A/N I'm a little late but with good reason! The novel is done and turned in. Hopefully I'll have news on that soon. Meanwhile, let's see if Edward can get to Washington with a little gray baby in tow.
Sideline Collision Chapter 21
Rainbow and I went back to sleep for a few more hours after Reed Girl called and I woke to the smell of bacon wafting into my room. Fucking awesome. You had to love Mom. Of course, thinking about Mom reminded me of the fact that I was going to have to tell her that I was going to Washington, which might piss her off since I'd miss Christmas and dump a demon kitten on her all at the same time. I was fucked.
"You're coming down with me. She thinks you're cute, even though you fucked up the living room," I told Rainbow. "So don't do anything to piss her off while I try to charm her into not being mad at me."
Rainbow headbutted me. "I'm taking that as capitulation. Just think of how much fun you'll have being spoiled by her while I'm gone." It was a good fucking thing she had no idea what I was saying because she'd probably throw an epic shit fit if she knew I was going to abandon her. It was her own fucking fault, though. I couldn't take her on a plane with her riding on my shoulder, now could I? Nor did I fucking want to. I was bound to be recognized at the airport.
I fed Rainbow and took a shower and got ready while she was chowing down. I scooped her up when I came out of the bathroom and carried her downstairs with me. "Smells great, Ma."
My mother turned away from the stove to smile at me. "See, Carlisle, isn't it the cutest thing?"
What the fuck was she talking about? My dad looked up from the toaster and rolled his eyes. "Yes, dear. Nice pussy, son."
Oh, Jeez. "Yeah, yeah." I stole a piece of toast from him and grinned when he reached for me and Rainbow hissed at him. Fucking awesome. "She doesn't like anybody fucking with me." Mom whacked me upside the head from behind. "Ow! Damn it, Rainbow, where were you on that one?"
"Language!" she reminded me.
Rainbow was still eying my father, glaring at him really. "What in the hell did I do to piss her off?" he demanded.
It hit me and I started laughing. "You kind of look like Jasper. She hates him. Probably thinks you're him or his dad or something." Beware blond men of the world. I wonder if Riley's blond. Maybe I can sic Rainbow on him.
"I do not look like that kid." My father looked quite irritated by the suggestion. "Nor would I ever father someone who can't string together a coherent sentence."
"Yes, dear, you're nothing like him," Mom soothed. "Let's eat while it's hot."
We sat at the table and yes, Rainbow stayed on my fucking shoulder. "Does she ever get down?" Dad asked.
"Yeah, if I play with her or something. This is her favorite place though."
"She's fine where she is. I don't need any more damage to this house," Mom put in.
I cringed a little. I was so fucked. There was no way she'd want to watch her for me. Maybe if I told her it was for love. And what kind of gay fucking thing would that be to say? It sounded like something Jasper would spout off about while he was high. Fuck me, I was losing it.
"When's Em coming home?" I thought he'd left before me because he hadn't slept in my room Wednesday night, but there was no way he was here because the smell of bacon would have his ass planted in his seat if he was around.
"He's not. He went to Rose's for Christmas. He's trying to make up for not wanting to meet her parents before." Mom sipped her coffee. Huh. Well was it a good or bad thing that I wanted to do the same? Em was at his girlfriend's, so why couldn't I go to mine? Then again, having no kids home at Christmas might send her over the fucking edge. You never knew with Mom.
"Nice." I fiddled with my bacon and tried to figure out what to say that wouldn't piss her off. Holy fuck. I just realized that if I went to Washington I was going to meet Reed Girl's father. Did I want to meet her father? Fuck no. Did I want to see her more than I wanted to avoid meeting her father? Fuck yes. Damn it. I didn't do parents. I was going to have to, though. Staying here while she was there, along with Riley, was not acceptable.
"Are you going to play with your food or are you going to eat it?" Dad wondered.
Fuck this noise. I was going to do what I wanted to do and they'd be fine with it. "I want to go to Washington," I blurted suddenly. They both looked at me and I quickly shoved some bacon into my mouth.
"Did something happen with you and Bella?" Mom wondered.
What? "No. I just want to go see her."
"Why?"
Why? What the fuck? Dad knew why. "Because I love her and I miss her and things suck without her."
Mom's smile could have lit the fucking stadium, I swear. "Well, I'm glad to hear that but you know it is Christmas and…"
"Emmett's not here! Are we having Christmas without him?"
