Hello everyone! Our story continues...


Chapter 9

Present Day…suburbs of Seattle, WA

Edward's POV

Finally the afternoon and evening were free and 'Nes was feeling well enough to work in their kitchen. Jake and I each had a ladder and worked on opposite sides of the kitchen so we wouldn't be in each other's way. 'Nes held the new hinges and screws for us and took the old ones as we hung them in place.

"The new bronze hinges and knobs look great, Dad. Thanks for picking them out."

"You're welcome. Now if you can ever decide on curtains you'll be able to done this room and can move onto the next." I winked at her.

She sighed exasperatedly. "Mom and I are talking about making them because I can find any that I like."

"Yeah but you haven't even found a fabric you like yet. I really think I'd be easier to just buy the curtains. They might not be perfect but we're not going to live here forever." Jake clarified.

"You're right but…I don't know, I just had something else in mind."

I laughed out loud at her. "You're as bad as your grandmother. She is having a fit about the party tomorrow night because the office furniture is all moved out for the painters to come. If it hadn't taken her so long to choose paint, it would have been finished by now."

"I'm not like Grandma! Not at all…I just want the kitchen to be perfect." She explained, rolling her eyes.

"That's what Grandma said too." I teased.

Bella's POV

There was a pulse of nervousness running thorough me as I put the finishing touches on my hair and makeup. I looked down at my shoes and dress and felt my hands begin to shake, making it nearly impossible to finish putting on my makeup.

I was calling this my first actual date with Lee. And even though we had gone out for coffee that one time, this definitely felt like a date when that did not. He had made reservations at an upscale restaurant in the area and was picking me up at 6:00. I glanced at the clock and realized I only had a half hour to finish getting ready. I slipped my black dress over my head and stepped into my heels, finally finished.

The more I considered this evening the more nervous I became. But it wasn't because I had any romantic feelings for Lee. I simply enjoyed his company and was attempting to be in a social setting the first time with a man who wasn't Edward. Lee was a very nice man; he had been hurt by his ex-wife and hadn't been on many dates since his divorce. He was completely aware that this was my first date since high school and I am sure he expected me to be nervous.

I was ready to go when he arrived promptly at six, and I wasted no time leaving the house, realizing I was very close to cancelling. He held the car door open for me and smiled warmly as I slid into the passenger seat "You look lovely, Bella."

I thanked him and commented on how nice he looked in his dark suit. On the ride, we continued our polite, albeit impersonal conversation. The minute we arrived at the restaurant Lee continued his gracious gestures by pulling my chair out for me at the restaurant and helping me remove my coat. When the waiter approached the table he ordered us a bottle of wine and we perused the menus.

"I'm so thankful we could do this, Bella. I have admired you for a long time and look forward to getting to know you better." He smiled at me over the top of his menu and I blushed.

"Thank you, Lee. I am completely out of practice here, so forgive me if I'm a little rusty." I admitted.

He laughed lightly as he poured wine in glasses for each of us. "You're doing just fine. I'll bet by the time dinner comes you won't be nervous at all."

"I wouldn't count on that…" I commented wryly, lifting the glass to my lips to take a sip.

The waiter came and took our order and while we waited I listened to Lee talk about his hobbies. He liked to play golf and enjoyed taking vacations to Florida to visit several of the courses there. He laughed at how boring his children told him his life was but commented how much en enjoyed the relaxing lifestyle he lived.

"Probably most people would say my life is boring too. I go home and read, watch TV and talk to my daughter on the phone. I like to cook and lately I've spent a lot of time cleaning my house."

Lee was right, the longer we talked the more comfortable I became. I still was a little tense but he was so pleasant and easy to talk to that I almost forgot we were on a date. When our food came we talked about what our favorite meals were and where we liked to shop. I explained to him that growing up I had done most of the shopping and cooking from a very young age. He had only starting cooking after his divorce and told me amusing stories of the debacles of preparing meals as a single man.

The waiter removed our plates and we opted not to have dessert but instead to take a walk and continue our chat. The night air was chilly and we walked rather briskly along the street taking in the window displays of the small shops and the unusual people out walking at this hour. We had walked only a short distance when I felt Lee's hand touch mine. He didn't turn his head, but simply touched his fingers to mine and then clasped our hands together, never missing a beat in our step.

