A/N - Happy Sunday! I know I said I was going to take Sunday's off, but I'm thinking Friday might make more sense for me! So...just stick with me while I try to figure this out! I really appreciate how awesome you all are! Thanks. And enjoy another trip into Edward's sweet mind.
Chapter 50 – Easy To Adore
EPOV
"They're watching the cake bake in the oven," I told my mom and then laughed. "They're sitting on a blanket on the kitchen floor, licking the batter out of the bowl. It's cute, actually."
"I'm glad they're having a good time," she said. She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. "Bella is such a sweet girl. I love that she suggested this sleepover for Alice, tonight. Especially with Em and Rose getting the apartment, today."
I rubbed my mom's back. "She's perfect."
"I'm so proud of you, Edward. You've grown up into such a wonderful man."
"I have a great mom."
She smiled up at my face, but didn't let me go. "You think he's going to be okay?"
"Who? Em?"
"Yes."
"Oh, yeah. He's such a great kid. I love him so damn much. He follows his heart, but he has a good head on his shoulders. And he loves Rose."
"He's so young, though."
"Yeah."
"Every morning when he comes down for breakfast, I keep waiting for him to tell me that Rose is pregnant."
I smiled. "Before the year's out," I said. "I have a gut feeling he's going to make you into a grammy."
My mom laughed. "To be honest, I'd love it. But, I want him to be happy, Edward."
"He is, mom. And it's almost been a year since the last time they thought she was pregnant. He still wants a baby. He's mature, mom. I think he can handle it."
"I think so, too."
I leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "Bella kind of lost it, yesterday."
"My sweet girl. What happened?"
"A baby store. We bought some stuff for Fin, more stuff, and Bella got upset."
"Still, huh?"
I laughed, because I felt my own chin tremble, and if I didn't laugh, I'd start crying. "I hate when she's so sad over this. I can't fix this for her, mom. It makes me feel so damn helpless when she cries. It makes me cry and then I feel useless."
My mom took my hand and led me to the couch. "You two had a rough go of things, last year, honey. Thankfully, the last six months have been wonderful, but what you both had to deal with in December, that really changed you both."
"In a bad way?"
"No, sweetie. But, I think you both grew up, a lot."
"Yeah. You should have seen her on Orcas Island, though, mom. On the beach. She was laughing and running and so carefree. It was so beautiful and I didn't want to leave. She was so relaxed and happy." I wiped a stray tear from my cheek. "I just want that for her all the time."
"She is happy, Edward."
"I know."
My mom patted my leg. "The wedding, honey. They can cause a lot of stress. It's a big milestone in a person's life."
I dropped my head back on the couch. "I know." I sighed. "I just love her so much, it hurts sometimes."
"Good."
I laughed. "Good."
"Just think. In three and a half weeks, you'll be on the beach in Hawaii."
"I'm actually going to miss you guys," I admitted. "Not that that's cool to say, or whatever."
My mom smiled at me and patted my chest. "We always miss you when you're not home, honey. But, it makes us happy that you're sticking around."
"Ah, we wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. "It's Bella." I laughed as I read the text. 'Alice wants to know how long it takes to pick up a sleeping bag and her Barbie tote box. But, no hurry if you're hanging out with your mom and dad. I love you so much, Mr. Cullen. And to prove it, I'll even braid your hair when you get home.'
"I'm so glad you found such a pure, sweet soul to spend your life with, Edward. I just adore her."
I smiled. "She's easy to adore, huh?"
"Oh, yes. Alice thinks she's the coolest person alive."
"I think so, too."
I heard the front door open and I looked over my shoulder at my dad. "Hey."
"Oh, hi, son." He was holding a bag of what I presumed to be a fancy dinner for two. "Are you staying?"
"No," I said, standing up. "I just came to get some of Alice's stuff for her sleepover. You can have your beautiful wife to yourself."
My dad laughed. "Thank you."
I gave my mom a tight hug and kissed her cheek. "I love you. Thanks for the talk."
"Anytime, my sweet boy. I'm always here for you. Both of you."
I nodded and then laughed when my dad gave me a hug, too. "You looked like you needed it," he said.
I smiled. "Thanks. I'm good, though. I actually have two beautiful girls back home to keep me company."
My dad laughed. "You're a lucky man, Edward."
"I know. Really." I picked up Alice's little duffle bag that mom had packed for her, her sleeping bag and her dolls. "And I'll keep the boys over at our place as long as I can so you can enjoy your date."
"I love that you're old enough to appreciate how great that offer is," my dad said, smiling.
I laughed with him. "Yeah, yeah. I don't need to know. I love you guys. I'll see you tomorrow when I return the princess."
"Good night, son."
"I love you, sweetie."
I smiled all the way home. I was lucky to have parents as great as mine. A fiancée. And brothers. And a sister. And a cat that was huge but Bella insisted was still a kitten.
I pulled up to the house and smiled when I saw Em's Jeep parked out front. Mm. The cake must be ready. I carried Alice's stuff to the door. God, she was a little diva. Worse than Bella, but not by much. So cute.
"I hope you saved me a slice," I called out when I walked into the kitchen.
"She wouldn't let us have any until you got here," Jazz said.
Bella had everyone, including Rose and Maria, sitting around Heidi's old dining room table. A beautiful, layered strawberry shortcake sat in the middle of the table.
"God, that looks good," I said. I kissed Alice on the top of the head and then Bella's lips as she came over for a hug. "Beautiful cake baking, girls."
"Yay," Alice cheered. "Bella took some pictures of it so I could show my friends at school. We tried to make six layers but we could only get four to balance."
I laughed. "Very cool." I stole another kiss from my sexy as hell fiancée. She was still wearing her apron. I think she knew what aprons did to me.
"Okay, guys. This cake is in celebration of Emmett and Rose's brand new apartment. Congratulations to you both," Bella said, a huge knife in her hand.
"Here, here," I said. "I'm proud of you."
Emmett smiled and wrapped his arm around Rose's shoulders. "I think it's going to work out."
I watched Bella cutting the cake, licking the whipped cream off of her fingers as she served it on plates. My brothers and their girlfriends were all talking and laughing and Alice was bouncing in her seat, waiting for her slice of cake. I loved that we had a full house, that we had happiness in our home. This was what I wanted when we bought the place. Family, here. Laughter. Memories being made.
Bella passed me a plate and kissed my shoulder. "You okay?"
I nodded and smiled. "I really am."
She rubbed my back and smiled up at my face. "I love you."
I leaned in to press my lips to hers. "I will never get tired of hearing that, baby girl."
"Good. Because I'm never going to stop saying it."