I knew better. "Well, no, I was going to wait until he and Rose and Bella got here on the twenty-sixth." Mom raised an eyebrow. "Alright, point made. And how are you planning on getting that one on a plane?"
"Getting what on the plane? I probably need a jacket or something but I have one."
Mom laughed. "No, I was referring to the ball of fur that is trying to steal your bacon."
Sure enough, Rainbow had climbed onto the table and was about to pounce on my plate. I grabbed her before she could make a huge fucking mess and ruin my meal. "I can't take her. She won't get in her carrier." That was my story and I was sticking to it.
"I'm not watching that thing. She'll probably slash my throat," Dad muttered. "Didn't do a damn thing to her and I'm getting blamed for that high kid's actions. What did he do to her anyway?"
"He tried to paint her toenails and drug her or something. Don't ask me, he's insane." I waved a hand. "She'll be fine, once I leave. You can just leave her in my room and go in and feed her now and then."
"I don't think so," Mom informed me. "Either you both go or neither of you goes."
Fuck. "Mom…"
"I have an idea." Mom stood and headed for the living room. "You look up flight times and I'll be right back. Don't make a reservation until we know if this will work, though."
If what would work? Where the fuck was she going? "Where are you…" she was gone before I could finish the sentence. "What the fuck just happened?"
Dad snorted and helped himself to more bacon. "Your mother's going to find a way for you to go to Washington, I imagine."
"Really? She seems like she's trying to find a way for me not to go." I glared at Rainbow. "This is your fault. If you hadn't dug in the damn dirt and pulled down the curtain, she would have watched you without a problem. I hope you know that." She wasn't listening to me, toying with some stupid flowers Mom had sitting in the center of the table.
Dad snickered. "You're going to be a fascinating father one day."
I felt the blood draining from my face. "Don't even joke about that shit. I haven't recovered from the last time you brought that up."
"Hey, I'm just making sure you're careful," he reminded me.
I snatched the last piece of bacon before he could and laughed at the look on his face when Rainbow swiped at him for reaching toward my plate. She really was a funny fucking thing. "We're covered, Dad. The truth is I'm glad I found Bella. You should have seen this chick at the beach last night. I swear I could see the crazy in her eyes. If I'd have given her the ride she wanted, you totally would have been a grandpa in nine months."
Dad cringed. "Don't call me that."
Ha. Take that, Pops. "Then don't keep talking about me becoming a father. If I do, you become a grandfather." Then we're all fucked, and not in a good way. Not that being stuck with Reed Girl was a bad thing, mind you. If anybody was going to have my kid, I'd want it to be her. Someday. Way in the distant future. Like when I'm thirty or something. Not now.
"Okay, enough of that." Dad looked a little pale. Fucking awesome. That'll teach him to fuck with me. "You better go look up flight times. Knowing your mother, she'll figure something out with the cat."
I wondered what she was doing. Hopefully she wasn't trying to find a place to board her while I was gone. Reed Girl would be fucking pissed if I left Rainbow in a cage for days and I shuddered to think what Rainbow would do to me when she got out. I wasn't sure which one of them would be worse to face, if I was being honest.
"You guys are really cool with me going?" I'd expected them to at least put up a token fight. Maybe they couldn't because of my whipped brother. Maybe his idiot ass was good for something after all.
Dad smirked and pushed his plate aside. "It would be kind of hypocritical if we didn't support you. I wasn't home for two days before I was headed up to Georgia to spend the holidays with your mom." He rolled his eyes. "I'm pretty sure that's why my mother hates her to this day. Fortunately your mom gets it and wants to be nothing like your grandmother."
Damn. The Cullen men were all pussy whipped motherfuckers apparently. I guess at least I was in good company. And I was kind of glad Grandma was a major bitch to my mother and Mom wanted to be nothing like her. I never could figure out why they'd barely talked to one another all these years.
"Mom rocks." I toyed with the crust of my toast and Rainbow batted at it. I held it aloft and she jumped trying to get the thing. "Her ex is hanging around," I told Dad.
"Who's ex? Your mother's?" He looked like he was about to charge out of the house. What the fuck?
"Mom has an ex? I was talking about Bella."
"Of course she has an ex. Do you think her dating life started and ended with me?"
