Disclaimer: None of this mine, nor will it ever be. The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer and I just like to play with Edward and Bella.
Also, thank you so much for your support for my writing. It means to me more than words can say.
I'm unsure if you'd heard, but one of our beloved fandom family members passed away a couple of weekends ago. Dee Creston, lovingly known as FangirlinGrandmaDee, died peacefully and surrounded by family. This chapter is dedicated to one of the kindest, warmest and friendliest members of our TwiFamily. Her love of fic and her encouraging words will be missed, tremendously.
From me to you, Dee, {GIANT TUFANO HUGS AND SMOOCHES} … always and forever.
"Before a brain can register a thought, a mind must think it … every step of the way is mind over matter … We override our brains all of the time."
Deepak Chopra
Chapter Twenty-One
Epilogue Two
Bella, Jake and Edward were stretching out in the early, humid morning in mid-July in Chicago. They'd arrived a couple of days ago, wanting to get used to the air and the terrain of the city. Renee and Charlie were staying with Seth and Gianna while the rest of the family would compete in the half marathon.
"So, Vanessa was gorgeous," Bella said conversationally. "You make a striking couple, Jake. And she's so sweet."
"She's amazing," Jake said, his face blushing. "I … the feelings I have for her are so strong. I'm so happy that you liked her."
"Well, after this marathon, we're going out to eat with her again, right?" Bella asked. "I want to hear more about her and get to know this wonderful woman who captured my son's eye."
"Ma, stop with the interrogation. Let's just run and see who's faster. Me, or the old man," Jake quipped.
"That would be me," Edward sang, pushing his sunglasses up onto his hair.
"You two are too much," Bella snickered. "For all you know, I may beat you all."
After that, they were corralled into their starting groups. With a single gunshot, the race began. Bella knew that she'd never beat her husband or her son, but she loved to razz them. She was still relatively slow when it came to running, but she did it because she was able.
She never took any of her steps for granted. She was bound to a wheelchair for nearly two years and she hated every moment of it. Shortly after the birth of her baby girl, she was back in that chair. Her body struggled with Gianna's delivery, despite taking precautions. Once she'd healed from her C-section, she worked with Marcus to get her legs back. Within three months, she was back to where she was prior to Gianna's delivery, but could no longer have children. It was fine. Gianna was an unexpected, but wanted blessing. She adored her baby girl, her sweet little peanut. What she adored more was seeing Edward flourish as a father, doting on his daughter and watching them bond.
He'd walked into Seth and Jake's life when they were older and so broken from what their biological father had done to them. While the boys had a connection with Edward, one that was special and beautiful, the link between Gianna and Edward was something more. Edward loved both of her sons. He supported them, catered to them and was invaluable in grooming them to be respectful young men. Regardless of what they did, Edward loved them unconditionally, even when they pushed buttons. He parented Jake and Seth with a firm hand, but was loving and respectful of their history.
Edward was gentle and tender with Gianna. Seeing him hold his baby girl tugged at her heartstrings and made her ovaries vibrate in need. She had her daddy around her little finger and she fell in love with her husband all over again.
Shaking her head, she focused on running and improving her time from the last half marathon she'd run prior to her book tour. She wanted to finish in under three hours. That was her goal. Her running playlist filled her ears and gave her a steady beat to pound the pavement for an eleven-minute mile.
At the halfway point, she saw her parents, Seth and Gianna. They were cheering excitedly, holding up a sign. Bella paused and Seth took a selfie with his mom, posting it to her Instagram. Bella laughed, feeling invigorated with seeing her family. "Have you seen Jake and Edward?"
"They ran by us about a half hour ago," Charlie smiled. "Jake was winning."
Bella smirked, taking a cup of Gatorade and slamming it before taking off again. The second half of the race seemed to fly by as she made her way to the finish line. The air was heavy and she was sweating. Her hair was soaked and she was eager to jump into a pool. Or the lake.
The lake sounded good, too.
Turning the corner, she saw a crowd of people. They were cheering and cowbells ringing. She saw her family off to the side and she grinned, picking up her pace to a fast run, closer to a sprint. Seeing the timer and noticing the time, she pushed herself harder. She crossed the finish line, improving her time and making her feel alive. A race organizer approached her with a bottle of water and a medal. She was led to a tent where she got some more water and a protein bar. She saw her husband and son inside, as well. "So, who won?" Bella asked. She was panting slightly from pushing herself.
Jake scowled, jutting his thumb at Edward. Edward just grinned, adjusting an icepack on his knee. "He's still working on his technique," Edward smirked. "He started aggressively, but got tired at mile twelve. That's when I made my move. Slow and steady wins the race, Jake."
"Are you okay?" Bella asked, standing next to Edward.
"Running on pavement is hard on the joints," Edward chuckled, bending his knee with a grimace. With a crooked smirk, he continued, "I'm fine. How did you do?"
"The half marathon that I ran before my stroke?" Bella said, taking a seat. "I finished two hours, forty-seven minutes. This one? Two hours, thirty-eight minutes." With a blinding grin, Edward hopped up and kissed his wife, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She melted against his chest, gripping his sweaty t-shirt.
"Ugh, gross. Parental units, stop making out like teenagers," Jake groaned, covering his eyes.
They broke apart. Edward tossed a water bottle at Jake's head, which he dodged easily with a laugh. Bella was in a daze, stunned by her sexy husband's soft lips. "Wow," she said.
"I'm so fucking proud of you, Bella," Edward said, massaging her neck and peppering her face with more kisses. She smiled against his lips, caressing his sweaty face.
