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Beta'd by HollettLA.
Ugh. I feel so out of the Twi-fic loop, reading and writing, meanwhile, I've been home from work. My mind just isn't in it at all . . . I need to dive back into Fanfic.
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Please Enjoy!
"Weather the Storm"
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Beach Blanket Bingo Part Two
"And what was with the makeup? Hanna, you don't need it. You're so pretty."
"Mom used to say that, and you guys have to say that—"
"I mean it." I squeezed her hand. "Go get washed up. We'll talk more tomorrow if you want. There's a few more things I'd like to discuss about this older boy business, um . . . "
She nodded. "I want to." She sat up to hug me tight.
I smiled within the embrace, but my heart was still sad.
Instead of seeking Edward out, I sought Lizzie. I was surprised to find them both together, sitting in the living room. Quietly, I ducked into the kitchen, knowing Lizzie couldn't find a better person to talk about her mom with.
"Is Hanna okay?" Anton asked. He was eating a bowl of cereal, sitting at the table next to Alex.
"She'll be fine. Act like it didn't happen, all right?"
He nodded. "Done."
"Good," I sighed, taking a seat next to them. Curiosity got the better of me, though. After about a minute, I stood up to stand in the doorway, trying to eavesdrop on Edward and Lizzie's conversation. I even lowered the volume on the baby monitor, so no static was heard.
"Your mom didn't want to leave you . . ." Edward looked contemplative. "She was sick."
"But why didn't she go get help, like Esme?" Lizzie was still teary-eyed.
"Come here." Edward pulled her into his side. "Sadly, if you want help, you have to ask for it."
"I barely remember her. I have pictures."
"You were so little when . . . Soon, it won't hurt as bad—it won't hurt so bad that you can't always remember her. Just make sure you do when it's important. Moms like to be around on important days, and she's still in your heart." Edward shrugged, and he looked so lost, but he was doing great.
"Daddy says she's in heaven."
"She is, but her memory—she's in your heart, too." He smiled down at her.
"I should go to bed."
"Yes—bed!" Edward sat up. "You okay?"
She answered him by hugging him. He stood there awkwardly with his arms out for a moment, seeming surprised before he embraced her. "Goodnight, Eddie."
"'Night, Lizzie." He kissed her hair and walked her to the landing. Then his eyes landed on me. His face looked so sad and confused, I became alarmed.
"You okay?" I took a step into the living room.
He looked away from me. "How 'bout that drink?"
"Lead the way." I gestured out.
Edward grabbed the bottle and glasses he set out, and we walked onto the porch. He poured us each a glass of red and then sat in the hammock. I eyed it warily, wondering if we'd tip over.
"Just come on," he said, holding up his wine glass. Then he looked up to the roof, widening his eyes before he placed his finger to his mouth. "Shh."
"What?" I turned to see what he was staring at.
Sonny and Katie were on the roof, hanging out outside one of the windows. They were just sitting and smiling and had Twizzlers in their hands.
"Get over here." Edward pulled me to lie back against him. The hammock shook a few times and then settled down. "He's leaning."
"What?" I whispered.
"He's going to kiss her, or at least try as soon as he gets the balls . . . he's anticipating and waiting and leaning."
"No—"
Edward hummed, taking a sip of his drink.
"It wouldn't be the first time." I tilted my head back to face him. "Lauren caught them kissing months back."
"Go Sonny."
"He's eleven—"
"They kiss, big deal. It's not like they're fucking," he said.
I cringed at the thought. "Kissing leads to fucking."
"Like he'd know what the fuck to do . . . I should talk to him again," he mused.
I shook my head no. "Let me . . . unless you have an educational video you wish to share?"
"Eh . . . I took the easy road last time," he sighed. "I know you're skeptical, but I plan to devote more time to the kids . . . being a better father and all."
I nodded against his chest. "You're an amazing father."
"When I'm around," he said what I wouldn't. "I'll make it up . . . to you, to them." He gave me a squeeze. "Sonny's only problem right now is Aro—are you going to tell him?" Edward asked.
"Nope, I think it's cute," I smiled, staring up at them and the stars, reveling in the not-too-cold breeze. "Young love . . . how everything can go wrong in an instant." I guzzled that fucking glass of wine down. "We didn't make it through unscathed. We had mucho problems, but it was exciting." I beamed.
"We were loyal . . . we fought with and for each other. That's why we're here today." Edward tightened his hold around me.
I hummed again, still looking up at the stars. The moon was big, but not full. "Parenting gets harder as they get older." I reached to refill my glass. "Teething and sleepless nights are a cakewalk."
"We did good tonight, didn't we? You with Hanna and me with Lizzie . . . I thought we did well."
"We did . . ." I squeezed his thigh. "You and Lizzie . . . you guys break my heart. My mom was a cold-hearted bitch—"
"You don't think Lexi was?"
