Here you go folks...
A week ahead of schedule...my kids didn't really need to eat this week...so all's good! And I am fail at review replies for the last chapter. Sorry...it's either get this chapter to you today or do review replies and not get this one out until Monday after my crazy upcoming weekend. I hope I'm forgiven.
SM owns twilight. This story, however, is mine.
Chapter 36 – Relaxing into You
It was amazing to both Edward and Bella just how easily their little group formed a routine over the next few days.
Each morning, they would gather for breakfast, albeit a little earlier than they had on the weekend. Eating together before Dan would begrudgingly leave for work, Edward, Bella and the girls would take on the role of tourists for the remainder of the day. Some days they stayed closer to Manchester and visited some of the local sites, while on other days, they traveled farther afield. One such day, Bella drove them north to Concord and then up to Lake Winnipesaukee, and on another, she drove them east to Hampton Beach thinking that the girls would like the opportunity to check out the coastline on the opposite side of the country from where they lived.
Initially, Bella had been a little worried about spending so much time with the younger two women. She had wondered if she would be able to keep them satisfactorily entertained while Dan was at work, but her worries had been unnecessary. Bella found that she really enjoyed Cassie and Sammy's company, and she truly appreciated the opportunity to get to know the girl who had won her son's heart.
Cassie, Bella noted, was a lovely young woman. She was polite and respectful, and didn't treat Bella like she was her boyfriend's tiresome, middle-aged mother. Bella also really loved watching the interactions between Cassie and Sammy. What Dan had said was true. They did interact more like sisters than cousins, and despite their differing personalities, it was obvious that they knew each other intimately and cared for one another deeply.
The work week also brought about other benefits. There were many occasions when the two girls went off by themselves to shop or explore, leaving Bella and Edward alone. In fact, Bella and Edward spent many hours of the week together, just the two of them. They would visit museums or coffee shops or galleries, and spent considerable time deep in conversation sharing stories along with their likes and dislikes. Their time together was not infused with awkwardness or discomfort. The more they got to know each other, the more they relaxed in each other's presence. They were becoming good friends. It was obvious to everyone, especially Dan.
Dan was secretly thrilled that his parents were getting along so well. He had given considerable thought to what the future might hold for them all if Edward and Bella had been unable to bridge the gap created since their briefly shared history. It relieved Dan to see just how comfortable his parents were becoming around each other. His proudest moment to date came when the girls and his parents had come to visit him at work during the lunch hour, and he had introduced Edward and Bella to his boss and work colleagues as his parents – the first time he had ever used the term. In Dan's young life, Bella had always been introduced to people as "my mother". Bella and Dan had only just become accustomed to using the term "father" when speaking of Edward to other people. So, to use "my parents" for the first time ever was a defining moment in his life.
It was for Edward and Bella, too. They'd both felt it. When Dan had introduced them, Bella had become acutely aware of Edward's physical closeness. She'd been standing between Dan and Edward in the office area, and Edward had moved slightly behind Bella, intimately placing his left hand against the small of her back to gently usher her forward to meet and greet Dan's boss. Bella had shaken hands with him fully aware of Edward's hand resting gently against her back. He didn't remove it either when he, in turn, extended his right hand to formally acknowledge Dan's employer. Bella had looked up at Edward and noticed how he'd beamed with pride at being introduced as Dan's father. It was a moment all three of them were unlikely to ever forget.
Edward and Bella also spent an evening together at the movies. Chris, as promised, had stopped by one night, and the four younger ones had gone out partying, leaving Edward and Bella with a night to themselves. They'd gone out to dinner and a movie, and as they had strolled back to the hotel later that night and then shared a late night coffee, they'd ended up discussing the demise of Edward and Tanya's marriage.
Bella had been shocked to learn that Edward and Tanya had never told their families about the miscarriages. The first, apparently, had happened quite early in the first trimester before they had even announced their pregnancy to anyone. The second time around, conscious of what happened before, they had decided to not tell anyone about the pregnancy until they'd passed that crucial timeframe. Again, it never got that far.
It was after the second miscarriage that Edward and Tanya started visiting doctors and specialists, all the while keeping their painful and difficult journey private. The specialists determined that while becoming pregnant was not the issue, Tanya's ability to carry a pregnancy to term was. There were a number of tests and investigative procedures undertaken, and when they'd gotten pregnant for the third time, they'd once again kept the pregnancy secret. This time, Tanya carried the pregnancy to its fourteenth week. They had believed they'd achieved a viable pregnancy and were organizing a family barbeque to announce the good news the following weekend when she'd begun to bleed. There was nothing that could have been done to save the baby.
