Hello again! Vacation is pretty awesome but so are all of you! Thanks for taking the time to review I appreciate it so very much. Many thanks going out to Lolo84 and Capricorn75 for their continued help with this chapter. And thanks to Maple Style for letting me bounce ideas off you! I hope you all enjoy this chapter - it's the evening after they got caught by Jake in the kitchen - after skanky Tanya tried unsuccessfully to proposition our Edward.

Chapter 26

When I was a kid, every Saturday night we'd order in two large pizzas – always Meat Lovers and Ham and Pineapple – and we'd watch a movie together. Most of my movie night memories are of Carlisle, my mom, and I curled up on the couch under one blanket. My big brother and I would be clad in our made-by-mom flannel pajama bottoms, Mom in sweats and a tee shirt. Slices of pizza were on paper plates in our lap, cans of Coca-Cola Classic on the coffee table where our feet rested.

Halfway through, we'd pause the movie and mom would take my brother and me into the kitchen to make Jiffy Pop Popcorn over the gas stove. Sure, it took a long time and many of the popcorn kernels would be burnt because Carlisle and I got tired of shaking, but popcorn never tasted better.

The nights my father was able to join us rank up there as some of my favorite memories. My brother and I would possessively flank his sides but he never complained. My dad would often rewind the funnier parts and even if we'd seen the movie a hundred times before, he would laugh like it was his first time seeing it.

To this day, I still believe that the flicks from the early part of the 80's are the best of our time. Perhaps it's because the memories of those Friday nights are ingrained in my head, but I think a lot has to do with the fact that really, the eighties produced some brilliant movies. ET, Tron, Raiders of the Lost Arc, The Empire Strikes Back, Airplane (my father's favorite), Chariots of Fire, and Ghost Busters, to name a few. Each and every one are classics I still enjoy as an adult.

I remember looking over at my mom when I was 14 or so, and I couldn't figure out why she was watching us boys and not the movie, a huge smile on her face. It wasn't until Bella and I started the pizza and movie tradition with our kids that I fully understood. It was family time, and we were making a memory. We sure as hell did. I wanted our kids to have the same memories I did. I hope when they are my age, they remember the little things like that.

On our movie nights, we'd line the kids up on the couch, or often in our bed, and put a DVD on. We've certainly come a long way from Beta tapes and VCRs. Charlotte would be squished between Leah and Jake, and the girls would hold hands, little legs and feet intertwined. And like my mom, I would look at them and smile at us making a memory.

Honestly, I couldn't remember the last time we'd had a family movie night. Leah was studying –with or without Adam- and Jacob was either at football practice or out with Nessie. And Charlotte, well, she went out with Paul every Friday and Saturday night without fail. Yes, I just rolled my eyes. To be honest, Paul hadn't done anything specifically to piss me off except for the fact that he came equipped with a working penis. I'm a father and it's my prerogative to not like someone. I can do what I want to do. I've got you singing Bobby Brown now, don't I?

This particular Saturday night, Bella and I had our own date planned - our celebration for the book deal. Cheesecake Factory for dinner followed by a movie at home, topping it all off with a nightcap –wink, wink, nudge, nudge. My kind of night.

Over our appetizers and red wine, we talked about our day.

I told my wife exactly what happened with I'm-a-whore-Tanya-Denali. As I talked, I could see Bella's jaw clench. She was not pleased that I'd been propositioned. She did laugh, though, when I told her I was oblivious at first and had to text Rose to find out if she was flirting or not.

Then we talked about the big ass carrot that was dangled in front of us. Bella and I were really torn over accepting her five million dollar offer. I mean, come on, who can say no to five mil? That's a fuck ton of money. Being a writer paid me well enough but with that much money in our account, we would be set. Retirement for Bella as well as trips to various parts of the world. Was it worth exposing myself? We weighed our pros and cons and ultimately, couldn't come to a decision. It was something that we needed to really sleep on. I bet with five mil I could have an excellent sleep on a top-of-the-line mattress.

During dinner, Bella told me about her talks with the kids earlier in the day. I want it noted, for the record, that she made it out to be my fault Jake got a nipple ring. I have no idea how that happened but I found myself apologizing. How does that work?

