Author's Note:
Hello! thank you all so much for responding to the last chapter (as well as those who added the story to your favorites!). I'm sorry that not everyone is into the whole older man thing. I understand that isn't everyone's cup of tea. if you don't like it, don't read it. I'm not going to tell you if Bella chooses Carlisle or Edward. It is a little unorthodox that Bella be attracted to both father and son but I hope that people get over that. She is going to choice one person and this isn't going to be some silly inbreed story. It is among everything else a love story. I also don't see Bella has having daddy problems. She is a little mature for her age given what she has been through.
I ask if you continue to read the story just have an open mind. There is much more to the story than than an age game.
Thank you all for reading!
-Lisa
Chapter Eleven
Hi Edward,
I hope all is going well and it is okay for me to contact you. I've had a lot on my mind and I feel as if I should explain what has been going on.
First of all, I want to thank you for everything you done both in the classroom and out. I also had fun getting to know you and talking to you. It's because of that I feel I need to be completely honest with you.
When I first moved back to Boston, I met a man who ended coming into my work. He flirted with me, and I back. He was very sweet to me. As time went on, there was an incident where he helped my daughter and that really tugged at my heart. I think she was smitten with him as soon as she met him. We spent some time together and things were going well. This man admitted that he wanted to get to know me better and I welcomed it.
But then there was you. I had to figure out how I felt about you. I am still trying to figure that out. I don't know you well at all. You seem like a really sweet, nice guy. It seems as if you put your all into everything you do. I too was taken back with the care and the thought you gave Molly. The thought of including her in one of our dates melted my heart. It was a very sweet gesture.
That leads me to the present and this is the part I pray you don't hate me for. I figured some things out and you know the other man I had been seeing. You know him pretty well actually. Edward, I have no idea how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. I was also seeing your dad but didn't realize it until the weekend. I never put your last names together. Cullen isn't that uncommon of a last name and we are in Boston where I feel like the whole city is either Irish or Italian. Anyway you two don't look alike. I had no idea. It was only when he began to talk about you and how proud he is of you and it began to click. It clicked when you called him from New York. He was at my house and about to kiss me.
I know things are screwed up and I am truly, truly sorry for that. I don't know what to do. I wanted to call you but we have yet to exchange numbers. I feel like a coward going through email to talk to you, but I don't know what else to do.
I spoke to Carlisle and we have decided not to go any farther in our relationship until you and I figure out what we want in ours. Your dad loves you a lot and doesn't want to see you get hurt (and I apologize in advance for anything I might have done to cause you more pain. It was definitely not my intention and believed me when I say I have never been in a predicament like this one before).
I don't know what to do. We have to talk Edward. I like you, or at least liked getting to know you, but I also have these feelings for Carlisle too. I don't know. Like I said, we need to talk. Please call me or email me back. I would like to meet some kind of resolution with you where neither you nor Carlisle gets hurt.
-Bella
PS-My number is 617-554-7890. Let's talk?
Before she could reread the email for the eighth time, Bella hit the send button. Carlisle and Bella had talked the day before. Bella was still feeling pretty terrible about the whole ordeal. She cringed when she walked Molly to school and looked away from Carlisle's home, even though she knew he wasn't home.
Once she was back to her house, Bella sat down and composed the email. She was nervous for Edward's reaction. She felt bad, especially since he had been so unlucky in love. She kept repeating to herself that she didn't intentionally begin to gain interest in both of them on purpose. It was pure coincidence.
As the day progressed, Bella finished her school work and went grocery shopping. She checked her email periodically and found Edward had yet to return her email. She sighed as she went off to pick up Molly. As they were walking back home, Molly smiled as she looked up at her mother.
"I made a really neat painting today. We used paint mixed with corn meal so it looks like the beach. "
"That's interesting," Bella said returning her smile.
"Yep. I made a picture with the oil pasteles."
"Pastels. They are called oil pastels honey."
"Oh," Molly replied. She looked up at her mother again. "I made a picture for you and a picture for Dr-I mean Carlisle. When are we going to see him again? This is even better than the other one I made."
That's a good question honey. "Honey, Carlisle is busy. He's working and he works really long hours. He works a whole day."