Well, I kind of wanted to think that. I most certainly didn't want to think about my mom dating anyone, not even my father. "Yes."
He laughed. "No. She dated this douche for a couple of years in high school and part of college. And even after we got together there were always bastards sniffing around. Your mother is a beautiful woman. She got propositioned by some guy in the grocery store just the other day."
Fucking gross. "Dad! I don't want to hear that shit." And now I was wondering who else was hitting on Reed Girl besides her asshole ex. Not that I was worried about it or anything. She loved me and she certainly wasn't going to find better than she already had in me, but it was the principle of the thing.
Dad laughed. "Well, that's what happens when you fall in love with phenomenal women like we did, son. And now you see why I couldn't bear to be separated from her for any length of time either."
Fucking hell. "I'm going to look up flight times."
He smirked. "You do that, son. Take the bread thief with you." Rainbow was currently nibbling on my crust. Weirdo. I took it away from her and scooped her up.
"Let's go. You better not ruin this trip for me." Now I was picturing men coming on to my girl right and left. My drunk girl. Not fucking acceptable. I carried Rainbow upstairs and booted up my computer.
It was only nine my time and there were several flights to Seattle. Of fucking course all of them ran through Atlanta, so I'd probably have to switch planes, but at least there were straight flights from there. And there were first class tickets available, thank fucking God. I wouldn't travel any other way.
Mom came in as I was perusing seats. She was carrying some navy blue bag with mesh. "Let's try this, why don't we? Bella told me she likes getting in backpacks and such." Sure enough, she plopped the bag on the bed and Rainbow hopped right in. Mom beamed at me. "See? She just needs to think it's a regular bag."
Fuck. "Are you sure you won't…"
"I'm sure. That cat would be miserable without you and she'd make me miserable as well. Plus I bet Bella wants to see her too." She had a point there. Reed Girl would probably be thrilled if I brought Rainbow. "What are the ticket choices?"
I showed her my options. "Go for noon since it's the same plane the whole way. Here." She handed me her credit card. "Merry Christmas."
"I could pay…"
"Go see your girl on us. We'll call and get you a car since you're too young to reserve one on your own. And you'd probably better have hotel reservations, just in case. I'm not sure how Bella's father would feel about you staying with her."
What? Fuck that noise. "Why can't I stay with her? You don't have a problem with her staying here." Mom would probably build Reed Girl a fucking wing if she wanted it, she was that happy that I had a girlfriend.
Mom laughed. "Because I long ago gave up the idea of either of my son's having a virtue to protect. Fathers and daughters aren't quite the same. Your dad was banished to our basement anytime he visited me and my dad slept with his door open just in case either of us got any ideas of sneaking out."
Fuck. "I don't even know if her stupid little town has a hotel."
Mom shook her head. "I'll take care of it. It's another reservation you couldn't make anyway. You get the tickets and pack." She zipped Rainbow in her carrier and the kitten let out a little cry.
"She's pissed now," I told Mom, who chuckled.
"She'll be more pissed if you leave her behind. Just keep her close."
Like I had any fucking choice? "Fine. Thanks Mom."
She ruffled my hair and kissed the top of my head. "Go get your girl, Edward." That's exactly what I was going to do.
Xoxoxoxoxox
This was embarrassing as hell. It felt like everybody in the airport was staring at me and not for the regular reasons like being hot and an awesome quarterback. Oh no, all eyes were on fucking Rainbow. She fucking meowed her way through check-in and I was sorely tempted to check her like baggage but the airline would probably lose her and then I'd be fucked for life. And not in the good way. Reed Girl would never speak to me again. That was not acceptable.
I shouldered her stupid bag and pulled my hood down lower. I was wearing my gray hoodie and a leather jacket, trying to hide myself a little bit but it obviously wasn't working since Rainbow was acting like she'd been stabbed or some fucking thing. She'd been fine in the car when she was on my lap but now that I was mobile and she wasn't in her spot, she was pissed off.
I got to the fucking scanner thingy and handed my ID over. "You need to put your bag on the conveyer belt."
Fuck. "There's a kitten in there." Like they didn't fucking know that from her howling. "Is that going to hurt her?" Even if she was being a spoiled brat right now, I didn't want her getting radioactive or some fucking thing.
The male guard laughed. "No, it's just like getting an x-ray."