Then there was Leah. I didn't want to acknowledge that she was moving out come fall. It wasn't just about her leaving me for Adam (yes, that's a bit dramatic but that's who I am). It felt like our family was being fragmented; Bella explained it was only expanding. Either way, it was hard for me to accept.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Char was anti-sex but did Bella have to tell me about the oral sex part? Really? Filter, woman, filter. I almost threw up my Kobe beef burger.

"Edward, they aren't doing anything worse than we did at that age."

I flash-backed to the days of sixteen-year old Bella and I dry-humping or making out in my car at Kerry Park. I remembered learning how to go down on a woman and giving Bella pointers on how to give a blowjob. Then a visual of my baby girl doing that assaulted my mind.I scratched my head and made a face.

"That doesn't make me feel better, Bella."

"Can you just give them a break?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "I'll try, okay? I'll try."

"Thank you. Just try not to embarrass her all the time."

"Yeah, yeah."

We arrived home to an empty house and Bella and I went upstairs to change into something more comfortable. Okay, we also had a quickie but you probably guessed that. In the kitchen, we popped two bags of popcorn and fixed ourselves rum and Cokes – an advantage to adult movie nights.

Walking into the living room, I was unpleasantly surprised. The kids were already home.

Worse than that, Paul and Charlotte were spooning on the couch. Let me repeat that in case you missed it: Paul was SPOONING my DAUGHTER. He was stretched out on his side, literally taking up the whole length of the couch. Charlotte was lying so that her back was to his front, his leg sandwiched between hers. You and I both know that spooning leads to forking…

I growled and they scampered to sit up as I gave Paul the evil eye. Bella's hand on my arm and a quiet 'be nice' kept me from saying something.

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. C." Vanessa sat on Jacob's lap and waved at me as we walked in. Funny how their compromising position didn't bother me.

"Hi, Nessie, nice to see you again. You guys are home early."

Bella sat down on the arm of the love seat beside Leah and Adam as she greeted the group. I chose to park my behind right in between Paul and Charlotte, wiggling my ass back and forth to make room. What? Bella said not to embarrass them but she certainly didn't say anything about embarrassing myself.

"My roommate is having a party and Jake and I didn't feel like hanging out with them so we came over here."

"And Adam and I stayed here and studied."

I snorted at Leah's comment. 'Studying' my ass.

"Why are you two home?" I addressed Charlotte.

"I have really bad cramps."

I wrinkled my nose and made a face. Charlotte smirked knowing I didn't want to know about her girl issues.

"You okay, love? Want me to get you something?"

Charlotte shook her head. "I'm okay, thanks, Mom. I took some Advil."

Bella nodded. "Edward, should we go into the kitchen, leave these kids alone?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm comfortable right here." I put my arms along the back of the couch, effectively around Paul and Charlotte. One big, happy not-having-sex-because-she's-on-her-period family.

"Edward."

Damn it.

Reluctantly, I got up, taking my popcorn with me.

"You know, I just wanted to come home and watch a movie with my wife. Don't you guys have car windows you can be steaming up or something? Not you!" I pointed my finger at Paul who was grinning at the idea.

"We could take it up to our rooms, if you prefer." Charlotte offered.

"Yeah, no. And no more sporking." I wagged a finger between the two of them.

"Sporking?" Char raised an eyebrow at me.

Spooning plus forking – I thought it was funny.

"Never mind."

I took Bella's hand and we went to the kitchen.

"What the heck is sporking?" Bella asked as soon as we were alone.

Really, did no one understand my humor any more?

"You know what spooning is?"

Bella looked at me, her eyes calling me an idiot. "We invented spooning."

"And what usually happens when we spoon?"

I loved the smirk on Bella's face. "You usually poke me in the ass."

"Like a fork poking into food. So spooning usually turns into forking but since they aren't having sex it's just sporking. Get it?"

Bella shook her head at me. "Oh, Edward."

Sadly, it wasn't one of those 'Oh, Edwards' said in the tone I like to hear.

Someone knocked on our bedroom door in a panic at nine the next morning. I grunted a "go away" and Bella called for whomever it was to come in.

It was Leah who flew into the room in a flap. It was far too early for me to deal with any kind of drama and I groaned at the interruption. Leah's words flew out of her mouth in a fury.

"Adam and I have a date tonight – for our anniversary – and I have nothing to wear!"

Anniversary? I thought to myself. What kind of anniversary? I didn't know if it was of the boob grope or (barf) something else, and didn't bother to ask.

