Chapter 30 Caribbean Day

Holding onto the warm sea of skin that was Edward's back, Bella felt perfectly content. His heat drew her to him, her arm roped around his chest, his arm twined over hers, holding her hand inside his. She'd never understood people who slept in the buff, but waking up, toes to cheek pressed against him without any barriers, she could understand the appeal. The last time she woke in his bed it hadn't been so glaringly bright: he must have had the blinds drawn. Blinking, she saw palm trees? Moving, she felt the towel slip off her hip. They'd fallen asleep by the pool. It was dawn, the sky above her a weak blue.

Someone behind her was clearing their throat.

"Honeymoon's over, kids. I fed her at three, her temp is normal. Rose is on the way to pick me up."

She both loved and hated Emmett at that moment. She loved that he had given them the night, but she hated that it was over already. And that he was standing there while they were lying in the makeshift bed. Completely naked. She pulled the towel off Edward, covering herself.

Laughing, Emmett said, "I'd rather see yours than his."

Edward groaned. "Why is my brother in our room?"

Talking to his back, Bella replied, "We fell asleep by the pool and he's leaving."

"Hmmn?" Edward sat up, rolling his thigh so his junk was hidden from Emmett.

"Nothing I haven't seen before, Eddie. I'm leaving the baby monitor on the table. It's after six." Emmett chuckled as he turned to leave.

Raising his arm in an open handed man salute, Edward said, "Thanks Em."

"No problem, Ed, Bellisa-mama."

If they were lucky, Bella calculated that Mackayla would sleep another half hour or so. Enough time to get cleaned up and dressed. Her breasts were flat against Edward, and that pulse of desire was starting between her legs. Certain parts of her body did not want to know about time limitations.

As the door to the atrium closed, Edward rolled to face her, hooking his leg between hers, and drawing Bella closer as he ran his hand up her side and into her hair. "I love you, Bella Swan."

Smiling, she closed her eyes. "I love you, Edward Cullen. Now kiss me before someone wakes up."

Xxx

After Edward demonstrated exactly what he meant by a quickie, Bella donned a towel for a skirt and her sweatshirt for a top. Edward offered to show her the code for the elevator, but she knew better than to get into that thing with him, not if she wanted to be showered and dressed before Mackayla woke.

"Really? You're going to walk around like that?" Bella backed away as Edward followed her past the pool, his bits swinging.

"You seemed to like looking at it last night. Yes, I think today should be nudist day."

"You're…incorrigible." As she reached the bottom of the stairs he was just a step behind her, lifting the corner of her towel skirt.

"Uh-hmm."

"You're…insatiable."

"Just around you." His hand was all the way under the towel, riding on her ass as she climbed the stairs.

"I'm going to trip if you keep that up."

"You're right," he answered as he peeled off her towel.

"Hey!" Bella pulled down the edges of the shirt, which just covered the swell of her butt. She heard a strange sound from the baby monitor; not a baby sound, but a mechanical groaning noise. "Who's coming through the garage?"

Edward wrapped the towel around his waist; they were nearly at the top of the stairs that led to the kitchen. "No idea."

Bella wondered if Emmett had forgotten something, or if Rose wanted to see the baby. What she didn't expect was Carlisle, walking into the kitchen holding a case of baby formula. She held the hem of her sweatshirt down, trying to cover herself. This didn't need to become any more embarrassing, she already felt like a guilty child.

Not Edward. He practically strutted over to his father, the towel tied hastily around his waist leaving a wide opening where you could see all the way up his thigh, revealing the fact that the towel was all he wore. Was that a male thing, letting the world know you'd been recently thoroughly and vigorously utilizing your member?

Carlisle kept his eyes up. "Your mother said you could use this. I was just dropping it off before I did rounds."

Cry, baby, cry! Give me an excuse to leave with a shred of dignity intact! Bella clutched the baby monitor willing her daughter to wake up.