"I know she wasn't," I said. "She adored and doted on Lizzie."
"What do you call ditching your kid for a fucking eight-ball? It's not like I'd tell Lizzie that, but . . . I don't know."
"She struggled with addiction her whole adult life. Having a kid doesn't scare all the demons away. Even if it fills your heart with so much joy . . . it still doesn't erase all the bad," I whispered. "I don't know. I just, I hope Esme gets the help she needs so she can be there for those girls. Looking at them . . . I can't hate her, even though I know I should. What she did was terrible, horrible even. I don't know why I feel . . . I suck." I gulped down the wine again, waving my face when I felt hot. "They're so hurt already. When is she coming back?"
Edward was quiet for a moment.
"Edward?" I tilted my head to look at him.
He finished his glass, grabbing the wine again. "Sorry—did you ask me something?"
"When's Esme coming home?"
"Ask Carlisle." He shrugged.
I blew out a breath. "Hanna was totally trying to screw with Carlisle. She knew it was wrong, even if she really thought she liked Anton. These years are so important—puberty? My God, all the confusion and insecurity." I smiled, thinking back. "My mom was always on the cold side, but she was still there . . . Esme needs to stop thinking about herself and get her ass back here. She needs to divorce Carlisle . . . if she was away from the whole mess, the thing and Carlisle, maybe she'd go back to normal?" I asked.
"What's normal? She's always been a whack-job. Don't go soft on me." He squeezed me again.
"Soft?" I giggled. "I'm just saying—"
"You can never hold a grudge . . . She tried to get Aro against me—to kill me, your husband," he whispered in my ear.
A chill ran down my spine when he said it. "And you told me to forget it—that she wasn't a threat. You say that and then she's suddenly gone—" I tried to wiggle to see him. "Is she really at some mental health place?"
"If Arizona—the state itself—is a funny farm."
"What?"
He sucked his teeth. "Are we really discussing this now?"
I settled down, sipping my Cabernet. "You're right. I just—"
He groaned. "Let's get out of here."
"Where do you think we're going?" I showed him the baby monitor.
Edward very easily and slowly got out of the hammock. "Hey, Romeo!"
"Dad!" Sonny jumped, looking startled and mortified. Katie did, too.
"Keep an ear out for your sister." He tossed Sonny the monitor. "Mom and me are going for a walk."
"Okay," Sonny said.
Edward turned back to me and helped me up. Luckily, I didn't fall. "Where are we going?"
"A walk. I don't know." He winked. "Let's act like kids for twenty minutes."
"That—that sounds wonderful." I slipped my flip-flops back on. "Thought you were tired?"
"Come on." He put his arm around me, and we left the porch.
Walking along the beach was so peaceful. The only sounds we heard was the water hitting the shore. My hand was tucked firmly in Edward's, and we just were . . . We were two kids strolling along the beach—without a care in the world. It wasn't completely desolate, as there were random people and some torchlights from other houses that gave the beach a soft glow.
"Today was perfect, absolutely perfect." Edward pulled me to sit with him in the sand.
"It was . . . sorry you got stuck watching Cinderella," I giggled, resting my head on his shoulder.
He picked my chin up to look at him. "That smile you had when the mice started helping her." He kissed my cheek. "Then the tears, which didn't spill but were there, when the stepsisters tore the dress to shreds." He kissed my other cheek. "Then that beaming smile again when Cinderella took out the glass slipper because the other one broke." He kissed my forehead, placing my hair behind my ears. "You were more entertaining."
I tried not to smile like a lunatic or jump on that suave fucker. "Edward?"
He stared into my eyes. "Yeah?"
I continued to grin. "You're leaning."
He smiled so wide it reached his eyes, and he tried desperately to bring his lips together before they met mine.
Edward's kiss was soft and gentle. "I love you."
"I've loved you every day." I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Faults included?" He raised a brow. "Because that's all going to change . . . I'm going to be better. Bella, I—"
"Edward—"
"No, listen to me." He nipped my lips.
I grabbed his chin and kissed him firmly in return. "Your faults make me love you even more." I was insanely happy in this moment. I wanted to bottle just a small portion of that joy—so I could use it on a sucky, rainy day when things aren't as wonderful. I'd just have to promise myself not to forget this, remember it when things are bad, remind myself why I love the hell out of this man when he does something to drive me mad next time.
"You're gorgeous." He rested his forehead to mine.
"So are you."
We held the same pose for a long time. It was so chill, I found myself wanting to sleep right here, even with the wind, which was getting cold.
"Should we head back?" I asked.
"You're not going to try and take advantage of me?" Edward bit my earlobe. "What's a trip to the beach without sand in your drawers?"
I moaned, hugging him tighter and looking over his shoulder. People were still around. "What if people see us?"
"It was a joke . . . I'm—honestly? I'm fucking wiped, like you wouldn't believe." He yawned.
