Days Like This
Chapter 25
BPOV
I awoke to find Edward sneaking back into bed before he grabbed up Juliet and held her against him. He leaned across and kissed me, his smile from last night still in place. He rolled onto his back and began his morning routine of making Juliet beam and squeal with delight – any way he could. His laughter and her gurgles and squeals beat out Morning Bella attitude with only a momentary battle. They were so beautiful together.
"I should take advantage of you distracting her so I can actually get rid of the morning mouth before I feed her." I reached down to the floor to grab my crusty t-shirt. Gross.
"Bella! The bathroom is right there! You don't have to leave the room and you'll need to take that right back off. Don't tell me you're shy again in the morning?"
I stuck my tongue out at him as I held the stiff-as-a-board shirt against my midriff. I let the girls sway loose as I strolled to the bathroom, giving him a saucy wiggle as I went in. His warm laughter filled my heart. As I stood brushing my teeth, I stared at my naked reflection. I hadn't given nearly the devotion to tummy crunches that I should have, but it was getting a little better. Good enough to walk out and face him in daylight? Hell no! He had a shirt hanging on the back of the door so I nabbed that before going back out, only doing up the bottom buttons. He was right after all; I'd need to have the boobies accessible. I giggled to myself thinking of how cute it was that he used that term for them, even in an intimate setting. He was just adorable.
He laid his head on my lap when I sat in bed to nurse. I used one arm to cradle my baby and the other to stroke the hair of the man I was deeply in love with. "I love it here," I mused in a soft voice. "I could stay here like this forever. I see why Esme has such strong feelings about her time here with her family."
"You can stay, Bella." He rolled over so he was facing me. "Mom would love it. I could come back in a few days…"
I shook my head. As sweet as that was, I couldn't live off him like that. And I couldn't bear to think of a few days without him either. "We'd miss you too much."
"I'm working a double my first day back anyway… I could come back, spend the day…"
"I'd worry about you on that drive…"
"You don't trust the Fox," he teased.
"I don't want to be without you." My tone was not playful in the least. I couldn't ever see myself without him.
He sat up and held my cheek as he leaned over Juliet to kiss me softly. "You don't ever have to be, Bella. I was serious last night. I don't ever want to spend a night apart."
"Except when you're on nightshift…" I said more teasingly.
"Well yeah," he chuckled. "How do you feel about sleeping through the day with me?"
"I'm all for it. This little one, however…"
His hand left my cheek to stroke her head as she nursed. She paused and sighed before resuming breakfast. Chuckling, he leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I feel the same, Sunshine." He sighed as his nose nuzzled my free breast. "Beautiful."
"You're going to make me flood her!" I warned with a laugh. I ran my fingers through his hair as he curled up against my unused side. "And you're not getting left-overs!" I clenched my eyes shut as my mouth filter malfunctioned. Fuck! Had I really said that? Was he mortified? Or disappointed… I opened them to see the damage.
He was smiling. Blushing. All kinds of adorable as he kissed the top of my boobie. His lips were warm and so soft in contrast to the scruff of his beard against my sensitive flesh and as I looked down at my baby suckling and my boyfriend nuzzling, I saw what he saw… beauty. We fit together so naturally. I resumed stroking his head as I loved these two people more than I ever thought possible.
We took Juliet for a walk on the beach in the early morning light, holding hands as we strolled. We'd stop every now and then for a kiss, or to watch the birds swooping down for their breakfast. Yes, I could do this for a lifetime. A voice in the distance drew our attention and a broad grin broke out on Edward's face as he waved.
"You remember Carmen from the wedding?"
Of course I remembered her; Tanya's mother. His ex-future-mother-in-law. What the fuck was she doing here? I could feel my body tensing up with each second as we walked towards her.
"Edward! I thought that was you, honey! Your mom said you'd be coming for a visit! And you've brought company!" She kissed his cheek as he lowered to kiss hers in greeting and then she turned to me. "Bella, it's so nice to see you again. And this must be the little one Esme goes on and on about… oh, she's just gorgeous, Bella! So sweet. So bright-eyed! Oh, she must be a joy to be around!"
