Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I'm just using the names she created for her wonderful story.
As always, a special thanks to X-NessieCullen-X for all that you do for me :)
Chapter 51
Nightmares and Betrayals
"Are we still going to Chicago?"
Edward glanced at Lanie and ran one hand through his hair while keeping the other on the steering wheel. "Uh, I think. The baby was a bit of a surprise. Other things have kind of been pushed aside. I'm not sure when we'll be going, though."
"Did you get a picture of the baby yet?"
"No," Edward chuckled. "She's not far enough yet but we're going back in a few weeks. Trust me, you would have been the first one to see it. We kind of just wanted to meet with the doctor and make sure everything looked okay. Bella's been rather sick but they said it's pretty normal. I don't know if she'll be wanting to go for dinner."
"Are you upset because you had to leave the apartment?"
"No. What do you mean?"
"Well, you're with Bella all the time, even before she was pregnant."
"Lanie, are you upset with me?"
"What happened the other night when you came home? That night after your appointment. You wouldn't talk to me at dinner."
"Woah, hey. That wasn't about you. I was just having a bad day and..."
"I hate when you don't talk to me. I'm scared you're going to go away."
Suddenly overcome with emotion, Edward pulled over as soon as he found a spot to park. "Alana, look at me. I'm not going anywhere. I'm getting married but Bella's moving in with us."
"And so is a new baby."
"I thought that was okay with you. Why didn't you tell me you didn't want this?"
"I don't have a choice."
"Honestly? No, you don't. That baby is going to be your niece or nephew. You've been making comments about wanting me and Bella to marry and you wanted us to have kids."
"Are you mad at me?"
"No," he said, exasperated, "but I don't understand where all of this is coming from."
"You're with Bella a lot."
"Yeah, for the past two years. This isn't something that's new. You never had an issue with it before. The two of us have dinner together whether Bella's there or not almost every night. We watch Glee together and Bella's usually at her house by then. We have a snack together before bed. About once a month we go to dinner by ourselves and we get lunch together a lot over the weekends. I look forward to that stuff. I like spending time with you. If you haven't noticed, besides this past week with you grounded, you're rarely home. There have been a ton of nights when I wanted you to come out to dinner with Bella and I both or to even go hang out with everyone at Uncle Jazz's or Uncle Em's."
"I know."
"Do you think this has a lot to do with you being grounded? Makes you realize what you're missing out on at home, huh?"
"Yeah. I guess so. Just don't leave me behind, alright? I'm not old enough to move out," Lanie half teased but Edward could tell she was a little scared.
"Lanie, you're thirteen years old. I expect you to be living with me for at least another five years. I need you to stay with me for as long as possible because I'd miss you like hell if you didn't. We're different, Lanie. I'm not your dad but I'm your brother and that makes me more of a friend. In a few years, I expect you to be there for me as much as I'm there for you.
"Don't think for ten seconds that when this baby comes you'll be forgotten about. Sure, there will be times when that baby is going to need my attention and you'll have to be patient but it will never replace you. I'm not your dad. I get it. It's still like I sometimes am, though, and families do this all the time. They have new members added to their family. If regular dad's can handle it, I can too. I'm not leaving your life that easily."
"I'm happy, Edward. I remember when it was just us and after I'd go to bed you'd sit out on the fire escape and not come back in for a really long time."
"You were supposed to be sleeping," Edward pointed out.
"Well, sometimes I couldn't but I didn't want to bother you..."
"Why couldn't you sleep?"
"I, um, it's stupid. I have nightmares sometimes."
"Nightmares?" Edward asked curiously.
"I just have these weird ones once in a while," Lanie replied, waving like they didn't matter. It was obvious to him that there was something more to it but she didn't want to talk about it.
"You know you can tell me," he prompted, his stomach twisting almost painfully. He knew Lanie. He'd always been able to tell when something was bothering her and her expression spoke volumes. Whatever she was dreaming about was truly bothering her.
"They just suck. It's like memories or something..."
"Memories?" Edward's knuckles were now white as he clutched the wheel, even though the car was in park.
She was silent for a moment before shaking her head. "We better go or we'll miss the movie."
"Alana," Edward began, trying to figure out a way to get her to talk to him about what was upsetting her, "you can tell me anything. I want to be able to help you."
"I don't need help. Come on. Let's go."
As calmly as he could, Edward pulled back into the hustle and bustle of the city. Still, for the next two hours, he knew he wouldn't be paying any damn attention to the movie. What Lanie had admitted to him tonight could very well be the start of finding his worst nightmare to be true. If his father had hurt his baby sister, he didn't know how the hell he would handle it. For the first time in his life, he wished his father were still alive. Edward would have made sure the man got what he deserved.