"Relax, honey, we'll find you something to wear. What about the black dress you wore for Grandpa's funeral?"

"Really, Mom?"

"Okay, what about the lilac dress you bought last summer?"

"Not dressy enough."

Bella sat up in bed and tapped her finger against her lips. "Your dress from prom?"

That was quickly vetoed with an exaggerated sigh. Every suggestion Bella had was met with resistance.

"Why don't we go to the mall and find you something new?"

"Mom! Adam and I are meeting at four, there's not enough time to shop, shower, do my hair and make up."

Seven hours wasn't enough time to do all that? Good Lord that brought high maintenance to a whole 'nother level. Smartly, I kept my mouth shut.

"Why don't you go through my closest and see if there's anything in there that you want to borrow?"

I snuggled under the blankets and watched the carnage of clothes unfold. There's never a dull moment when you watch a woman get ready for a date.

Leah disappeared into Bella's walk in closest, coming out with several outfits. She held them all up in front of her and just as quickly, tossed them onto the bed deeming them inappropriate. She held up a red dress – one of my favorites on Bella – and continued her critique in the mirror.

"This makes my hips look wide."

"Leah, why don't you go in the bathroom and try it on? You can't tell just by holding it up."

The look that my daughter graced me with officially told me I had no idea what I was talking about. Apparently my penis didn't qualify me for an opinion on outfits. I put my hands up in surrender as Leah went back into the closet. Bella voiced a few more options; each shut down.

A minute later, Leah emerged from the walk in with a confused look on her face, a hanger in hand. All I could see was a glimpse of the black material and knew exactly what she was holding. I prayed to God she didn't have the other piece to the puzzle because that would be harder to explain. Leah held up the outfit – black leather and lace and immediately my mind was assaulted with images of the night Bella had donned the scraps of cloth.

"Edward! I am not wearing that – that's a whore's outfit."

Why must I always be met with resistance?

"Baby, it's not a whore's outfit. It's more of a dominatrix ensemble. And it's research for my novel."

"Your main character is a whore?"

I gently fingered a feather flogger as I talked. "Gabriel's more of a missionary man and Tessa is trying to teach him there's more than just being on top."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, like being tied up and flogged?"

I crossed the room in only a few glides to stand in front of her. Rubbing my hands up and down her arms, I placed feather-light kisses against her temple, down to her mouth.

"Please baby? I know how I want the scene to go but I'm having issues getting into character."

"Why don't you strip naked and I'll flog your dumb ass and we'll call it a day?"

I bit my cheek so I wouldn't smirk but I had to give her credit - that was pretty funny.

I gave Bella my best smile, trying hard to have sultry eyes and a sexy-yet-pouty look on my face.

"You look constipated, Cullen."

Plan B consisted of me kissing across her collarbone as my fingers worked on the buttons of her blouse. I knelt before her, placing a baby-like kiss on her belly button as I tugged her pants lower so I could kiss along her bikini line.

"Please?" I whispered between kisses.

Bella gave a heavy sigh and I knew she would cooperate. But she had strict conditions.

"No pictures or video. I'm serious. Can you imagine if the kids ever found evidence of me dressed up as a whore?"

"The kids will never know. It'll be our little secret."

And it had been, for a few years anyways. Until our twenty-year old daughter stood before us, holding the very outfit that was an integral part of one of my most successful novels - 'Inspiring Gabriel'.

I looked from the outfit over to Bella, who was staring at me with wide eyes, her face a similar color to the scarlet dress Leah had been holding earlier. Now, I wasn't normally one for blushing but I certainly was then.

"Mom? Is this yours?"

"I'm getting in the shower!" I quickly announced, much to Bella's dismay. I threw off the covers and practically ran to the en suite. Partly because I was in tighty-whities, and partly because I wanted to get the hell out of there.

I took my sweet ass time in the bathroom – avoidance at its best. Even still, I managed to shower, brush my teeth and do my hair – no easy feat – in under fifteen minutes.

Bella opened the door and let herself into the bathroom before I was done.

"You!" She poked her finger into my chest. "You left me to fend for myself!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You have to tell her the truth about you being E.A. Masen."

"What! Why?"

"Because Leah thinks that I'm some pervert who wears nipple-revealing, crotchless, and assless, lace outfits to bed."