They'd both been devastated, and Edward was adamant that they shouldn't try for any more. He and Tanya had fought about the possibility of another pregnancy. It was a terrible time in their marriage. In the end, Edward admitted to Bella that, unbeknownst to Tanya, he was actively trying to avoid a pregnancy, resorting to all kinds of wives' tales and bar stories to lessen the likelihood. Tanya, however, was determined to try again, and short of avoiding sex entirely, wearing a condom or being secretly sterilized, Edward had little chance of success.
While all of this had been going on, Edward and Tanya's marriage was slowly disintegrating. Hindsight being what it is, Edward told Bella he now understood that there had been cracks and fissures in their marriage since the beginning, and that the stress associated with the failed pregnancies had just served to open them even wider.
By the time of their fourth miscarriage at thirteen weeks, there was little left of their original intimacy to salvage their marriage. Edward knew he'd failed her and their marriage, but he had no idea how to fix it. Not only was Tanya trying to come to terms with her own body's betrayal, but she was forced to deal with a husband whose own grief made him distant and aloof. It was too much for her to deal with, and it was with deep pain and regret that Edward watched an emotionally distraught Tanya pack her bags and leave.
Edward had also told Bella that it usually took considerable effort for him to be a talker. He explained that he'd always been an introverted kind of guy and that talking about his problems with anyone, ever, had never been easy. Instead of being completely honest with Tanya about his concerns during their marriage, let alone during their failed pregnancies, he had withdrawn and pulled away from her emotionally and physically. He accurately guessed that was why he never found it challenging to be on his own even now, years later. It wasn't that he wasn't a social person; it was just that he preferred to keep to himself. He found it a hard habit to break, and that was why the last month had been so draining for him. Despite his desire to get to know his new found son, it took a determined effort to put himself out there emotionally with people whom he didn't know. It wasn't something he was used to doing.
Listening to Edward retell his story, Bella realized again just how much effort he'd been putting into building a relationship with not only Dan, but her, too. She felt humbled that he'd made such an effort to move out of his comfort zone, and she'd told him so before finally leaning forward and giving him a warm and affectionate kiss on the cheek, offering him her heartfelt thanks.
It was that moment Bella thought about as she lay in her bed in her hotel room on Thursday evening. It was after ten, and Dan and the girls had gone out for drinks with some of Dan's work colleagues. Bella had decided to go to bed early knowing that the following evening they would be up well into the wee hours of the morning, seeing as they were all traveling into Boston for First Night celebrations to welcome in the New Year.
Bella had tried to read her book but found it too upsetting. Having not had much opportunity for quiet time during the week, she was still reading The Time Traveler's Wife, and the section she was up to was telling of the characters' own struggles with multiple miscarriages. She had closed the book, too upset to continue, and had cried for Edward and Tanya and their lost children.
Looking for some form of distraction, Bella finally resorted to watching television from the comfort of her bed. As the shows flickered on the screen, she paid them little or no attention. She was thinking about Edward and all he'd lost, and about what having Dan in his life now meant to him.
She was also thinking about herself. During the previous few days, she'd come to realize that she'd begun to look forward to her alone time with Edward. She felt like they were kindred souls on a shared journey of discovery. She felt comfortable with him – almost inexplicably so - and this confused her.
Bella was still seeing Steve, socially, and on occasion, they continued to go out on what could be best described as dates. Yet, Bella finally admitted to herself what she had known for weeks – she had begun to withdraw from him. She realized that it had started to happen around the same time that Edward entered her life. Bella still hadn't told Steve a word about Edward and his relationship to Dan. Prior to this week, Bella had told herself the reason she didn't was because she believed Edward would be a distant figure in her life. He would be Dan's father, but he'd be living on the other side of the country and, as such, would have little or no impact on her.
She now appreciated that wouldn't be the case at all.
After she'd told Edward her deepest and darkest secrets, and he'd been nothing short of incredible in the way he'd supported her the previous Saturday night, Bella had continued to build an emotionally intimate friendship with him. She knew his favorite ice cream and his most embarrassing childhood memory, and he knew hers – courtesy of those questions from the restaurant that Edward had fished out once again a day or so ago.
With clarity, Bella realized that Edward was going to play a much bigger part in her life than she had ever considered. Edward had, in the space of the last few days, become her closest confidante.
Bella related easily to Edward's confession that he preferred his own company to that of a large social network. Bella was the same. Over the years, she had developed friendships – Jessica and Mike were perfect examples – but she also now understood that she'd always kept a part of herself hidden from everyone. That was until just a few days ago.
Edward didn't know everything about Bella, but he knew her better than any other person, and that thought made her smile. She liked it. She felt confident that Edward would remain her friend for many years to come, which was important to her, especially now that they were sharing a son.