And with a few kind words and her genuine smile, my bitterness evaporated. This woman was the same lovely woman I'd chatted with at the wedding without knowing her connection to Edward. It wasn't her fault her daughter was a stupid bitch. "Carmen, thank you! Yes, Juliet's a very pleasant baby. I'm so fortunate." I had the world's sweetest baby and the perfect man… who was looking a bit awkward at the moment.
Carmen noticed as well. "Don't worry yourself, honey. It's good to see you happy again." She embraced him as a mother would. "We've all missed having you around so much, Edward. You know you'll always be family."
"Thank you, Carmen. I feel the same," he replied softly as he pulled away. "I'm sorry I haven't come to visit, it's just…"
"I know." She dabbed at her eyes. "We're having a roast, later on, on the beach. I'd be so happy if all of you would join us."
"I think Rose and Emmett are coming by later…" he excused us.
"Wonderful! All of you at once!"
I tensed again.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Edward used a very soft voice, but his eyes were pleading with her to not do this. I recalled him saying he could never refuse Carmen.
"She won't be here. She's working." Carmen rolled her eyes and looked out at the ocean as she hugged herself. "If that's what makes her happy…"
I wanted to embrace this woman. Sucker-punch her stupid bitch of a daughter, but hug this lovely woman. She fully understood that her daughter had lost the best man in the world. I wondered if she knew what Edward lost, because of Tanya and her self-indulgent solo decision. She couldn't… then Esme would know and Esme would fuss. Without a doubt.
"Kate and Garrett and Cammie will be here though! Please come!" Her smile returned with the thought of all the other 'children' being together. It obviously meant a lot to her.
"We'd love to, Carmen. Thank you," I replied for us. "We can't stay too long, with Juliet…"
Edward gave my waist a loving squeeze. "What can we bring for you? Still drinking Tequila?"
"Oh heavens no!" she laughed and smacked his arm. "You bring your family, that's all. Enjoy the rest of your morning and afternoon." Smiling warmly at us, she stroked Juliet's back before she retreated down the beach.
"That's their house," Edward advised me when she was far enough away. "Remember the first time you rejected me? That's where the party was." He was smirking as he turned to me. "I'm glad you turned me down."
"You invited me to your ex's parents' house? On a first date?" I laughed, aghast at his gall. Back then, I still wasn't certain he didn't swing both ways and I was positive he had a girlfriend yet I somehow thought this was even worse!
"I know! Stupid move… Lucky for me, you're smarter than I am. That would have been disastrous. You saved our relationship through rejection. Ironic, huh?" His arms were around me as he smiled down at me. "Thank you for this, with Carmen, as well. I really do adore her. She did nothing to me and I feel bad that I've cut her out of my life when I eliminated Tanya."
I kissed his chin and squeezed his cheek, like I'd seen Rosalie do many times. "I understand. But I don't want a confrontation, Edward. If she's there… I'll just take Juliet back…"
He shook his head earnestly. "Carmen wouldn't do that. I wouldn't put you in that situation either. Bella, you and Juliet are the most important people in my life. I want a future with you. I wouldn't make you deal with my ex. I wouldn't do anything that made you feel uncomfortable. Didn't I prove that to you last night?" His coy grin was back.
"And yet," I teased back. "It still left me uncomfortable for a whole other reason." I batted my eyelashes as I pinched his bum. I had the sudden desire to feel his stubble against my tingling breasts again. Maybe later, I mused to myself with my own coy grin.
We were in the pool with Juliet when Emmett and Rose arrived. We chatted at the edge of the pool briefly before they ran inside to change. They were only inside a few minutes before they rushed back, Rosalie anxious to get her hands on Juliet. I would have killed myself if I'd seen Rosalie in a bikini when I thought she was 'the other woman'. Seriously. Edward's sister was probably the sexiest woman I'd ever known. She didn't flaunt it, but she definitely had a confidence that I envied.
"Hello my sweet girl!" she cooed to my daughter as she wrapped her in a towel. "I've been dreaming about seeing you all week! Okay, this bathing suit is too adorable! It's so tiny!" She 'squeeee-d' just like Alice had when she had seen it.