I snickered.

"It's not funny."

Actually, it was.

"You want me to own up to being the pervert so you look good?"

"Yes."

"Not a chance, sweetheart."

Bella glared at me.

"Look. Do you know how many times I had to sit by and listen to Jasper talk shit about me over the years? And that day Adam went off on a tirade about me being some overweight loser."

"I believe he called you a closet homosexual who was balding, obese, and had bad breath."

"Thank you for that. What'd you do, write it down word for word?" I rolled my eyes.

"I'm trying to save myself in my daughter's eyes! She thinks I'm some kind of whore in bed."

I gave her the one shoulder shrug and Bella slapped my arm.

"Well, maybe 'whore' is a bit over the top but what other word would you prefer? Slut? No, too vulgar. Tramp? No, too 80's. Unfortunately, I think 'whore' is as polite as that black leather and lace outfit can manage. Although horizontally inclined works, but it just doesn't have the same ring to it."

"Any time you want to shut up, Edward Anthony Cullen, please do so."

I exhaled loudly. "Bella, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take one for the team here. Let me be the good guy for once. "

"Take one for the team?" Her higher-than-normal voice told me she was less than impressed. "What about how Leah perceives me?"

"There's no 'I' in team, sweets."

"Yeah, well there is an 'm' and an 'e'."

I didn't get it. What did an 'm' and an 'e' have to do with anything? I looked at Bella confused.

"Never mind. Consider myself off the team. From now on, we play solo."

I had a feeling she was also talking sexual pleasure as well; I suspected I'd be jerking off later.

Was I being unreasonable? It was one thing to think your mom was someone with a fetish for things a little on the rough side in bed; something completely different to know that your father was the pervert with the penchant for writing about it.

I attempted to kiss Bella's cheek, trying to smooth thing over, but she pulled away leaving me kissing air. She was clearly pissed at me. But I knew all Bella needed was a few hours and she'd be back to loving me again. Remember, I'm hard for her to resist.

I followed a huffing Bella out of the bathroom so I could get dressed.

During my shower, Leah had demolished Bella's closet. First of all, I had no idea my wife had so many dresses, skirts and blouses. Second, how much had all of that cost? There was a small fortune hiding away back there! I made a note to check our bank statement.

I maneuvered myself to my closet and pulled on some khakis and a light blue shirt, mindful not to wreck my carefully crafted hair. Moving a few dresses out of the way, I sat down on the end of the bed to put on my socks as I watched the girls. I shook my head at the mess; I doubted there were any other items left in the closet.

I was wrong. Very, very wrong.

Leah slowly walked out of the closet with something in her hand. Oh God, no, no, no. But it was. Fuck me sideways, it was. There in her hand was the other half of the dominatrix outfit – a feather duster. Okay, technically it was a flogger but maybe Leah would think it was a duster. People dusted their closets all the time. Lonely, pathetic psychopaths probably did. My sweet daughter wouldn't possibly know what it really was, right?

Leah proficiently whipped the flogger in the air.

Apparently I was wrong again.

Next question: should I be concerned that she did that so well?

"Would someone like to explain this to me?"

"Not really," I said and Leah raised her eyebrows at me.

"Okay, I know you are both adults and apparently like things a little kinky but you do realize this is quite literally taking a page out of one of E.A. Masen's books?"

I feigned innocence. "Oh, really?"

"The outfit is exactly, and I mean exactly, like what the main character wears in 'Inspiring Gabriel'. Right down to the little white bow on the back and the leather stitching. And this." Leah held up the flogger. "Is pretty damn close to what's used as well."

See, now I was proud – of myself. The image Leah had conjured up in her head from my words matched the actual outfit; that's hard to do as a writer. Go me!

"And what are you doing reading such explicit trash, young lady?"

I gave Bella a look for that comment. Really, did she have to call my novel 'trash'? How rude!

"What was that look for?" Leah was very perceptive; I tried to brush it off.

"What look? There was no look."

"Oh yes there was!"

"Your mom likes to dress up every once in a while. Keep the spark alive." I gave her an exaggerated wink.

"Edward!" There would be hell to pay for that I knew.

"God, this is worse than Dad's 'four times, personal best' April Fool's joke." Leah sounded disgusted.

"That wasn't— ouch!" Bella stomped on my foot to shut me up.