"Like a school day?"
"Longer. He works from when the sun comes out to when it goes down. Then he goes home and sleeps. We spent time with him while he had time off but he's working again so we'll have to wait until he is free," Bella smiled hoping her daughter would believe her. The truth was she wasn't lying. He really as at work, she just didn't want to get into more complicated issues with her daughter. "You know what? I think it is a beautiful day to play outside. Let's go to the park."
"Can we?" Molly asked excited.
"Of course. When we get home you can help me with dinner."
Molly grabbed her mother's hand as they began to skip towards the park. They talked about the rest of Molly's day at school and Halloween. Molly had decided she wanted to be Ariel from the Little Mermaid, which really wasn't a surprise to Bella. She promised she'd order her the dress tonight after dinner.
After the park, Molly again held onto her mother's hand as they walked home. Molly again was talking about something that had happened at school. Such joy escaped from her mouth. When they had arrived home, as promised, Bella let Molly help her in the kitchen to make dinner. By the time her bedtime rolled around, Molly was exhausted and went to bed without a story.
Bella then found herself at her computer. She ordered Molly's dress and then clicked over to her email. Edward had responded. She took a deep breath as she opened it up and began to read it.
Whatever. No hard feelings-see you in class tomorrow. Edward
That was it? That was what she waited and worried about all day? Not even a full sentence? She shook her head, shut off her computer and went to bed. She would just have to talk to him the following day after class.
"Remember, your papers are due two weeks from Friday. Have a good afternoon," Edward said as he dismissed the class.
Bella slowly walked over to his desk. He never looked up as he began to pack up his belongings. She stood in front of him trying to get his attention but he never looked up. She looked around noticing they were the only two people in the room. "Edward?"
Edward stopped what he was doing and looked up. "Yes Miss Swan, did you have a question."
Miss Swan? "Miss Swan? Aren't we kind of past that now?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I am addressing you as I always have as well as every other student in this class. What can I help you with?" Edward told her without cracking a smile.
Bella's eyebrows rose. "I wanted to talk to you about the email."
"Which email would that be? I was unaware you had a question about the reading or the assignment. Which is it?"
Bella took a step back. "Neither actually. It was the personal email that I had sent you about our situation."
Edward took a breath and looked as if he was going to break down and finally talk to her. "Miss Swan, I cannot allow my personal life and school life to intermingle. I would appreciate it if you not contact me using the school email address. It's for school use only and not personal."
Looking disgusted, Bella began to fight back. "I had no other way to contact you. We never exchanged phone numbers and when I realized I had to talk to you it seemed only fair to contact you the only way I knew how!"
Edward took a deep breath. He looked hurt and pissed as he spoke up quietly. "Well Miss Swan, it would seem to me you didn't try hard enough. I know for a fact where you could have retrieved my phone number from."
"From where?"
"Does the name Dr. Cullen ring a bell to you? It seems in your own admission that you have spent a lot of time with him, he has my number so why didn't you ask him?"
Taken back, Bella froze. "I honestly didn't think of it. I was just concerned with talking to you."
Edward let out a disgusted chuckle. "You were concerned with talking to me? Really? Were you so concerned that my father and I might find out about each other? How long did you think you could let that go on? What kind of perverted person are you? What exactly did you want to come out of it?"
Bella shook her head. "It wasn't like that at all. I tried to explain to you in the email. I had no idea until it just clicked. When I went over Carlisle's I saw pictures of you and Alice and got my confirmation. Edward, you have got to believe me. I never thought that something like this would happen."
Edward shrugged his shoulders as he placed his hands in his pockets. He seemed less guarded as he spoke. "I don't know what your intention was but it hurt Bella."
"Edward, I didn't have any intentions. I haven't dated anyone in five years. I've had one boyfriend who died. Remember I told you Molly's dad wasn't coming back? He's not coming back because he's dead." Bella slipped. "I haven't been interested in anyone in all those years until I met you and Carlisle. I swear to you there are no other intentions. This just kind of happened."