Edward could tell that Bella knew something was bothering him when she met them for dinner later that night. Lanie seemed to have noticed, too, and he had a feeling she knew it had to do with their discussion on the way to the theater. Trying his best to stay calm and put a smile on his face for their sake, they went through dinner happily but it still bothered him for days afterward as they went about their normal routine and began to pack up the apartment for their big move.
Edward was glad they'd gotten some of it done as the next weekend, they met with the real estate agent and then headed to the bank. Things went fairly smooth from there and it was only a matter of days before they'd get the call to let them know the deal had closed. For the first time in a long time, Bella was even feeling up to going out and celebrating.
Alana had stayed with Rosalie and Emmett most of the day, since she was still grounded and not able to go to Sarah's like she normally would on a Saturday. She's been excited to go, though, loving the opportunity to play with Jackson. By the time all the paperwork was signed, Edward picked up a couple pizzas to take over to his friends' to thank them for the help. It had been a while since he'd really gotten to see either one of them and Bella seemed antsy for some time with her long lost best friend.
While Jasper and Alice had their own issues, Edward was wondering what kept Rosalie from contacting Bella constantly. Surely, with Bella's trip to the hospital, they should have heard from her within the past week or so. Instead, it was like they were living in another country and he knew that Bella was slightly hurt by that.
The McCarty's home was quiet when the two of them were invited in by Emmett, who seemed like his normal self. When Rosalie joined them, though, Edward immediately looked to Bella. Her friend didn't look like herself and he knew Bella had picked up on it. "I brought some pizza. Mind if we have a late lunch-or early supper together?"
"No. Come on in, man," Emmett smiled, laughing as Lanie followed a crawling Jackson into the entryway. "Jacks, you know you can walk, silly boy."
While Bella picked Jacks up and kissed his cheek, he watched the three girls retreat back towards the kitchen. "What's going on, man? Rose okay?"
"Yeah. She's fine. Jackson's been keeping her up a lot lately. Come on, let's go out to the garage. I want to show you the new exhaust I put on the truck," he smirked, acting like a little kid at Christmas.
It was pretty impressive but it wasn't like Edward really knew anything about it. Enhancing his piece of shit car wasn't ever a big desire for him but it sounded pretty cool when Emmett cranked the thing. "So, you hear about Ally?"
"Yeah, man. Sucks. You heard what Jazz told us about this happening before. Rose made up a lasagna and sent it over."
"I haven't figured out how to tell Lanie yet. I don't want her to get freaked out over..." Edward let his voice trail off. If Emmett knew about Bella being pregnant, he was sure Rosalie would know, too. All he needed was for Bella to get upset with him for telling her best friend's husband.
"Why would she be freaked out? We're all a little sad but..."
"It's nothing. Just a lot of death lately with Tanya and all."
"Yeah," Emmett replied distantly, rubbing the back of his neck and suddenly becoming interested in the floor. "What do you say we go out tonight? You know, get a few drinks or whatever."
"I can't. Bella and I are thinking about going over to the mall with Lanie or something. Lanie's grounded Bella's finally over a flu she had and, except for dinner last night, she hasn't been getting out much."
Forgetting about real life and beginning to discuss dream cars, the guys were just about to head back inside when a car pulled up. "That's odd," Emmett commented, heading towards Alice's car, which the Whitlock's were stepping out of.
"Hey, Em, Edward. We wanted to stop and return the baking pan you guys left for us. Al and I were heading out to grab a bite to eat."'
Edward took in the fact that Alice looked even better than Rosalie did as far as normal appearances go but he couldn't help but frown. "I haven't told Lanie what happened yet. About..."
"The baby," Alice relented, finishing for him.
He winced, "I fucked that up, didn't I?"
Alice just shook her head and pulled him in for a hug. "No. Come on. Why don't you let Bella and I talk to her about it."
"Well, um," he tried to figure out a way to tell her that Lanie might draw a parallel to Bella but decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Come on, everyone's in the house. Eddie brought over pizza. Want to hang out here instead?"
Jasper looked a little nervous when glancing over at Alice, who just smiled and nodded her head like a champ. "I'd like that."
With Jasper a little more relaxed, they headed for the house and found everyone else in the living room. Of course, they walked in right as Rosalie was asking Bella how far along she was. Well, there goes that secret. Beside him, Alice froze but only for a second. When Edward cleared his throat, Bella's head whipped around so quick that Edward was worried she'd given herself whip lash. "Al."
"It's okay, Bells. I figured it was only a matter of time before either Rosalie got pregnant again or even you did," she smiled. "I just thought you were supposed to be making it down the aisle first."