"Thanks, Dad. We are running low." Edward leaned back against the granite counter top, looking as relaxed, as if he had semi-nude conversations with his father all the time. "We had a great time yesterday with everyone over. We should do it again sometime." Edward stretched out his arm to Bella, waving her over.

Afraid to move and give Carlisle the money shot of her lady bits, Bella shuffled over, looking down. She could feel her face heating up: it should be good and red by now. Once under Edwards arm, he gave her a side hug, lifting the shirt enough to give her nether region a little draft. Bella crossed her legs, holding her hands front and center.

"Can I get you some coffee? I was just going to put on a pot."

Offering him coffee!? No, say no. Bella prayed she had some kind of psychic power over Carlisle, since Edward clearly wasn't getting the hint.

"I have some in the car. Thanks, I'll…ah…see you soon." Carlisle retreated to the garage.

"Thanks again, Dad."

As the door to the garage closed, Bella rounded on Edward. "What the hell was that? I told you last night your father had a problem with us, and you just stood there, like that, and I'm like this, and…ugrrrh!" She shook her fists at him.

Edward grabbed her by the wrists, kissing her knuckles. "I wasn't about to hide you," kiss, "or the fact that we were together last night," kiss, "that you're not going anywhere," kiss "or the fact that things are different around here and they can't just pop in here at will anymore."

Bella loosened her fingers and put her hands around his neck. "Smart and sexy. I like it."

"Hmmm," Edward leaned in for a kiss, caressing her bare bottom as he did. "I could really get used to this easy access."

"Heh, heh, heh, ahh, ahh," came through the baby monitor.

Bella kissed him on the nose. "So much for my shower."

"I could get her."

"Not in a towel!" Bella lifted said towel and gave his rump a sound smack with a flat hand. "Go take a shower and get dressed, Nature Boy."

Whizzing by Mackayla's room, Bella pulled on a pair of panties and shorts before she let her daughter see her. The happy squeals and giggles made her smile. Settled in the rocking chair, Mackayla entirely engrossed in her breakfast bottle, Bella noticed the baby sign language chart Esme must have taped over the changing table. It included all the basic things in a baby's life: drink, hungry, more, done, diaper, and, of course, mommy and daddy. It didn't escape her attention that the sign for mommy looked a whole lot like the sign she, Alice and Angela used to give each other when they wanted to go out for a drink, hand clasped like you're holding a bottle, thumb pointing towards your mouth. Was that a coincidence or intentionally ironic? The next sign was more problematic. Daddy. Should she teach Mackayla that sign for Edward? He certainly acted like a father figure. She's a baby, she'll think the sign means whatever I tell her it means. Even that wouldn't be for a while. Should she ask him? Wouldn't she come off as needy, a clingy single mom looking for a baby daddy, exactly what she didn't want to look like?

She sighed. She'd expected a lot of things to be hard in life: her major, moving across country for school, giving birth. She never expected telling her baby what to call the man she loved would be so difficult.

Xxx

The quickest shower she'd taken in this house was over. There was no need to linger, wondering how Edward's hands would feel on her skin; she had empirical proof. Getting the knots out of her hair took the longest; she added some gel to keep it in line and skipped blow drying. It was shaping up to be a sunny day, and now that she and Edward had broken in the pool, they planned many repeat visits.

Edward had taken Mackayla while she showered, so her little apartment was quiet. She pulled on her only one piece bathing suit; less sexy and much harder to remove. She needed to keep Edward on his toes. She added shorts in case someone else from his family dropped by suddenly, and then went in search of her two loves.

Giggles in that register only babies seem to reach were coming from the sun room.

"She loves this thing." Edward sat cross legged on the floor, watching Mackayla bat at all the toys connected to the Exersaucer. A butterfly chimed at every swat, making her shake in excitement.

Folding her legs, Bella sat next to Edward. "She really loves music."