Laughing again with no humor to be found, Edward looked at Bella. He walked a little closer to her and stared at her before he began. "You expect me to believe that someone who is attractive as you with a personality to match hasn't had a date in five years? Bella, I'm not a naïve or dumb person. You might be able to pull that off with my father, but it isn't working with me."
Bella was taken back. Was he so hurt and upset he was using being rude as a defense mechanism? "Edward, I am telling you the truth. Mike died right before Thanksgiving five years ago. The following February I found out I was three months pregnant. I had Molly and really didn't have time to deal with anything else. I was raising a child and helping my mother take care of my dying father. I moved here and I met you and Carlisle. Honestly, when I met you I thought you were arrogant and a prick, but you aren't. At least I didn't think you were after I got to know you a little better." She paused as Edward went back to pack the few items that remained on the desk into his bag. She stood in front of him. "Why aren't you listening to me? Why are you acting like this? Edward?"
Edward ignored Bella as he snapped his bag. He began to walk out of the classroom and slowly turned around. He gripped his straps and looked at Bella. He actually had begun to look sad and disappointed opposed to angry. He began in a whisper. "I was beginning to really like you. It isn't easy for me, as you are aware. I trusted you and you couldn't be honest with me?"
"I told you, it just clicked. How was I supposed to know right away? We weren't exclusively dating. I didn't do anything wrong. I am sorry if I ended up hurting you, but as I stated, I didn't want to do that. Can we talk about this? Please?"
Edward turned to leave the room before turning around. "I'm withdrawing my intent to have a relationship with you. The semester is almost over and after that we have no reason to see each other again, unless it is of course through my father. Good bye Miss Swan."
The feeling of defeat lingered throughout her body. She was stuck between the emotions of sadness and anger. She took a deep breath and slowly walked out the door.
"I think you need to just forget about the Cullen men. You are a beautiful person Bella, inside and out. You'll find someone. You know, I could introduce you to this guy the Em works with. He's-"
Bella shook her head. Rose had joined Bella for lunch after her talk with Edward. She needed to just vent. Bella offered Rose a smile. "Thank you Rose, but it isn't about finding a person right now. I just kind of fell into two of them. Two guys I really liked, and now I'm left again by myself. This is why I was so hesitant about Carlisle in the first place. I knew nothing good could come from it and look now."
"Bella, you did nothing wrong. You did the right thing. You spoke to both of them as soon as you realized things. You need to take a step back and wash your hands of this mess. You really have no reason to see Carlisle again and after December, you won't see Edward any more anyway because your class will end. Move on, forget about them." Rose explained her opinion.
After sipping her water, Bella shook her head. "I can't just do that. I want to call Carlisle and talk to him about it."
"And say what? 'I really liked you and your son and now he's acting like the prick I originally thought he was? I know you are really close to him, but is there still a chance for us?' Bella, there is no good that can come from this. I think you should pick up the shreds of your emotions and move on. You'll meet someone else and life will be back to being good. Honey, don't do it. You'll just get hurt and you've had enough of the pain," Rose said squeezing Bella's hand.
Bella slumped back in her seat. She rubbed her face with her hands. "This is so frustrating!"
"Just take deep breaths and move on. It's the best thing for you and for Molly," Rose repeated trying to talk some common sense into Bella. She hated seeing her friend like this.
Sighing, Bella looked at Rose. "You're right. You are absolutely right. Look where they have gotten me all ready, now where. I think I want to tell both of them I'm done, just so everyone is clear on that front."
"Bella, just leave well enough alone. Neither one of them deserve your efforts." Rose explained as the waiter brought the check. Rose picked it up and looked at Bella. "It's on me."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome and did it help?"
Bella shrugged her shoulders. "A little, thank you."
After Bella brought Molly to school, she returned to their home and began doing work. She checked her email to find another email from Edward. She clicked on it to be saddened that it was a mass email for everyone in her class. He had cancelled class for Friday.
She picked up the phone and dialed a number and waited patiently for an answer.
"Jacob Black speaking."
"Jake, I'm sorry to bug you at work-"
"Is everything all right? Are you and Molly okay?" He asked in a panic.
"Stop worrying, we're fine. I was just wondering if it was all right if I switched our reservations to come tonight instead of tomorrow. My class got cancelled and I figured-"
"Say no more. What time is your train coming in?"