Right. I put Rainbow on the thing and watched her get sucked into the machine, her screeching getting louder because that shit probably scared the hell out of her. I hurried through the scanner and took my keys and wallet back. I pulled my shoes on and waited impatiently while they looked at my fucking cat on the TV. What the fuck? Did they think Rainbow was a terrorist? Of course, she probably could take down a plane full of people if she wanted. She was crazy like that.
At fucking last the belt moved and out she came. I grabbed the bag. "Stop yelling. You're embarrassing me. When we sit, I swear to God I'll pet you, okay?" She actually stopped screeching when I talked so I kept it up. "I know you hate being cooped up and I don't blame you but if you would just go to sleep like a normal animal, you'd be fine and you'd wake up and we'd be with Reed Girl. Don't you want to see her?"
A little meow greeted my question as I made a beeline into my terminal. I sat in the back and unzipped the top of the carrier and let my fingers dangle in. She immediately started rubbing up against me and purring. "You're so fucking weird."
A lady across from me laughed. I glanced over. She looked to be in her forties which meant she probably wasn't going to hit on me, though I never could be sure. "Your kitten is adorable."
I cringed. "She's not mine, she's my girlfriend's." Rainbow's little teeth started nibbling on my fingers. "We're going to see her." I felt the need to justify my having a kitten sitting on my lap in her navy blue mesh carrier thing.
"That's wonderful. I'm sure she'll be thrilled."
Right. She damn well better be. That reminded me. She'd be awake soon and probably call. I couldn't answer her from the airport and I didn't want her to worry when she didn't hear from me for the billion hours it fucking took to fly across country. I got out my phone.
Hey baby, won't be around for awhile. Running some errands and I'm probably going to see a movie. Call you when I can. Take some more aspirin, you probably need it. Love you.
There. That should take care of that. I put my phone away and pushed Rainbow down when she tried to climb my hand. "Stop. You can't get out."
The lady laughed again. "How old is she?"
Christ. Like I fucking knew. Well, I guess I did since we'd been dating for a month and Rainbow was two months old when I gave her to Reed Girl. "Like three months, I think? Give or take a week or two. She hates being in her carrier."
I really had no fucking clue what I was going to do when I stashed her underneath the seat if she started screeching. We were fortunate to be staying on the same plane instead of having to change over in Atlanta. Maybe I could take her out during the layover.
"Well, who can blame her? It's no fun being all cooped up when you want to explore and play with your daddy."
Daddy? Fuck, I hated it when Reed Girl called me that, I certainly hated it when some stranger did. "Uh, no. I'm not her father."
The lady laughed. "I don't know if she agrees with you."
Probably not, but I'd already established that Rainbow was insane. "Yeah, well." Thankfully before I could say anymore, they started boarding and because I was first class, I got to go first. "Don't yell." I zipped the top again and carried her up to the flight attendant. She scanned my ticket and my body, giving me one of those smiles that made me roll my eyes.
Rainbow let out a pitiful cry as we stepped aboard and I found my seat, 3D. I was by the window. "Now, be good. Just sleep." I put her under the seat and she started wailing. Fuck me.
The lady I'd been talking to slipped into the seat next to me. "Do you think she's going to do that the whole flight?"
"Probably. She likes to ride on my shoulder and she can't so…" I broke off and shrugged.
"Who says she can't? You're wearing that huge gray sweatshirt. Hurry up and put her on your shoulder under your shirt. I'll block for you."
This chick was crazy, crazy like a fox. I nodded and she stood as I bent and unzipped the carrier. I scooped Rainbow up and shoved her underneath my hoodie, on my right shoulder so she'd be closest to the wall. She immediately stopped crying and headbutted me several times. I kept my face turned like I was looking out the window as she settled and snuggled into me.
"Thanks. You're kind of a genius."
The woman laughed. "I have three of my own, though I've never tried to travel with them. Make sure the carrier is completely stashed." I shoved it back a little with my foot. "You think she'll stay there?"
"Yeah, there's no place she likes better." Crazy fucking cat. "We're staying on this plane to Seattle so I won't have to move her until it's time to deplane."
She laughed. "I'm sorry I'll miss that, but glad she's happy now. It's probably good for all of us that she's right where she is."
That was a fucking understatement. "You don't know the half of it. Thanks again."
She smiled. "Happy to help."