Emmett made some 'yummy mummy' cracks when I got out of the pool, I fired back as I towelled off. It was Emmett being Emmett. Rose shot him daggers with her eyes and Edward pushed him backwards into the pool with an enormous splash, dousing us all. The second wave hit when Edward cannon-balled himself in afterwards.
"Overgrown babies." Rose rolled her eyes as she tenderly dried off Juliet again. "You'll learn to ignore Uncle Emmett at times, sweetheart. He's so lovable, but sometimes, he's just a jerk and we just have to ignore him."
Uncle Emmett… I smiled at the way she said that so naturally.
"I hope he didn't upset you, Bella. I warned him not to be a pig. I'm sure Edward warned him to behave too. Be honest, did he offend you?"
Her concern was touching, but totally unwarranted. "No! Not at all! I have a feeling that if I had a brother, he'd be an Emmett clone. Totally inoffensive to me. It's just him, and that's great."
Rosalie smiled appreciatively. "You're not easily offended then?"
I scrunched up my face as I shook my head. "I'm usually the offender!"
"Good. In that case, you won't be offended when I say how much I hate you right now. I am so envious!"
What? What had I done? My face spoke for me and Rose pulled me over to move away from the poolside our men were getting rowdier.
"You look amazing! I know I wouldn't be pool-ready this soon."
My jaw dropped. "Rosalie! You've got to be kidding me. I was just thinking of how perfect your body is…"
She rolled her eyes. "I have to work at it. Constantly. If I look at a cupcake, I gain 5 pounds – that's why I know I'll be avoiding swimsuits for at least a year after I give birth."
I bit down on my lip and then decided to draw Edward's sister into my confidence. I divulged my worries over my mummy tummy, which she assessed without me even batting an eye.
"Oh honey, it's not as bad as you think. Come to the gym with me! There's an awesome daycare centre – loads of moms love it and the post-pregnancy workouts they offer. I go 3 mornings a week."
"Oh. Um… I should warn you, I'm really not a morning person."
She cracked a crooked grin, so much like Edward's that it made me smile. "Perfect. We'll be grumpy b-words together until we sweat it out. Then we'll do girl talk at the juice bar. You won't even have to kill yourself there, like I do; you've only got the tummy to deal with!"
"And my ass," I mumbled, suddenly very self-conscious about the rear. Why had I chosen Alice's string bottoms today?
Rose had so many facial expressions that reminded me of Edward. The crooked grin, the way her eyebrow lifted in confusion – or amusement when used simultaneously. "You're gonna get me killed if you lose that," she leaned over to whisper and turned to keep her eye on the guys in the pool. "You can't say a word, and you either Juliet! Girl talk stays with the girls… always!" Kissing my daughter's head, Rose positioned her so that from the perspective of the guys, she would be whispering to Juliet. "Okay, he'll be mad at me if he knows I told you, but my brother has got a major thing for butts. Not that you're not gorgeous and sweet and so right for him in every other way… but I suspect he'd be rather… fond of that hiney you boast."
Once more, I stood with my mouth gaping open. Was she serious? No… she's known him all his life, but she didn't know his intimate habits and preferences. His eyes had always been focused on my breasts. They were what made him blush and what he desired to kiss and touch. They were his focus for arousal.
"He's taking in an eyeful right now," Rose smiled sweetly as she nuzzled against Juliet's cheek, watching the pool.
I turned to look. Any disbelief I'd had vanished when I made eye contact with Edward and saw his cheeks glowing red even from where I stood. He had been ogling and he'd been caught! I turned back to Rosalie, giggling. "Seriously?"
She nodded, giving me a wink. "Oh yeah. Keep what ya got back there, honey and he'll be forever interested."
My heart danced in my chest – I did possess something naturally that he'd appreciate, so maybe the post-nursing boobs wouldn't be such a disappointment! I wanted to kiss Alice for insisting on these bottoms now. I made a mental note to go through my panty drawer when I got home and toss any of the granny panties I had remaining from those last months of pregnancy and post-surgery. Alice and I would have another shopping trip, very soon.
"Thanks for telling me your brother's secrets. It stays between us girls." I did kiss Rose.
EPOV
"You wanna stop staring at my girlfriend's ass?" I smacked Emmett across the back of his head.
He smirked at me. "Like you wouldn't."
"Em, that's twisted on so many levels. That's my sister."