Oblivious to the awkward feeling in the room, Lanie just put in, "That's what I said!"
Digging into the pizza, it quickly became known that the guys were kind of lingering together and the girls were in their own little bubble as well. Eventually, Edward found himself finishing a game of poker with the Emmett and Jasper while the girls were settled in the living room watching a movie. He missed nights like this and was surprised that it was going on nine o'clock when Rosalie came in to throw together some munchies.
"Bella doing okay?" Edward asked.
"Yeah. She seems fine. Why?"
"No reason. Poor girl's just been spending more time sick than she's gotten the chance to be happy about the news."
"Well, she seems alright."
"So, um, if you guys are up for it," Emmett began, "what do you say we go out for a few drinks? We can shoot some pool or something."
"I don't know." Edward and Jasper both looked at each other and laughed as they both blurted out the same response.
"Listen to you two!" Rosalie laughed, smiling for the first time Edward had seen all day. "You guys should go. A girl's night is long past due, anyway. I'll go smooth it over with the ladies."
"I guess I could use some time out," Jasper shrugged. "I'll go talk to Ally about it, though. I'm nervous about leaving when she's been so upset."
"Well, I can definitely handle Bella," Rosalie smirked, winking at Edward.
"Go ahead. If Lanie and Bella are okay with it, I wouldn't mind shooting some pool."
"Do those ladies over there realize we're wearing rings?" Jasper asked in amusement, doing his best to ignore the bachelorette group three tables away from the pool tables.
Emmett shifted his stick from one hand to the other. "One of us isn't wearing one."
"Sorry, guys," Edward smirked, taking a shot at the eight ball after calling the pocket. When it missed by a long shot, he cursed under his breath. "I can't help that I'm irresistible."
Emmett went to take his shot and rolled his eyes. "Please, Bella's got you wrapped around her little finger. She always has."
"True fucking story," Edward replied, a smile on his face.
"Bet it's worse now that you knocked her up," Jasper teased.
"Alright, enough with the cheap shots. What's been up with you two? Rose seems to be acting a bit weird."
When Edward missed the eight ball yet again, Emmett shook his head. "Talk about cheap shots, Cullen. You do realize the point is to pocket the ball in the pocket you're calling, not avoid..."
"Shut it," Edward shot back as Emmett finished off the game and turned to Jazz.
"You're up. Winner doesn't have to rack."
"Anyone want a beer?" Edward asked, grabbing his empty water bottle. Both guys held up half-full glass bottles and shook their heads. Winding his way up to the bar, he couldn't help but sit on an empty stool and pull out his phone. Shooting Bella a quick text to tell her he loved her, he flagged down the bartender and ordered another bottle of H2O. He felt lame but didn't think drinking anything stronger was the best idea. Itching for a cigarette, he tried to remind himself that he didn't do that anymore either. He was so caught up in his own head that it startled him a little when someone elbowed him to get his attention.
James Denali, who was now sitting right beside him, nodded a hello. "How've you been?"
"Good. You?"
"Hanging in. Those guys friends of yours?" he asked, gesturing towards Jasper and Emmett...who were currently deep in concentration over the new game.
"Yeah, why?"
"The big one looks familiar, that's all," Jimmy shrugged but Edward had a strange feeling creep up his spine.
"Em? I'm sure you've seen me out with them before. The blonde's name is Jasper. They're like brothers to me."
"Em as in Emmett?"
"Yeah. What's this about?" Edward finally gave in, cutting to the chase.
"His name came up in Tanya's phone a few times."
Edward recalled the morning he'd walked in on the two of them due to a call from Jasper. "Yeah, um, they hooked up once."
"No. I've read parts of her journal..."
"Jimmy, look, we're not in sixth grade. I don't want to hear about this. Whatever fantasy she had..."
"I don't think they were hooking up but his name was beside a phone number that was circled on the front cover. I know the two other guys on that list. Pieces of shit, the both of them. Can't believe they haven't OD'd yet."
"What the fuck are you talking about, man?" Edward didn't want to even think of the possibility that... He used to deal. He's done with that shit, though. We're all done with those parts of our lives.
"How well did you say you know him?"
"Like a brother, Jimmy," Edward bit out. "I'd be careful what you accuse him of. He's got a wife and a kid so if they were hooking up, that's shitty as it is. Tread carefully if you're planning to tell me that he was dealing to her. You better have some serious shit to back that up."
"You're right. What's done is done. It was nice seeing you again, though. I was just on my way out."
"Wait, I'm not trying to be a dick here..."
"Neither am I. I have to go. See you around."