I settled in and leaned my head against the window. "You just sleep and be good," I whispered to Rainbow. Hopefully she would.
Xoxoxoxoxox
I don't know how, but we fucking did it. Rainbow stayed quiet and happy underneath my hoodie and curled into my neck. I was going to have to wear this thing on the flight home, though I'd have Reed Girl with me to deal with her too. I guess we would most definitely not be joining the Mile High Club on the flight home, not that I wasn't already a member, thank you Hawaiian Air stewardess. But I'd much rather Reed Girl be my Mile High memory than whatever her name was.
The seat next to me had been empty for the flight from Atlanta to Seattle, which rocked. I couldn't sleep for fear that Rainbow would decide to go exploring, but at least I could spread out and be comfortable. As soon as we touched down, I unzipped her carrier and slipped her in. She gave a squeak of protest but I whispered to her that I'd let her out as soon as we got to the car.
I could feel the change in the air the instant we stepped onto the gangplank to head into the airport. It was cold as fuck. I hated the fucking cold but it was a good excuse to keep my girl close, now wasn't it? Not that I needed one, of course, but still. I hoped to fuck her father would let her stay with me in my hotel. The Forks Inn. Who the fuck knew what that was going to be like?
I kept my head down and headed to baggage claim. While I was waiting, I took out my phone and saw that I'd missed a couple of calls and a text from my girl.
You weren't kidding about the aspirin. I don't think I'm going to get my ID back today. I don't know if I ever want it back again. What errands are you running? What movie are you seeing? Call me when you can. Love you.
I couldn't call her until I was out of the airport unless I wanted her alerted to where I was. It was loud as fuck in here and they were on the speaker every three minutes or so announcing baggage here and white courtesy phones there. My bag finally came out after just about everybody around me got theirs. I hoisted it and Rainbow and went over to Hertz to get my car. That took longer than it should have and I was afraid I'd have to sign my name in blood the way they went on and on about insurance and letting other people drive the car and all that bullshit. It was a fucking Camry, not a Mercedes like my baby. I could buy them a damn replacement car if I fucked it up.
After what felt like a billion fucking years, I arrived at my rental and tossed my bag in the backseat and set Rainbow on the front. She'd been fairly quiet but I knew better than to try to keep her cooped up now that it was just the two of us. She practically flew out of the fucking carrier and up to my shoulder. "You were a good girl." I got a headbutt in reward for complimenting her and I gave her a few pets because she hadn't gotten us thrown off the fucking plane. "Let's call Reed Girl."
I dialed her as I started the car. It was cold as balls in here and I needed the fucking heat on before I did anything. "Hello."
I had to grin at the raspiness of her voice. "You still in bed, baby?"
"Maybe. I had to get up for awhile to go have lunch with my dad at work but now I'm back in bed and not moving until dinner."
Lunch with her dad at work meant she'd probably seen the douchebag. "Did you get your ID back?"
She groaned. "Yes, though he was a total dick about it. He threatened to tell my dad I had one so I threatened to tell my dad about the fact that he deflowered me. He figured that the fake ID was probably less disturbing than my dad knowing we fucked, so he handed it over."
I was proud of her for standing up for herself but I cringed at the idea that he'd fucked her, even though logically I knew it. That didn't mean I wanted to hear about it anymore than her fucking dad did.
"Well, I'm glad you got it back." Hopefully she'd feel up to going out tomorrow or something. I wanted to experience my drunk girl live and in person.
"Me too. I hate Riley."
Good. Though there was something in her tone that had me tensing. "Did he do something besides take your ID?"
"Not exactly. It's going to make you mad if I tell you this but I feel like if I don't, I'm lying and I don't want to do that either."
Fuck. "What?" I demanded. I wanted to peel out of the parking lot and get to her but I knew I had to wait. It was a three and a half hour drive no matter what I did and I had to take a ferry of all things.
"He joked, but didn't really joke, if you know what I mean, about reliving the experience in order to get my license back."
And it was a good fucking thing I wasn't driving yet. "What?" I yelled. Rainbow stood and hit me with her head again.
"I told him to fuck off and he did give it back, without payment, but yeah, it really pissed me off."