Sharing a son.
Bella understood just how far she'd come in the last few weeks. Initially, the thought of sharing Dan with Edward had scared her. She'd never had to share Dan before. Never had to think about another person's expectations and desires with respect to her son. Bella now realized that Dan was no longer hers to share. He was his own man, and she now had to share him with not only his father but also with the incredible young woman he had decided to love and share his life with.
This was to be Bella's next big challenge, or so she thought. She was going to have to let Dan go to move on with the rest of his life, and she with hers.
Little did Bella know just how completely her life was about to change.
~~~~ooOOoo~~~~
Edward had also retired early for the evening. He, too, was looking forward to catching an early night. Since arriving in Manchester very late on Christmas Day, he'd had several late nights. Those in and of themselves may not have been an issue for him, but combined with the emotional rollercoaster of the last month or so, as well as the week's events, Edward was beginning to feel fatigue take its toll on him.
He'd decided that he would check his email before retiring to watch a movie, so he settled down with his laptop and a neat scotch from the mini-bar in his room. With his glasses perched on his nose, he read the twenty or so emails that had arrived since his last login and responded as needed. Among them were two from Alice and one from Rosalie. Both his sisters were wondering how the week was going.
How was the week going? He wondered. Better than I could have anticipated.
Edward sat back and rubbed the back of his neck. Would his sisters be happy enough to receive an identical email? Too bad, he thought to himself, and he began to type.
TO: Rosalie McCarty; Alice Whitlock
FROM: Edward Cullen
SUBJECT: How's it going?
DATE: Thurs 30th Dec 2009
Dear Rose and Alice,
It was great to get your emails. Rest assured, everything here is going fine.
The kids are having a great time. Chris, the guy who traveled through Australia with Dan and the girls, is here quite a bit, too. The four of them go out regularly.
Bella is good. She says hello.
Yes, Alice. Bella is going to come to Cassie's 21st. Not sure when she is flying out. She has to work that out with her boss to see if she can get some time off. She was very touched and a little embarrassed by your grand gesture (I told you she would be btw).
Dan and Cassie are having a great time together. Sammy isn't being left out. They include her in just about everything.
Bella has taken us on some wonderful sightseeing trips in the last few days.
Tomorrow night we are all off to First Night Celebrations in Boston. It's about an hour from here. I think we're using public transport. Not really sure come to think of it.
Bella and I went to the theatre the other night, and we've seen that new George Clooney film, too.
Hope you are all well.
See you when we get back.
Edward
Edward sat back and read the email, checking for typos before he clicked Send.
Once it had gone, he re-read it again.
He sat back, lost in thought.
There was so much more going on this week than what he had let on to his sisters.
So far, the week had been nothing short of amazing.
Edward couldn't help but be more and more impressed with Dan the more time he spent with him. He was a responsible and capable young man; a credit to his mother and a loving companion to his niece. Cassie was lucky to have found him.
They both were.
Edward considered himself very fortunate to have a son who not only wanted to know him but also wanted him to be a part of his life.
He could ask for nothing more, and the very idea of a long future with this young man in it was like seeing his deepest desire come to life.
How much life can change in a few short weeks, he mused to himself while sipping on his scotch.
A chime from his computer brought him out of his musings.
Alice had replied to his email.
TO: Edward Cullen
FROM: Alice Whitlock
CC: Rosalie McCarty
SUBJECT: Re: How's it going?
DATE: Thurs 30th Dec 2009
Dearest Brother
Your eloquence on the finer details of your week away leaves me breathless.
You should have sent a postcard. I might have gotten more from the picture.
Alice
Edward smirked at his sister's short but pointed reply.
He adjusted his glasses and typed an equally short response.
TO: Alice Whitlock
FROM: Edward Cullen
CC: Rosalie McCarty
SUBJECT: Re: Re: How's it going?
DATE: Thurs 30th Dec 2009
Dearest sister,
The postcards from here at the moment are mostly of snow. Plenty of white. Not much else.
Beautiful on the surface but even more so underneath.
Edward
Edward knew that Alice would have absolutely no idea what that message meant. But Edward did.
He sent the email and then sat back in quiet contemplation. His message was very accurate. Not only did it summarize the events of this week but spoke of the beauty found below the surface as his relationships with Dan and Bella deepened. He thought back over some of his most treasured memories of this week: He and Dan sharing a drink, man-to-man at the bar; Cassie and Dan being so caring and demonstrative with each other; Bella trusting him and opening up to him so completely; and Dan calling him "my father" when introducing him to his boss.
