Title: Day to Day
Summary: When Edward's older brother Emmett decides it time for Edward to come out of his OCD shell, Edward will find himself doing something he never imagined he would. Falling in love.
Rating: M eventually, we'll be sailing the T seas for awhile ladies but it will be worth the wait.
Pairing: Canon pairings cause that's how I roll
Disclaimer: I wish I owned this Edward he is so adorable to me, but sadly no. Stephanie Meyer still owns everything I just love to manipulate it to justify my imagination.
Chapter 36 – Bella
Whipping Out that Cheerleader Uniform
I sat down in between Edward and Jasper at the table. It was decorated beautifully.
"Gosh this table is amazing." I told Esme as she placed some trays on the table.
"I got the idea out of a magazine. Some lovely set ups. I'll see can I find it to show you." Esme said before squeezing my shoulder. I felt a cold gaze on me and I didn't have to look up to see that it was either Rosalie or Emmett.
"You okay?" Edward asked me and I nodded.
"Perfect." I said kissing him. He smiled as we pulled away and readjusted his glasses. "Why didn't you wear your contacts today Babe?" I asked him.
"My eyes were sort of tired" He shrugged and I nodded.
"You should wear your glasses more." I told him.
"I know right Bella?" Alice butted in. "Geek chic is in. He won't listen to me."
"Because the last time I listened to you about fashion advice I ended up wearing some wacky things."
"We all have bad experiences in high school." Alice shrugged.
"The brown suit to my highschool graduation?" Edward asked.
"Okay I'll shut up." She said and he nodded.
I laughed at the way they spoke to each other. When Edward and Alice hung out it was hard to believe he was the quiet shy man I had met. He had a certain confidence about him when he was with his own family and me that just didn't translate to the outside world.
"Okay everybody, now for the real centre piece of the table." Carlisle said as he carried in the massive turkey.
We all 'ooh-ed' and 'ahh-ed' at the turkey as it was placed on the table.
"Okay we normally say what we're thankful for before we cut the turkey. We go eldest to youngest. So I'll go first." Carlisle said. "I'm thankful for this good year. Sure we've had our ups and downs but here's hoping the next years bring us some more joys. I am thankful for my wife, my three children and their partners. I'm also thankful for my two lovely grandsons and the newest Cullen who will be joining sometime in the summer." He said before gesturing to Esme.
"I'm thankful for my health, my good fortune, my husband, my children and my grandchildren. But I'm most thankful for the arrival of little Blake this year and am looking forward to saying to same about our next grandchild this time next year." Esme said.
It was nice what they were doing. The Cullens weren't making a big deal about it but the way they were phrasing their thanks they were letting Rosalie know that they were accepting of the baby into this family.
It was just her they were a little iffy on.
Emmett cleared his throat.
"I'm thankful for Rosy and our baby. Oh and whoever invented weekends." He said before sitting back.
Now talk about a slap in the face to your parents. But honestly I wasn't surprised at Emmett's off hand selfish behaviour. I never was.
Jasper looked to see was he next before Rosalie jumped in.
"I'm thankful for my parents and my brother. Emmett and our baby. Also that my business hasn't been hit too hard by the recession." She said before stopping.
Again she didn't thank the Cullens at all who had invited her here. I just don't know really when it comes to her. She then went back to glaring at the rest of us as Jasper told us he was thankful for his two boys, his wife, his momma fried chicken and Esme's gravy. You can really take the boy out of the South but never the South out of the boy.
"Alice your turn" Carlisle said and she nodded.
"I'm thankful for... I'm thankful for a lot of things. My two healthy babies. My loving husband and my excellent career. I'm also thankful for my parents and my brothers. I'm also thankful that this year I made a great friend in Bella who fits in just perfect in my opinion, your help with Landon and his dyslexia has been a blessing Bella." She said and I smiled at her.
If Rosalie could shoot beams from her eyes we'd be disintegrated into dust by now.
"Edward son who's next you or Bella?" Carlisle asked.