Sitting on the stool, a new water in hand, Edward looked to his friends and studied Emmett. There was definitely something going on between Emmett and Rosalie but cheating and drugs? Still, it wasn't like Emmett's record was spotless when it came to shit like that. Suddenly, though, he thought of Tanya's condition the morning he'd busted in on them in bed. She'd been high as a fucking kite. While the accusations were wild, it might explain a few things and that really pissed Edward off. If not for what Emmett had a hand in doing to Tanya but for the fact that he had trusted Em with his little sister.
He couldn't stop the hostile stare that seemed to be plastered now to his face as he walked back over to the guys. "Em, I need you to step out back with me."
"What? Why?"
"I just had an interesting conversation with Tanya's brother. I thought you'd want to hear it."
Edward's stomach sank when that got Emmett's attention. "Jazz, we'll be right..."
"No. Jasper should hear this, too."
The second they stepped into the back alley of the bar, Edward turned to face Emmett and tried his hardest to reign in the angry feelings he felt. Reiner had warned anger was a part of grieving and, even if he loved Bella more than his own life, he'd admit that he was grieving for his dead friend. "You got something to own up to, man?"
"I don't know what you're talking..."
Deciding to take the easier road first, Edward crossed his arms and asked, "Were you bedding Tanya behind Rose's back more than just that once?"
"Seriously? God damn, Eddie, what are we? Girls? No. I didn't fuck your bed buddy more than that one time. It was a lapse in judgment. What the fuck do you care anyway? I'm sure Bella would love to know you're so worried about it."
"How did you really get her number? Why did you have it?"
"This is ridiculous!"
"Answer the damn question if you don't have anything to hide."
"When you two were together or whatever the hell you want to call it, I invited her over for things. You know that. Seriously, man, you two might as well have been dating up until Bella came along."
"What's going on?" Jasper asked, looking back and forth at the two of them. He was ignored.
"Did you sell her the fucking drugs?"
"Oh my, God," Jasper groaned, leaning back against the brick wall.
Emmett just looked away for a second. "I only sold to her a handful of times..."
"Goddammit! Em, you could have been the one that fucking killed her! After all that shit you gave me about getting my life back together, you're the one dealing drugs again?"
"Look, we needed the cash and..."
Edward lost it then, pinning Emmett, who was easily double Edward's weight, to the brick wall by Jasper. "I trusted you with Lanie...and Bella..."
Jasper pulled Edward off Emmett while Emmett retorted. "Look, I never expected Tanya to get hurt..."
"Well, it happened. She's dead! You must be a fucking idiot if you thought you wouldn't end up hurting her with that shit. You know first hand about her stints in rehab. Fucking Christ, Emmett, I nearly lost Bella over giving Tanya some of the support no one else was really able to give. All this time, you were the reason for it."
"Eddie, come on," Jasper put in calmly. "Tanya was an addict. Saying Emmett messed up doesn't even begin to cover it but he didn't shove them down her throat."
"Oh, no. Of course he didn't actually inject the shit into her veins but he made it readily available to her. Didn't you, Em?" Edward bit out, stepping toward the big guy again.
Jasper grabbed his arm but this time asked, in a disgusted voice, "Were you the reason she was high that morning you two were together at my place?"
A sick, feeling hit Edward. "Holy shit, man. What the fuck did you do? Exchange drugs for sex? You son of a..."
"Edward, listen, it wasn't..." Emmett looked like he wanted to cry and Edward couldn't bring himself to feel bad.
"It wasn't what? You didn't use her body to pay for the drugs? Because, please, for the love of God, tell me that wasn't what happened! Tell me!"
Edward knew he must have looked pissed because Jasper pulled him back towards the bar. "Come on. Walk away, man."
Betrayal deeper than anything he'd felt pulsed through his body to the point that Edward could barely breathe. His parents had always been shitty, he never had trusted them, but this was different. This was a friend that Edward had trusted with not only his life but the life of his sister and his fiance. He'd once told Tanya that what her father had done was completely wrong and sick. He had no idea that he needed to warn her against one of his best friends. "That was rape, Emmett!"
"Edward, just listen to me," Emmett was saying but Edward took another step closer to Emmett, his fists clenched. "The sex was completely consen..."
"Edward, please, think about Bella. Don't do this..."
Jasper knew that Bella's name was about the only thing that would soften Edward in that moment and it worked. Barely. Taking two steps backward, Edward shook his head and tried to catch his breath. He could not go to jail tonight...or any other night and that was sure as shit what would happen if he stayed in that alley. Lanie could still be taken from him and Bella... He just couldn't leave her when she was pregnant and sick. Without another word to either of the two men, he turned around and went back into the bar.
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