"It's a little too soon to start piano lessons, but my mother mentioned this woman who does small group musical 'experiences' with infants."

"That sounds like it could be great or really annoying."

"True." The two of them were completely absorbed in watching Mackayla discover that she could propel herself in circles by pushing her toes against the saucer. Her wide-mouthed smile made Bella feel like celebrating.

Edward planted a kiss on Bella's head. "I see a happy baby equals a happy mommy."

She nodded, not trying to hide her smile, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "You make me happy too."

So this was contentment; sitting in the sun, watching their baby play.

Surprising them both, Bella's phone rang.

"Who's calling you at eight am?"

She shook her head as she checked the screen. "My father. He's using Seth's phone and requesting facetime. Weird."

Edward was silent as she answered.

"Hey, Dad, is something wrong?"

"No, I said I would call this morning and I'm calling."

"I know, but it's like five am there."

"Well I'm going fishing in a few minutes, and I wasn't going to sit on that boat wondering what it is you've got yourself into over there."

This was surely the longest sentence she had ever heard her father utter. He must have been upset. It didn't help that he was holding the phone at a weird angle, making his mustache look enormous. It was hard to concentrate when something that looked like a sheepdog was dancing under your father's nose.

"Dad, you act like I'm in a bear trap. I'm fine, we're fine."

"Did that Edward threaten you or something?"

"No, Dad. I love him. He loves me. We want to be together."

"What about my granddaughter? Does he treat her right?"

"He's playing with her right now." She realized her mistake as the words left her lips.

"It's eight in the morning your time. Did he come over early? Bring you breakfast? What is this man expecting in exchange from my little girl?"

Rip off the Band-Aid, get it over with. "He didn't come over. We're at his house."

"You slept over? Well you call me when you get home, I have a few things to—"

"Charlie, stop. We can talk now. I am home. We're living with Edward."

Silence.

"Put him on the phone."

"Dad, stop, it was my de—"

"Young lady, put that man on the phone."

Edward was standing, holding out his hand. Bella placed the phone on his palm, mouthing the words, 'I'm sorry'.

"Good morning, Sir." Edward walked out of the sunroom and Bella leaned back, following him with her eyes as he left the kitchen and went into his office, closing the door behind him.

Bella wasn't quite sure what was being said, but she knew Charlie was not giving Edward a hardy 'Welcome to the Family' speech.

She contemplating mixing up some rice cereal; Esme said she could try feeding Mackayla some solid food, but she didn't want to do it without Edward. She wanted him involved with the baby's firsts. Looking towards the office, she hoped he would reappear soon. Edward wasn't going to be scared off by Charlie, no matter how much he ranted and threatened. But it would make her life much easier if they got along. This monster house could easily accommodate her entire family with room to spare. Maybe she could persuade Sue to talk Charlie into visiting for Christmas, or for Mackayla's first birthday. Those parenting magazines in Esme's office always had such cute ideas for birthday parties, maybe…

Gee, Bella, getting ahead of yourself there?

The reality was that she was living with Edward and accepting his generosity, but expecting him to spring for some big party was presumptuous. Of course, I could always ask Esme. She smiled to herself; she had no doubt that Esme would be thrilled to lavish Mackayla with the birthday party of her dreams. And really, she could see Edward happily carrying Mackayla around in a little dress and crown- his princess. Funny, she never had any interest in big parties for herself, but she wanted to celebrate her daughter. Was Mackayla going to be like her, hiding from attention, or would she be like her biological father, happy to be in the spotlight?