I needed a quick escape. My wife was far better at coming up with a lie on the fly to explain away both the outfit and flogger. It was in our best interest if I left before I opened my mouth again.

"I think I'll go downstairs and make some breakfast."

"Sure, scar me for life, then leave me to deal on my own."

"Consider this payback for the boob-grab incident I walked in on."

"We do a lot more than boob-groping now, Dad, just sayin'."

I wanted to put my fingers in my ears and sing la-la-la-la-la or Kumbaya or something.

As I was leaving I heard Leah chastise Bella once again.

"Mom! I had no idea! I mean, you don't seem the type to wear a slutty little outfit. And for my Daddy?!"

Awww, she said my name so sweet, defending pure and innocent little me.

"Your father is E.A. Masen. I dressed up so he could write the scene from 'Inspiring Gabriel'."

Bella's words came out in fast succession like one giant, made up word. But I knew what I'd heard and stopped dead in my tracks. Maybe Leah hadn't heard. Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt. Holy. Fucking. Shit. My wife just threw me under the bus!

"What?!"

I slowly turned around. Bella's hand was covering her mouth and Leah's hung open. I watched as the flogger dropped from her hand, landing on the floor with a soft 'thud' that resonated in the room.

"Leah, I can explain." I didn't know how but I'd have to figure it out.

Mother and daughter sat down on the edge of the bed, amidst the strewn clothes. My hand ran through my hair (damn it, I ruined my perfectly crafted style) as I let out all my breath hoping it would cleanse my mind. It didn't work. I cracked my neck and each of my knuckles next. It might have been the most awkward moment of my life, admitting to my daughter that I wrote porn - porn that she read.

Kneeling down in front of them I looked at Bella first. Her whispered "I'm sorry" was heartfelt. I nodded at her as I placed my hands on Leah's thighs.

"It's true. I'm E.A. Masen."

"But, but…" Leah couldn't form words. "How?"

I went on to explain about how I turned my love letters to Bella into my first book. How Emmett's new girlfriend – Aunt Rosalie - just happened to come over for dinner and happened to work for a renowned publishing company.

"Everything sort of fell into place and my first novel was so well received. Eclipse wanted another novel and it snowballed from there. That was over twenty years ago now."

"Who all knows?" Leah's face was deadpan; I could tell she hadn't absorbed what I'd said yet.

"Uncle Carlisle, Aunt Esme, Uncle Emmett, Auntie Rosalie, obviously. Um, Auntie Alice and Uncle Jasper found out this summer as did Jake – totally by accident." I explained. "Oh, and Adam – again by accident."

Leah's head whip around to face me. "Adam knows? And he never told me?"

"You have to understand, sweetie. Your Dad wanted to keep this private. Being an erotic writer isn't exactly something you want people to know about you."

Leah nodded like she understood then looked at me with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Do your stories come from real life experience?" she asked cautiously and I could tell she wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"Most of them, yes. But I have a good imagination as well to add in specific details."

Leah grabbed onto Bella's hand. "You know about this?"

"I was the one who encouraged him to write." Bella rubbed Leah's back with her hand.

"And you're okay with it?"

Bella smiled. "It pays the bills and makes your dad happy."

Watery eyes faced me again. "How – how many women have there been?"

"Pardon?"

"You said you write from real life experience. You have over twenty books – does that mean you've been with that many women?"

I couldn't stop the laughter that left my lips. Getting up from my knees I sat beside her on the bed and put my arm around my very misinformed daughter.

"Baby, there's only one woman. Always has been, always will be."

"But the stories. The explicit sex…"

I literally saw the light bulb turn on as Leah figured out all my exploits – including the dirty and kinky ones - were experienced with her mom. Every documented moan, groan, purr, and suck was a mimic of Bella. The male's internal lusty, kinky thoughts were mine.

"Daddy!"

I have heard my name spoken in many tones - out of angry, love, and annoyance. Right then it was cursed out of utter and complete vile disgust. It was official – my oldest daughter thought I was a disgusting pig who fucked her mother six ways from Sunday (which I did) and wrote about it for the world to read.

I scrubbed my hand over my face because I was guilty as charged. Even through my fingers I saw Bella smirking, almost as if she were gloating that she was no longer the sex-crazed one in our relationship.

And then Leah put her in her place.