It felt awkward, holding his hand, but I kept walking and talking, trying to ignore the awkwardness. We made a loop around the next street over and ended up back at his car on the curb outside the restaurant. He opened the door for me and then climbed into his own side before driving me home.

Once he pulled into my driveway, he got out of his side of the car and helped me out like the gentleman he had been all evening. He walked me to the door courteously and then smiled down at me. There was a breeze blowing by which caused him to squint as he spoke. "I had a wonderful time tonight, Bella."

I cleared my throat, "I did too, Lee. Thank you for dinner."

Before I could take my next breath, he leaned his face closer to mine and just a fraction of a second before our lips touched I turned my head away. "Um, I'm sorry… I can't … it's too soon for me." I shook my head, not even able to look at his face yet.

Instead he took my hand in his and kissed the back of it like he had done the other night. I finally looked up and saw his eyes were gently smiling down at me "I understand. Goodnight, Bella." He walked down the steps and across the sidewalk to his car, his head held high and seemingly un-phased by my rejection.

I ducked into the house and slid my back against the door wondering what on earth was wrong with me. Lee was attractive, intelligent, kind and easy to talk to. I just couldn't bear the idea of kissing him.

xoxo

The next morning I had a breakfast date with Alice and Rensmee and then we were going shopping for curtains for 'Nes and Jake's kitchen. Alice and I arrived at the diner first and the waitress was just pouring our coffees when 'Nes arrived.

"I'm so glad you could join us Alice. Your taste is impeccable and I really need help." My daughter leaned over and hugged Alice before sliding into the booth beside me and giving me a hug as well.

"You look so beautiful," Alice told her. "You're actually glowing. It must be love!" She flashed Renesmee a wink.

"It is. I love Jake so much." She picked up her menu and blushed as she decided what to order. While we waited for our food, Renesmee and I told Alice all about her apartment and the décor they had chosen already. "The kitchen curtains are the only real dilemma. I want it to be perfect, except I don't really have anything specific in mind. Nothing I see appeals to me."

"There's a customer of mine who owns a custom drapery store. I thought we could look there to get some ideas of colors and textures and then decide if that's what you want or if we need to look elsewhere." Alice chimed with a smile.

Our breakfast arrived and while we began to eat Alice continued. "So, Bella. I want to know all about your date last night." I looked up from my plate and found her wide eyes staring back at me.

Renesmee gasped out loud. "A date? I didn't know anything about a date! With who?"

I took a deep breath and shot Alice a nervous glance. "I guess you could call it a date… Lee Stephens from the office took me out to dinner. It was nothing, really." I attempted to brush off the conversation casually.

"Mom, I'm surprised. I didn't realize you were there yet…you know…ready to start dating?" I could tell the topic upset her, even though she was trying to remain calm and collected.

"I'm not sure I am ready to start dating, to be honest." I took a mouthful of eggs to avoid saying anything else.

"Did he kiss you goodnight?" Alice prompted.

"Alice!" I scolded. "This isn't the time or place to talk about this. My daughter is here."

"Must be he did then…" Renesmee cast me a sideways glance.

I put down my fork and my face dropped into my hands. "Ugh!" I sighed. "He tried to kiss me but I couldn't do it. I didn't let him." I admitted, hands still over my face.

I heard Alice giggle slightly. "Hmm, I wonder why that is?" Alice gave me an all-knowing look.

"Shut up," I replied, turning with an impatient smile toward Alice. "It was embarrassing. I felt so immature."

"You seem flustered. Must be you really like him, Mom." Renesmee replied before picking up her cup and taking a sip of coffee.

"That's not it at all!" Alice corrected my daughter as she shook her finger at me. "I told you what you need to do Bella. You just didn't listen."

"I'm missing something…" Renesmee shrugged. "Why don't you tell me what's really going on?"

Alice continued like she didn't even hear Renesmee speaking. "You're not ready to date, Bella and you know it. You're still in love with Edward!" She smiled widely at me, making direct eye contact and I had no choice but admit she was right.

