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"Riders on the Storm"

Chapter Fifty: Halfway

BELLA POV

A large part of me wished we'd gone to Hawaii.

At least then we wouldn't be so close and yet so far away from it all.

We'd be none the wiser, but we did know…

We knew a lot before we went away...before we left Brooklyn.

Edward was confident that they'd all be safe—that everything would work out. He knew things were heading to a breaking point, that decisions needed to be made.

While Edward had the solution, he wanted Sonny to come to his own. He wanted to see how Sonny would handle a situation like this.

I understood my husband. I even agreed with his reasoning, but that doesn't mean I like it—the whole situation.

It puts me on edge, and I have many horrible memories about how things have gone wrong in the past.

But I knew…

Just like Edward knew…

It was time for Sonny to sink or swim, and that's terrible—for me, for a mother—when all you've ever done was throw out lifesavers time after time.

If shit got hairy, we'd be back in Brooklyn within a few hours.

But Sonny couldn't actually step up to the plate if he knew we'd be there to save the day.

He needed to take care of business as if Edward weren't around.

Because…as much as I hate to think about it…

One day, we won't be around.

We—mainly Edward—needed to see how Sonny would fare without us. We needed to see him put his wife and siblings first, and then do what he had to do business-wise.

So far, he's made every decision that Edward would make.

The first thing he did was contact Damion. They're working together instead of against each other, which I knew would happen. Edward swore Damion would stay put, do whatever he could not to disrupt his way of life at school, with Jordan.

But I knew Damion would do whatever it'd take to make sure Kylie and Maggie were safe—for us, himself, and for his brother.

I hoped Jordan would have just left with him…

And despite the fact that she didn't…?

Damion still, he still put his life on hold to be there for Sonny—for us, his family.

I was proud of him.

Edward was proud of him, but there's still so much our middle child doesn't know—doesn't understand.

My husband was absolutely heartbroken when he got off the phone with Damion.

Because of his lack of faith, Damion's lack of trust in his father.

And maybe Edward didn't have enough faith Damion either, thinking he wouldn't help Sonny.

We had a lot of things on our minds, but we did our best to keep each other occupied. Edward and I haven't done much but each other—enjoy our bodies—having sex in every way and every place imaginable in this house.

We've been okay…in a hindsight type of way.

Meanwhile, we're both anxious and waiting for the phone to ring…

According to Edward, Sonny's a "slick motherfucker," a genius. Apparently, he devised a way to stop the war between New Jersey and Philadelphia without Philly's head, and without getting New York involved.

Edward said—had he made the call, had he been dissed by Philly—he would have had Luke's back, and they would have wiped Philly off the map. Then both families could split the spoils and expand.

However, there would be bloodshed.

If Edward had made the call, there's no telling how long Kylie, Damion, Maggie, and I—and everyone else—would have had to hide out.

Lives would have been in danger…

But, with the way Sonny handled it, none of that was going to happen.

He avoided war, avoided losing any soldiers, and it would all benefit them in the long-run—again, business-wise. It will also set a good example, make other families want to side with us.

Edward says that while Sonny's temper rivals his own, our eldest is a better businessman than Edward ever was.

My husband has always had a thirst for power—the need for more.

Sonny is still young in age, feels he has nothing to prove, and he's content with the way things are.

He made the right—the smartest—decision.

Even Edward can't deny that, no matter how differently he would have handled it.

This way, life will go back to normal in an instant.

And Sonny made it so Edward didn't go back on his word.

Pride is a horrible thing to swallow; it has a bitter taste, and Edward—no matter how much he didn't want to—was obligated to have New Jersey's back. It has little to do with Damion and Amelia. It has to do with the treaty that'd been made between them when Luke first came to power.

I'm not sure what will happen in the future.

We're not at war . . . at the moment.

But I don't know what Edward has up his sleeve, or what Sonny might be thinking otherwise.

There are many things that happen behind the scenes—shit that doesn't affect us but will still happen. All of that is confusing and hard to explain.