"Mother!" Said in the exact same tone of abhorrence.

Considering both of us were in Leah's bad books, Bella and I needed to continue with the utmost caution. Leah wasn't like Jacob; she wasn't quite as understanding with her parents having blowjobs in kitchens and kinky sex as he was.

"Leah, listen to me. I know this revelation comes as a bit of a shock." Leah snorted interrupting Bella. "Your Dad and I wanted to tell you the truth but we were uncertain how to go about doing it."

"I suspect having me find your costumes and props wasn't your first choice. What was plan B - you break out the sex toys and movies?"

"Bottom drawer," I blurted out without thinking. I'm pretty sure Leah turned green. Bella shook her head at me.

The three of us endured a painful few minutes of silence.

"Leah, listen. Your mom's right. It's not easy for a father to tell his daughter that the racy novels she reads in secret are modeled after her parents sexual experimentation."

"God, Dad. Did you have to go there? It's bad enough I thought it, but did you need to confirm? Nasty."

Nasty was about right – as in doin' the nasty. Bow chicka bow bow.

"Was that necessary?"

Apparently my 'bow chicka bow bow' was out loud and I mumbled an apology. This was going about as well as I expected.

"Try not to think too much about the whole mechanics of it. I'm sure you can appreciate that Dad is good at what he does."

That's what she said.

"His novels are brilliant, you've said so yourself."

"Yeah, well, that was before I knew they were written by my father. It's, it's…gross."

"It's not gross, it's human nature."

"Well, dear old Dad, did you want to know the specifics about Adam and me? He does want to be a writer as well. Maybe he'll pen a novel about how the positions we—"

I put my hand up.

"Please, don't go there." I was almost begging. Not almost, I was. Begging and pleading for her not to finish that sentence. "Please."

"See, it's no different."

"It's way different!"

I knew I should shut the hell up but I had to beg to differ.

"I'm your father. Of course your mom and I have sex. Did it ever occur to you that the very bed you are sitting on is where you were conceived?"

Leah's gag reflex kicked in and she immediately got up.

"Edward," Bella scolded me as she got up to stand with her daughter.

"Sorry. Let me try to rephrase. You mom and I don't always dress up and act scenes out, sometimes we—"

Bella quickly interrupted me.

"Sweetie, don't mind your father - he's much more articulate on paper."

Ain't that the fucking truth!

"This is exactly why we didn't want to tell you about what I really do for a living. It's hard to explain."

Leah nodded as she played with the ends of her hair. "I need some time to process this new information. Can I go, or did you want to traumatize me some more?"

"Go, I've got this."

Leah left quietly, eyes avoiding me. I flopped backwards on the bed as our bedroom door closed with a soft click.

"That was extremely painful." I groaned.

"My poor baby."

"Thanks, I could use some Bella lovin' to cheer me up."

"Not you 'poor baby' – Leah. She's really taking this hard."

"Poor Leah? What about me? My daughter thinks I'm a dirty old man."

"You are." Bella lay down beside me, her head on my shoulder, palm against my chest. "But I'm no better than you, in her eyes."

We stayed like that for a while, legs intertwined, talking about what we should and shouldn't have said. It was no secret that the 'should not haves' pretty much boiled down to everything I'd said. We came to the conclusion that Leah would be okay, but accepting Ms. Denali's proposal was certainly out of the question. There was simply no good way to tell impressionable Charlotte or my obstinate father-in-law.

"Aren't you worried about Tanya going to go the press about you?" Bella wondered but I shook my head.

"I know Rosalie, she would have crossed her 'T's and dotted her 'I's. She has everyone I come in contact with sign confidentiality papers." To ease Bella's mind (okay, and mine) I put in a quick call to Rose. She confirmed that if Tanya so much as breathed a word about me – even what city I live in – I was entitled to twice what she'd offered me.

"Don't worry about it, Edward. I'll give you a copy of the agreement when I see you tomorrow."

Once again, a McCarty saves my ass. Sunday night I wouldn't mind splurging on the expensive wine.

It was later that evening when Leah arrived home from her anniversary date with Adam. She walked into the living room where I was waiting up, looking radiant in a dress I'd never seen before. Red, halter style, and very sophisticated. Her hair was pulled up and off her face in a twist of some kind, leaving her shoulders and arms bare. I'd underestimated the girl in my bedroom hours before. Before me was a young woman and I should have spoken to her as such.