I smiled. "I'm content—happy. We should do this every night we're here, just for the peace and quiet."
"It's a date." Edward stood up and extended his hand to me.
I took it, tucking into his side for the walk back.
"You want a house down here? For your birthday, I mean."
"What?" I laughed.
"It's coming up and all . . . I just figured." He shrugged. "You like it so much."
I stopped walking, but I didn't have to think hard about it. "Yes," I said. "Even when the kids are older, they can come down with friends and stuff, and we can come here weekends—get away from everything."
He nodded. "I was thinking the same."
"Cool," I giggled. "We'll keep our eyes open during the year—see what happens."
Suddenly, Edward pulled me into his side. "Check it out." He pointed, wearing a smile.
When I looked up, I saw my son and Katie kissing on the roof. They were too far away for us to see if tongues were involved, but it was an intense lip lock. They were glued together for several long minutes, until they broke away to wipe their mouths and smile in the opposite direction.
"My kid's got balls." Edward squeezed me.
I turned to wrap my arms around his neck. "This place is romantic."
He nodded. "Must be rubbing off on us all, huh?" He gently bit my nose.
I hummed, looking back to the roof. Sonny was helping Katie inside the window.
"Coast is clear." Edward pulled me along. "I cannot wait to go to sleep." He bitched about how tired he was the rest of the way into the house.
Everything was shut down when we entered. Everyone was sleeping, except for Anton, who quietly watched television on the loveseat opposite Alex. Mauro was still outside, and the kids were all in their bedrooms.
Sonny wore this silly little grin when I grabbed the baby monitor from him.
I thought it was adorable.
When Edward kissed my cheek and rolled over, I stared at his still form. We really weren't going to have sex? I said no at the beach, but we could quietly get something going. Right? What the fuck?
"Edward?"
"What?" he mumbled into the pillow.
"Goodnight." I leaned over to kiss his cheek and run my hand down his side.
He groaned sleepily through a smile and hugged me tightly to his side. "Go sleep." He slurred into my head.
"I guess if you're too tired . . ." I made my fingers crawl closer to his middle, but he didn't react at all. "Edward?" He didn't move or make a sound, and I knew he was sleeping. Damn.
"Eward . . . Eward." Kylie had heard me, so I stayed as still as possible—not wanting her to know I was awake. She eventually fell back to sleep at around the same time I did.
After all, it was a perfect day followed by a perfect night, and I had no worries—none that I'd ruin my vacation with.
/=/=/=/
When I woke up and rolled over, I was surprised to see Edward awake and changing Kylie's diaper.
"Morning, Mommy," Edward greeted.
I smiled, resting my head on the pillow. "What time is it?"
Edward blew out a breath. "A little after six. Go back to sleep. I'll sit with her."
"No." I yawned. "I'm up now." I sat up to tickle my daughter's belly. "Morning, gorgeous."
"Ma-ma." She was biting the closed tub of powder.
"Cool." Edward closed the last snap on her onesie and plopped her in my lap.
"Hi, baby girl!" I hugged and tickled her some more.
"I wove you."
"I love you, too." I hugged her tightly. "My baby." Pushing her hair away from her forehead, I saw Edward behind her. He wore a silly grin. "What?"
"What?" Kylie the parrot repeated.
"You . . . my girls." Edward winked, slipping his sneakers on. "Since you're up, I should go for a jog."
"There's a treadmill in the basement—"
"No, the beach." He nodded. "I always run on the treadmill."
"Okay . . . be careful, take your nine with you."
"Nine!" Kylie shouted, wiggling off the bed. She almost tumbled, but Edward caught her.
"Easy," he laughed, looking back to me while he righted her. "You know me better than that. I'll be back soon."
I sighed, getting out of bed to take Kylie into my arms again. "I'll start breakfast."
"Oh . . . that sounds good. Pancakes?" Edward kissed my cheek.
"You know it." I eased Kylie back into her playpen, leaving the two to go get cleaned up.
It was a new day, our second at the beach, and my good mood hadn't gone anywhere. I was still incredibly happy as I brushed my teeth.
"Bella?" Edward knocked once.
"Bewwa!" Kylie hollered.
"No, Mommy," Edward corrected.
I laughed in the mirror, hearing Kylie giggle out, "Ma-ha-me!"
"Sonny's up—gonna take him with me," he told me.
"'K," I mumbled around my toothbrush.
"And later . . . me and you." He knocked a few more times, creating a beat.
I felt giddy. "We better."
"Love you!" I heard him leave the room.
I spit into the sink and then looked at myself in the mirror again. "Love you, too." Sighing, I bent low to splash some water on my face.
Moments later, I had Kylie resting on my hip as I made my way down to the kitchen. I heard voices and laughter, and briefly saw Edward and Sonny as they left out the back door.