She hadn't heard from Jacob or Leah since his accident. She had only heard from Sue that a car had fallen off a lift where he was working and broken his leg and hip, and that he would have a long, slow recovery. She felt the smallest bit guilty that she was living large while he and Leah were crammed into Billy's house, but their betrayal deserved some bad karma. He'd heal and they could get on with their lives, and she could get on with hers. A part of her would be very happy to tell Jacob that she didn't need his lousy money anymore, and that she didn't want him in Mackayla's life in any way. Was that the right thing to do? At some point she would have to tell her daughter about her biological father. Would she want to embrace her Native American side? Would she feel like Bella was intentionally keeping it from her? Mackayla looked like Bella had almost cloned her- with the exception of her complexion, which was more honey- colored than Bella's pale skin. If only it were that simple; she'd seen books dealing with adoptions and stepparents, but never one that dealt with cases where you wished the other parent never existed. She didn't want Mackayla to feel abandoned by her parent; Renee had caused enough damage for two generations with her lackluster parenting.

Mackayla whacked a zebra head, making it honk loudly. Her giggles brought Bella out of her Forks funk.

It wasn't like everything was perfect. Somehow she had managed to put all the bad stuff Edward was dealing with to the side. The past two days had been wonderful, and if she could only float in the bubble of love and fun she would. But next week Edward would meet with his attorney, they both would return to work, Mackayla to childcare, she had to register for classes…ugh. I'll think about it Monday. Charlie couldn't shoot Edward over the phone, as much as her father might want to, and Edward wouldn't take an endless barrage of insults, so what was going on?

Mackayla made a happy shriek indicating she'd spotted Edward. Her arms were up in the air as he crossed the room, his hair on end, proof that he'd been yanking at it during the call. He handed Bella her phone before he scooped the baby out of her toy.

"Mack, your Grandpa is a little…cranky."

"What did Charlie say?" Bella watched him swing Mackayla over his head. She could see that she wasn't the only one who took some comfort from the baby.

"The 'G' rated version?" Edward gave Mackayla a raspberry on her neck, and spoke to her, "Your Grandpa says I don't deserve you, which I know. He says I'm the bad guy, but I'm not. He said he's coming for a visit—"

Bella startled. "Oh no he didn't, I'm calling—"

Edward shook his head as Mackayla tried to grab his nose. "I told him we would all go to see him next month. Then he said some naughty, naughty words that I never want to hear you say."

"Edward…"

"Hmmm?" Mackayla's fingers were in his mouth.

"Could you use your big boy words? What did he say? And how come you went into the office to talk to him?"

Sighing, Edward put Mackayla down on the blanket and joined her for tummy time. "The first portion of the interrogation was to determine if I was the low life so and so who knocked you up and abandoned you. When I assured him that we only met in December, and swore I would take a DNA test if needed, we moved onto phase two. Basically, who am I to take the place of another man in his granddaughter's life? Part three, he asked if I was married and I gave him the short form of that story. Part four was all about respect, or lack of respect seeing as I had lured and tricked you into living with me. He asked my intentions, which was also a bad idea since I didn't ask him first. It seems you two are helpless little girls and I'm the big, bad wolf."

"I'm sorry. Edward. He gets a little defensive." Bella joined them on the floor as Mackayla pushed up with both hands, raising her head a little more each time.

"I noticed that. I had to give him my last two addresses, birth date, parent's names, and my social security number so he can run a full background check."

"That's crazy; you shouldn't have given him all that information."

"Bella, with the systems he has access to, he could get all that information with a few keystrokes. At least this makes it look like I'm cooperating. I went into the office because I didn't want to argue in front of Mackayla. I wasn't about to back down, no matter what he said."

"He didn't chase you away? You're not going to send us packing?"

Crawling over on his elbows until he was face to face with Bella, Edward whispered, "Not a chance," and then kissed her as Mackayla babbled behind them.

Xxx

The absurdity of pushing a fully laden stroller to the elevator so that they could bring all of Mackayla's things down to the indoor pool in one swoop, made Bella sigh.

"What?" Edward held Mackayla, who was busy hitting his chest with both hands. "Why are you sighing?"

"If anyone told me I'd be doing this a year ago, a month ago, I would have said they were mental."

"Which part?"

