Disclaimer: I don't own them. This is made pretty by SunflowerFran.
Bella:
We pull up to Jasper's in two cars; girls in one car, boys in the other.
The girls giggle the whole time.
My Giuliana has a major crush on Frankie. I'm not really sure how to feel about that, but she's thirteen now. I can't keep putting my head in the sand.
I took the girls on a spa weekend and we talked all about the changes their bodies would go through and boys and where babies come from.
Of course, I waited until Annabelle was asleep for certain parts of our talk; I mean I didn't want to traumatize the girl.
I also asked Giuliana to be honest with me about what is going on in her life. The last thing I want is for her to feel as though she can't talk to me. This was how I found out about her crush on Frankie.
He's a good kid, but he's just hitting that girl-crazy mode that boys also hit around this age.
I'm worried that my baby girl is going to get hurt.
As we sit in the car waiting for Edward, Frankie walks out of the house with a smile, and only because I'm watching him, do I notice him look toward the girls.
Giuliana and Annabelle are standing next to the passenger side door.
Frankie gives the girls a smile and Giuliana gives him a little wave.
Oh man, I hope Edward didn't notice that.
Poor Frankie.
The boys jump out of the car and I finally step out of mine, taking Edward's hand.
The boys are loud and the girls are laughing as we walk into the house.
I really hope dinner goes smoothly.
Matteo's birthday is in a few weeks and Esme always gets weird as the date approaches. I close my eyes and say a quick prayer.
Matt, Luca and Frankie are off to the side talking quietly. Luca looks annoyed and Frankie is talking with his hands. I frown, and Edward pulls me away from them.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, Baby, don't worry."
He didn't really answer me, but the look in his eyes says he's aware of what's going on.
"Dinner's ready," Esme calls out and we all move toward the dining room.
We pass dishes around the table and everyone is chatting and laughing.
Things are going okay and I relax my shoulders a little bit.
Giuliana leans into me and smiles.
"You okay, Mom?"
"Of course," I kiss her temple. "Eat."
I'm listening to Giselle tell me how she burned three batches of garlic bread earlier because she kept getting sick from the smell.
I can't believe she's pregnant.
"I'm so excited! A new baby. I get to take your pregnancy pictures, yes? We can do one after dinner."
I hear Esme sigh from the other end of the table, but I don't bother to turn. I'm not going to feed her crazy.
Not today.
"Mama, I wanna take pictures!" Marco is bouncing in his seat.
I laugh, "After dinner, okay?"
"Okay."
He's so cute, but I'm glad we decided not to have anymore. I'll just indulge in my niece or nephew.
"Matteo," Esme says, "I can't believe you're going to be sixteen."
"I know," he smiles. "I'll be a licensed driver in a few short weeks."
"If you pass the test," Luca says, laughing.
"Please, I'm a kick ... Great driver," his eyes dart over to me and I shake my head, smiling.
Frankie punches his arm, laughing.
"You look so much like your father. If only he could see you now," she says, and the whole room grows quiet.
Matteo frowns and sets his fork on the table.
Esme notices the shift in the room and looks up with surprise.
"Nana Esme, my father sees me every day."
"I just meant ..." She starts but Matteo cuts her off.
"I know exactly what you meant. I know who my parents are; Edoardo and Isabella are the only ones I've ever known.
Demetri and Gianna, they may be my biological parents, but they," he points at us from his side of the table. "Are raising me, and I am their son."
"My biological parents were great people. I know because I have a box of pictures, I have old videos and my parents tell me stories about them.
And while I think it would have been great to know them, it doesn't matter because I will never have that chance.
Mom and Dad, Edoardo and Isabella, are the only parents I want. They're the ones who have cared for me since the moment I was born.
They accept me unconditionally.
They never make me feel out of place or as if I don't belong.
My brothers and sisters accept me for who I am.
The only place I ever feel uncomfortable is here at these family dinners because no one can let it go.
It happened and it was tragic, but I'm still here. Doesn't that count for something?"
Matteo stands up and walks out of the room.
In an act of solidarity, all of the children stand and follow him, including Marco; Luca lifts him and carries him.
I'm at a loss for words. I want to cry and I want to lay into Esme but the need to get out of this room takes over every conscious thought.
Edward takes my hand and kisses my palm as he stands with me.
"Mom, you still have the ability to clear a room. You should really think hard on the fact that one day, we might not come back."
"Giselle, Jasper, thank you for dinner."
He places his hand on my back and leads me out of the house.
"Matteo," Edward calls out.
"Dad," Edward shakes his head and hugs his son. "Take Luca and Frankie back to the house. We'll stop and pick up pizza on the way home."
"Okay," he says, before looking over at me. "You all right, Mom?"
"I love you, so much," I say, hugging him tightly.
"Love you, too, Ma."
Edward opens the passenger door for me as the girls and Marco get situated in the back seat.
My husband doesn't say anything, but he kisses my forehead before closing the door.
Before he can get into the car, Carlisle and Santo come out of the house. They speak quickly before hugging Edward and going back inside.
••••
"We need five pizzas, the boys can finish off a pizza each, Edward."
He looks at me and narrows his eyes, "better make it six then."
He walks up to the counter and flirts with Mrs. Ronaldo, making me laugh. The lady is beautiful and feisty and she loves Edward. Mr. Ronaldo is always shaking his head at her antics.