"Me" Edward answered before clearing his throat. "I don't know if this year has given me a lot to be thankful for but the past few months definitely have. I'm thankful for my parents. My family. My good job. My insane cat who keeps my feet warm by sleeping on them but mostly I'm thankful for Bella." He squeezed my hand as he spoke "I don't know where I would be if you hadn't of found me that night and I don't want to think. I love you." He said and I smiled kissing his cheek.
Esme wiped her eye discreetly and Edward blushed realising he might have said too much in front of everyone but I didn't mind.
"Bella your turn."
"Thank you. I'm thankful for the fact that my father is still with us after his accident. I'm thankful for my friends and my God-daughter Abby. I'm thankful for my new job and all of you for welcoming me today, but what I'm most thankful for is Edward and the love and support he has given me for the past couple of weeks. I don't know how I would've got through it without him." I said squeezing his hand.
I swore I saw Rosalie roll her eyes but I shrugged it off not wanting her to ruin this.
Carlisle nodded before turning to Landon.
"Come on Kiddo tell us what you're thankful for." He said and Landon looked to be thinking about it for a minute."
"Um... I'm thankful for Mommy and Daddy. Blakey too although I wished he'd stop crying. I'm thankful for both Nanas and Grandpas. Uncles Edward, Emmett and Garrett. My red truck and my bike! Oh and Ms. Bella for helping me read and stuff." He said and I smiled at him. He looked to his little brother who was asleep in a bassinet near the table "Oh and Blakey wanted me to tell you he's thankful for special Mommy juice and a clean diaper." He explained and we all laughed.
"What's special Mommy juice?" Rosalie asked.
"Breast milk." Esme whispered and Rosalie made a face. "You don't plan on breast feeding?" Esme asked in a low voice while Emmett spoke about football or something to Carlisle.
"No, I hear it just ruins your body. My mother never breast fed me and I turned out alright." Rosalie said and I fought the urge to laugh. Edward smirked and leaned close to my ear.
"That explains so much." He murmured and I giggled. He then kissed my temple as we all quietened down as Carlisle stood up and cut the turkey.
Once all the food was dished out we all tucked in and the conversation started back up.
"So Edward said you got a new job Bella?" Carlisle asked me.
"Yeah I got offered the full time position as an English teacher in a high school. It's a great job, really interesting." I explained while trying not to moan at the taste of this food, so good.
"So do you prefer high school or elementary?" Emmett asked me.
"I prefer the one-on-one stuff like what I do with Landon for elementary school kids but for teaching a class high school classes are a lot more interesting." I explained.
"Why's that?" he asked and I had to fight myself from sighing. I really didn't like talking to him.
"More discussion and debate about things. Plus it's nice not to have to worry about one of the kids shoving a crayon up their nose while my back is turned." I explained and he nodded.
"Not a lot of money in teaching is there?" Emmett asked and Edward looked to his brother.
"How is that your business?" Edward asked him.
"Just wondering how Bella is paying for that lawyer for her case with her old boss. If she already has a new job why is she even bothering?" Emmett asked.
"Emmett!" Esme admonished.
"Excuse me" I said pushing my chair back and standing up before walking out of the room. I walked out into the hallway and sat down on the stair case.
I cupped my face in my hands and then pulled them through my hair.
"Bella?" I looked up and Carlisle was standing there.
"Hi Carlisle. Sorry about that. I just needed a minute." I said and he nodded.
"Want to talk about it?" he asked.
"I told Edward this would happen if he paid for Jenks. He told me not to worry but I knew you know? Sometimes you just know." I said. "Someone is just going to take this the completely wrong way and then... here I am rambling go back and enjoy your dinner." I told him.
"Edward is mortified that Emmett said that and my wife is currently wondering how she could kill him and not stain the carpet." He said and I laughed. "We don't think anything bad about this Bella. Truth be told we know you'll be our daughter in law eventually so what's his is yours essentially."
"It's still awhile off though" I said and he nodded.
"Let me guess you have a plan?"
"Don't worry it's not too long drawn out." I said he nodded.
"Good because three grandbabies ain't going to cut it."
"Everything out here okay?" Edward asked coming out of the dining room.
Carlisle nodded and squeezed my shoulder before walking back into the dining room.