Alex was awake and in the kitchen, and it took a mere second for Carlisle to lean in close once my husband and son had left. "Morning!" I greeted before they . . . anything happened. I made my presence known before my brother in-law could flirt.
Carlisle hummed, standing straight and wearing his clothes from last night. "I got you a coffee." He handed me a Styrofoam mug.
"Put it on the counter." I placed Kylie in her chair and grabbed the Cheerios from the cabinet. "Did you just get in?"
Carlisle bent low to place a kiss in my daughter's curls. "Nah . . . been here for a little while—fell asleep on a chair outside and then went back out for the coffee. You might want to nuke the joe."
"Right." I nodded, still smiling, albeit a little awkwardly. There was a tension in the kitchen I didn't like at all. "Aro here too?"
Carlisle laughed. "No . . . he left the club at three—took some chubby, little thing back to his hotel."
"Aro?" I was shocked.
He grinned. "You're so cute—believing that altar boy act he does for you. He's already signed the divorce papers."
"Okay." I grabbed Kylie's sippy cup to put juice in it, anything to keep myself busy.
"How is that?" he asked Alex. "Did you know they make Nutella-flavored coffee?" He turned to me.
"I didn't." Keeping up my own routine, I started getting things out to make pancakes. "We had an interesting night."
Carlisle pursed his lips. "Alexandra told me about Hanna . . ."
"I spoke to her. She's okay. I think she just misses her mom a lot. You know?" I raised a brow.
He hummed.
"When is Esme coming home?" I asked. Not only did I want to know for my nieces, but I wanted to know so I could put my guard up. It's odd—wanting her back for her kids and not wanting her around my husband or my own kids at all. It's like a double-edged sword—fucked either way, it seems.
He shrugged. "When she feels like it, I guess."
"You should talk to her—" My words ceased when he leaned in close. "What?"
"Can we not talk amongst mixed company?" he whispered.
"Sorry." I shook my head, looking over to Alex. "Did you get Mauro coffee too?" My smile was back.
Carlisle leaned back on the counter, chuckling and shaking his head. "I should try to get another hour or two's sleep before the kids get up and get antsy." He started walking out of the kitchen. "I'll talk to Hanna . . . her crushing on Anton is kind of cute, though. Girls have crushes. It's not the end of the world, right?" He poked Alex's nose and finally left.
She giggled, which made my stomach turn, and I waved at his retreating form.
"You guys aren't subtle at all." I started mixing batter.
"Huh?" she asked, looking confused. She wore stylish, plastic framed glasses this morning, and looked cute in a pair of Care Bear pajamas.
"Stay away from him," I whispered.
"Oh, we weren't—"
"Not yet," I laughed. "You think he's charming and . . . Christ. Can you tell me what you see in him?" It was hilarious—and I wondered what the fuss was all about.
Alex hopped off the counter to stand next to me. "I love Mauro. I'm with Mauro . . . I mean, I do think Carlisle is," she sighed, smiling at the ceiling, "dreamy and wealthy, and so handsome he makes my stomach ache—" She covered her mouth with her hand. "No, I didn't mean—"
"See?" I snorted. "You don't know the half of it. Just . . . please. Heed my warning."
She frowned looking down and studying her feet. "He just seems so disconnected from it all. He isn't some knockaround guy. He has more to say than grunts and half-sentences, and he doesn't seem as, as caveman-ish?"
"Oh my God . . . what you don't know." I looked to her. "Carlisle is . . . has that ignorant style of thinking when it comes to women? Mauro will come up," I whispered. "He'll start . . . coming into his own. That's how it works."
She snorted. "When I was a kid, I never—I never thought I'd date a criminal."
I stopped to stare at her.
"At the end of the day . . ." She trailed off with a slight bob to her head.
I shrugged a shoulder. "If it bothers you, then," I paused for a second, "then walk away now." I wished I could tell her that Carlisle isn't as detached as she thinks. I could, maybe. After all, she is considered to be an insider, being Ronnie's daughter. Carlisle, like Ed. Sr, chooses not to have a crew, but they have their own guys—men who do their bidding, along with Edward's and Aro's.
"I don't know . . . I don't know what I want, but Dad is practically planning our wedding already." She widened her eyes. "I'm almost twenty-four, gotta get married, gotta start having babies. These are my prime child bearing years."
I shook my head.
"You were, like, my age when you got married, right?" she asked.
"Twenty-three . . . Can you grab the bacon out of the fridge?"
"Sure . . . Do you regret it? No, you guys are so happy." She started to help me with breakfast, which was nice. Unfortunately, the conversation went back to Carlisle. "Sometimes, he wears that smirk that makes me want to—" She groaned, flipping a pancake. "I hate me."
I laughed. "Although I don't agree with you, it's normal to find people attractive, I guess. Just because you're with someone doesn't mean you lose your eyesight."
"But Mauro is hot . . . beefy and sexy."
I smiled. "Are the muscle shirts a must?"