I hung my head toward the table and nodded ashamedly.

"Seriously?" My daughter exclaimed. She spun her body around to face me in the booth we shared and she looked from my eyes to Alice's as if trying to decipher if the prediction was correct. "Oh my gosh, you're right Alice! Mom, why didn't you tell me?"

I could feel my face getting hot and I made eye contact with her. "'Nes...my relationship with your father is complicated. It's more than just whether we love each other or not…"

"That's where you're wrong, Bella. If you two love each other there's only one thing to do … call Edward and talk it over."

Both Alice and Renesmee continued to encourage me to talk to Edward. While I continued to defend my original decision, knowing very well that they were right … and I was wrong.

Edward's POV

I walked down the stairs and stood in front of my mom so she could make sure my appearance met with her expectations. She tilted her head sideways and walked around me, eyeing every square inch of my suit. Her hand brushed over my shoulders, no doubt removing some non-existent lint.

I chuckled at her, "Mom, I've managed to get dressed for functions for years without you scrutinizing my attire. This is a birthday party for Dad, not a room inspection in the army."

She shook her head in dismay. "Is it too much to ask that my family look respectful for a special occasion?"

"It's Dad's birthday party. I haven't ever missed one yet."

"True, but I never thought Bella took enough time to make sure you all looked your best. Now in my day…"

I cut her off with a kiss on her cheek. "I love you, Mom." I smiled at her, hoping my dazzling smile would distract her, and it did, thankfully.

Mom rushed into the kitchen to make sure the appetizers were ready to go into the oven. Within minutes the door bell rang and I was ushering Jake and Renesmee in the door. I brought them both into the living room for drinks while Mom put the food under the boiler.

"Hi Grandma," Renesmee leaned in for a hug as my mom wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you, sweetie. I'll look better when I can take off this apron and sit down with all of you. Grandpa should be down any minute." She glanced at her wrist watch just as we heard Dad descend the staircase.

"Did I hear my granddaughter's voice?" He smiled widely, pulling her into his arms for a hug.

"Happy birthday Grandpa." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he shook Jake's hand, and then removed the drink I held out for him to take.

Mom came in carrying a tray of bacon wrapped scallops and placed it on the coffee table before finally removing her apron and joining the rest of us for drinks until dinner was ready.

"I heard you were having some trouble picking out curtains for your kitchen,'Nes." Mom spoke up as she was serving dinner.

"Not anymore. I went shopping earlier today and finally found exactly what I wanted."

Jake smiled. "You didn't tell me that! What do they look like?"

Renesmee cast a brief scowl at him and then explained, "Mom, Alice and I went out for breakfast and then went shopping this morning. Alice suggested a store and the owner showed us a ton of swatches until I found just the right ones. I ordered them and she said they should be here within a week."

Jake laughed at her from his seat as he took a drink from his water glass. "You must have been distracted, because all you told me after you got home was about your mother's da…" He suddenly snapped his mouth shut and glanced nervously around the table, his face reddening with embarrassment.

"What was that Jacob?" Dad piped up.

"Uh… um" He stammered, looking at Renesmee for guidance.

The look on her face as she looked back at him was pure annoyance. She bit her lip nervously, her face flushed to match Jakes. Then she took a deep breath and explained, "Mom went on a date with a guy from work."

Dead silence spread over the room.

My chest felt as if my heart had been torn out. My insides were like ice. I stared off into the distance in disbelief, unable to utter a single word.

"Well, that was soon, wasn't it?" Dad replied in a know-it-all tone while Mom sighed in nervousness.

"I'm sorry, Nessie. I didn't mean to, it just slipped out…" Jake tried to apologize and she just shook her head, trying to avoid any more awkward conversation.

The rest of dinner went by in a blur for me. I went through the motions of the family celebration, including watching my father blow out candles on his cake. All the while my mind was clouded with the thoughts of another man in Bella's life.

For some reason I knew there was more that Renesmee wanted to say as she sat there across from me, her lips in a tight line. I smiled through gritted teeth at my family as they celebrated, even though there was so much tension in the room, you could have cut it with a knife.