"I am so sorry" Edward said and I shrugged. "No you told me you didn't want to do it because people would react like this and now... Bella I am so sorry. Do you wanna go? Mom's totally okay with it. She said she'll put plates together and we can just leave if you want."
"No Babe, come on. Let's go back in. I just needed a minute." I said and he nodded before wrapping his arms around my waist. "I love you Baby."
"I love you." He murmured before kissing me. "Ready?"
"As I'll ever be." I stated as we walked back into the dining room. Emmett's head was hanging low and Rosalie was looking everywhere but at Edward and I as we sat back down.
Esme looked particularly apologetic but I just smiled at her letting her know I was okay.
"So Rosalie when are you due?" I asked trying to get the conversation started again.
"Early June" She said and I nodded.
"Are you going to find out what you're having?" I asked and she shook her head.
"We want to keep it a surprise." She explained.
"Big mistake." Jasper said.
"Excuse me?" Rosalie asked.
"We didn't find out the gender when we were having Landon." Jasper said "But this one kept telling me she was convinced it was a girl because the way she was carrying. What did we spend the first week doing? Re-painting the nursery and returning all the pink stuff we had bought." He said mock glaring at Alice. "It costs a fortune and wastes time."
"Plus how are you going to pick names and prepare a bag for the hospital?" Edward asked.
"Not everyone plans their life down to what pair of socks they'll be wearing next Tuesday." Emmett muttered.
It was my turn for some glaring and I was sure Esme was doing some aswell.
"I suppose some people just prefer the spontaneity." Rosalie stated.
"It's a baby not a puppy." Edward blurted out before blushing bright red.
"At least I won't have a panic attack if it shits on me." Rosalie said.
"Miss. Bella she said a bad word." Landon said and I nodded.
"Rosalie would you please refrain from that kind of language please" Carlisle stated more than asked.
Edward was looking down at his plate playing with his fork and it just broke my heart.
"Just because your life stinks Rosalie don't go out of your way to ruin his." I told her and she looked at me in shock.
"My life sucks?"
"Jasper can you get Landon into the living room." Alice asked and Jasper nodded pulling Landon off his chair and out of the room.
"Pretty much."
"At least I'm not in some ridiculous relationship with a guy who can't even have sex."
"Okay who told you he was incompetent because seriously they have no idea what they're talking about." I said and Edward looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole.
"It's quite obvious that he's not a sexual being Bella."
"Oh why because he's not feeling me up under the table or having sex with me in the bathroom of a theatre isn't that where little Jr. here was conceived? What Edward and I have is a loving relationship that deals with having respect for each other and what we do behind closed doors is nobody else's business. So stop telling people a lie because I have no problem telling the truth Rose."
"She really doesn't she told her father last weekend." Edward murmured and I rubbed his back.
"Sorry"
"No its fine" He said.
"You know Rosalie it's so weird that you can even talk about my brother's relationship because if it weren't for the fact you were pregnant Emmett was going to dump you." Alice said and my eyes widened.
Esme just looked sick as she stared blankly down the table at Carlisle who was either mortified or enjoying this immensely.
"You're lying." Rosalie said.
"He told me the same." Edward said.
"Was I talking to you?"
"Enough!" Esme suddenly yelled. "How dare you!"
"Mom?" Alice asked.
"Bella I am so sorry about this. Here I thought you coming here would be better than being by yourself on Thanksgiving."
"It's okay" I said and she sighed.
"Rosalie I don't like how you talk to my children and Edward and Alice are right. Emmett told us all he was planning to dump you..."
"Mom!" Emmett yelled standing up.
"Don't you dare raise your voice to your mother!" Carlisle said.
"Well then don't you dare talk to my wife like that." Emmett said and the whole room went quiet.
"Your wife?" Alice asked. "Oh for God sake Emmett. You fucking idiot!"
"Alice, calm down." Jasper said and she threw her hands up in the air.
"I give up Emmett."
"So that's why you screamed at me last weekend." Edward said and Emmett rolled his eyes.
"I hardly screamed." Emmett muttered.
"I was there. It was a lot like screaming." I said.
"Did anyone ask you?"
"Don't talk to her like that." Edward and Alice said in unison.