Being introduced to an unrelated third-party as a father had rendered him almost speechless. Thank goodness for common courtesy and standard protocol in such situations. Edward had been able to respond automatically while his mind came to terms with what had just happened. He remembered reaching for Bella during the exchange and resting his hand gently on her back, connecting with her at such an important time in their lives. At that moment, more than any other time, he felt they were truly becoming a family – albeit a unique one. Dan had accepted him completely into his life. He was a father.
Edward removed his glasses and wiped at the tears that had formed with those recollections.
How can I explain that in an email? It's just not possible to put that kind of emotion into words.
Edward closed down his laptop before Alice had a chance to respond to his cryptic reply. He moved over to the bed and stretched out on it, collecting his book from the side table, and settled in to read.
Half an hour later and only a dozen or so pages turned, Edward put the book away and took his glasses off. He stretched his arms before placing both hands under his head and looked up towards the ceiling.
His book hadn't been able to hold his attention tonight. His mind kept drifting to alternative answers to his sisters' original emails.
He smiled as he recalled some of his conversations with Bella. Truth be told, prior to this holiday, he had been more than a little anxious about spending so much time with her. His anxiety had proved unfounded. Bella had finally let her guard down and trusted him like she'd never trusted another. He felt privileged to have earned such trust and would be forever grateful that she had chosen him to unburden her soul. He suspected Bella still had a long way to go before she could say that she had completely put the past behind her, knowing instinctively that she would need continued support over time as she worked through her emotions. And he was prepared to be that support person for her. He was drawn to her. He couldn't explain how or why, but he was.
It seemed natural to him now to link her arm in his as they walked along or to offer her a chaste kiss goodnight as they parted for the day. He also had to admit that he looked forward to spending time alone with Bella each day, even going so far as to try and orchestrate extra time together. Emmett had been right. Traveling with two young ladies could be physically exhausting. Edward relished the time he and Bella could just sit and relax with a coffee during the day.
Edward also looked forward to their walks – more like strolls – together each afternoon before meeting the younger ones for dinner. It suited all of them for varying reasons. It gave Cassie and Dan some private time after he came home from work each day, and Sammy never seemed unhappy for some extra pampering time, having ordered several massages and beauty treatments during their stay for that particular time of day.
On their walks, Edward and Bella would talk effortlessly about a whole range of things. Edward found that he had spoken more with Bella than he had with any other person in recent history. He lamented that in just a few days he and the girls would be leaving for home, and he would have to content himself with emails and phone calls at odd hours working between their schedules. Edward knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would continue his conversations with Bella. They had only just scratched the surface over the last few days, and he could never imagine growing tired of talking to her.
Edward appreciated Bella's intelligence and her common-sense approach to life. She was pragmatic. Her life to this point had necessitated it. He hoped that, in time, she would allow him to spoil her somewhat – little opportunities to let her know just how much he valued all that she had done single-handedly for their son during the years he was unknowingly absent from Dan's life.
And that absence was something else that Edward found he was able to deal with so much more easily. Bella had been right. While he couldn't condone the choices she had made so many years before, he understood her logic. He had been a dope-smoking, alcohol-binging band member. On first inspection, he wouldn't have made a very good candidate for father-of-the-year, and after all she had shared with him and the depth of her own despair at the change in her circumstances, he had to admire her eventual courage and willingness to pull herself together for the sake of their son.
Bella was a unique and strong individual. She was someone worth knowing and someone he was developing deep feelings for.
Edward frowned.
What am I feeling towards her? Friendship? For sure. Respect? Most definitely. Concern? Absolutely.
Edward mulled over these thoughts for a few minutes longer.
Glancing towards the clock, he looked at the time and wondered if Bella was still awake. He looked at the empty scotch tumbler next to his bed. He didn't feel like another scotch, but he was too alert to sleep.
Maybe I could call Bella and ask for a camomile?
Edward swung his legs off the bed and crossed to table. He picked up his wallet, phone and room key, and made his way to the door. He let himself out, but instead of knocking on Bella's door, he made his way to the elevator and punched the button that would take him to the ground floor and out into the lobby.
Ten minutes later, the elevator opened back up onto the 11th floor, and Edward stepped out holding a brown paper bag in one hand. He turned and made his way toward his room, pausing at his door. He leaned against it, resting his forehead against the timber paneling and drew in a long steady breath. He pulled out his cell phone and called Bella's number. She answered on the second ring.
"Edward?"
"Yeah. Hi. It's me. I didn't wake you, did I?" he asked quietly as he stood in the corridor between their two rooms.
"No. Not at all. I'm watching a movie."
"What about the early night you were going to have?"