I think Edward plans to ice Luke…just because.

I think Sonny will have the Philly boss taken out.

There's always someone under the boss who's easier to work with.

Times and circumstances have changed.

Just like Sonny is a better fit to head the Cullen family in the future, there might be others who'd do the same in those other families—people Sonny could work with better.

A new generation…

My husband isn't stupid.

As much as I'd like to think he wants to take a step back to be a family man, be my husband, a grandfather—he knows that his time is coming to an end.

He wants to leave on a good note instead of a bad note, but he also doesn't want to be pushed out—taken out.

Edward always says that history repeats itself, so he's going by the book, making those elemental changes on his own terms.

It's genius.

But I don't think Edward plans to give it all up just yet.

He's still got some miles in him, that ache he tries so hard to ignore.

Truth be told, I'm scared.

I don't know what the future has in store, or how it might change Edward.

It's partly selfish, but I've been married to the Skip for too damn long.

It's the end of an era.

But nothing truly ever comes to an end…

Edward will still be involved. I know he will. He'll still have the fear and respect, the power, he's earned. He'll still be one of the wealthiest men in New York City. He'll still rub noses with politicians and master criminals…

He'll still be my husband, the father of my children, a future doting grandfather, and . . . the Skip.

He'll always be the Skip—the boy who didn't care about a thing, and then suddenly cared too much—my fatty.

The love of my life.

Feeling weepy and yet happy with that conclusion—I mean, nothing's going to change. It'll just be more of the same, which is all I've ever wanted—I sought Edward.

When I left the house, I hugged myself, surprised by the chill in the air. It was just beginning to get dark; the yard illuminated by a kerosene lantern while Edward chopped wood.

The sight made me giggle . . . fucking Edward chopping wood.

"Hey," I said.

He grunted, bringing the ax high to slam it down with a loud thwack! The wooden plank broke in two, falling to the ground. "What?" He had an attitude.

"I think…it might be time for us to go." I threw it out there to see if he'd bite.

It'd only been an hour since he'd spoken to Sonny—confirming the sit-down had concluded. And it'd been an entire day since Edward had spoken to Damion, which he's still pissed about, but there's nothing we can do about while we're here . . .

I knew my husband and Damion had to have another big talk…

I also knew it'd be easier for Edward to get Damion alone, get him to understand while he's away from school and before our middle child has a chance to stew and get broody.

Edward's already broody . . .

And I needed a Kylie hug like never before.

I needed a reassuring smooch on my forehead from Sonny.

I needed to gaze at my sweet boy with the biggest heart—Damion—who hides behind his snark.

I needed to see that damn ultrasound photo, too.

Edward huffed a breath, throwing the ax down. "Yeah…" he agreed without arguing. "Sonny's probably halfway there already—"

"You wanna go all the way out to the Hamptons?" I was surprised but elated at that, as I thought we'd simply wait for them to get home. I didn't even care that it'd probably take us at least eight hours to get there.

"Call that place. See if they got a room next to them." He shrugged, all sweaty and out of breath.

I shook my head of my nasty thoughts. "All right."

"Come here." He grabbed my hand. "I know you're worried—"

"I'm not." I was honest as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I trust you…I trust the decisions you make…Sometimes, I may not agree with them, but I have faith—so much faith…" I looked down, embarrassed by my tears.

"Good." Edward squashed me to him in one of those death-grip embraces that I revel in. "Because…sometimes I'm unsure, but everything I do—every move I make, it's all for the right reasons in my mind. I knew I wouldn't be able to back down—"

"You never have," I whispered. "That's who you are."

"But Sonny's smarter than me. He kept his head, his cool, and if I was there…" He chuckled. "I might not have held that sit-down."

"You would have…it just would have gone differently," I giggled. "I have faith in you. Why can't you have faith in you?" I asked.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I've done so much shit in my life. Looking back, all I know is I've been lucky. And that lucky streak, it all started when I met you—"

"Edward—" I was already crying, and I know how much he loves me.