"I can switch it for one that will arrive around six."
"Sounds perfect, I'll be there to pick you guys up and take you out for dinner. I miss you two and I can't wait to see you."
"Me too. Molly will be so excited. I'm going to pick her up from school early and we'll leave from there. She has no idea." Bella paused as she clicked and changed her reservations. "I'll see you tonight."
"Yes I will. I'm going to finish some work up so I can try to take the day off tomorrow to spend with you guys."
"Jacob, you don't have to do that."
"I want to. It's not every day I have my baby sister and my favorite niece here in the city with me."
"Jake, I'm twenty five, I would hardly consider myself your baby sister and Molly is your only niece. I'll talk to you later you nut job!"
"Thanks for the term of endearment sis. Bye Bells." Jacob spoke into the phone before hanging it up.
Bella added an extra set of clothes to the suitcase that she was sharing with Molly. She was finishing packing Molly's backpack of activities to keep her busy on the four hour ride when her doorbell rang. She raced downstairs to see who was at her door. She looked out the peep hole and saw a man holding flowers.
"Can I help you?"
"Are you Bella Swan?" He waited for her to nod before continuing. "I have a delivery for you, here you go. Have a nice day," he smiled as he left.
Bella brought the flowers inside. Beautiful deep pink calla lilies and light lilac colored hydrangeas, filled the simple amethyst colored vase. She grabbed the card and read it.
After only three days I have been thinking about you. It's strange but I miss you. I hope you and Molly are well. Can we talk soon? -Carlisle
Feelings of frustration and flattery took over her body. She let out a yell as she placed the flowers on the coffee table and finished packing Molly's bag. When she was finished she placed the flowers in the refrigerator to try to preserve them while she was away. She grabbed the large suitcase and began to walk towards the coffee shop to pick up her paycheck. She walked in to find Angela was alone with no customers around.
"You are really going then?" Angela asked.
"It's only for a long weekend. Rose insists I need time away to just think. Jacob knows something is up, so I'm going to have to explain the stupid situation I'm in. Oh, and to top it off, I got flowers today from Carlisle. He sent me freaking flowers and told me he misses me. Ang, what am I going to do?" Bella asked as she sat in a chair.
Angela looked at Bella before continuing. "I didn't want to say anything, but he's been in here and he doesn't seem like his normal self. He looks tired and isn't cheerful like he normally is. Have you made a decision about them yet? Where are you standing on that?"
"Oh, that was the other thing. I emailed Edward and he was a complete jerk about the whole thing." Bella began to tell Angela about how Edward had treated her.
"Wow, it sounds like a getaway might be a good idea." She paused and looked at Bella sympathetically. "Do you want to grab your check and head on your way?"
"That would be great. I also need to use the bathroom."
"Go to the restroom and then grab your check off of my desk. Make sure you say goodbye before you leave."
Bella did just that. She used the restroom and walked into Angela's office. She grabbed her check and was ready to begin to surprise Molly at school. She was walking out when she heard a familiar voice.
"Hi Angela, could I have a large iced green tea?" The man asked.
Bella couldn't believe how her luck was. She was staring at Carlisle. He looked as if he had just went running. She closed her eyes and quietly tried to sneak out. As soon as she walked out from the back, Carlisle noticed her.
"Bella?" He asked as he watched her walk over to her suitcase.
"Hi," she simply replied.
Carlisle walked away from the counter and studied Bella's big suitcase. "Are you going somewhere?"
She nodded and quietly answered, "Yes."
"Is Molly all right?"
"Yes, she's in school."
Carlisle nodded as he looked again from her luggage to her. "Is your family all right?"
"They are fine. I'm going to visit my brother in New York for the weekend. I'll be back on Sunday sometime." Bella answered nervously.
"Is Molly going with you?"
"Of course she is. Like I said, she's in school. I'm going to walk over and surprise her. Then we'll grab a cab to South Station and leave."
Silence fell between them as Angela called Carlisle over to tell him that his tea was ready. Carlisle thanked Angela and quickly walked back over to Bella. "I'm heading home now, could I walk with you?"