"I had trouble getting to sleep; hence, the movie."
Edward hesitated, not knowing whether to ask Bella his question or not.
Bella picked up on it.
"Edward? What is it?"
Edward bit the bullet.
"I've had trouble relaxing, too. I've just been to the bar and convinced the bar tender to sell me a bottle of Baileys. Would you like to share a night cap with me?"
"Now?"
"Yes."
"I'm in my pajamas."
"Nothing I haven't seen before," Edward said offhandedly.
"True," Bella laughed, remembering his reaction to her Tweety Bird pajamas.
"So, how about it?"
"Where?"
"I can come to your room if you'd like," Edward offered, feeling too self-conscious inviting Bella to his own.
Bella hesitated slightly before agreeing. "Sure."
"Really?" Edward questioned.
"Yeah. Why not?"
"I'll be right there," Edward said, crossing the six feet to her door before knocking softly on it.
"Is that you?" Bella asked incredulously, scooting out of her bed and making her way to her door.
"Yes."
"Where were you?" she asked into the phone as she undid the lock.
"Out in the corridor," Edward answered as she opened the door and looked directly at him speaking to her on his phone.
They both laughed quietly at the silliness of it all and disconnected their call before Bella stood aside to usher Edward into her room.
"So, you couldn't sleep either, huh?" she asked him as he made his way past her.
"Not really. I'm mean. I didn't really try to go to sleep – I'm still dressed," he said, stating the obvious while gesturing to his clothed form. "I answered some emails and then tried to read some, but my mind wasn't about to settle down anytime soon, and I don't like to drink alone...so here I am. Alice and Rosalie say hello by the way," he finished as he pulled the bottle of Baileys from the brown paper bag.
"Have you been talking to them?" Bella asked, trying to reach for two glasses from the top shelf above the fridge in her room.
"No. Emails," Edward said, briefly watching her. "Here, let me," he said, easily reaching above her to the shelf that seemed to taunt Bella, mocking her for her petiteness.
"Thanks," Bella said graciously, while collecting herself as her senses were bombarded by Edward's close proximity.
"What movie were you watching?" Edward asked as he uncapped the bottle and poured them each a small amount of Baileys.
"Oh. Um...ahh...The Bourne Ultimatum," Bella said, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Matt Damon."
Edward smirked at her. "Eye candy?"
"Yes," Bella said, laughing.
"Not my type, I'm afraid, although I'd love to be able to handle a car like that."
"I'm glad about that...that he's not your type, I mean," she clarified.
"Really?" Edward asked, raising his eyebrows and jesting with her. "So what is your type?" he asked.
"Excuse me?"
"Is Matt Damon your type?" Edward asked while flicking his eyes toward the television.
"Ah...well..." Bella stammered. "He does have gorgeous eyes."
"So you're an eyes gal, then?"
"Among other things."
"Like what?" Edward asked, enjoying seeing Bella's growing discomfort.
"Like a...good intellect and a cheeky smile"
"Oh, you like smiles, too."
"Smiling is important."
"Agreed."
"Everyone should do more of it."
"Agreed again."
"That's why we're friends. 'Cause you agree with me. I like that in a man."
"So, you like a man who has great eyes, a cheeky smile, can hold his own in a conversation, and agrees with you all the time?"
"Not all the time."
"But most of the time..."
"No...I mean... I wouldn't know...I haven't dated many men."
"Really?"
"Can we change the subject?"
"What about that guy you go dancing with...what's his name? Steve? What about him?"
"What about him?"
"Aren't you dating, Steve? I kinda gathered from your emails that you and he were an item."
"An item?" Bella said, deliberately trying to deflect this line of questioning.
"A couple?" Edward hedged. He really didn't know how the conversation ended up down this track, and he had no idea why he was doggedly asking her about Steve. He frowned at himself. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," he said, apologizing for his behavior, sensing Bella's quietness. "Forgive me?" he asked boyishly, taking a sip from his Baileys.
"Nothing to forgive," Bella responded, dismissing it as if it were nothing. "Come on. Let's sit down."
Bella lead the way to the small table they had sat at earlier in the week and pulled out a chair. She sat down quietly, looking at the drink she held in her hands.
Edward, too, sat down while regarding Bella closely. He took another sip of his drink before reaching for her hand with his fingertips.
"I really am sorry, Bella. I don't know why I pressed you like that."
"It's OK," she said. "It's just interesting timing, that's all."
"How so?"
"I was just thinking about Steve a little while ago."
"Oh?"
Bella shrugged.
"Where is he at the moment?"
"Visiting his family for Christmas out of state," Bella didn't elaborate any further.
"Have you spoken to him since he left?"
"No."