"I couldn't have done any of it…without you." He had tears in his eyes. "I know you know this." He tightened his hold, if that was possible.

"Hey." I squirmed to grasp his cheeks. "I know it feels like the end, but…it's just the—well, it's not the beginning—but we're in the middle, and middles are long. It's where all the good stuff happens. It's where we experience the fluff, everyday things. But this isn't the end…even if it might feel like it."

He nodded. "You're right. I can only change so much." Edward rolled his eyes and started laughing while he let me go. "Maybe I'll run a crew again—"

I yanked on his arm. "Wait a few years; coach our grandchild's soccer team!" With getting to know Maggie and already knowing Sonny, if God blesses them with the opportunity, they'll have a league of children. And I also know that Kylie's had that baby itch ever since Maggie announced her pregnancy.

If Kylie and Peto get married young . . .

For years, all I wanted was for my baby girl to have the chance at anything her heart desired. A college education, a career, is what I've always yearned for her to achieve.

But whatever Kylie wants to do…she's going to do it.

As her mother, I only pray that she's happy with whatever she chooses.

Hey, she can do both, and I hope for the best.

At the moment, Damion isn't ready to start a family. He says he doesn't want children, but…

I have a feeling that within the next ten years, our children will make us grandparents a few times over, and I can't wait.

Edward started cracking up. "A soccer team?"

"That's the only crew I want you running."

He sighed, holding my shoulder and running his thumb across my bottom lip. "You got it…boss." He winked.

"Boss." I scoffed.

Edward turned toward the house. "Let's hit the road. You make that reservation." He pointed to me. "And I'll be dammed if we gotta wait 'til three to check-in. Do what you gotta do, so I don't crack a skull. We ain't hiding out no more!" He ranted as he walked.

And all I could do was smile as I watched his retreating form.

"Get in here!" He barked.

I jumped, glanced around myself—to the dense forest that surrounds us—and then I quickly ran to my husband.

He groaned as he gathered me in his arms. "I love you, Bebella." He pushed my hair away from my face. "This face—" he grasped my jaw "—this fucking nose." And then he bit it, nibbling it.

I giggled, falling in love all over again, like I do every day. "I'll go call—" I went to walk away.

He pulled me right back. "Where you think you're goin'?"

I opened my mouth but closed it just as fast.

"I changed my mind. Shower first. Then reservations." He lifted me from the ground and brought me into the bathroom.

I was swept off my feet, like I am so often by this man.

Even with the fast start, Edward took his time undressing me, placing kisses wherever he exposed skin.

All too soon—like every day—the world melted away.

We were just Skip and Bebella.

My breath hitched, my stomach trembling when his lips lingered by my belly button.

Edward smirked, staring up at me. "Remember fucking in here and trying to stay quiet while the house was filled to the max?"

I giggled, weaving my fingers into his hair.

"This place is too small." He stood up to kick his jeans off, and I helped with his boxers. "Oww—" I bit his ass. "Watch the teeth."

Laughing but not deterred, I pulled his undershirt up and over his head while Edward started the shower. The material was damp, and I held it to my nose, smiling after a hearty whiff—of Edward. It was enough…to make all my passion, all my love, if it wasn't already, pool in my stomach, making it knot. It had me feeling as if I'd explode with emotions.

So many things come from Edward's scent.

"I'm working on getting us a bigger place," he said.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Well…our kids have people in their lives now. God knows how many children Sonny and Maggie will have…" He winced. "Christ. Imagine if they have like ten kids?"

I smiled. "I wouldn't go that far."

"Either way, this place was always so small." He took my hand to help me into the tub.

The water was nice and hot as it hit my back. "Get in."

He followed instructions, placing his hands on my waist. "We ever have to hide out again…we'll have a spot for everybody. I bought one hundred and twenty acres in Northern Vermont, next to the Canadian border."

"A hundred and twenty acres?" I was shocked.