"Alright, but Bella's not my sister and…"
"And you're married to mine," I reminded him with a smirk. "Married, Em."
"That means no more looking?" He scrunched his face up in pain.
I chuckled at his expression. "That means no more looking in front of me, at least. I've got my sister's honour to defend and if it's my girlfriend you're gawking at, we've got another whole issue entirely." In all honesty, I could hardly blame him on this one. Bella looked astonishingly hot. Just when I'd grown accustomed to the way her swimsuit accentuated all of her assets, she stunned me with these new, teeny-tiny, show-half-the-gorgeous-ass bottoms that made it very difficult to keep my own eyes off of. And I'd had the view for a couple of hours already. Emmett had only been introduced to Bella's sweet behind. Just as I was giving it proper admiration, Bella suddenly turned to look at us. Christ, our eyes must have scorched her lily white flesh! My cheeks felt the burn of the blaze, for sure. I dropped down from the side of the pool, drowning my embarrassment deep underwater.
We all headed over to Eleazar and Carmen's early in the evening. Bella had shorts on over her string bottoms, but it didn't hinder my visual in the least. The longer we were here, the more relaxed and comfortable she got and she was radiant. While the testosterone forced my eyes to the old stand-by focal points, my heart drove me to appreciate the full woman. Just as it was when I saw her at work, I was seeing a whole new side of Bella; Family-first Bella. I adored this woman.
We arrived hand-in-hand, as Nana Esme got the privilege of carrying over the star of the show. Everyone flocked around Juliet in her little peach dress with matching hat and shoes, though the shoes were swiftly kicked off as she was like her mom and preferred to be barefoot. I stuffed her shoes in my pocket and went to give Cammie some attention. She was used to being the star, herself.
She let out a squeal when I picked her up and spun her in circles. "Uncle Edward! My panties are showing!" she giggled when I stopped and held her on my hip.
"Oops! We can't have that!" I adjusted her dress for her and blew raspberries on her cheek. "So… we haven't seen each other for awhile, tell me all the hot gossip! What's new?" Cammie had always been more of a conversationalist than a physical play kind of kid. She listened to everything and had the most entertaining takes on what she heard.
"Daddy's in trouble with Mommy." She didn't hesitate for a moment before spilling the dish. "He got raised and bought a new toy."
I lifted my eyebrows in interest. "A new toy huh?"
"I forget what you call it… mid-life cry-sissy? Mommy said it's early."
Chuckling, I knew exactly what she was talking about, but it was hardly a mid-life crisis. Garrett had taken Emmett to the car lot when he first considered his purchase. It was extravagant, but he had worked hard for his promotion and he could afford it now. Obviously Kate saw it differently. "No new toys for you and Mommy?"
She tucked her chin in as a smile broadened her rosy cheeks. "Mommy's making us one." She patted her tummy.
My mouth formed an 'O' and I leaned in to whisper. "Mommy's having a baby?" She nodded, her white-blond curls bouncing excitedly. Ha! I felt certain this wasn't supposed to be general knowledge at this point. Sure, I had been out of the family loop, but Rosalie would have mentioned it if she knew. That would explain her not being thrilled about Garrett's new car. "Okay, let's keep that one between us. Can you do that Cammie?" She nodded again and threw her arms around my neck, snuggling in like she always used to. I did miss spending time with her.
"Hey, you want to come meet Bella's baby? See what you'll be getting in the future? But don't say anything – remember…" I zipped my lips with my fingers and she mimicked me with a giggle and a nod.
She stared in awe at Juliet when I took her over. "How did that fit in there?" She poked Bella in the stomach.
Bella smiled down at her and playfully tugged on one of her curls. "I ask myself that same question. But you fit in Mommy's tummy before you got to be a big girl too!"
She approached Juliet slowly, as if she would frighten her and very gently patted her head. Juliet grunted and tried to grab her hand. Giggling, Cammie turned back to Bella. "She wants to play!"
"I think she does, Cammie! She doesn't have any friends yet. Well, except Edward." Bella bumped her hip against me.
"Uncle Edward's my friend too, Baby! He can play with both of us!"