"All of it. Living in this crazy house, taking a private elevator to the indoor pool, driving my daughter's Mercedes…pretty unimaginable."

"You didn't include the part about living with me. You didn't know I existed a year ago, is that why?"

"Well, I have a confession."

Edward raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to speak.

"I saw you, at the airport a year ago. On July fifth."

His eyebrows raised and he tilted his whole head with a strange smile. "Really? That's right, I flew in from Seattle that day. Tell me more."

"This is embarrassing!" She looked at her flip flops while she spoke. "You were at the curb, talking on the phone. You were wearing those sunglasses, your sleeves rolled up, and you were having an argument with a woman. And I was thinking, if this hot guy was mine, I'd do whatever he wanted."

His smile was blinding. "This is important information. I may need to use it in the near future." He kissed her as the elevator door opened. "I wish I'd seen you."

"You were still married."

"Good point."

"You have no idea how sad I was to see that ring on your finger."

"Almost as sad as I was to be wearing it."

They'd reached the atrium, the sunlight pouring in making the waterfall glisten, the pool shimmer, and illuminating the crumpled towels they'd used, which were scattered, hanging off the chaise, piled at the bottom, and twisted in lumps where they'd been used for pillows.

Edward handed Mackayla over as he took care of the mess; quickly gathering the towels and stashing them in a resort style wicker hamper.

"You can't just stick them in a hamper, they're still damp. They'll get moldy."

"Don't worry, Olga will wash them when she's back from vacation."

"When will that be?"

"Next week. Wednesday I think."

"They can't wait that long! Bring the hamper to the elevator, I'll wash them."

"No need for that; there's a laundry room down here for linens."

"Seriously? Two laundry rooms? Okay, lead the way."

Edward wheeled the hamper through a door. "I think it's through here."

The room had a short row of long wooden cubicles with hooks, each with its own robe, a drawer, and a section below for shoes. A basket held cloth slippers, a built in vanity for four held combs, swim caps, goggles, hairbrushes, razors and ear plugs. The cushioned benches looked nap worthy. Edward wasn't kidding when he said Tanya wanted every detail taken care of before they moved in.

Pushing through another door, Edward flipped a switch. "Just where I thought it was."

Bella wheeled Mackayla in her stroller into the room. An industrial sized washer and dryer were flanked by a deep sink, a folding table, and a narrow cupboard where Bella found the detergent along with a mop, broom and other cleaning supplies.

Bella examined the washer. "I've never used this kind of machine; you'll have to show me how it works."

Edward stood far from the appliances. "I have no idea either."

"Well, we can look for instructions, or use the machines upstairs. You know how to work those, right?"

"Um, no."

Bella asked, "What kind of washer did you use in college?"

"A laundry service."

"Did you bring your manservant too? Come on, didn't your mother teach you how to do your own laundry?"

Smiling sheepishly, Edward said, "I doubt she knows. My mother's mother may be the reason my grandfather wrote all those clauses into the will. She had one child, my mother, and a staff of ten."

"She must have been quite a character."

"She still is. Last I heard she was living in Brazil with her third husband. When she found out how little she would inherit, she left my grandfather."

"Wow. And I thought my mother was bad. Well, we're going to break that cycle now. You are doing the laundry."

Xxx

"It worked!" Edward held up his phone in triumph.

"Hmph?" The three of them were lying on the double chaise, which Edward had pulled outside into the shade and covered with the towels fresh from the dryer. They'd made a quick meal of the leftovers Esme insisted on leaving with them. Mackayla was sleeping between them, Bella was dozing, and Edward was enjoying watching the two of them.

"My mom just texted me. She said she wanted to come over in half an hour, but my father said it would be a good idea if she called first."

Laughing into the cushion, Bella nodded her head. "Well done. What did you tell her?"

"Nothing yet. Is it okay with you?"

"Edward, I don't want to stop your family from visiting. Tell her yes."