It really pissed me off, too. What kind of trouble would I get into if I hit a cop? Pretty bad trouble, no doubt about it. Unless of course I got Bella's father on my side by telling him that Riley was trying to extort sex from his daughter. That would require a lot of explaining of a lot of things and might lead to discussions of me fucking his daughter, though, so he might let me rot in jail next to Riley. Fucking hell. Where was my brother when I needed him? He was totally stupid enough to kick a cop's ass for me.
"Edward, are you there?"
I took a deep breath and tried to let the anger go. I'd be with her in a few hours and that fucker wouldn't get anywhere near her. "Yeah. You're right, I am pissed off but you handled it well enough it sounds like."
She sniffed. "If I didn't have a headache, I would have kicked his ass. If he says anything like it again, I will. He wouldn't dare at dinner though and I don't plan on seeing him until then." Dinner with that fucker. That would be lots of fun.
"That's good, baby."
"So what have you been up to all day? I missed you." She sounded like she was pouting and it made me smile again.
"Taking care of a last minute Christmas present for you." Hopefully one she'd like very much.
"Oh yeah? What is it?" She sounded like she had more energy all of a sudden and I laughed.
"You'll find out soon enough. I've gotta go but I'll talk to you in a bit, okay?"
"Secrets, huh? I'll get it out of you before Christmas."
Damn right she would. Within four hours. "I don't doubt you can, which is why I'm going before you figure it out. I'll talk to you later, baby. Get some more sleep, okay?"
"Yeah, I think I will. I've got a couple hours before I have to see about dinner."
Dinner with me if I got there on time. "Sweet dreams, Reed Girl. Call me when you get up."
"I will. I love you."
"I love you, too. Bye, baby." I disconnected and hurried to program the GPS for Forks. Mom had finagled her address at some point so I had everything I needed to know.
I grabbed my bag and pulled out some treats for Rainbow, who immediately went apeshit when I dumped them on the passenger seat. She was off my shoulder in a flash. "Good girl. Let's go get your mom. How do you feel about fucking up a policeman? He can't throw you in jail. You're small enough to walk right through the bars." She ignored me as she chowed down her food. "I'll never make you get off my shoulder again if you at least scratch him. A bite would be optimal though."
Enough time wasting. I had a girl to get to.
Xoxoxoxoxox
Rainbow loved the hell out of the ferry. I'd put her back in my hoodie but she kept sticking her face out into the wind as I stood by the rail and looked out at the water. It was weird but the closer I got to Reed Girl, the more I missed her. It was like she was close but really far away.
We got off the ferry and drove a fucking long ass time through forest and shit. Rainbow was quite content perched on my left shoulder looking out at the scenery, not there was anything to fucking see. Narrow roads and lots of trees. Who the fuck lived out here and why? Thank God my Reed Girl had returned to civilization and gone to school in Florida. I'd go crazy living in the forest with nothing to do all day. I was really glad it wasn't snowing even though it felt fucking cold enough for it. That would make it take all the longer to get to her. The closer I got, the more anxious I got.
After what felt like years, we were finally in Forks. It was like six so hopefully Reed Girl hadn't eaten yet. I wanted to take her out but I wasn't sure she'd want to or what she and her dad were doing. Keeping my visit a surprise had seemed like a good idea at the time but now that I was nearly there, I was nervous.
Who lived in this sleepy little town? There was pretty much nothing here. Or I guess one of everything instead of five or ten. One bank. One diner. One high school. I'd go crazy here. The GPS directed me to turn right on Conifer Dr. and I sat up straighter. This was it. I didn't have to look at the numbers on the houses, the gray one with the police cruiser in front of it appeared to be the one. Yeah, there was the old red truck that Reed Girl seemed to have some ridiculous affection for. Just looking at it made me shudder. When I got in the NFL, I'd damn well be buying her a much better vehicle. No way was my girl driving around in a death trap.
I parked behind the cruiser and debated how to go about this. Now that I was here, I didn't know what to do. She'd texted me about an hour ago that she was up and going to get a shower and make dinner and she'd call me after. I was fucking starving so hopefully she had enough for me or I'd have to go to that restaurant I'd passed a mile or so back.
"Let's do this," I told Rainbow. She stayed on my shoulder as I got out of the car and took out my phone. Reed Girl answered on the second ring.
"Hi! I was going to call you right after we got done eating."
Shit. "Am I interrupting?"
"No, I'm still finishing the sauce for the spaghetti." Awesome. I made it in time.