"Leah, do you have a minute? I'd like to talk to you."

Her dress swished as she sat down opposite me and crossed her legs at the knee.

"You look beautiful."

Her voice was quiet as she answered with a polite "thank you."

"Did you and Adam have a nice evening?"

Leah nodded. "We did."

I hated that the awkward silence that crept in after she answered me and I told her as much.

"This is part of the reason why I never wanted you to know - this awkwardness between us. I didn't want you to look at me any different. I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" Leah's eyes met mine and I could tell she was being serious not facetious.

"I never meant to embarrass you, that was never my intention."

"Your 'bow chicka bow bow' said otherwise." There was a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Forgot my filter for a second there."

"Only for a second, huh?"

We smiled at each other because already the awkward air between us was starting to dissipate.

My fingers ran through my hair and I exhaled before I spoke, taking my time to articulate my words from brain to mouth. Brain to paper I could do but this part I needed help with. I wanted to make sure I came across as being completely serious when I said what was coming next.

"I would give it up – writing, I mean – if the thought of me writing those types of novels completely weirds you out." Leah opened her mouth to say something. "Please, don't interrupt, let me finish, okay?"

Leah nodded as I continued.

"You, your brother, sister, and your mom are really all that matter to me in this world. I got into writing as a fluke and honestly, at the beginning of my career, I never really thought about the ramifications to my family if, or when, they found out. And now that you know, I hate how things are different between us. I don't want our relationship to change because of my profession."

"You'd give up writing – for me?"

"In a heartbeat."

"What would you do then?"

I shrugged. "I'm sure Rosalie could get me a job as an editor at Eclipse. It's what everyone thinks I do anyways."

"But you love writing."

"I love you more."

That time the silence was pensive, not strained.

"Adam told me I should grow up."

"He what? Why?"

"He told me you are a brilliant author and I should be bursting at the seams, wanting to tell the world that E.A. Masen is my father."

"Funny, I thought he once said E.A. Masen was gag-me romantic with monotonous characters who hid behind his elusiveness?"

"Don't forget a balding, obese, closet homosexual-"

"With bad breath," we said at the same time.

"Yes, I believe he also said that. So glad both you and your mother remembered that exact description."

Leah shrugged. "Adam also said that you were a literary genius. And since that night, he's read more of your novels and has come to appreciate the beauty in your words."

Atta boy, Adam. I always did like that kid.

"What else did he say?"

"After he told me to suck it up, I called him a jerk. We had our first fight over you. You should feel honored."

"I don't. I never wanted that."

"Just teasing you." Leah reached her arm out into the space between us and I held her hand for a moment.

"Adam asked me to tell him what drew me to your novels in the first place. It wasn't just the sex – although you do write that very well." She paused to wink at me. "Your words made me feel something. With every new character, I feel their happiness, loneliness, sorrow, and elation. I find myself rooting for the underdog, cursing the villain, and loving the happily ever after. Your words are often poignant, thought provoking, and real. You're good at what you do - very good. And I don't want you to stop writing."

"Do you mean that, because I would seriously give it up."

Leah shook her head. "I'll get over the fact that you and mom have hot wall sex which you write about and I later read."

"Don't forget dressing up in dominatrix outfits and using floggers."

Leah made a face.

"Shit, too soon?"

"Definitely too soon."

We smiled at each other as we stood up, the earlier awkwardness quelled by me making an ass of myself. I pulled Leah to me, wrapping my arms around her, her head tucked under my chin. I kissed the top of her head, whispering that I loved her.

"I know. Just the fact that you would give up your dream for me - proves it. And I love you, too."

"I don't just love you. I friggin' love you. To the moon and back, baby doll. To the moon and back."

I think there was only one reviewer who guessed Bella. I don't think even Bella would have guessed herself, LOL.

Up next is Jacob's graduation with a bunch of flashbacks to when Edward and Bella were that age. I hope you will be patient for the update - still on vacation and internet still sucks donkey balls and have yet to send it to my pre-reader and beta.

Can you believe the story is 26 chapter in already and I still have people reading LOL. I thank each of you for doing so and if you haven't reviewed, please take the time to say hello! Once again, thank you for reading, reviewing and pimping out my story. I am humbled by the love you show. xo