"Yeah…" He lathered himself up, quick to get under the spray. "It's actually by a reserve. They've already started construction. It'll have like seven bedrooms, multiple bathrooms…Carlisle's taking care of it."

"But…something so big—"

"The house will be in the middle of the land, which is already on this desolate, dirt road." He chuckled. "It's a summer home…The construction company thinks it's to be hush-hush for a celebrity…It's under an alias, and it's going to be perfect, although I hope we never have to use it."

I grinned. "Sounds nice."

"If a couple years roll by—" he pecked my lips "—and we don't use it, we'll take the fam up for a vacation. But I promise. We'll duck out as soon as it's finished to take our own little trip."

"Cool." I rose to my toes to get those lips again. "Fuck your wife."

"Oh!" He spat, smiling wide. "With pleasure."

Edward went in for the kill, gathering me in his arms and slamming me back against the tile. I hissed from the coldness but got over it quickly when he started placing kisses along my neck.

The feel of him, his touch…drove me absolutely insane, had me clawing at his back with anticipation.

"Edward—" I pulled his hair to gain access to his mouth, sticking my tongue down his throat to taste him.

That made him groan and hug me tighter, but then he stopped. "I love it…just you and me, getting to be us." He sounded choked up again as his nose rested to mine. "Don't get me wrong. I love our kids—"

"I know what you mean."

We've always been Edward and Bella, but we've also been parents, we've lived our lives in fear sometimes, we have our guards up to ward off possible threats . . .

We've never had the chance to . . . just be.

My lips touched his once more, and Edward put all that weepy shit on that back burner—his cock finding me fast.

He's such an animal, letting out these guttural groans, grunts, and moans—messing my hair, his kisses tender yet vigorous.

My hands trailed along his shoulders, my legs wrapped around his waist, and I held on for the ride.

Everything—everything Edward did felt fantastic.

Just the feel of him…him filling me.

All too soon, I stiffened, holding him tightly as I thrust my hips onto him with force. "Christ!" I screamed.

Edward wore a satisfied smirk—that crooked one. "Edward works just fine." He dropped to his knees, and I almost fell on my ass before he lifted my leg to place it on his shoulder.

"Oh…fuck." I pulled his face into my pussy while his tongue pleasured me. When he started sucking my clit, I almost pushed him away.

It felt too fucking good, and I wanted to push him down—down to the floor so I could ride him, fuck him with no abandon.

But I didn't.

Instead, I came around my husband's fingers, and then he tried to suck my arousal out of me.

Spent, totally fucking satisfied in all ways possible, Edward rose to his feet again. "Bend over the tub," he demanded.

Excited, with a newfound energy, I complied and I actually enjoyed the cool marble touching my tits.

"This ass—" He slapped it.

"Yours." I knew what he wanted to hear. He always loves to be reminded of that fact—that I belong to him—and it's not a lie.

I belong to Edward in every way, shape, and form possible.

And being his…

"Mine." He entered me again, going too far as I gasped out my pain. "Fucking mine!" Edward groaned out, grabbing a handful of my hair.

My eyes rolled as I bounced back against him just as roughly.

After about a minute, Edward slowed down. "I'm gonna—"

I wouldn't relent.

Wearing a victorious smile, I pushed and pushed so hard, not wanting to stop.

"Fuck!" He entered me and stilled, letting out a strangled cry. "Fuck me…"

I still had my back to him, but I tried not to giggle.

"Why you always do that?" he panted. "Gotta make me come, man."

Now I held back an eye-roll. "Man?"

"You know what you do to me..." Edward left me and helped me to stand again.

And I would never, never ever, admit that I dig that power—power in general—as much as he does.

For the few minutes when he's about to lose his shit, I am in total control.

"You're just—" Edward bit his lip and grabbed my ass.

I winced because it hurt.

"This ass…" And I'd never get tired of the Skip's worship. "I love that you're mine." And that's been the catch from the get-go—how Edward, how a playboy, someone who could have any woman they ever wanted—came to be my husband.