Nodding quietly, Bella agreed. Both Carlisle and Bella said goodbye to Angela. Carlisle immediately took Bella's suitcase and began to wheel it. They began to walk slowly before Bella spoke up.
"Edward hates me."
"I don't think so. He always speaks very highly of you, even after I spoke with him. Did you speak with him too?"
Bella began to explain about the email she sent to him and how he treated her the next day in class. "He won't talk to me about anything but school related business. "
"That doesn't make any sense. He told me that he thinks I should pursue you and try this relationship thing out. He encouraged it."
"Why is he being so mean to me?"
"I don't know, but I will have a talk with him about it, because no matter what the outcome is between you and I, you don't deserve to be treated badly."
Bella shook her head. "No, please don't say anything. I'm afraid that will make it worse."
"If that is your wish then I respect it, but tell me if he is hurtful any more. I will talk to him then, all right?"
Bella nodded as their conversation ended in silence again. They were a block away from Molly's school when Bella stopped and looked at Carlisle. "Thank you for the flowers. I got them this morning. They are beautiful."
"You're welcome, but I would have waited until Monday had I known you were going away." Hesitantly, Carlisle paused and then looked at Bella. People walked around them as they stopped in the middle of the sidewalk but his focus remained on her. "Have you, I mean did you-I know it has only been a few days but have you thought about anything? I mean, our situation and with Edward?"
Bella inhaled sharply as she began. "You know, because of the way he treated me and how he wouldn't even have a conversation with me about the whole thing, I lost any interested I might have had in Edward. He has been nothing but rude and inconsiderate to me." She paused and looked Carlisle in the eye. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. He's your son and that was insensitive of me."
Carlisle shrugged his shoulders. "Don't apologize. It is what it is. I love my son but I can't control his actions or how he treats others. He is an adult and that falls on him, not on me."
They began to walk slowly making their way towards the school just a head. Carlisle sipped his iced tea through the straw and looked at her. "Have you given any consideration with you and I?" Before she had a chance to reply, he began again. "I know I gave you that lecture on wanting Edward to be happy. I still want that for my son, but it seems to me that you aren't the one to make him happy, which in return makes me happy. I know we don't know each other well, but the times I have spent with you were some of the best I have had in a long time. I really enjoyed dinner at your house and then taking you and Molly to the island. I think Zoe is going through withdrawal of not having Molly to play with." He paused and smiled. He lit up seeing Bella return his warm smile.
Bella began to speak softly. "I gave Edward a chance and he has been nothing but rude to me. He really hurt me." She paused to look at Carlisle. "You seem to genuinely care about me and my daughter. You care about people's feelings in general. He seems to think of the right thing to say and do. You seem like the kind of man I can picture myself with. You are the kind of man I want to get to know better. If you want and are willing to give this," she said waving her fingers between the two of them, "then I'm willing to try too."
Carlisle couldn't help but smile. He placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him just a little. "All I want is a chance to get to know you and Molly better. Thank you."
Bella nodded as they turned the corner. They were standing in front of the school and near Carlisle's home.
"This is me," Bella said softly.
"And that's me," Carlisle said pointing to his home. "I would like to make you and Molly lunch, nothing fancy or anything that would take a lot of time, just sandwiches and fruit, if you have the time."
Bella looked at her watch. "We do have time. That would be nice."
Carlisle held onto her suitcase. "I'll take this and throw it into my car. Then I'll start making the sandwiches. Just let yourself in, I'll keep it unlocked. After lunch I'll drive you and Molly wherever you need to go."
"Thank you," she smiled as they walked their separate ways.
Bella entered the school and went straight for her Molly's classroom. Molly was in the middle of an art project when she looked up and saw Bella. Molly was excited when she saw her mother. "Why am I leaving early?"
"Well, we have a lunch meeting with someone and we are going to leave early to see Uncle Jake."
"Really! Yes, I'm so happy! Where are we going for lunch?" Molly asked as she and her mother walked out of her classroom.
Bella smiled. She knew Molly would be excited to see Carlisle and Zoe. "I have a friend who lives across the street from your school and we are having lunch there. Come on," Bella said as the two began to skip outside. They crossed the street and Bella lead the way to Carlisle's house.