"Does that surprise you?"
"I've kinda been avoiding talking to him to tell you the truth," she admitted. "He called the other day, and I let it go to voicemail."
"Why?"
Again, Bella shrugged.
"Bella?"
She looked up at Edward. Truth time. "I haven't told him about you."
"At all?"
"No."
"Why?"
"'Cause he and Dan barely know each other. I started seeing him when Dan was away, and their paths haven't really crossed all that much, and when you turned up," Bella said, looking at him sheepishly, "or rather, Dan found you..."
"You mean when Dan literally stumbled across me?"
"Yes. Well, after that...things have just moved so quickly if you know what I mean?" she asked, wanting to see some kind of understanding in Edward's eyes.
He nodded to her, so she continued.
"And I really wasn't ready to have to explain it all to him, and I was trying to avoid the whole you-didn't-know-who-his-father-was kind of scene...then one thing lead to another...and here we are," she summarized briefly.
Edward took a deep breath.
"So, he really doesn't know about me?"
"No."
"How did you explain the weekend I came to visit then?"
"Steve had a business function that weekend. He was otherwise occupied."
Edward frowned at Bella.
"I think I'm crossing the line here, but that doesn't really sound like a relationship that's going anywhere to me."
It was Bella's turn to sigh. "I think you're right. That's what I was thinking about tonight. It was one of the reasons I couldn't get to sleep."
"One of the reasons?"
"One of many," Bella confirmed.
"What were the others? If you don't mind me asking."
Bella played with her glass of Baileys. "I was thinking about how much of a surprise this week has been to me, how well things have turned out. And I was wondering how it's all going to be once we're all living on opposite sides of the country again," she answered him honestly.
"Great minds," Edward said simply.
"Huh?" Bella said, less than articulately.
"I was having similar thoughts myself."
"You were?"
"Yeah. I was thinking how much I would miss this," he said, gesturing between the two of them, "the chatting and the talking...I've really started looking forward to being with you and talking about anything and everything. I'm going to miss this. Very much."
"Me, too."
"It's going to be a pain trying to work around each others' schedules and the time difference. It won't be the same as face-to-face, but if we use Skype, we can still talk often enough."
"Dan got me some headphones with a microphone for that."
"Did he now?"
"Mmm. He must be psychic."
"If he is, he doesn't get it from my side of the family."
"Nobody in your family has any sixth sense of anything like that?" Bella asked, feeling comfortable in the conversation once again.
"Alice likes to think she can see the future, but really, I just think she uses it as a way to meddle in other people's business."
"Really?" Bella spluttered, laughing.
"Don't tell her I said that, 'cause I'll deny it."
"Don't tell me that Edward Cullen...all six-foot-something of you...is afraid of his pint-sized sister?"
"That pint-sized sister throws a hell of a punch when she needs to."
Bella laughed out loud this time. "You have a very entertaining family by the sounds of it."
"I do," Edward said, nodding his head, the conversation turning serious. "I was incredibly lucky that Carlisle and Esmé adopted me when my parents died. Very lucky, indeed."
"I'm sure they feel the same way, Edward," Bella said warmly. "Lucky for all of us, really. Can you imagine if you hadn't been adopted and you were a blood relative? I mean...what a tragic mess this all could have been."
"You're referring to Dan and Cassie?"
"Yes. What are the chances? I mean, really. He goes halfway 'round the world only to fall in love with his cousin?"
"Cousin on paper."
"Yes, on paper. That's what I mean," Bella continued in amazement.
"I know. That day..." Edward said, shaking his head and thinking back to that fateful Thanksgiving lunch, "I was in shock, and so was everyone else. And I've got to admit I wasn't proud of my actions that day. It took me a good while and some time alone to get my head together."
"I can't imagine what that would have been like for you," Bella said very quietly.
Edward's eyes momentarily glazed over before he snapped them back to the present.
"It's the past, Bella, and it's brought me to you and Dan. So, it's a good thing. Let's leave the not-so-good bits where they belong, huh? Here, let me fill your glass again."
"Thanks," Bella said, surprised that she had already gotten to the bottom of her glass. She offered it to Edward as he rose before he crossed back to the counter to refill their glasses.
"How do you think Dan and Cassie are going to handle it?" Bella asked from her seat.
"You mean separating again?" Edward asked, catching her eye as he poured their drinks.
"Yes."
"To tell you the truth, I have no idea. They've grown incredibly close this past week, even more so than they already were," he answered once again, recapping the bottle and making his way back to Bella.
"You've noticed it too, huh?"
"Blind Freddy could have noticed it."
They both sipped at their drinks.
