"RISE AND SHINE!"
Oh ugh. I like Emmett, really I do. However being woken up from a drug induced emotional coma by a singing giant is it's own kind of torture. I rolled over and buried my face into the pillow as much as my cast would allow before muffling,"what do you want?"
A giggle escaped the big man and next thing I knew I was being lifted from my comfy bed. "Hey! What are you doing? Put me down!"
"Nope sorry. It's family night and there's no escaping it. Trust me, we've all tried. Better to just go with it baby B." I scowled but was met with a huge grin and dimples. I felt like nothing in his hulking arms. He may as well have been bringing in the laundry. Grumpy, frumpy laundry. He hadn't even stopped to let me cover myself in a robe, probably worried I'd hop my crippled butt out the window.
Emmett shook his head wearing a knowing smirk.
"Em I don't know if there was a mixup with role call but I'm not family, and am therefore immune from family night." I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my chin in defiance.
"You are so going to wish you hadn't said that sweet cheeks." This time a wink ended his statement.
We were nearing the bottom of the stairs and the living room spread out around us. The overstuffed cream lounges looked elegant yet comfortable and were studded here and there with burgandy cushions. Looking aroung the room I noticed small slices of color breaking through the white and cream was tastefully done and the contrast was barely noticeable, just small pulses in the cool even breath of the room. I was placed on an ottoman the size of a small island and sank into it, my cast sticking up like a sail in the wind.
"Where's Mason?" The room looked too ordered to have housed him recently.
Alice bounded across the room,"It's story time so he's on the porch."
My worry disappeared but was replaced with jealousy. Reading to Mason on the porch was the best part of my day. It was lovely for him that this part of his day went on as usual, but I had to force my face from falling into a pout. Real mature Bells.
Emmett cleared his throat," Hey guys wanna hear something funny? I told baby B here how she was required for family night and she informed me that she's not family."
Esme looked appalled,"Bella don't be ridiculous! If you say something like that again I will give Emmett free reign to prank you. You wait till Carlisle hears about this. You sit down to family night young lady. I've never.." Her scolding ran off into the air as she circled back into her kitchen, leaving the memory of her fiery stare burned into my mind. Emmett nodded solemnly but couldnt hide the evil glint in his cobalt blue eyes.
Alice was looking at me with a pout worthy of any playground in America and Rosalie shrugged her shoulders in an understanding way. I remember her saying how big of an adjustment this family was for her. I took strength from the knowledge that she hadn't been driven crazy quite yet.
Jasper gave me a crooked grin before turning back to the heavy book in his lap. I wonder what he thinks of me now. I exploded at him, but worse I made claim that my life was somehow worse then his or even Rosalie's. They had gotten through it all and passed it all but I refused to accept that I could do the same. That was unfair and I needed to make an apology, I just didn't know where to start.
I wiggled in my seat and licked my lips to speak when the front door opened. Carlisle walked in carrying an old fashioned doctor's bag looking every bit the family physician. I noticed small wrinkles around his smiling eyes and heard his soft laugh. Mason came dancing up behind him, holding Edward's hand, retelling Carlisle the story they had been reading.
Mason realised he had an audience and when his eyes landed on me they looked clear and happy,"Mommy you up. I mist you. I bin good. Yeah?" He turned to Edward and pulled on his arm for him to confirm his statement. Edward smiled and it made his whole face change like someone had lit it from behind his skin.
"Very true, Mason has been a very good young man, but he has missed you." Edward wouldn't meet my eyes but kept them on Mason who was grinning at me and nodding.
Esme entered again,"Dinner everybody."
I watched as Mason grabbed Edward's hand and dragged him into the dining room. Emmett appeared and scooped me up once again before carrying me and placing me on a dining chair at the end of the table. I felt strange being at the head of the table until he brought over another chair and rested my bundled leg across it. I mumbled a 'thanks' trying hard to squash the swell of emotion that was building in my chest and trying to come out through my tear ducts. Damn rude thoughtful giants.
Dinner was loud, with everyone taking turns to talk about their days, and Emmett joking through it all. Listening to their stories I realised how much our being here was affecting their lives. Alice was covering the pizzeria and the craft store. Jasper the book store and splitting the running of the gym with Carlisle. Rosalie Esme Emmett and Edward were all here taking care of us. Guilt started to weigh on me and spolied my appetite.
Nothing could stop me smiling when Mason talked about his day. He told stories about the time he'd spent with each of them but most were of Rosalie or Edward. My weak eyes started to water again and I was relieved when plates were cleared. Rosalie carried Mason over to me so that I could hold him, kiss him, and tell him I loved him, then she whisked him off for bath time. I started to tell her how to do it when it dawned on me that she would already know. Time was in a state of flux and this family had been caring for my son. Some part of me was relieved and another was terrified.
After another quick grab Emmett once again placed me on the ottoman. By the time dishes were washed and everyone was settled Rosealie was back and motioned to Edward. He nodded quickly and said a quick "excuse me' before bounding up the stairs.
"Is something wrong Bella?" Esme asked with concern.
And there is something wrong, something I'm not yet willing to admit to myself. The pull I feel from the floor above us is palpable but if I go up to see what I think I will life will never be the same. Seeing Edward doing something kind for Mason and bonding would smash away a big part of my resistance to him. Knowing Mason asked for him is bad enough.
I smiled as convincingly as I could,"No nothing Esme. I guess I'm just jealous of Edward. Reading was always my special thing with Mason."
Emmett stood up and took on an intimidating posture,"You want me to get him out of the way for ya?" He cracks his knuckles for the full meat head effect and none of us can hold back a laugh.
"No Em. That's, um, sweet of you. I guess. Really I'm glad Mason is still getting that kind of attention. You've all been so wonderful to him. I'm just used to it being the two of us and I'm an only child.
I guess I need to learn to share huh?" I shrugged my shoulders.
"Excuse me, Bella?" The rich sound of Edward's voice cut through the conversation.
"Yes?" Did I manage to say that without stuttering?
"Sorry to interrupt you but Mason is asking for you. He requested a song that I don't know, he says that it's your song."
I laughed softly, relieved that my baby had not forgotten me."Of course. Can someone help me please?"
Edward appeared at my side within a breath. His voice was cooler then it's normal timbre, rough like untreated leather. "I will escort you. If Emmett does it you will find it difficult to resettle Mason."
I think Emmett made a crack about his bad-assness but I was too busy concentrating on my breathing as I nodded and Edward scooped me up. His body was warm and taut, his arms stronger than I expected. But as his scent surrounded me I willingly drowned in it. It was spice and maleness and home. My temperature spiked when I tried to avoid his eyes and instead focused on his lips. They were plump and firm and when his tongue slipped out to remoisten them I was glad to be off my feet. I'm sure my knees would have gone otherwise.
Before I knew it he was setting me down outside of a door and offering to help me walk. "Did I wear you out?" I teased.
Edward met my eyes and stated without pause,"You didn't want to even go out with me and the only woman I will carry across a threshhold will be my wife. That means you have to take this step alone."
Did I imagine the sadness in his voice or was that because of my own reaction? Edward talking about some hypothetical woman being his wife twisted my stomach and stabbed my heart. He would do this someday, carry a lady dressed in white through a doorway. He would lay her down and lovingly kiss her before making love to her and claiming her as his in every way.
I tried to suppress the choking feeling in my throat as he picked me back up and carried me the last few steps before standing me next to Mason's bed.