All he needed was me.

All he needed was to meet someone who would look past a mess of things, someone who could see his heart and how big it is.

In the beginning, having someone all his own was both the greatest and the scariest thing to Edward.

He'd never had someone before—someone that was his—and that was all he ever wanted.

A devoted woman, a woman's love.

And he wasn't going to let anyone or anything tear me away from him.

And it's still the same to this day.

Although you'd think he'd grasp the concept by now—that I'm not going anywhere.

But I love him. I love the way he wakes up each morning and stares at me, like we've just fallen in love recently.

He makes love to me as if we haven't fucked a million times and in a million different ways before.

To Edward, and to me as well, each day is a new day—a new beginning.

"I love being yours," I sighed.

"I know." He can be cocky, too.

/=/=/=/=/

The drive down to the city and then out to Long Island didn't seem as long as I'd thought. That could be because I was exhausted and passed out for about three hours. But Edward never bitched. My husband is too macho to pull over and ask me to drive.

We stopped just before we entered Manhattan to use the bathrooms and get more coffee.

And he offered me some coke, which made me flip my shit.

I know Edward doesn't have a problem and he has a healthy heart.

But after that shit with Sonny, I looked at my husband like he was stupid, crazy.

And when we started driving again, I tossed that bag out the window.

Now I knew why, or how, Edward was so awake.

I just hoped it'd wear off before we reached the kids.

Old habits die hard.

"Why are you still busting my balls about it?" he asked, and we weren't far from the hotel.

"Because—"

"Sonny had the problem. He no longer has a problem, and I had a ten-hour drive ahead of me." He was ranting.

Knowing better, I just rubbed his back. "I know." I decided to let it go.

"I'll never do it again," he whispered.

"Thank you," I said, putting my sunglasses on. "But that's what you always say."

"Just stop fucking nagging me!"

Knowing better, I didn't comment, although my reaction would have been to push him out of the car.

The sun was out, very strong for how early it was. The clock read 9:29 a.m., and I wondered if the kids were up yet.

The valet took our car while a bellboy went to grab our bags.

"I got it," Edward said, not letting the kid take our luggage.

"Thank you." I waved, entering the hotel with my husband.

He was all business as we approached the front desk—had gone on, after we'd checked-in, to say that our children were in Suite 203.

I didn't know what he was getting at, but the conversation turned heated.

"Sir—"

"I want the key. Don't make me ask again." Edward stared at the man but pushed a one-hundred dollar bill toward him.

"That's your son," the concierge said, not as if he was scared, not as if he was upset at all. His tone registered surprise.

"Yeah." Edward nodded. "Gimme the fucking key—"

"Edward!" I jumped to place my hand on his back. "Listen, we just had this long drive…We wanna surprise them," I explained. "I realize you have your policies." I produced another hundred from my purse.

He took it, gave us the damn key, and once we were in the elevator, I hopped up to slap the back of my husband's head. "There were people everywhere—"

"He was being a dick."

"I don't care!" I shouted. "This isn't Manhattan. Some…concierge doesn't know who you are." I was exhausted when I leaned back against the wall. "Why can't we just knock on the door anyway?"

Edward had his head down. "I don't know…"

"Do you think Dame would lock you out? Not let you in?" It was funny and slightly sad, as we walked off the elevator.

"He does everything he can to shut me out," he mumbled. "We will knock, but now that we have the key, if he decides to run away from me…hey." It made some sense. Edward always has his reasons, as much as I may need them spelled out for me.

"They're probably still asleep." I steered us toward our suite, which was next door. We lucked out—that this crazy-expensive hotel had vacancies all in close quarters. Sonny and Maggie had a regular room, number 205, and we had the suite between them and the others, 204.

When we entered the room, I dug the décor—all white with navy stripes, very ocean-like or whatever. There was a couch and an eating area with a small kitchen. There was a bedroom with a king-sized bed, and the deck that landed us right on the beach.