When 'Nes and Jake got up to leave, I walked them to the door. I shook Jake's hand and his eyes met mine sadly. I realized he was still embarrassed about letting the news slip about Bella. I slapped his arm with my hand while we shook. "It's okay, Jake. Thank you for coming." I smiled, trying to put on a happy face, even though I didn't want to.

I pulled my daughter in for a hug and she whispered in my ear, "Don't worry Dad, It'll all work out. It's not what it seems." She smiled at me and told me she loved me before I had a chance to respond. "We'll see you tomorrow?" I nodded and as they left I closed the door behind them and turned to go face the music with my parents.

My dad was standing in the living room, tapping his foot nervously. "What do you think of that news, Son?"

"I'm devastated, Dad! What did you expect me to say?" I snapped at him.

"You know son, if you'd listened to my advice you might not have been so surprised by this news…" His voice trailed off as I flashed back to a time when I did listen to my Dad's advice…

1987…Forks, WA

I stood in my parent's living room explaining my plan to my Dad. "We want to buy the house, Dad. Bella fell in love with it and I want to give it to her and 'Nes."

Dad let out a deep breath. "Do you really think you can afford it, Son? I mean you just started at Boeing."

"The bank says we can afford it if our down payment is sufficient. That's why I need your help."

"How many hours have you been working since you started the job?"

"About forty," I answered, not understanding how that was pertinent.

"You told me when you applied that they told you there would be overtime hours available. Have they not offered you overtime?"

I nodded, "Yes they have and I've done some overtime. I just enjoy being home with Bella and 'Nes so much, I hate to miss dinner every night…"

"Edward don't you remember the conversation we had when you told your mother and I that Bella was pregnant?" I nodded and he continued, not missing a breath. "We agreed to pay your tuition to college and your rent, as well as most of your other expenses, while you and Bella were in school, so you could support your daughter on your own one day."

"I remember, Dad, and I'm so grateful for what you've done."

"Then I think you need to consider whether you should be refusing overtime hours when your company offers them to you. You don't have the luxury of refusing pay when you have a family to support, not to mention the fact that you want to buy a new home, and a very expensive one at that."

"I know I have an obligation to support them, and you've been helping a lot but I want to be with them too. Isn't there a way to have both, a career and a family you get to actually see? I don't want to work my life away."

"Then you should have thought of that before you knocked up your girlfriend at seventeen!" He shouted.

I was embarrassed and hung my head in shame. "I'm sorry, Dad. You're right. If I promise to work every single minute they offer, would you consider loaning us the deposit for this house?"

He nodded, "It's not a question of loaning you the money. Of course we will do that. I only want to be sure you understand the kind of dedication that's required when you have a good job. You don't see me showing up at exactly dinner time every night, did you?"

"No, you've always worked lots of hours." I admitted.

"Part of that is so your mother could stay home and take care of you. If I wanted her to stay home and raise you, I knew I'd have to work all that much harder."

I nodded in agreement. "I want Bella home too. I'll do whatever it takes to support her and 'Nes."

Dad smiled at me. "Great plan, Edward. I'll have the check ready for you tomorrow.

Present Day…suburbs of Seattle, WA

I realized that all of the time I spent away from my family was prompted by my Dad. I was angry at all of time I had wasted with my wife and daughter, because I took my Dad's advice…and now my wife is moving on with her life.

Her life without me in it.

I won't lie, it hurt like hell. She was and still is everything to me. When I first laid eyes on her, I knew I wanted her and it took time but eventually I won her over. But here we are 23 years later, separated and in the process of a divorce. The papers had been signed both of us. All that had to happen now was for the court to set the date for a hearing. Soon we would no longer be married. Bella wouldn't be my wife.

My heart broke in a million pieces when it finally hit me.

It was over. Really over. I slumped down in my room on the floor and I just let the tears flow down my face, absorbed the pain of losing the best part of my life, my existence.


A/N: I'm coming closer to the end of the story. Maybe three chapters more...maybe a bit longer, but it's definitely winding down. Please let me know if you like the story, let me know what you 'd like to see happen, and if you're not liking it, why not?

Thanks, I appreciate it a lot! Talk to you next time! ~D