He typed his response on his phone. "Let me point out that they are visiting the little magnet over here. I haven't seen them this much in months."

"I'm sure if it didn't involve flying across the country, Sue and Charlie would be over every day. It was really embarrassing, the whole phone call yesterday, but not knowing how old you are or your birthday—don't you think we should get to know each other?"

"Know each other beyond the Biblical way? I suppose. Birthday, June twentieth, and I really am twenty-nine. And a Gemini."

"My birthday is—"

"September thirteen." Edward pointed to himself. "Head of human resources."

"Fine, Mr. Human Resources. Tell me something that's not in your file. Like what were you thinking with that crazy master bedroom?"

Edward blew out a long breath and put both hands behind his head and looked up to the sky. "That abomination of a bedroom was a 'house warming' present from Tanya's parents. When she first started talking about commissioning a hand carved bed and murals, I tried to put a kibosh on it by saying it was too expensive, but then Aro stepped in and offered to pay. I never saw it until after she was…gone. She was planning this 'big reveal'. Aro came and supervised the work, which is how he had access to the security system. He said he needed it to keep an eye on the tradesmen."

Bella turned onto her side so she could face him, her head propped up by her elbow. "So why does everyone else in your family have the codes to your house, and why do they feel like they can just walk in any time?"

Scratching the back of his neck, Edward looked away before speaking. "I was in a very dark place after Tanya died. They were worried about me. I told you Emmett and Rose stayed with me for a few weeks. The night I stayed at the hospital with you I neglected to tell my family where I was, and they busted in here to make sure I hadn't harmed myself."

"On Christmas Eve? That must have been horrible for them."

"Oh yeah. My mother's face when I showed up on Christmas Day, having no clue they'd been looking for me all night, I'll never forget it. They even went to the cemetery."

"I can see why they'd want to have access."

He reached over the sleeping baby and stroked Bella's hair. "I was depressed. Before Tanya left that night, she told me…she told me I was her backup plan. Her father insisted she marry me, or find someone else with the same kind of family fortune. When she didn't, he said he'd disinherit her unless she could land me. He bribed her with things like the bedroom, that fountain. My entire relationship with her was one big lie. My life was one big lie. She never loved me."

Tears were filling his eyes. Bella wanted to strangle this woman and her crazy father who would toy with the love of this wonderful man. Lucky for Tanya she was already dead. She'd never met Aro, but if she did…she didn't know what she would do. Something violent.

"Edward." She waited until he was looking directly at her. She wiped away his tears with her thumb. "I love you."

"And I love you, and that's why I know what I felt for Tanya wasn't love. But the years of deception made me feel like such a fool; like I had wasted so much of my life on lies."

Leaning over the baby, Bella kissed his forehead. She'd never seen him look so sad. She looked down at Mackayla, now sucking her thumb. "We love you." Bella made a decision; screw waiting, and screw Charlie and Carlisle's opinions, even her own instinct that this was all moving too fast-she could give this to him. "I want you to be her Daddy."

Bella began to panic when he looked away and didn't answer. Had she misread his signals? All this talk about marriage, eloping, love—he meant both of them, didn't he?

Edward turned back to Mackayla, tears running down his face. He scooped the sleeping baby up in his arms and kissed her head. "Hi, sweetheart. I have something important to tell you. I'm your Daddy." He spread his arm and Bella slid into his embrace, the two of them holding Mackayla, their first official hug as a family.

Xxx

By the time Santa Esme arrived, laden with more shopping bags, Mackayla was awake and entertaining them as she giggled at the funny faces Edward was making.

The three of them were still on the chaise; Esme had let herself in. "Oh, you look just like you're on your honeymoon!"

"Mom, who brings a baby on a honeymoon?"

"We brought Emmett to the Caribbean with us…and Olga to watch him." Esme rolled her hand, trying to explain non verbally. "He was still having separation issues from the loss of my first husband, and it was either bring him or no honeymoon. Now, I brought the leftover salad and sandwiches; I ordered a nice lunch for everyone who worked today, I'll just put them in the fridge."