"Feeling better?"
"Yeah, much. I just needed to sleep the day away I guess." Hopefully she had some energy to spare now.
"So, did you want to know more about your Christmas present?" I asked, feeling the grin stretch across my face.
"You know I do! What did you get me?"
"Why don't you go outside and take a look?"
"What? Something's here? How did you manage that? I didn't hear the door." I heard her fiddling with locks. "I hope you didn't go overboard. I don' think…" her voice faded off as the door opened and she looked down for the non-existent package.
Reed Girl was wearing a blue sweatshirt and sweats and her hair was pulled back and she looked fucking beautiful. She glanced and caught sight of me standing in her driveway. She let out a scream and ran toward me. I opened my arms and she flew into them. Fuck yes. I closed my eyes and breathed her in as she burrowed into me. Rainbow smacked her head and made her laugh.
"What are you doing here?" She pulled back and the smile on her face was breathtaking. "What are both of you doing here?" she added as she lifted a hand to Rainbow who gave her a headbutt of her own.
"We both missed you."
"I missed you too, so much. I felt like an idiot for wanting to come home already. I can't believe you're here."
I laughed and hugged her to me. "Me either. It's fucking cold as balls." She laughed and stood on her tiptoes and gave me a smacking kiss. I tightened my grip on her and slipped my tongue into her mouth and just enjoyed tasting and holding my girl again. I felt a billion times better already now that she was in my arms. "That's exactly how I wanted to be warmed up."
She giggled and kissed me again. "There's something to be said for winter."
Not much, but I could allow that keeping her attached to me for days on end to keep warm wouldn't be a bad thing.
"How long are you here for?"
"Until you go home. We'll go together."
Her face was positively radiant. "And how did you get this one on the plane?"
I chuckled. "Mom got her this mesh carrier that she mistook for a backpack. We might have to work to get her back in there, but I actually snuck her into my shirt on the plane and she slept on my shoulder the whole way."
Reed Girl laughed and petted Rainbow who was purring away. "Trust you to find a way to get him to break the rules."
"She was yelling. It was awful. I was afraid we'd get kicked off and be unable to come at all."
"I'm glad you came."
I grinned and she smacked me. "Don't start. My dad and his guns are right inside."
Fuck, that was right. "You might be worth getting shot for."
She smirked. "Only might be? You know damn well I am."
I couldn't deny it. "Yeah, you are."
She smiled. "Are you ready to go in and meet him? I don't think we can stand out here for the next three days. I'd worry about your balls falling off."
I grinned and took her hand. "That would be a travesty. He's not going to kill me, is he?"
She shook her head. "A Heisman trophy winner in Charlie Swan's house? I'll be lucky if he doesn't give you my room and relegate me to the couch."
Fuck, Mom was right. He wouldn't let us sleep together. "I got a room at the Forks Inn, actually. You think you could stay with me?"
Reed Girl snorted. Damn it. "I don't think so, unless I sneak out."
"Sneaking out is sexy." I kissed her neck and she moaned and shivered a little. I wasn't sure if it was from my kiss or from being cold. I steeled myself. It was time. "Let's go and meet your dad."
Reed Girl laughed and took my hand. "It'll be pretty painless, I promise."
Right. Meeting the parent. This was fucked up. Reed Girl was the only girl in the universe I'd do this shit for. More changes. Hopefully I'd survive this one, too.
A/N Edward and Rainbow made it to Washington, not without some hoopla (how cute was it that he was worried about the x-ray?) but Reed Girl is thrilled to see them. How will Charlie react? Do you think Riley's a blond? Will Rainbow take up for her father since he probably shouldn't hit a cop? Inquiring minds want to know! We'll find out soon :)
I finished a Words outtake, so look for that soon. Much more to come, ficwise, and hopefully novelwise. I should have an update of some sort on that next chapter!
This story won a Giggle/Snort Award for Best AH! Thanks all! I love your love for these crazy kids.
Recs! Wisp by Cris, heartbreaking but hopeful with a lovely Edward and a very damaged Bella who deserves all the love in the world for what she's been through.
Caught Looking by Marvar, Baseballward and Scientella, she's so literal it's adorable.
Catch My Breath by tanglingshadows, just a sweet love story with a quirky Bella and sweet Edward.
See you soon with more! Thanks again!