"I can't imagine either of them is going to handle it well," Edward said. "I'm not looking forward to that plane trip home, I can tell you."
"Me either...the car trip, I mean." Bella twirled her glass in her hands. "I can't imagine Dan will want to hang around here too much longer, not after he's been living with Cassie like he has this past week."
"They were together in Australia," Edward reminded her.
"Yes, but not like this."
"True."
"You know, they never...you know...while they were away."
"I didn't know that," Edward said, raising his eyebrows in surprise.
"Yeah. Dan was pretty particular about not having a holiday romance."
"I see," Edward said, pulling his lips into a tight line. A brief interlude of silence followed that remark. "Still, it seems to have worked out for them though," he said, regrouping.
"They've handled themselves pretty responsibly from what I can tell," Bella agreed.
"Do you think they're a permanent thing?"
"Yeah. I know Dan's fallen hard and believes Cassie's it for him."
"I know."
"Do you worry that maybe they're a bit young?"
Edward shrugged. "Dan seems a lot older than what he is at times, Bella. And this relationship has brought out a maturity in Cassie I didn't know was there. Maybe with help and support from all of us when they need it, they'll make it through."
"I think he'll end up moving to the West Coast sooner rather than later, especially after this holiday."
Edward looked at Bella closely. "How do you feel about that?"
"Honestly? I'm trying to put on my big girl panties and convince myself that this is what I've spent his entire life preparing him for – to go it alone, to live his own life, be his own man. But I have to admit, it scares me senseless."
"What? Him moving away?"
"No...letting him go." Bella teared up. "God, I'm sick of crying," she exclaimed, frustrated at her own see-sawing emotions. "I feel like I've done nothing but cry recently."
"That's not true," Edward said, reaching for her hand. "It's just an emotional time for all of us, that's all."
"I know," Bella said, brushing away her errant tears. "I'm trying to be all logical about it, but it's tough, you know?"
"I'm beginning to understand that. I'm beginning to understand the pull a parent feels towards a child."
Bella looked up at him.
"I'm glad. Not that you're being pulled, but that you're feeling it," she said before shaking her head. "Am I making any sense here at all?"
"Perfect sense."
"Maybe it's just the Baileys talking?"
"Maybe it's the Baileys that's helping my hearing."
Bella laughed. "Maybe," she concurred.
"Come on," Edward said, "enough of his heavy talk. Let's watch a movie. You game?"
"Sure. What's on?"
"No idea. Let's channel surf."
"Good idea," Bella said, getting up from the table and crossing to the bed where she'd left the remote earlier in the evening.
"What can you find?" Edward asked, standing to move behind her while looking at the television.
"Nah...nah...nah...Oh...Ocean's Eleven."
"That's got Mr. Cheeky Smile himself in it, hasn't it?"
"And Julia Roberts," Bella said, defending her choice.
"Good point."
"Ok. Settle in, then," Bella said, sitting down and swinging her legs onto the bed and shuffling backwards so her back rested against the headboard.
Edward hesitated, looking around the room, wondering where he should sit. Bella noticed his hesitation.
"Oh, come on. Sit down. There's no other way you can watch the television but from this angle."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Just take your shoes off. I don't want grit on the comforter."
Once again, Edward hesitated just briefly until Bella leveled him with one of her don't-challenge-me-I'm-a-teacher looks and he acquiesced, moving around to the other side of the bed and slipping his shoes off.
"Are you sure this is alright?" he asked her again.
"Stay on top of the bed if you're so worried, but I'm good. I promise I won't take advantage of you. I've got Mr. Cheeky Smile to distract me."
"Fair enough," Edward said, settling himself on top of Bella's bed.
"Do you need an extra pillow to make yourself comfortable?"
"No, I'm good."
"Right. You ready?"
"Yup."
"OK. Here we go," Bella said, hitting the play button as they both settled in to watch the movie.
Sometime later, Bella looked at Edward and said, "You look at bit like him, you know."
"Who?"
"George Clooney."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The hair and the crinkles around the eyes...and the jaw line," Bella said, appraising his face.
"Is that a compliment?"
"I think George is hot," Bella said, focusing her attention back to the television.
"I thought you liked Mr. Cheeky Smile?"
"Yes, I do. But that doesn't mean that I can't find other people attractive. Everyone's gotta have their list of favorites."
"List of favorites?"
"Yeah. The all-bets-are-off list."
"You mean...?"
"The list of people you'd do it with if you got the chance."
"Your get-out-of-jail-free-card list?"
"That's the one!"
"OK...who's on your list?"
"Well, Matt, obviously. George and..."
"Tom Cruise?"
"Ewww!"
"Brad Pitt?"