Edward stood up and walked towards his brother. He looked pretty pissed off.
"Or what you'll pay for a lawyer for her to sue me." He asked.
"No I'll do this." Edward said before punching his brother straight in the eye.
The whole room went quiet. Esme and I looked at each other in shock.
"You little shit" Emmett said going to make a move for Edward when Jasper stood up and pushed Emmett back.
"Don't even go there."
"Bella we're going." Edward said.
"Okay" I said standing up. I tried to think of something to say to Esme but I couldn't. Edward grabbed my hand before pulling me out of the room without saying anything to anyone. He then grabbed our coat and handed me his car keys.
"Just..." He began and I nodded.
"It's okay Babe." I said as we got in the car and drove away.
As we drove I noticed he was looking at his hand.
He looked pretty guilty.
"You know I think the whole knight in shining armour thing is quite hot." I told him and he chuckled as we drove. "No lie, Baby."
"I'm sorry about that" He said.
"If it was something you felt you needed to do then I'm glad you did it. I'm just sorry I didn't realise we could hit Emmett. My problems would have been sorted." I stated and he laughed.
"Yeah but you would have broken your own hand trying to hit him hard enough."
"Minor flaw in the plan."
He sighed at that.
"Babe?" I asked trying to get more out of him. "What's wrong?"
"I'm just..."
"What?" I asked.
"I'm beginning to think that I'll never be on great terms with my brother again." He said looking down at his hands.
"I'm sorry Babe." I said leaning over and rubbing his thigh before putting my hands back on the wheel. "You never know it could still change."
"No his wife hates me and God forbid they ever break up because it will be my fault if they do."
"You do know it could never really be your fault?"
"Yes but he'll blame me." Edward said with a sigh which again made my heart break.
I pulled over to the side of the road. Once the car had stopped I looked over to him. He just looked so small, like the first night I had found him.
Emmett was Edward's big brother.
He had probably idolised him growing up and knowing that he couldn't be more than a burden to Emmett now was making him hurt.
I hated that there was someone with this much power of Edward.
Someone who could really hurt him like this
"Babe?" I asked trying to get him to look at me but he kept his head down. "Edward please, look at me."
He didn't look up and I sighed.
"This is why I hate your brother." I told him. "Every time I think you finally believe me that you are an amazing person he just goes and ruins it. And worst of all he doesn't give a shit that he's done it. It would be one thing if it was just that Emmett didn't realise he was hurting you so much but he does. And it's sick Babe."
He just looked over at me in shock.
"What did you just say?"
"I said it's sick."
"Bring me back." He said a look of disgust in his eyes.
"Edward?"
"JUST BRING ME BACK!" He yelled and I jumped. He sat back in his seat as I turned the car back and drove back to his parents' house. "I'm sorry"
"Its okay" I lied.
"No it's not but I've figured it out and once I say this I'm never talking to him again so we can move on." He said and I sighed.
"You can't just decide that you're never talking to him again. He's your brother."
"You've decided you're not talking to your mother."
"I probably will eventually though. I can't really picture myself never speaking to her again." I explained.
"Well after you've heard what I'm going to say to Emmett you'll never want to see him again either." He said as we drove up his parents drive. Both Emmett and Alice's cars were still there and Edward was jumping out of the car before the engine was off.
"Can you tell me what's going on?" I asked.
"Just wait" He said taking hold of my hand and pulling me up the steps off the house.
Once inside we could hear Alice screaming at Emmett. Landon must be upstairs or something because I couldn't hear him or Blake anywhere.
We walked back into the dining room.
"What the hell are you doing back here?" Rosalie asked when she saw us.
"It's his parents' house. He can come here if he wants Rosalie." I told her and she glared at me.
Edward was practically shaking at this stage and I have to say I was scared about what was going to come out next.
"Rosalie you keep your mouth shut right." Alice said and the whole room seem to stop as Edward glared over at Emmett who was fighting with Carlisle.
"I know" Edward said his face red already. He stared Emmett down who looked at his brother in shock.
"You know what Sweetheart?"Esme asked.
Edward squeezed my hand before letting go.
"Babe what's going on?" I asked him but he kept looking at Emmett.