"Look at this place…" I was surprised as I opened the double-doors. "Edward, come look at this."

He was too busy gazing at his cell phone. "Yeah, it's the ocean." He didn't care.

I sucked my teeth before pushing him outside.

"It's nice," he admitted.

"Why are you in such a mood?" I asked.

"Mom…?" That sounded like Kylie. "Am I going crazy?"

I winced and stiffened.

Edward placed his finger to his lips.

"I could have sworn I just heard my mom," Kylie said. "Did you hear anything?"

"No," Peto said. "What do you want for breakfast? I'm hungry."

"Me too!" Edward nearly shouted.

"What the fuck?!" Peto hollered.

Edward and I started cracking up as we left the deck. There was a privacy partition between our suite and theirs. But after taking a few steps, we saw the kids. They sat at the table with the room service menu.

"Mom!" Kylie cried, and she jumped at me.

I got my Kylie hug, and I squeezed her. "Hey, baby girl."

"Mommy…" Her lip quivered.

"Oh..." My kiss lingered on her forehead. "Don't cry."

"I got my period, and it sucks…being here with it."

I smiled while I rubbed her back, looking over to Edward.

"Dad!" It was his turn to get a Kylie hug, which calmed him. The tension visibly and magically left his shoulders in an instant. "How was your trip?" she asked.

I leaned over to embrace Peto. "How are you?" I asked.

"I'm great." He smiled.

I nodded, waiting for Edward to answer Kylie. "It was good—"

"You're back so early," she commented. "Is something wrong? I mean, Sonny's here. Damion said he came last night."

"Everything's perfect," Edward assured her. "We just wanted to—we missed you guys."

"I missed you guys, too." She hung on to Edward as if her life depended on it, and I knew all too well what that felt like. "Did you get me anything?" And Kylie went back to being our Kylie.

"No—"

"What do you mean, no?" she shouted at her father.

"Look, you're on your own vacation," he laughed. "We brought you a piece of Hawaii…" He was at a loss for words.

"But Sonny picked this place, sort of…" Kylie was trying to find the logic.

"We were just about to order breakfast," Peto said.

I would have loved to join them, but I wanted Edward to get some rest first.

"Mom…?" Damion hollered. "What are you doing here?" He rapidly came outside. "What—"

"We missed you guys." I was nervous, wondering how he'd react.

"Right." He rolled his eyes.

Once again, I didn't comment, and that's when I saw Jordan.

Honestly, when we were told she didn't leave with him, I had no ill thoughts. I know what I would have done—what I have done. Whenever Edward said we needed to hide out, I…most times I never had the choice, so I really couldn't place myself in Jordan's shoes. But the fact that she is here speaks volumes, and I hope she loves my son as much as he loves her.

"Oh, yeah…Jordan's here." Kylie didn't sound too happy about that.

I pushed her hair away from her eyes. "Be nice." I gritted out in a whisper.

"Yeah." Kylie stuck her tongue out.

I pinched her arm.

"Oww." She rubbed it.

"You're here. That's great." Dame nodded. "We'll…pack up. See if we can catch a bus back to the city."

"Damion—" I started, but I didn't know what to say. True, it's Sunday, and I know they have shifts at the hospital tomorrow, and I know any threat had possibly been detained.

"Let him go," Edward whispered.

No matter how correct Edward was in his assessment—that we have to let him go, meaning make his own decisions, and come to terms with it—it still broke my heart.

"Well, we had a long drive." I could try to stall them. "We should relax a bit." My eyes zeroed in on Jordan, because if I couldn't reach Damion in front of all these people, then I was going to guilt his girlfriend. "I hope we can have lunch together." And I gave her a tight hug, which I knew surprised her.

"That—that sounds nice, Mrs. Cullen." Jordan smiled.

"Good." I nodded, sighing. "And, please, call me Bella."