"Mom, we still have tons of leftovers from the barbeque."

"Now you'll have more. Who wants to cook when it's so nice out?" Esme continued, unstoppable like a freight train. "I brought the three of you something, you'll love it. Edward, stand up."

He stood cautiously while Esme pulled something green involving a lot of straps and what looked like an open backpack out of the shopping bag. She held it up to Edward's chest. "It's an Ergobaby carrier. Put your arms out, let me just adjust it so it fits. While she's little you carry her in front, belly to belly-"

Edward looked down at his mother fiddling with the straps. "Cool, I've seen these, then you turn her around—"

"No," Esme said sharply. "That's only in the movies. The baby could get scared that way and have nowhere to turn. When she's a little older she can go on your hip, or on your back, so she can look the same direction you." Esme was busy adjusting the straps as she spoke. "There, ready to go. The moms in my practice—"

"Love them," said Edward finishing her sentence. "Ok," he turned to Bella, who had Mackayla in her arms. "Can I take her for a spin?"

Esme waved Bella down. "Now you stay there and relax. You carried her for nine months, now it's Edward's turn." She picked Mackayla up, sneaking in a long hug on the way, and then put her into the carrier. The baby was delighted, smacking her hands against Edward's chest and kicking her feet.

Edward walked around the pool area, taking long strides then short ones, fast and then slow. Mackayla held one of his fingers in each hand, thoroughly enjoying the ride.

Perched next to Bella, Esme let out a long sigh. "I can't tell you how it makes me feel to see my son so joyful. You two have transformed him. And I couldn't help but hear what your father said. He's justified to have concerns; even Carlisle was a little leery before I set him straight." She put her hand on Bella's knee. "I'm a baby doctor, I listen to what parents say, but I've got to read the body language of my patients, and their parents. I'm pretty good at it. I know you and Edward are the real deal."

Bella was smiling, happy at Esme's words but trying to hold back her tears. Esme's acceptance of them, despite Carlisle's misgivings, really touched her. "Thanks. That means a lot."

Esme shook Bella's knee. "I want to keep you two around. I don't mean to come on too strong, but I feel like someone who's been working in a bakery all my life and not able to eat anything, and now I get a cupcake. With sprinkles."

Looking across to where Mackayla and Edward were exchanging grins, Bella nodded in agreement. "She's a pretty sweet cupcake."

Esme hummed in satisfaction, watching them cavort from the chaise for a few minutes. "Uh, before I forget, I spoke with Susan this morning."

"Who?" Bella asked.

"Susan Gordon. I advised her to close a few more days and have the baby area sanitized to prevent further spread of the virus. Since it's a small population of babies, we decided a week should do, so she's remaining closed next week. I told her I would tell you."

Bella rolled her eyes. "I know it's the right thing to do, but now I have no childcare for next week. I was planning on working."

"What's up?" Edward had returned, but showed no signs of wanting to put Mackayla down.

Bella fell back against the chaise. "Mrs. Gordon closed daycare for next week to stop the spread of the virus."

"I'll work from home and help." Edward stared into Mackayla's eyes; she stared right back at him. "Good idea, right? Right?" She giggled in reply.

"If it was that easy to get anything done with a baby around, I wouldn't be paying for childcare." Bella shook her head at Edward and his antics; now he was waltzing with the baby.

Hopping up Esme said, "I'd be happy to watch her on Tuesday. I'm off. And we can ask Rose, I'm sure she wouldn't mind taking her for a while."

"Tuesday would be great," Edward said, turning to Bella. "My attorney wants to meet with me. I asked him to come to the house; I want you to be there."

Bella looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you want me there?"

"Everything I need to talk about with him affects our future."

Esme stepped closer to Edward, her hands out, "While you're chatting, hand over the baby."

