All my love to the SotTP and the amazing support system they've given me. Thanks muchly to everyone who reads and reviews. You give my foolishness credibility.
The names belong to SM, but the overwhelming need to put them in bed together is all mine.
This will be the first of at least two updates, possibly three, today. This comes DESPITE harrytwifan's attempts to distract me with boy porn. Any and all outrage over future delays should be directed at her!
Chapter Twenty-six
EPOV
Within minutes, we found the community park the GPS directed us toward. Carlisle drove the perimeter, looking for an out of the way place to park. While he did, I admired the expansive recreational space. Running paths along nature trails headed off into a large wooded area surrounded several picnic pavilions and playgrounds, with nature trails and running paths disappearing into the trees. One of the larger play areas bustled with children, spillover from a birthday party being held in a pavilion decorated with balloons and streamers. Driving further, Carlisle found a parking spot near an empty pavilion situated away from the partygoers. An older wooden play area stood to the side of it, offering little more than a couple swings and a place to climb.
He hesitated a minute, before releasing my hand to put the car in park and turn off the engine. With the absence of the radio, the sounds of children playing outside seeped into the silent interior. Neither of us moved, both waiting for the other to go first. The reality of my earlier decision to handle the conversation sooner rather than later suddenly came back to haunt me. Taking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes, then puffed my cheeks to release in a slow exhale.
"Why don't we go sit under the pavilion?" I suggested, trying to fix my gaze anywhere but the man sitting next to me.
"Alright," he murmured, his voice so low I almost didn't hear him.
I paused a minute while he exited the car, once again trying to organize my thoughts. Then, knowing I couldn't avoid it any longer, I joined him by the front of the car. I gestured toward the tables, taking a step in their direction, when Carlisle placed a hand on my arm to stop me. Turning back to meet his eyes, I waited while he found the words he wanted to say.
"Please promise me one thing, Edward," he implored. "No matter what we decide about our relationship, can we at least try to remain friends? You've been a part of so many areas in my life that I want to be able to preserve some of that, after… Just, after."
"Car –,"
I tried to interject, but he became adamant.
"Please, Edward. I can deal with anything else, if I can keep your friendship."
Unable to speak, I nodded in agreement. The whole situation was insane. With each passing minute, it became painfully obvious we both wanted the same thing. We just needed to find a way to meet in the middle. Burying my hands deep in my pockets, I nudged him with my shoulder.
"Let's go sit down. I need to explain my actions to you."
Reaching the pavilion, we both clambered up to sit on the tabletop, our feet resting on the bench. Bracing my elbows on my knees, I searched for the right words to start. I knew, no matter what I said, Carlisle would be hurt, but I wanted to mitigate the damage as much as possible. Faced with the realization that there was no way around it, I decided to dive in.
"I know, when I left, I didn't really give you a reason." Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I dove into my side of things head first, praying he'd let me get through it before interrupting. "Let me try to get through this, then I'll answer any question you have, listen to any objection."
When he nodded, the damn broke, and all the emotional upheaval I'd stored for the better part of a year came tumbling out.
The next two chapters are done, and Edward is running out of steam. I'll see if Carisle's ready to talk when I wake up in the morning.