Shorter chapter. But a couple more issues are addressed, so it's productive.
Song for this chapter is "I Don't Want This Night to End" by Luke Bryan.
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"I'm so glad you trusted me."
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EPOV
"Hello?" Alice picked up the phone on the third ring, and she sounded normal. That was good. I had just managed to patch things up with Bella; the last thing I needed was Alice's hormones spending me into another tailspin.
"Hey, Alice, would it be alright if I came over tomorrow or the next day? I think it's time for me to set up the crib and do any other work you need in the nursery." I purposely left out that I had talked to my mom about helping out, wondering if Alice would mention it.
She was silent for a moment. "Yeah, Edward, that'll be fine. The nursery doesn't actually need a lot of work…I've done a little, but your parents have really helped out a lot since they moved. I hope that's okay. That they've been helping me, I mean. It's just that…my parents haven't really reached out to me during this whole thing. You know how they are."
Alice's parents were horribly uninterested in their own daughter's life. When she was a child, they were borderline neglectful and it had never gotten better. There was more of a story there, but Alice hated to talk about it or even think about it. She had confided in me about in the early days of our engagement, but we had never really brought it up since.
"I do. It's fine, Alice. I just wish you would have told me you needed help with some of that stuff. I'd be happy to help you with Audrey's nursery, okay? And Bella would love to help, too. If that's okay with you, I mean."
She paused for another moment, and then sighed. "Edward, it's fine. Bring Bella, if she wants to come. I hated her at first, Edward, I really did. But right now, I'm focusing on my pregnancy and on Audrey. There is no place for hatred in my life right now, even for Bella and you. I'm working to put this all behind me, so you can stop walking on eggshells around me. It's fine. I've been seeing a counselor and I'm in a group for first time pregnant women…you're not my only support anymore. I'm trying to become less dependent, and I would appreciate it if you could go along with it."
"Of course, Alice. Thanks for giving us both this chance. We'll be over tomorrow around ten, alright? And lunch will be on me."
Alice laughed, which had been rare these last few months. "I'll see you both tomorrow."
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Progress…for everyone!
Reviews and the number of readers has really taken off lately! I'm guessing it's the whole consistent update thing? Either way, I'm very glad! Please continue to read and let me know what you think. Even though I'm horrible with replying, all of your thoughts and kind words are special to me.
See you tomorrow!
Xoxo- Mel.