"Mommy, you should knock before going into other people's houses," Molly scolded her mother.
"It's okay, I got permission," She smiled as she dragged Molly inside.
Before the door closed the sound of paw steps filled the air. Molly began to laugh as she saw the dog. "Is that Zoe? Is this Carlisle's house?"
Bella nodded as the dog licked Molly's face. "It is. He's going to make us lunch before he drives us to the train station. Isn't that nice?"
Molly smiled as she patted the dog. Only seconds later, Carlisle met them in the living room. "Hi," he said looking up at Bella. He then looked at Molly. "Hi Molly. Thank you for coming over for lunch today."
"Thank you for having me," she politely replied. "What are we having for lunch?"
"I made turkey and cheese sandwiches with carrots and grapes and apples. Does that sound good to you?"
"Yes it does. I can't wait! Can we eat now?" Molly asked.
"Of course, come right this way," he said leading the two girls into the kitchen.
Mostly Molly talked about school. Everyone was comfortable at the table conversing. When lunch was over and it was time to leave, Molly ran to say bye to Zoe. Carlisle held a small paper bag in front of Bella and told her to take it.
"What is this?"
He laughed as he began. "I know you are a great mom and already thought of this, but I packed some fruit for you and Molly to snack on while you are on the train. I bought so much and there is no way I'll be able to finish it by myself before it spoils. Please take it for your trip. I also packed two bottles of water for you two."
Bella couldn't help but smile. He was very kind. He was right and she had packed snack for their trip, but she couldn't refuse him. "Thank you. That was very thoughtful of you." She looked at the clock and regretfully broke the moment. "We should get going."
He nodded as she walked away to get Molly. Once they were in the car, they took off for the short drive to the train station. Carlisle found parking on the street and promised Bella he'd help her with the bag and walk them in.
True to his word, Carlisle stayed with them. While Bella checked in the suitcase, Carlisle stayed and talked to Molly. Bella rejoined them when she was finished. Carlisle stayed until they boarded the train. He began to walk out to the platform with them he tapped Bella on the shoulder.
"Will you call me or send me a text when you get to New York? Just to let me know you got there safely?"
"Of course. Thank you so much for everything today. Lunch and the drive over here. I appreciate it. Molly liked seeing you again."
Carlisle smirked as he whispered in her ear. "What about you?"
Bella returned his smirk as Molly held her hand. "What about me?"
"Did you like seeing me too?" He paused and made a face before laughing. "That sounded ridiculous. I'm sorry."
Bella laughed with him. "It did but you know what?" She asked as she stood up on her tip toes and whispered in his ear. "I know it's silly but I did miss you in these past few days and I did enjoy seeing you too." She paused as she kissed his cheek. "Thank you and I will call you or text you when we get there."
Still grinning, Carlisle said goodbye to Molly and again to Bella. He watched as they climbed onto the train. Both Bella and Molly waved as the train began to pull away. Molly didn't stop waving until Carlisle was completely out of sight. She leaned against her mother.
"Carlisle is nice."
"Yes he is."
Molly looked at her mother and touched her face. "I think he makes you happy mommy.'
Not wanting to confuse her daughter, Bella smiled. "He does honey but we're friends and friends make each other happy."
"Maybe but I think you like him."
"Of course I like him, we're friends' honey.
Molly shook her head. "No mommy, I think you like him like Ariel and Prince Eric."
Bella laughed again. "I thought we were done with that movie!"
"No, it's my favorite mom! Plus, I told you before, I like Carlisle more than Prince Eric. He's better."
Bella laughed as she handed her daughter her backpack with books and quiet activities in it. She didn't know what would become of their relationship but she sat back and let thoughts and hopes fill her mind. She had also felt a little guilt. She wondered if things would change between her and Edward, they most definitely uncomfortable. Hopefully they would improve for at least the remainder of the semester.
She looked over and saw Molly had fell asleep. She gripped a blue crayon in her fist. On the tray in front of her was a picture she began to draw. There wasn't much on the paper. All that she had written in her little, messy handwriting was "To Carlisle from Molly." As Bella stared at the picture she hoped she wasn't making a mistake.