"I know, right?" she laughed. "I cringe at those . . . he likes to show off what he has." She frowned and then her lip quivered. "I'm a horrible person."
"Oh . . ." I threw a dishrag down to grasp her forearms. "Did, um, did you do something?"
She pointed to her temple as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Thinking about it and wanting it is the same." She sniffled.
"Honey." I soothed her, placing an arm around her. "You didn't do anything wrong. Okay? Just—just keep your distance. Keep away from the temptation."
"I should go home—"
"No," I disagreed, wanting her around for selfish reasons. "I mean—"
"That'll ensure distance." She wiped her eyes.
"Just relax, okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I just wish maybe Mauro was around more. Hanging with you is great, but he said we'd be able to spend the weekend together at the beach. I'm sorry. Don't tell—"
"I won't tell anyone anything. Trust me; what we talk about—our girl talk—has no bearing on Mauro's business with my husband," I whispered.
"Cool," she said.
The kids started coming down, one-by-one, and looking tired. They'd come in for juice before they'd park their asses in front of the television. My father in-law, Jackie, and Peto came down together, and they sat at the table drinking coffee. The babies sat next to each other, giggling and stealing cereal off the other's tray. It wasn't hectic. It was calm and nice, and I counted my blessings again.
"Guys!" I shouted. "Come and eat."
There was a stampede of tiny feet as they made their way into the kitchen. I laughed, watching them get settled.
"Um." Alex flanked my side. "I'm gonna go back to the hotel—get changed and whatnot."
"Do it here. You're just going to come back here."
She shook her head no.
"What's wrong?" I touched her cheek.
She gave me a small grin. "Nothing. I'll have Mauro drive me . . . Anton's awake."
"Why doesn't he come in? You guys can have breakfast—"
"Isabella," Ed Sr. kissed my hair, reaching for the coffee carafe again, "She'll be back."
I laughed at myself. "Of course, she will. See you later."
"Bye, guys!" Alex waved, hurriedly leaving out the front door.
Shaking my head, I sat down to eat with my family. Edward and Sonny came in, looking spent with wet t-shirts. They were quick to run up to the showers but were even faster to come back down. I had never seen my husband eat so quickly.
"Breathe." I squeezed his shoulder while I cleared off the table.
"The beach air . . . the sun. It was great." He chewed, grabbing for his coffee.
"Down by the rocks—there's a bunch of jellyfish," Sonny said.
"I bet." I smiled. "I have the list of school supplies . . . hopefully there's a Staples or OfficeMax by the mall . . . You're still coming with us, right?" I asked my son.
"No, thanks, Ma. I wanna check out the boardwalk with Dad and Dame." Sonny winked.
I stopped to stare at him.
"That's my woman—don't wink." Edward teased, nudging his shoulder.
Rolling my eyes, another giggle escaped. "Where's Damion?"
"Frick and Frack are outside feeding the seagulls with Anton." Edward looked to the back door. "They're going to make a mess."
"Eh . . . nothing a broom can't fix."
"Are you going to smile all weekend? It's kind of scary," Edward said.
Of course, I grinned turning to face him, leaning my hands on the sink. "Scary?"
"It is kind of weird." Sonny shrugged.
"Morning, family!"
My smile fell, whipping my head to Carlisle. "Thought you were sleeping?"
He grabbed a cold piece of toast. "Nah . . . sleep is overrated." He sat with his brother.
I nodded, throwing a dishrag into the sink before I left the kitchen.
/=/=/=/=/
Shopping with the kids wasn't as fun as I thought it'd be. Basically, Hanna and Lizzie stole my buddy, Alex, and dragged her into clothing stores, while Jackie followed along with my father in-law.
Katie, Aro, and Mauro stayed with me as I made my way through the office supply store. Katie was content to follow along—not interested in clothes or going to the boardwalk with the rest of them. The younger children, Sonny, and AJ, along with Edward, Carlisle, and Anton were so excited to play the games and ride the rides. I found Katie staying behind to be a little odd, especially since she's usually attached to my son's hip when the opportunity presents itself.
Nevertheless, shopping was peaceful but not fun because Kylie and Peto were pretty cranky. It was boring, yet productive, and I longed to sit on the beach again.
"Can you talk to your friend?" I asked Aro.
"Huh?" He looked tired but happy as he sipped his coffee. We sat on a bench, waiting for our counterparts.
"I don't know why it bothers me, or why I care—"
"Mauro's chick and Carlisle?" Aro whispered.
We both gave Mauro a brief glance. He was too busy watching the women walk by to pay us any attention.
"Why do you care?"
"Because everything—every woman who gets involved with him . . . He fucks them up," I said.
Aro shook his head. "Did you ever think that maybe . . . maybe he just attracts the crazies?" He twirled his finger by his temple.
"No," I disagreed. "Candace was normal and so was Esme before he destroyed her."