Turning away, Edward shook his head. "No, you made me put on this contraption, now we're going to enjoy it. Come on Mack, we've got things to do and stuff to see."

Yelling at his back, Esme said, "Didn't your mother teach you to share?"

He was already walking across the lawn, waving a hand over his head.

Bella hid her smile. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No, I only have a few minutes. I have a patient in the hospital for dehydration; I want to stop in again before I go home. Come upstairs with me, I want to show you that room I was talking about."

Leading the way, Esme walked quickly up to the second floor. She opened the first door she came to opposite Edward's bedroom. The room was painted deep red, with a black wrought iron bed with mosquito netting. "Not this one." Esme closed the door and continued to the next door.

Esme opened the door to pale blue walls, simple white furniture and a window seat surrounded by bookshelves. It was bright, not too big, compared to the other rooms in the house.

"I thought if we replaced the bed with a crib, my friend Sherri could decorate, nothing elaborate, this would be a perfect nursery. Much closer than the apartment." Esme looked around smiling. Bella could tell her mind was spinning with plans.

"I appreciate this Esme, I do, but Edward plans to put the house on the market. Wouldn't that be a waste?"

Spreading her arms, Esme answered, "A house like this will probably take a long time to sell. I want, and I'm sure Edward wants, both of you to feel at home. What I'm saying Bella, is I don't care how you and that angel got here, you're here and I want to do everything in my power to make you stay. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my boys happy, and you make Edward very happy."

Esme sat on the window seat, patting the space next to her. Bella joined her, and the older woman held her hand.

Esme looked around silently, taking a deep breath before she spoke. "You'll learn that your child, and for that matter your husband, will not always listen to what you have to say. I always had a feeling that something was off with Tanya and I never particularly cared for Aro. He claims we dated, but I only went out for coffee with him to be polite. I was never interested in him."

Bella could almost see Esme weighing her words before she continued.

"I tried to get Edward to see what I saw, but he wanted to be his own man. The more I said against Tanya, the more he stood up for her. I couldn't take the chance to forbid him from marrying Tanya; that's what my mother did, and it drove me straight into the arms of my bastard of a first husband. My mother didn't have a maternal bone in her body, but she knew that boy was bad news. There were certainly times I rued not taking her advice. That marriage was the greatest mistake of my life." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "But what would I do without my Emmett?"

Esme sat quietly, apparently overcome with emotion. Bella could only nod. She was hoping to be accepted; Esme went above and beyond, sharing her own story and feelings. She felt Edward's mother was a great example of how a loving family could evolve from a difficult start.

Turning to look directly into Bella's eyes, Esme spoke quietly. "I don't trust Aro. I think he still holds Tanya's death against Edward, no matter what Carlisle says. Please watch out for Edward. He and his father can be too trusting."

Nodding solemnly, Bella said, "You have my word."

"Thank you. Enough of this sad stuff. We have a nursery to plan." Esme pulled out her phone and a tape measure, "I told Sherri I'd send her the measurements and some pictures. This way she can hit the ground running come Tuesday when I'm watching the baby; we won't be in your way at all. I've never done a little girl's room; this is going to be so much fun!"

Watching Edward's mother as she snapped the room from every angle, sending Bella into the corners with one end of the tape measure, she realized that Edward had been completely right about his mother. She was ready to be an amazing grandmother, but more to the point, she was already a great mom.

.

.

Prayers to the people of Boston, and all the people of the world who are hurt by acts of terror.

A/N: I added about 700 words after Miss Winkles did her very fast beta on this, so all mistakes are mine.

Many thanks for regular reviewer and baby expert, Anchalee for the suggestion and advice about baby carriers, and for her frequent and thoughtful reviews.

Thanks to hismysticmuse who recc'd this story on FB, I appreciate the kind words.

July 5th is Caribbean Day

We will start to time jump a little more from here. Thanks for sticking with me. 2