I sat on the bench that surrounded their patio and took Cammie on my lap as Esme passed Juliet over to Bella. She sat beside us and I showed her how Juliet liked to be played with, but cautioned her to be gentle, always. Cammie followed her new little friend wherever she got passed around to and I saw Kate looking at me questioningly when it was her turn.
"What's up?" I asked her softly when I approached them.
"Well, Cammie is a bit confused, I think. Bella told her you were her friend, but she thinks you're Juliet's Daddy and you can't be both. How do we want to explain this?" I knew Kate. She wasn't questioning my paternity. She was asking how I'd want Cammie to tell Aunt Tanya about my baby.
"Ah." I squatted down to be face-to-face with her. "Well, you see, all babies have a Mommy and Daddy, of course. But some babies and children don't live with both Mommy and Daddy, like you do. I'm not Juliet's Daddy, Cammie. I'm her… Edward." I chuckled nervously. What else could I tell her?
"Her play Daddy?" Cammie surmised.
"Uh…"
Bella joined us, placing her hand on the back of my neck. She gave it a soft squeeze. "We met Edward after she was born, honey. So, he's not her Daddy, but he does Daddy stuff with her. He takes care of her like your Daddy takes care of you – he plays with her, he makes sure she's safe and healthy. She loves it when he puts her to sleep. Do you like your Daddy tucking you in or Mommy?"
They broke off into their own little conversation and Kate winked at me, her own queries answered. Juliet was not my biological child, but I was more than 'playing' Daddy with her. She was handling this much better than I thought she would. Kate had always held out hope that her sister and I would somehow work it out and reunite. My open relationship with Bella and Juliet extinguished all hope of that and she seemed okay with it. She actually seemed happy for me, yet shortly after, I spotted her wiping her eyes as she made her way to the house. Carmen followed closely behind. Maybe she wasn't okay with it. Whatever the drama was, I didn't pull Bella into it. She was involved in a conversation with Emmett and Eleazar about unnecessary traffic laws. I stood back with a smile, watching. They had no idea they were dealing with a very bright, opinionated cop's kid. Bella was more than holding her own and I glowed with pride.
I had just joined my mother, who was taking her turn amusing Cammie and Juliet when Carmen summoned me inside. Her eyes were fretful.
"Carmen? Is everything alright?" Immediately, I embraced her, as I would if my own mother was looking so distraught.
"Oh honey, having you here with all of us again has been so wonderful. You don't know how much we've all missed you." Her embrace on me tightened. "And your… Bella and her baby, they're just so sweet. I feel just horrid. Can you forgive me?"
I was nowhere near following her emotional outburst. This wasn't typical behaviour for Carmen and I couldn't imagine a thing she'd be asking my forgiveness for. I stroked her back before I pulled away. "I'm sorry Carmen, I'm afraid I have no idea what I'm to forgive you for."
She looked up at me with teary eyes and… pity? Aw fuck. "Edward… we love you like you're our own, you know that. When you and Tanya parted ways, it was distressful for all of us. But I knew you – I knew your heart. You loved her for so many years, I always thought you'd work it out. That's the only reason I didn't dissuade her from going to Rose and Emmett's reception. Honey, she seemed truly remorseful for her part in the break-up and I thought she was ready to start repairing the damage, only…" I had never seen a look so full of pity. I wanted to disappear into the wall behind me. "Edward, I'm sorry. I didn't know you had started into this new relationship. I put you in a retched spot and I am so terribly sorry. I hope it didn't cause you problems."
"Carmen… I really…" REALLY don't want to talk about this! I plastered myself to the wall, hoping beyond hope for a door to open and let me slip through. I ran my hand over my face and then held it to my forehead. "You have nothing to apologize for."
She shook her head. "I love my daughter, but I do realize she played a part in the break-up as well. Seeing you with this little family, I'm tending to think she had more to do with it than I originally thought. If only she wasn't so focused on work…"
I nodded, remaining silent.
"I believe she's beginning to see the error of her ways."
Fuck. I don't want to be here having this discussion!
"The girls are in a horrible spot too - Rosie and Katie… You know how they talk about everything and your sister is so excited about your new relationship and having the baby around and well, you probably don't know yet but Kate's expecting again and she's quite emotional these days. Tanya heard some of their talk and she put it in her sister's head that Bella's baby is yours."