"MC," he kept his mouth open like he had more to say.
"Just tell me."
"Candace was a sweetheart. It was a total tragedy what happened, but that wasn't Carlisle's fault, and Es? She always had a few screws loose. No one who ever got involved with Carlisle didn't know what he was like." He shrugged. "He's my buddy, and although I'm not his biggest fan . . . I'm just telling you the truth. Not everything is as it seems."
I blew out a breath, pushing the carriage back and forth. Kylie was about to fall asleep, finally. "And Mauro's a nice guy."
"He is. He's a nice guy, who does his own thing . . . but nothing's happened yet, and it's really none of your business."
I gave him a look.
"I'm just saying. She's actually fair game until there's a ring on her finger. If something happens, let Carlisle and—" he jerked his head, "duke it out. Fuck 'em." He cradled a sleepy Peto close. "C said she was cute—that's all I've heard him say. I think . . . I think you're making a big thing out of nothing."
"Maybe." I leaned back, craning my neck to see if the rest were close.
"Can I get a pretzel?" Katie asked.
"I'll take her," Mauro offered.
Aro handed Katie a bill, and the two walked off.
"They're in love and so cute, and Carlisle's going to ruin it. I know it—feel it in my bones." I pouted.
"Mauro's coming up . . . he's paying his dues, but you women . . ." Aro shook his head.
"Us women, what?" I laughed.
"The glitz, the glamor . . . It makes a difference. Maybe she likes the idea of Carlisle."
"I don't understand," I said.
"Yeah, you do." He nodded. "He's got money, a career, he's settled and comfortable. That makes a difference. It's security, as most women like having things, and they like to be saved, too."
"Having security is nice, but—"
"It's not everything," he replied. "But it is important."
"He's got a goomah in the grave, a wife that . . . I don't even know what, and he's just gross." I cringed.
Aro laughed. "You know more than . . . someone just seeing him from an outside point of view."
"True," I admitted.
"But he has more moral dilemmas than I do—he's compassionate and shit. He's not a bad person."
"No, he's not." I hated to admit that one. "You met someone last night?"
Aro grinned. "Yeah . . . she was all right. Carlisle struck out . . . Believe it or not, he can be a picky fucker."
"You took her back to the hotel." I smiled, turning to face him. "Will you see her again? Do you like her?"
"MC, please. We met, we did what we did, and that's it."
"That's it?" I frowned.
"That's it." He drank his coffee. "She knew the deal—I didn't dis her. I'm single, back in the saddle, and I'm content to stay that way."
"Until you find your one true love."
He stared at me, wearing a blank face.
"It didn't work out with Lauren. She wasn't the one, which means your girl is still out there."
"Yeah . . . keep your fingers crossed." He chuckled. "There they go." He pointed to the rest of our group.
After we all got a quick bite to eat, we headed back to the house. I was surprised when the rest weren't at the boardwalk. They were on the beach playing around. When I didn't see Edward, I became alarmed, but it was because Sonny, Dame, Ant, and AJ were burying him in the sand. Like promised, everything was covered but his head. He wore sunglasses and looked very relaxed.
"Hey," I said.
"What's up?" He grinned.
"I put Kylie down again. She fell asleep for like ten minutes, but then she was up." I sat next to him, watching as Sonny poured water on him. "What are you doing?"
"Making it harder for him to escape—make the sand hard." My sons and their cousin were still busy piling the sand on him.
"Right." I looked to Edward, who had his lips puckered. I leaned down to peck them. "How was the boardwalk?"
"Decent—total money pit," he laughed.
"Did you put sunblock on Dame?" I asked, looking to Sonny. "Did you put some on?"
"Carlisle took care of Dame and Ant, and Sonny . . .?"
"I did it myself," he said.
"Cool." I looked out to the water.
"You okay?" Edward asked. "I'd hold your hand, but—"
"I'm okay . . . We don't have any worries, and I have to make them up." I shrugged. "Maybe I'm a drama queen." Or maybe I'm just so lonely, I need to make up issues to keep my mind occupied. I agreed with my silent thoughts.
"No," he said. "But what's going on?"
"I don't know." My eyes were still trained on the water. "I keep thinking about Esme," I whispered her name.
"Guys, get me a beer and a straw . . . first one back gets twenty bucks." That's all Edward had to say to get the boys to run away.
I laughed. "Where are they going to find a straw?"
"Exactly." He wiggled his brows. "What about her?" His lips drew a tight line.
I leaned back on my hands and looked around. Carlisle was sitting with Carli, Lizzie, and Hanna, and Alex was on the same chair she occupied yesterday. "At first, I thought I had a problem with Carlisle flirting—"
"He flirts with everyone."
"I know," I said. "Which is why I was warning her to stay away from him."
"Just don't get involved—"
"I know," I said again. "But, I realize that my problem isn't him or what he's doing, it's what I think he's doing to Esme. It's second nature, as I still see them as a couple."
