Chapter 21: Making the Effort

EPOV

I was worried about Bella going to see Renee. I understood that it was something that she needed to do, but I wasn't comfortable with it. Bella had been through so much, because of her mother. She had hurt her in ways no mother ever should, but Bella forgave her. Bella had a very loving and forgiving heart.

My only consolidation was that Emmett would be with her. If anybody was protective of Bella, besides me, it was Emmett. You could always count on Emmett to make sure she was alright, and I knew he would put Renee in her place. Hopefully, it wouldn't be necessary.

I knew Bella had been putting it off, but she had finally gotten the courage to go see her. I held Anthony as Bella moved around the room deciding what to wear. She was dressed in only her underwear, and I was very thankful Anthony was in my arms. He reminded me, that Bella had somewhere to be and I couldn't ravish her on the spot.

"What do I wear?" She complained biting her lip.

"You don't have to dress up." I reminded her as I placed Anthony, tummy down, on the bed. "Jeans should be fine."

"I just want to make a good impression on her." She sighed as extended my hand. As much as I wanted to go to her, I was afraid of leaving Anthony alone on the bed. He could crawl already, and I was afraid he would fall.

"Bella, juts be yourself." I stated as she sighed.

"I shouldn't have to worry about seeing my mother." She mused with a frown.

"I know, love, but life isn't perfect." I replied as she nodded giving me a kiss before going back into the closet.

"Ma-Ma!" Anthony cried staring at the closet.

"She'll be back," I reminded Anthony who looked at me with a frown. He was very attached to Bella, and would get sad when she left the room. "It's just us today. Us men." I said to my son kneeling by the bed causing him to smile.

Bella came out a few minutes later in a pair of jeans and a printed tee. "Ma-Ma!" Anthony cried when he saw her.

"Hi, sweetie." Bella said picking him up as I smiled at my two favorite people. "How's mommy's little boy? Are you going to be good for Daddy?"

"He's always good." I replied for him as Bella laughed giving me a kiss. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I'll be fine, Edward." She answered giving me a kiss. "I need to do this."

"I know." I replied with a forced smile. "It's still not easier to let you go. Remember not everything she says is true."

"I know, Edward. Emmett says she's changed. She's really sorry and wants to mend our relationship. Phil says the same, and I spoke to the therapist. He says she needs to see me, it'll make her progress in therapy." She explained and I knew she was right. Renee seemed to be making real progress.

"Just be careful." I warned as we made our way downstairs.

"I will, and you be careful with Anthony." She added as I nodded. My mom and dad were in Los Angeles for a medical conference, and Alice was staying with Jasper. It was only Anthony and me for the day.

"We'll be fine, won't we Anthony?" I stated as Anthony laughed grabbing my nose. "See he's already having a good time."

"I'll miss you both, I should be back in a few hours." She began to explain as I listened intently. I knew she liked to make sure everything was planned for the time she was gone. "I left plenty of milk in the fridge, and all you have to do is mix banana slices with milk and two tablespoons of rice cereal. Make sure he sits in the nigh chair and give him a few slices of banana. He loves them."

"I know, Bella. You don't have to worry." I assured giving her a kiss.

"Call me if you need anything." She said as I laughed.

"I will love, but I have stayed with him before. Go on, and call me as well." I answered as she gave me a kiss.

"Be good for daddy." She told Anthony giving him a kiss.

"Ma-Ma!" He said as she smiled giving him back to me.

"I love you both." She said as I stood at the door watching her leave making Anthony wave at her.

"So what do you want to do?" I asked Anthony who looked at me with a curious face.

"Da!" He said as I smiled.

"Da-Da!" I repeated slowly for him as I went inside. He seemed to get stuck in only say "Da!"

"Da!" He repeated as I figured it was close enough. He would say it when he was ready.

"Da-Da!" He said suddenly with a giggle as I stood there in shock. Had he just said da-da?

"That's me, Anthony. I'm Da-Da." I replied feeling incredibly happy.

"Da-Da! Ma-Ma!" He continued to say and I couldn't wait to tell Bella that great news.

BPOV

Emmett's apartment was a lot closer to the hospital than the Cullen's house. Therefore, I was meeting Emmett there. I was anxious about meeting my mom, I didn't know what to expect. Had she really changed?

She had been in therapy for almost four months, and everyone said she was making real progress. She had accepted the fact that she was not going to have more children, and was no working on dealing with her emotions. I was thankful, that Phil had stuck through it all. He was always there for her.

I also hated leaving Edward and Anthony. I knew Edward had no problem caring for Anthony, he had done it countless times. But I was a worrier, and therefore I worried. Would he know how to make his food? Would he be able to get him to sleep? Had I left enough milk?

I pushed all those thoughts away from my head. Edward and Anthony would be fine. My main focus had to be on mending my relationship with my mom. It will never be perfect, but I could work on that. Even though she had done a lot to me, I still wanted her in my life.

I arrived at Emmett's apartment giving him a quick call on the cell phone. I wanted to get there, and get it over with. I didn't want to waste any more time, and I knew if I got off Rosalie, Alice, and Jasper would want to talk. I wasn't ready for that, not yet.

"Hey Squirt!" Emmett greeted getting into the car and giving me a kiss.

"Hey, Emmett!" I replied with a small smile.

"Are you ready?" He inquired as I pulled out of the complex heading towards the hospital.

"I guess. As ready as I'll ever truly be." I admitted taking a deep breath.

We drove in silence, and I was thankful that Emmett wasn't one to push the subject. He understood that I needed to get my thoughts together before I saw Renee. He had done it at his own pace, but he wasn't nearly as damaged as I was.

"I'm here for you, Bella. We can leave whenever you want." He said seriously giving me a hug as we parked in the hospital.

I felt a wave of emotion hit me as we entered the hospital and took the elevator to the psychiatric ward. Renee wasn't in a padded room or anything, but she was watched around the clock. She was on depression medication, and was dealing with very rough problems.

Emmett led me straight to her room where I froze. I needed to do this for me, for her, and for us. I couldn't move on until I faced her again, and she couldn't continue to get better without talking to me. If I ever wanted to have a normal relationship with my mom I needed to take the first step. I needed to push my fears away, and confront the situation.

I looked at Emmett before heading inside. It was now or never.

A/N: Sort of a transition chapter into Bella's talk. I wanted to set up where Bella was mentally and emotionally.

I also had to give Edward the "Da-Da!" I felt bad for him.

Next Chapter: The Talk

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