Her eyes widened. "I'm sorry—"

"Nothing to be sorry about, sweet girl." I kissed her cheek and wiped my lipstick away, which made her giggle. "Sorry about that." My eyes travelled to the rest of the bunch. "We'll have a big lunch on the beach, and then we'll get you guys back to school."

Damion's stare was blank, his face kind of stoic, which meant he was pissed.

I ignored that face. "We'll let you guys get back to breakfast." I grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him toward our room.

Once inside, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Edward did a nosedive for the bed, and I giggled as I joined him. "It'll be okay," I told him. "You'll relax, we'll have lunch, and then…you can have a talk with Damion."

He grimaced, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head. "I don't think I want to. Maybe I should just let it go—eat it. But haven't I proved myself enough? Ever since he was young, I'd make sure I was home before bed time...often enough. Then I'd check the closet for monsters…I'd…And after the year we've had? With him acting out? I did everything—fucking Sonny, too—we did everything we could for that kid." He turned over on his side. "What made his life so horrible…that he hates us? Is it seriously what Lauren did?" He groaned, and I winced at the mention of her name. It stung a bit. "There are quite a few things I'll never forgive myself for…that's one of them."

I hated to agree with Edward, but I also didn't know what to say that'd make him feel better.

"Maybe Sonny—"

"Damion is my son." Edward pointed to himself. "We never—we hardly punished him, I never hit him…He never wanted for a damn thing. No life is perfect, and he's acting like a fucking brat!"

I sighed, because I honestly felt as though we'd been punished enough.

And it's a horrible feeling…

Thinking that someone you love so much could possibly hate you.

"We should never give up trying to be closer to him, but . . ." I whispered. "I love him. I'll never stop loving him or being there for him. But maybe his distancing himself . . . it's just who he is because...he doesn't want to be…like you, Edward. You've said so yourself; he's just like you in many ways, and it'd be so easy for him to take that plunge."

It was hard to get those words out. "And I know you see it as a curse, him not wanting to embrace what you think he's meant for…but I want to see it as a blessing." I tried to shield the blubbering mess that's my face. "He wants his own life, one that has nothing to do with the family business, crime, fucking Bay Ridge. He wants something different, and that's—" I stopped talking when I saw Edward's face.

My husband was livid. "Stop crying. I hate most of all that he gets you upset—"

I had to hide my feelings because I didn't want Edward to be mean to Damion. "He wants something different. All we can do is support him. All we can hope is that…he lets us in, lets us tag along for the ride, and that he's happy." I shrugged.

"I've been doing everything I can to make sure his dreams come true—trying to keep him uninvolved. The kid wanted to be a doctor, we sent him to medical school. Hell, back in the day, when he wanted to be a candlestick, and you made him the fucking costume. We've been nothing but supportive…Maybe the kid just hates us? I don't know what to do anymore, Bella." His heart was breaking, too.

I hummed through gritted teeth as I tried my hardest not to cry. "Let's get some rest." I settled down in my Edward-nook, inhaling his scent.

"Don't worry." He squeezed me.

"Try to get some sleep." I yawned.

He snorted. "As much yak as I . . . yeah, I'll try." He was placating me.

"Just…" I had no fight left in me at that point, and I closed my eyes.

But not ten minutes later, Edward and I were startled by a bang on the wall. We sat up to stare at it and then settle down.

"Sonny's headboard." Edward smiled. "Get. It. Baby. Boy!" He banged his fist on the wall.

"Edward!" I slapped his back.

But my husband was suddenly lighthearted, kept hooting, hollering, and banging on that fucking wall.

"That's what I'm talking about—the love." Edward nodded. "Get it!"

I smacked my forehead; Edward was obviously still high, amped up and hyper.

"I'm sorry." He settled down. "You sleep." He rubbed my back.

"Like I can sleep." I was sarcastic, still being serenaded by a headboard. "Maybe you should go for a jog?" That'd burn some of his energy.

"Eh..." He turned on the TV.


The end is nigh . . .

Thank you for reading.

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