"Where my brother puts his dick is of no concern—"
"I know it's not my business." I grumbled.
"Then why are you getting bent out of shape? Esme took off . . . she finally had enough and needed help. Carlisle suggested it, and she went away. Case closed."
I felt like a broken record. "I know what she did—"
"And you can't hold a grudge. That's fine—don't hold one." He scrunched his nose. "Scratch it."
I giggled, reaching over to rub his nose. "You said I had nothing to worry about."
"You don't." He was getting testy and broody, and I didn't like it. "What?" he asked.
"Nothing . . . just forget I said anything." I jumped back when sand went flying and Edward escaped.
"They can bury me again—it'll keep them busy." He huffed, sitting next to me. "I can see us getting into an argument, and I don't want that."
"Neither do I." I rushed out. "It's just . . . someone needs to call Esme. The girls need her, and I'll mind my business where Carlisle's love life is concerned, deal?" I put my hand out. "They need their mother and—"
"Whatever," he said, nudging my hand away without shaking it.
"Um, what aren't you telling me?"
He shook his head. "We can't have one weekend without—" Edward let out a growl and was fast to leave me where I sat.
Feeling like an asshole, I hung my head. Once again, I had to push, I had to go there, and I felt horrible.
"You know what my problem is?" Edward was back.
I looked up to him.
"We have our own issues, and instead of focusing on them or trying to make them better, you're too concerned with what others are doing—"
"Nice. That's coming from a man who didn't give fuck and didn't know what was going on in his own house—a mere two days ago." I stood up to stare at him. "There's truth to what you said," I added in a whisper. "I apologize for that—"
"And you always have to throw shit in my face. I'm spending time with the kids. I'm going to move my schedule around . . . something's wrong, I'm trying." He slumped his shoulders.
"And you're doing a great job." I grabbed his hand. "My mind wanders, and you asked me what was wrong. I was being truthful."
"We fight more because of other people," he said. "I don't want that."
"Me neither."
He gritted his teeth. "We talk about a lot of things . . . and some things . . . I don't think you should be privy to them anymore."
"What?" I asked.
"My business, Bella. What goes on with my guys—amongst the crews—it's not in your best interest to know. It's not vital, nor is it important, unless it concerns us—me. You're a part of my crew, my boss, but unless it directly concerns me . . ."
I nodded. "Fine . . . You barely tell me a thing anymore anyway." I folded my arms across my chest.
"I'm not saying this to be a dick—"
"I know that . . . but where did it come from?" I chuckled bitterly.
"Us fighting because of other people." He pulled me in for a hug. "You get way too involved."
"Besides the kids, hell, I don't converse with adults. I get stuck on things." I didn't want to cry, but I was on my way there. "I love them more than anything—"
"But it's not enough," Edward said softly. "I know, baby." He kissed my tears. "You need friends, you need to go back to school . . . We'll work on it, just like everything else . . . unless you've given more thought to the baby idea?"
My initial instinct was to push him away, but I didn't. "I haven't . . . I don't want another."
Edward didn't reply.
"How did we get from Esme to this?" I giggled.
"I still can't believe you could forgive her—"
"But you said—"
"I know what I said." Edward let me go. "But I thought about it . . . how sick is she that she'd try to take me out? She really pushed Aro for it."
My stomach tied in knots. "Let's—let's not talk about it anymore."
"Got it!" Damion waved a beer in the air, and he had a neon green, swirly straw sticking out of the bottle. "Hey!" Dame put his hand on his hip and turned around. "He escaped!" He yelled out to Sonny.
"Dad!"
"Uh-oh!" Edward pecked my cheek and took off. He ran down the beach, while the boys chased after him. Damion plopped the beer into the sand, and I picked it up.
Again, it's five o'clock somewhere, even if it's only three here.
Dragging my ass over to the beach chairs, I smiled at my new friend.
"You two looked cozy out there," she commented.
I snorted. "We almost fought about . . . stupid shit," I realized. "I don't know." I leaned back to get comfortable. "How was your morning, when you left?" We hadn't had the chance to talk since then.
She beamed. "For an hour, I got to screw Mauro's brains out—guess I felt bad. He was outside most of the night . . . and I was being a whore."
"You flirted a little—"
"No, I didn't, but I was a stuttering fool who was open to it. That's just as bad," she said.
"True." I turned to face her. "Just try to ignore him."
She laughed. "Have you seen the way he looks? That's easier said than done, but I don't like feeling guilty," she sighed. "He has baggage, too. The wife somewhere, three kids . . . I just think he's hot."
I nodded. "Baggage is a motherfucker."
"But he's so sweet." She seemed to still be having a war with herself. "I used to hang out outside my father's deli—I'd run right out whenever your husband and Carlisle came to do a pick-up or whatever . . . Time would stop when I saw him."