The door opens, sounding the little bell, and Grace walks in. She's wearing tight jeans and a sweater with the hood over her head.
My shoulders slump a little.
She looks so ... Defeated. And I hate it.
"Grace," I call out to her.
She looks up in surprise and gives me a small smile.
"Mrs. Cullen, hi," she gives a little wave to the girls.
"Are you here alone?"
She shrugs, and nods.
"I was just going to grab a couple slices and read," she holds up her messenger bag.
I look at the girls and then over at Edward, who is still ordering.
We've gotten to know Grace a little bit over the past couple of weeks. She's not a bad kid, just in a bad situation. I'm hoping that when all is said and done, I can help her get away from that family.
The girls scoot over and Annabelle taps the seat next to her.
"We're having a pizza night, you should join us. We can give you a ride home later."
"Oh no, thank you. I don't want to impose," she's shaking her head.
"Come on, Grace," Giuliana says. "It'll be fun. We can challenge the boys at video games after dinner. We'll have even teams."
Grace looks like she wants to say yes; she wants to be included, but she's so unsure of herself.
"You'll have fun," I say, squeezing her hand.
"If you're sure," she smiles.
"Absolutely."
When Edward gets done ordering, he walks over and sits next to me.
"Hi, Grace," he says, smiling tightly. "How are you?"
"Fine, thanks, and you?"
His smile is a little softer now, "Good, are you joining us for dinner?" He asks, looking at me.
"Yes, thank you for inviting me."
"Matteo will be happy," he says, making Grace blush brightly.
I laugh and lean into Edward's side.
"Daddy! Matteo's gonna be mad at you for messing up his game," Giuliana says, laughing.
The girls giggle and chat until our order is called.
It looks like our day will end on a much happier note.
•••
I blow my hair out of my eyes and frown.
I'm tired of being stuck inside.
I look around the room and the kids are playing on their phones. Marco is lying upside down on the couch watching a movie.
Definitely bored.
I call Edward.
"Hey, Baby," his voice is quiet but edgy. I'm worried he'll say that going out is a bad idea.
"Hi, everything okay?"
"Yeah, the usual shit. What's up?"
"I was hoping the kids and I could get out of the house today."
"Bella," he sighs.
The line is quiet for a minute. I refuse to give in easily.
"How about we meet for an early dinner? Will that help?"
"Yes. When and where?" I smile and dance a little.
"Eleven City? I'll call Enzo."
"Sounds good. Thank you, I love you."
He laughs, "Yeah, yeah. You can show me later."
We hang up and I yell at the kids to get dressed. "We're going out to eat!"
"Yay!"
Feet stomp loudly on the stairs and I can't help but smile.
Enzo is waiting with the Escalade and I usher the kids outside. Marco is squirming in my arms as I set the alarm.
"Stop."
He pouts but does as he's told.
The sound of tires squealing, along with an enormous crash make me spin toward the street.
The sedan that is always parked at the end of the block seems to have been hit, head-on by a car coming from the opposite direction. I look to my left and see another car speeding down the road, straight toward us.
"Enzo!"
"Get back inside, Isa! Get down!"
I can see the kids ducking in the back seat. Luca and Matt are looking out of the back window.
I can't make myself close the door. Marco is crying in my arms and I can't comfort him.
I tighten my hold.
The house alarm goes off, because I hadn't shut the door in time.
I reach into my purse and take out the little gun Edward had given me.
Gunshots.
Screaming.
Tires.
Yelling.
Shattering windows.
I can feel Marco flinch at the sounds; we cling to each other tighter than ever.
Dear God, please ...
Someone gets out of the stopped car and aims his gun at the Escalade.
My family is in that car.
I shoot, once.
Then again.
He grabs his neck and looks at his bloody fingers, before he falls to the ground.
The agents are running toward us, guns raised.
Their mouths are moving, but I can't hear anything.
I can't tear my eyes away from the Escalade.
Are the kids okay?
Where's Enzo?
"Mrs. Cullen!" Sounds flood my head and I begin to sob.
"Oh my God," I whisper.
I stand up and run toward the truck. I pull the door open and find Matt holding Annabelle and Giuliana clinging to Luca.
Both girls are crying, and the boys are looking at me with wide eyes.
"Mrs. Cullen," I turn toward the voice to find Special Agent Dwyer watching me warily.
"I'm not going anywhere without my children and I want my attorney."
••••
Grace:
Michael walks in the house yelling; carrying one of his sidekicks. There's blood and yelling and Renee turns green before running into the bedroom.
"Stop standing there and help!" He yells.
But I don't know what to do.
My mind starts racing and Matteo's face floods my vision.
My eyes start to water and I shake my head from side to side.
"No, no, no..."
I turn and run out of the kitchen door.
My feet carry me all the way to the Cullen's and I stop at the corner when I see the police cars and ambulances out front.
"Oh my God," I sob. "Please, no..."
A car pulls up next to me, but I'm too focused on the scene in front of Matteo's house to pay any attention or to see who it is.
In an instant, a hand covers my mouth and I'm thrown into the back of the car.
a/n: Hello everyone! I hope you all had a great Halloween. We didn't have many trick-or-treaters so I'm taking a ton of candy to work with me on Monday.
I hope you like this. A bit of excitement, yeah? Let me know what you think. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!