"Mommy!" squealed Gianna.
Bella turned and crouched down to scoop her excited daughter. "Hey, peanut," she breathed. "Did you have fun with Nana and Poppy?"
"You ran fast, Mommy," Gianna said, patting her cheeks.
"I did," Bella chuckled. "Did you see Daddy and Jake?"
"Daddy beat Jake," Gianna giggled, pointing at her oldest brother. She reached up to Edward and he scooped her onto his lap, mindful of the ice on his knee. "You're sweaty, Daddy." She wrinkled her nose, but still snuggled close to him.
"You did so well, Bells," Renee beamed. "From … where you were to now … I …"
"Thanks, Mom. I couldn't have done it without Edward and without your support, too," Bella said, squeezing Edward's fingers. Seth hugged his mother, beaming with pride. "Thanks for posting that picture, bug."
"I posted it to Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat," Seth said.
"What's Snapchat?" Bella asked. "I have a Snapchat?"
"Yes, Mom. Diane signed you up," Seth snickered. "Be grateful you have children who know this stuff."
"This is true because I have no idea what a Snapchat is," Bella laughed.
"Now, I'm starving," Jake said. "I could eat an entire all-you-can-eat buffet."
"You're a walking garbage disposal, Jake," Seth grumbled. "Is your girlfriend here?"
"I saw her at mile ten," Jake replied. "She has to work, but wants to join us for dinner. Her parents would like to meet me and you all, too." His face, which was red from running, grew brighter. "They made reservations at some Italian restaurant, Tuscany, in little Italy."
"Let them know we'll be there," Edward said. "I think Italian food will be perfect after our race, and a nap."
"Jake, do you need a nap?" Charlie asked.
"Not a nap, but a shower," Jake laughed. "You want to hang with me, Seth?"
"Can we, Mom?" Seth asked Bella. "Have a guy's day before dinner?"
"Make sure your phones are on," Bella nodded.
"Where are you going?" Edward asked.
"Navy Pier, Millennium Park and an architectural tour," Jake answered. "Nessie told me we needed to check those things out. She also said Lincoln Park Zoo, but I'm taking her there tomorrow."
"Okay," Bella said. "Be safe, Jake. And make sure that you take care of your brother."
"I still need to shower. I'm gross," Jake laughed.
"We'll take Gianna with us and do some shopping. There's an American Girl flagship store here in the city," Mom said. Gianna squealed, bouncing to her grandmother and hugging her hips. "I knew you'd like that. Perhaps we can have Poppy get a makeover with pink nail polish."
"Over my rotting corpse, Renee," Charlie deadpanned. "What time are the reservations, Jacob?"
"Six," Jake answered. "Sam and Emily, Nessie's parents, love this place."
After finalizing plans, Renee, Charlie left with Gianna to spend the day with their granddaughter. Jake, Seth, Bella and Edward went back to the hotel. The boys went into their shared room. Edward ducked into the suite for Bella, Gianna and himself, swiping his wallet. He handed the boys some money. He also verified that Jake had his emergency credit card, if needed.
Back in the suite, Edward and Bella took a shared shower, too tired to enjoy each other's bodies. Bella set her cell phone alarm and dragged her husband to bed. They curled around each other, falling asleep almost immediately.
That night, they met up with Sam, Emily and Vanessa D'Amato. Sam and Emily were a little older than Edward and Bella. Vanessa was their second child. Sam was a pilot for United Airlines. Emily was a music teacher. Bella and Emily bonded over teaching while Edward was intrigued about Sam's job, asking him about the locations he'd flown to. Jake was focused on Vanessa, holding her hand and relishing in how well both parents were getting along. Seth and Gianna were out with Renee and Charlie, going out to eat and then watching a movie.
Over coffee and dessert, Emily smiled at Bella. "I just wanted to say that I loved your book."
"You've read it?" Bella asked.
"We have a book club at my school. We read it as soon as it came out," Emily said. "Looking at you now, you'd never even think that something so tragic had happened to you. I'm curious. Have you spoken to your ex-husband since that day in the park? After he signed over his parental rights?"
"No, I haven't," Bella answered. "Once he signed away his rights, he set it up that his child support was automatically deducted from his account and sent to mine. From there, I put it into the boys' trust funds."
"Are you curious what happened to him?"
"Yes and no," Bella shrugged. "I shared my life with him for fifteen years and he just gave it up. I hated what he did and the irreparable damage he inflicted on our children. Both boys had to contend with therapy. Jake was angry and once my ex walked away, he never thought of him again. He focused his attention on building a relationship with Edward. At first, my husband was my son's friend first, but since then, their relationship has grown into something so special. Seth had a harder time. He still has issues with abandonment. He sees my therapist about once a month. His relationship with Edward is different, but still so loving. Riley walked away when my boys needed a father the most and Edward stepped up in a way I never expected. I'm very lucky."
"Well, Jake is a lovely boy. He's so respectful and treats Vanessa … like she's his world," Emily murmured. "Vanessa has dated other boys, but none of them are like Jake. I think he truly loves her."
Bella blinked at Jake and saw that her son was doting on Vanessa like Edward cared for her. "I agree. I have a feeling that we will have more dinners like this in the future."
"To the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Emily chuckled, holding up her coffee cup. Bella grinned, tapping her cup with Emily's.
A/N: Pictures from this chapter are on my blog. You can access that through a link on my profile. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. I'm on twitter, too: tufano79.
We have one more chapter until this story is marked as complete. I'll see you in a couple of days. Thank you for reading and for supporting A Single Step.