture of a skating rink on the front. I opened the card with shaky fingers.

Bella,

For you to wear proudly when you come to the practices and games. You should be proud – your son is a great person which I suppose is hardly a surprise given how amazing his mother is.

Did you know how much he loves you?

You are his idol and he aspires to be all he can be— for you.

Yours,

Edward

I reread the words again and again. He got me a jersey. He thought I was amazing. I drew in a shuddering sigh. Nobody, aside from Jake, had thought I was amazing in a long time. Closing the card, I saw more writing on the back.

PS

When you're ready you can wear the other jersey I left in your bottom drawer. I hope to see it on you again. Soon. I aspire to be better for you as well.

Your Coach E

I stood up, went over to my dresser and opened the drawer. Inside was Edward's jersey, the words Property of Coach Cullen blazing at me. I smiled as I ran my fingers over the letters, before shutting the drawer.

The way Edward was weaving his wonderful self into my life, "soon" might happen faster than either of us planned.

I could hardly wait for Jake to go to bed so I could call my Coach E.

Next up - EPOV. Now a little housekeeping. I am travelling for the next while in England. I will not be taking my computer. I will post one update a week while I am away- I am not sure what day - it will be when I am able to get to a computer. So there will be the usual update on Wed before I leave and then one per week til I am back in June.