A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. If I did, Rpattz would be boiling water for the egg noodles I should be cooking. The Chicken Stroganoff is almost done in the crock pot. I love when that happens... :)
This is unbeta'd, so any and all mistakes belong to me. My house smells good and I'm hungry. I don't think my brain is working quite right... :D
This is for my wifey, Mrs. Robward. Today's her hub's birthday. She told him about us. :) Happy Birthday to him! :D Although, like most fanfic hubs', he didn't get it. :D
Thanks to Luxure & EdwardsBloodType for prereading this. I wish I could give you candy bars, because you're an Almond Joy to be around and Mounds of fun. I feel like a Nerd when we're Skor-ing fanfic stories to read. Your jokes make me Snicker and your moans over pics of our Big Hunk Rpattz make me giddy. I love you to the Milky Way and back! And mnp968...you know. Oh, you... :)
**disclaimer **
This story is a bit taboo. I can't believe it's almost over. My heart is beating too hard, this isn't good for my old age...
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… Chapter Fifty Five - Stunned … Bella …
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Every morning that I wake up next to you, it's like a dream. I pinch myself to see if it's real.
Every time you see me do it, you laugh. Then you kiss me.
I think morning breath is what reminds you. In a fantasy, no one ever has bad breath. Nor do they have morning sickness.
I see your worried eyes as I hurry out of bed, toward the bathroom. You know the drill. It's been a few days now, you're getting used to it.
Lucky for me, you brought crackers and juice. They always help.
We leave for your parent's house, and I'm grateful that I've kept down some eggs this morning. Blessed room service. I just hope they stay down. The last thing I need it for me to lose it in your mother's house. Nice impression, especially when I already have so much shit from the past to make up for.
Your father was sweet, kind as we left last night. Hugging me, kissing Claire. I can see he is fond of her, his granddaughter. Just as I hoped he would be.
Your mother, on the other hand... I don't know what to expect. You can tell I'm nervous, worried. I feel your hand on mine, soothing, calming.
You know exactly what I need.
My eyes watch the door as we pull up. It's no real shock when your father opens it wide, smiling. I see so much of you in him, your kindness. I love that.
We walk inside, both of us hesitant, nervous. Your mother sits in the living room, snuggled deep into a wing back chair. Like a queen on her throne. Her eyes soft as she looks at you, hardening to ice as she looks at me.
"Mom, you look better today." You go to her, trying to make peace.
You always talk big, like you don't care what they think, and I know you don't. But part of you does. It's only natural. You want their approval. You don't need it, but you still want it.
"Edward, thank you for coming back to see me. I see you've brought other guests with you as well."
"Mother," you say. Your tone rather condescending. "You know Bella. And this..." You reach for her hand, pulling her to your side. "...is Claire. Claire Elizabeth."
Her eyes widen at that. Hopefully she's okay with it, Claire having her mother's name.
"Hello Claire," she says. The two of them stare at each other, neither willing to be the first to look away.
"I had some of your cookies yesterday, Daddy said it was okay. They were good, but I like the kind from Mommy's work better."
You smile, your father smiles.
Your mother smiles.
"Well, I made those for a bake sale. I didn't use my secret recipe. Maybe once I make those for you, you'll change your mind," she says, reaching out and touching Claire's hair. "My, you're such a pretty thing. You look like your daddy, do you know that?"
Claire nods. "Yep, Mommy telled me that I do. I look like you, huh Daddy?" She looks up, her green eyes sparkling.
We're all smiling. It's a miracle the way a child's love can bridge even the deepest canyons between people.
Lunch goes better than I thought, your mother even speaking to me a few times. When I offer to clear away the dishes, your father insists that you and Claire do it, that he has something he wants to speak to me about.
Your eyes tell me nothing. You don't know what's going on, either.
I follow him to his office, not surprised when he closes the door behind me. His face is serious, and I wonder if this is it. If this is when he tells me that he can never accept me. If this is when he tells me that I ruined your life. If this is when he tells me that he wants me to go away, leave you and Claire alone forever.
I won't do it. Not again.
I'll die first.
"Bella, I know the things I told Edward kept him from finding you. He and I haven't been close these past few years, and I know it's because of what I did, the lies I told him. He knows the truth now, and I hope that he and I can rebuild our relationship."
I nod, remembering what you told me as we lay in bed last night, falling asleep. How you talked to him, how you're hopeful for a future with him in it.
"I know that you struggled with raising Claire. I don't know the exact situation, but I heard things about your ex-husband, him bragging about leaving you high and dry, making you suffer for your sins. It wasn't right what he did to you. I didn't know where you were, though I did look. I wasn't sure of your last name, since you'd changed it, and I couldn't ever find a Bella Black anywhere. I wanted to help you, support you. Edward is Claire's father and he should have been helping to support her."
I have no idea what he's getting at. I sit in the chair next to him, watching his eyes dart around, nervous and unable to look at me.
"It's fine, Carlisle. I managed just fine, and I made my own life. With no one's help. Well, no one but my neighbor Mrs. Cope. It was just what I needed, so that I could find out who I was. I'd never had that, I'd always been someone's daughter, or someone's wife, or someone's mother. Never just me, Bella. Being on my own taught me so much, made me stronger. Claire and I were happy, we never wanted for anything. Please don't feel bad, I don't."
It's true, all the things I tell him. I did need that time alone, to figure out life for myself. I never went to bed hungry, and neither did Claire. We were fine. We made it on our own just fine.
I wasn't happy, but he didn't ask that.
"Bella, I didn't mean anything negative, I was just trying to say... Well, I felt badly about things, and I wanted to do something. I talked to a few colleagues of mine about child support, rates and types and all that. Anyway, I settled on $500 a month and then extra for holidays and birthdays, for school clothes and daycare. Anyway, I've been stashing it away for the last six years or so, and it came to about $65,000, so I rounded up. Here's a check," he says, leaning over to his desk and sliding a paper out from under a book. "It's $75,000 for you and Claire. I'm so sorry I couldn't get it to you sooner, but I hope you'll put it to good use now."
I'm stunned. My mouth hangs open, I'm sure your father thinks I've lost my mind.
"What?" I ask, my voice quiet. Shocked.
"$75,000, for you. I hope you'll take it. It's what I want, for you to have it. For your time, your work and effort. You deserve much more, but this...please take it."
"Carlisle, I can't take your money. I don't want it. If anything, put it in savings for Claire's college some day. I won't take it."
I stand, turning for the door. I can't take your dad's money, it's not right.
"Bella, please, just take the money. Edward never has to know. I won't ever tell him, it's just between you and me. Just take the money and go."
I open the door, your father right behind me.
You're standing there, anger all over your face.
"What did you say to her?"
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A/N: So Carlisle did good, right? We love him even more now? :) And Esme...not too horrible. :) See, I have a plan. :) The money thing, I knew it was coming.
Kids are home for Fall Break all week. What screwed up school system developed THIS crap? And Hubs is home tomorrow, too. Ugh, he's gonna try and make me DO stuff around my house. Save me... :D
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