"Once upon time, but now, with the beard? Ewww..." Bella said, adding a shudder for emphasis.
"You're not into beards?"
"I don't mind beards...not at all. In fact, they look very good on some men. Johnny Depp, for example, looks great with a beard. But that ratty thing Brad's sporting at the moment? No way."
"So would Johnny Depp round off you top three then?"
Bella nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. I say he would."
"Hmm."
"What's your top three?"
"Do I have to have three?"
"Let's keep it balanced, shall we. Name your three."
"Salma Hayek."
"Mmm."
"Cameron Diaz."
"Now they are two extremes!"
"Yes, but Cameron's legs..." Edward said, raising his eyebrows.
"Oh, TMI! TMI!" Bella laughed, quoting one of Sammy's phrases and mockingly holding her hands over her ears.
Edward laughed. "And...Sandra Bullock or Jessica Alba. I can't make up my mind which."
"That's four!"
"Well, there's nothing stopping you from picking another one."
"Viggo Mortenson."
"The long-haired dude from Lord of the Rings?"
"Oh, yeah."
"You've got quite a little eclectic group there yourself, young lady," he said, nudging her sideways with his shoulder.
"A girl can dream."
Edward smiled and looked over at her warmly.
"Dreams are good."
"Yes, they are," Bella said, winking.
Edward laughed, and Bella sat up and stretched.
"You alright?" he asked her.
"Yeah. Just my back is a little stiff. I've been sitting crooked."
"Here," Edward gestured, lifting his arm and encouraging her to nestle into his side.
"You sure?"
"If you'll be more comfortable."
"Ok," Bella said, leaning into his side and relaxing against the warmth of his body.
"Better?"
"Yes. Much. Thank you," she said, hesitating over where she should put her hands.
"Here," Edward said again, noticing her discomfort and taking one of her hands in his own. He held their entwined hands against his chest, and Bella felt silly for thinking there was anything more in it than that.
"Thanks," Bella said, snuggling into his side.
They settled in again to watch some more of the movie.
Within minutes, however, Bella was becoming decidedly drowsy. She struggled to keep her eyes open, each blink getting slower and slower.
Edward noticed.
"You're getting tired," he said softly to her. "I should get going."
"No. It's alright. Stay and watch the movie. If I nod off, take it as a compliment. It's the first time I've really felt really drowsy all week."
"I should take that as a compliment?"
"You relax me. That's the compliment," she said sleepily.
"You relax me, too," he whispered into her hair.
"You won't take advantage of me, will you Mr. Cullen?" she said dreamily with her eyes closed.
"No, Ms. Swan. I will never take advantage of you," he replied, adding again in his mind.
"OK," she sighed as she drifted off to sleep in Edward's arms, her head on his chest.
Edward was no longer focused on the movie in front of him. He was concentrating entirely on Bella – her breathing, the way she felt snuggled into his side, the way they just seemed to fit together effortlessly.
Oh Cullen, what's going on? he questioned himself.
You're falling for her, man, his conscience whispered to him.
He smiled softly to himself and closed his eyes as he kissed the top of her head gently.
Yes, I believe I am, he admitted as he rubbed his cheek softly over the top of her hair, enjoying the feel of it under his skin.
What are you going to do about it? his conscience questioned him.
I have absolutely no idea, he answered honestly. And with that final thought, Edward slowly drifted off to sleep. The woman who had become such an integral part of his life during the last few weeks was tucked securely in his arms.
Thank you to my support crew. You're marvellous.
And to LBM who pimps me out like there is no tomorrow...gracie!
Don't forget to check out my profile regarding the fandom efforts to help those in Nashville.
And to those of you who have asked... I support the FGB as a pledger... there are so many fantastic writers contributing to this effort, and I know that many, many loyal and devoted TTTB readers are already contributing to the global effort via either writing themselves or pledging financial support to other writers' projects. I am conscious that in this tough financial time there is only so much money to go around. As a result, I am not putting a TTTB outake into the effort... I don't want people to have to choose to split their available funds. This is a combined effort by all of us in the fandom to achieve a common goal. Please, support the FGB and Alex's Lemonade Stand as best as you are able. I, like many of you, will be hoping that my financial contributions in support of other writers will make a real difference to the lives of many... (and to those of you who haven't noticed, Specward is referenced on a coffee mug and t-shirt that has been designed - see the UoEM thread or my profile for more details. I'm getting a coffee mug and maybe a t-shirt to wear to bed to keep Specward and some of the other 'wards close to my heart where they belong.)
Until next time (and it will more than likely be two weeks until the next chapter - entitled New Year's Eve - *wink wink)
Yours most sincerely
Leisa