"Carlisle?" I asked.
"Easy, girl . . . yeah, him."
I laughed. "I'm sorry."
"And now he keeps talking to me. It's surreal, and so fucking cool—shit." She covered her face with her towel.
"How 'bout tonight," Carlisle appeared at my side, "I'll stick around, while you and Edward go out? Just the two of you. You'll go out and have fun."
I nodded. "Hope he goes for it."
"You two need a night out," he said. "Let your hair down. Aro and I will do something with the kids, and Kylie will be cool." He patted my hand and took off again.
"He's gone," I said.
"Did I look really stupid?" Her face was flushed again.
"No." I smiled. "If we go out, you and Mauro should totally come. It's Anton's turn."
"That sounds like fun." She sat up to swing her legs around. "Mauro was so worried about this weekend. It's a big deal. The Skip invites you somewhere, you go." She shrugged. "The whole ride down, I was lectured." She sipped her drink.
"Lectured?"
She swallowed, placing the cap on her bottle. "Make a good impression, don't be a bitch to you—like I would." She rolled her eyes. "I'm nice to everyone."
"It shows," I agreed.
"Well, depending on this weekend . . . a lot rides on it. Mauro's a made guy, but after this, he might be closer to your husband? He tries so hard to impress him. I don't know."
"Mauro's a good guy." I nodded. "I think he's doing fine."
"That's why I suck . . . flirting with Carlisle. I didn't know he'd be here. If I knew, I wouldn't have come—it's just weird. And by me doing that, it makes Mauro look bad, like, he—I don't know. It just sucks," she rambled.
"Don't worry about it." I chuckled. "So . . . you grew up around all of this?"
She nodded. "I know the mentality, but that doesn't mean I agree with it. Like yesterday, when we argued . . . I didn't mean to raise my voice to him around you guys—"
"It wasn't a big deal."
Her eyes widened. "It was to Mauro."
My face fell. "Everything was okay, though, right? You guys got along this morning."
"Yeah, I was just bitched out last night." She sat back again. "Maybe that's why I dug the attention."
"Maybe . . ." I pursed my lips, watching the boys literally attack Edward. My husband finally slowed down to be tackled by the kids. "I enjoy having you here. You seem like a very nice girl."
"Thanks . . . tell Mauro that."
"I will," I promised.
"Ladies," Aro greeted, coming to sit in the chair between us. "Peto is finally down. What's with them? One is cranky, so the other one has to be too?"
"Maybe they're soul mates?" I asked.
"They're two."
"Whatever." I closed my eyes to take in the sun.
"Mauro went back to the hotel," Aro told Alex. "He needed to make a few calls."
"Oh." She was surprised.
"He couldn't do it here?" I laughed.
"Not from his cell and not from this house." Aro started applying oil to his skin. "He needs to take a drive up north later too—I hope you guys didn't have plans."
"Um . . . I'll just go with him—" Alex started.
"Nope," Aro answered her.
"You can still come out with us, if we go," I said.
"I thought she was helping C watch the kids tonight?" Aro put his shades on. "That's what he said . . . before he sent Mauro on some wild goose chase," he whispered so only I could hear him.
"That piece of shit." I groaned.
"What happened?" Alex asked.
"Nothing—nothing at all." I grumbled.
"Let it go, MC. Skip had nothing to do with it either."
"Right." I watched Edward toss Sonny into the water. "Easy!" I shouted.
Edward waved me on. Then he grabbed Damion and ran into the water with him. My smile was conjured again—sitting in the sun with friends and watching my guys have a blast. It was time I let go of the petty things or else they'd destroy our perfect get-away.
Thank you for reading.
Okay, so this author has been in slacker-mode the past week. At this moment, there is no chapter 38. I have something in mind, as we have a few things to cover before we start to wrap things up. But, I've been tempted to write another chapter of them at the beach. I'd love to do an EPOV, add some more fun times . . . maybe a lemon :) Yet, more of them at the shore might seem drawn out.
OR, we can even have a new POV next chapter. What would you like to see and who would you like to hear from?
Please leave me your thoughts. Believe it or not, you guys - the readers - are a huge part of this story for me!
More beach fun or get back to business?
Lastly, to my "Instructions Not Included" fans, I will be donating a CC (Charles Carlisle) outtake, which follows the posted Alex outtake (most of the Cullens will make an appearance), to the Fandom Against Juvenile Diabetes charity. $5 gets you the entire compilation. Together, we can raise enough money for research and help find a cure!
Summary: Since his separation from Natalie, life hasn't been easy for CC. With three kids, an already hectic schedule due to his residency, and a meddling ex, can CC make it work with his new love interest, Bethany?
It's a working summary, but if you're interested in hearing from those Cullens again and receiving the works of a few bad-ass authors, please visit: FandomAgainstJuvenileDiabetes (dot) blogspot (dot) com