A/N: Sorry just been struggling with tiredness and life! I'll try better.
I'm off to London a week on Friday to meet some really cool Twi peeps and published authors. Hopefully I manage a few updates of this before then.
Big thanks to my ladies Paige & Sherry. Both of whom are nominated in the fandom awards. Please vote for them x
Chapter 14
"Lunch is ready," Jasper says as he pokes his head through the bedroom door. His eyes assess Edward and me, probably wondering how our talk went. Whatever he sees must satisfy him because he doesn't wait for a reply. He merely nods at Edward and leaves.
The idea of lunch suddenly doesn't sound all that appealing. I'm not sure I am ready to face all three of them, not after everything Edward just told me. Edward, however, doesn't give me a chance to back out. He places his hand on my lower back and guides me downstairs to the kitchen without another word.
When we enter the kitchen and my eyes land on Annabella I sigh in relief. Is it wrong that I feel like I need her near me when I'm around the guys? She makes everything easier. She puts my anxiety to rest. I'm not sure if it's because I genuinely enjoy her company or if it's because I know the guys won't put me on the spot when she's around. Perhaps it's both.
I make my way over to the round dining table where she is sitting, taking a seat beside her. She's playing with a Barbie doll, but when I sit down she stops what she's doing and looks at me with warmth in her eyes. "Did you get to see my bedroom?" she asks.
I want to tell her yes. I want to tell her how much I liked it, but Edward didn't get around to showing it to me and I don't want to lie to her. I open my mouth to tell her just that, but Edward beats me to it.
"I didn't have enough time to show Bella your room," Edward says as he takes the seat across from me. "Maybe you can show it to her later."
"Yes!" Annabella says excitedly. "I'll show it to you after we decorate the tree." She reaches over and squeezes my hand like it's nothing, before going back to playing with her doll.
I feel a lump form in my throat. This little girl has shown me more love and affection than I've received in years. Thankfully, before my emotions can run away with me, Jasper brings over a tray of BLT sandwiches and sets them down on the table. "Tuck in," he says, before shouting at Emmett to come eat, and taking the seat beside me.
Emmett comes in few seconds later and takes the seat next to Edward. We're all silent as we eat, but as we finish the last of the sandwiches, everyone begins to relax. The boys talk and laugh about old times, and it feels nice. It's almost like I never left.