"I know why he hates me now. And I know why she hates me." He said.
"Edward?" Carlisle asked.
"It's because I'm sick."
"What?" Alice asked.
"It's because I'm sick." Edward repeated staring at his brother who was now looking at the ground ashamed.
"Edward?" I asked "What are you talking about?"
"It came to me in the car. You kept saying how sick it was how Rosalie and Emmett were treating me and then I realised..."
It was then I put it together.
"It's because you have OCD." I said. "Rosalie Hale you stupid bitch." I snapped turning to stare at her.
"Excuse."
"You stupid bitch." I repeated. "How dare you"
"I don't understand." Esme said.
"They don't want the Baby having OCD like Edward. But because there is history of special needs and autism there's a good chance that there is. But nothing is ever Rosalie's fault is it. So it's not that Aspergers is hereditary in her family. No it's because Emmett's brother has mild OCD."
"Mild?" Emmett yelled "He tried to slice his own skin off."
"You made him like that." I said. "You disgust me." I told Emmett. "And Rosalie well never speak to me again." I said.
"Emmett say this isn't true." Esme said
"If my Baby comes out a freak like him!" Emmett said pointing at Edward who was still standing straight staring his brother down trying to fight back the tears that I could see building in his eyes.
"You take that back." Carlisle yelled at his eldest son.
"Dad look what you and Mom had to give up for him." Emmett said "Your whole lives, your careers, your home. All to help out little Eddie and his schedule."
"Bella is not the only one you disgust Emmett Cullen." Jasper said standing beside Alice. Emmett looked over at him "So are my babies' freaks? My boy's got dyslexia, is that Edward's fault? Heck no. And if you blame your brother for this you're a fucking idiot because no way can this be his fault."
"Seriously you don't think Landon's stuff has something to do with him?" Emmett asked pointing at Edward again.
"I'm not a freak." I heard Edward whisper.
"What was that Sweetie?" Esme asked and Edward looked up.
"I'm not a freak." He said again louder this time. "Stop talking about me like I'm an exhibit in the fucking zoo!" He said louder again. "I'm just a guy. So what if I like my counters clean and sometimes I do things twice because their uneven. My life has order. And maybe you think that's weird but it's not Emmett. Most people would love to have my discipline."
"Yeah right, sitting at home on a Saturday vacuuming a cat." Rosalie said standing up.
"I'm sorry I spent last Saturday having sex before driving down to meet my girlfriend's father." Edward said and I felt like putting on a cheerleader costume. He was finally doing it. "I'm not a freak, I know I'm not. I have an amazing woman by my side now and nobody is ever going to talk to me the way you two do again. I won't let it. She's shown me what I deserve and I'm never going to let anyone take it away from me." Edward said and a lump formed in my throat. "And if you don't like it screw it."
The whole room was silent after that.
He was shaking.
Probably from the adrenaline and the rush of the moment.
"Now we're leaving, I'll call you tomorrow Mom." Edward said before we quickly left the room again.
"So what?" Emmett asked. "You're just never gonna talk to me again?"
"Why would I?" Edward asked. "I don't need you anymore Emmett. Maybe I did one time when I was all alone but not anymore. I have people who actually love me for who I am, and don't want to change me." He added before we left.
"Do you want me to drive?" I asked and he shook his head as he opened the passenger door for me.
It was quiet as we drove down his parents drive way.
I sat there and waited for the break down.
The burst of emotion.
The turning back to try and kiss up to Emmett again. Because that's what Edward did. He was always the one to apologise.
But it didn't come.
So we continued in the silence.
"Bella?" he asked after what had definitely been a good twenty minutes of silence.
"Yeah?"
"Can I spend Christmas with you this year?"
"Yeah" I said leaning over and kissing his cheek.
And just like that I knew he would be okay.
And that we would be okay.
And really?
That's all I cared about.
So... yeah... that's what's up Rosalie and Emmett's butts. Lord knows you've all been asking that question for some time. I would just like to point out these are no way my opinions of people with OCD or any type of autism. I actually cried writing this chapter and I cry every time I think about what happens in it.
So review and let know what you thought.
Love The Irish Cullen.