"That would have meant…" I frowned and tried to contain the anger I felt building. "She's insinuating that I cheated! That couldn't be further from the truth," I snorted. "Putting Kate in the middle that way, especially now, is horrible! Tanya has impeccable timing." I stared at the floor, willing it to open up if the wall wouldn't accommodate my wishes.
Carmen nodded sadly. "That, she does. Honey, she called… just before I came out to get you. She's on her way here."
My head snapped up.
"This wasn't planned, Edward. I swear to you. She told us she would be working tonight. I wanted to let you know, so she didn't just arrive and catch you off guard."
"Thank you," I nodded, feeling more anxious than I'd ever recalled feeling. "I appreciate that."
"Honey… I'm sorry this gathering's been ruined. Of course, I always wanted you to be my son-in-law, but more importantly, I want you to be happy and have all the things you've dreamt of having. Seeing you in a new relationship…" Her voice caught as she held back a sob.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be displaying it like this here…"
She grabbed onto my forearms with a force I didn't think this woman would possess. "Nonsense! You be happy, Edward! As you said, my daughter's timing is impeccable. Earlier, when I saw you on the beach, I was wistfully thinking that should have been you and Tanya and little one out there, so happy – so in love. But if we're to be honest, you never looked at my daughter the way you look at those girls of yours. They're quite obviously meant for you. I don't want you spending a single moment worrying that any of us believe you cheated. And don't spend a moment thinking we aren't happy that you've found your perfect love."
I was floored by everything Carmen expressed to me. And deeply touched. "Is Kate alright?" I asked softly.
Carmen gave me her chin-up grin and nodded as she stroked my arm. "We'll be fine, honey. We'll get through this, don't you fret about it."
"Thank you. And I appreciate the warning. I should take Bella and Juliet home before…"
"Yes. And Edward, I'll take care of making sure Tanya knows you didn't participate in this baby's conception. If Kate doesn't beat me to it!" She hugged herself, snickering at the thought of her girls having it out. There had been some major blow-outs between the two sisters in the past. I just hoped my sister didn't get in on this one as well.
"Thank you, Carmen. You're the best almost-mother-in-law I could ever hope for." She chuckled in my arms as I held her and then she gave me a little shove out the door.
I spotted Bella and immediately went to her. "We should go now," I whispered as I took her hand. She stood instantly, a look of concern on her face. "Tanya's on her way. Carmen just gave me the warning," I whispered.
Her eyes dropped to the ground and her cheeks paled. "I'll go get Juliet." She found her with Rose and we said our quick goodbyes before crossing the beach between our houses.
"Bella, this wasn't planned… I swear to you. She just called and told them she'd changed her mind."
"She does a lot of that, huh?" she snapped as we reached our patio.
"Only when it's too late." I stopped Bella and turned her to face me. "Bella, what you and I have is exactly what I want. No one can come between us. You know that, don't you?"
She stared off to the side, creases stretching across her forehead. "I just don't want… things have been so per… "
Perfect. Yes, I know. I pulled her closer and hugged her as she hitched Juliet up higher. "I want things just as they are too," I whispered. "Bella, I will never put you in a situation where you feel like anything we have is threatened, because it's not. There is nothing that can keep me from you and Juliet… nothing on my end anyway," I smirked. "Of course, you can tell me to take a hike any day."
"As if…" Bella stood on her toes and grabbed onto the back of my head to hold me in place for her claim-staking kiss.
Carmen's inspirational chat left me wondering if everyone who looked at us saw how deep our feelings went. I certainly felt different these days; did I present myself differently as well? She was right – this was an entirely new kind of love for me and I prayed this was what was meant for me all along. This woman and this baby. Bella and Juliet.
Days like this made me wonder if there was anyone in the entire world who had ever loved someone, two some ones, actually, more than I did as she owned me with a kiss on the patio of Mom's beloved family beach house.
A/N ~ Welcome to all the new readers! Thanks for adding my story to your lists and thanks to all for the reviews and for registering your opinions on the poll. :)
Another long chapter coming up as the vacation ends and Bella and Edward get more deeply involved in each other's life. Also, an all Edward POV... soon! ~ SR