Chapter 19 – Thursday 23rd of November, 2006 (Thanksgiving)

Edward and his father had brought me back home that same Sunday so I could pick up all my stuff. I could almost cry as I found the beanie in perfect condition and in the exact same place where I left it. Edward did say that he thought my room was very cute and just for that, I smacked his chest with the only hand that could do anything at the moment.
The right was nicely wrapped up in a white cast and held up by a sling. Edward had already drawn all over it with his many pencils and markers, creating some sort of 3D effect showing the bones that were underneath it, on top of it. It looked gorgeous. When we got home from getting my stuff, Edward also spoke to his parents if my mother could come over for Thanksgiving. So basically my mother just totally invited herself to a strangers' holiday weekend, but alright.
Of course, Esme being the most perfect human being on the planet she immediately complied and started getting the guest room ready now that it wouldn't be used by me after all and added extra stuff to her Thanksgiving grocery list.

"I think that's her," I stood on my tippy-toes to glance past the shoulders of all the other passengers and waiting family members. "I can't really see,"
"Aw, Mouse," Edward teased, feeling way too smug about how fitting his nickname was for me. "Would you like me to put you on my shoulders so you can see the parade?"
I knew he was partially joking, but I tried to stay serious and call his bluff. "As if you could," I scoffed with a grin on my face. Before I could stop him, he had kneeled down behind me and pulled me onto his shoulders. I squealed and with a smile I saw whom I already thought was my mother, walk towards us. She waved and I waved back. "Okay, okay, you can put me back down now, Edward. People are staring," I giggled. My mother came up to us and smiled at our childish antics. She had probably not seen me act this silly in a long time. I forgot how good it felt. "Edward!"
"Alright," He sighed and chuckled as I hopped off. Like the smooth jerk he was, he held his hand out for my mother to shake as soon as he was back in position. He introduced himself to her. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dwyer. I'm Edward Cullen," He said without thinking. Wow. He called himself Cullen. I didn't want to make him self-conscious about it by pointing it out so I didn't, but inside I was so happy for him. The past weekend wasn't a great one, but he sure did get a lot closer to Mr. Cullen and Esme. So something good came from it at least.
"Nice to meet you too, Edward. Call me Renee. Hi Bella!" My mother dropped her bags and hugged me real tight. Her scent filled my nostrils and I took a deep whiff of it. The tears came automatically. "Oh baby, no need to cry," I'm here, everything will be fine. I promise," She brushed her fingers through my long hair and gave me a teary smile in return. "You've grown up a little haven't you? I can see it,"
"I'm happy you're here mom," I said. I couldn't believe that this was the same mother that was too petty to say goodbye to me at the airport, but I wouldn't have her any other way. "Let's go. Esme is dying to meet you,"

It was fantastic to have my mother here with Edward and his family. Just a few months ago I would have laughed at anyone who said I would be enjoying a holiday with my mother, but now I wouldn't have it any other way. Edwards' mother and my mother had declared themselves best friends now and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. "Alright before dessert I'll quickly go and clean up," Esme stood up and made her way to the kitchen but I got up and stopped her. She had already prepared and cooked the entire Thanksgiving meal with Rosalie so it was only fair if she got to relax now.
"No, it's fine, Esme. You cooked. Go sit down. I can clean it up,"
Esme smiled but sighed. "Bella, that's sweet but you've got one arm,"
I smirked. "That's fine, Edward will help. Won't you Edward?" Emmett snorted in his drink and Rosalie ducked into her boyfriends' side to keep her laughter quiet. I turned around and caught him rolling his eyes at me. I was pretty sure he didn't do a lot around the house and as his girlfriend, it was my job to tell him to do more work. For his mothers' sake. "Come on, grumpy. You wash, I dry," And with that I walked to the kitchen, counting the seconds until he trotted along after me.
"You.. you are just a vixen, Mouse,"
I hummed. "Well, you have to make a choice, Edward. I'm either a vixen or a mouse. Can't possibly be both," He wrapped his warm arms around me and mindful of my arm, pulled me close to his chest. As well as locking me against the counter.
"That's what so amazing about you. You are both. You're my sweet mouse and my sneaky little vixen. I don't know how you do it,"
I sighed and started to load the dishes into the dishwasher with the speed of a sloth. This one-arm thing was going to get tiring very soon. But I guess I shouldn't complain. It would only take about six months. It wasn't as if I lost it forever.
"Less chatting, more washing," Mr. Cullen said, having us jump apart. I hadn't even heard him come in. It was still a bit uncomfortable around him. He was my math teacher and I still saw him like that. "Thank you, guys. It's nice of you to clean up,"
"No problem, Mr. Cullen," I said, letting go of Edward. I felt awkward with him here looking at us. He turned to leave, but stopped and sighed with a contemplated look on his face. "Look, Bella. I would like to apologize for my past behavior. I can imagine it's a bit weird for you to have me here, in this house. But as your.." He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Sort of father-in-law I would like for you to feel comfortable around me," He put a hand on Edwards' shoulder and to my surprise my usually moody boyfriend didn't try and push it off. "Both of you," Mr. Cullen nodded to me, then to Edward and left the kitchen. "And please, call my Carlisle," He left Edward and me alone again and Edward kissed my head with a soft sigh. He looked like he didn't know what to do with that information either.
"That was.. nice?" I didn't mean for it to sound like a question but that's how it came out anyway. Edward chuckled.
"Yeah.. he's been trying hard to be.. nicer.. better I guess," Edward shrugged and grabbed the other plates to fill the dishwasher up more. We weren't done for a long time. Esme loves making a mess when she cooks it seems. I leaned against the counter and watched Edward rinse a pan. It was funny that I offered Edwards services to help clean and now I don't really do anything. Edward didn't mind though. "At least he is,"
"What?"
"At least he's trying. Carlisle I mean. He's trying to be a better father. You should try to at least meet him halfway, Edward," When the rushing of the water stopped as Edward dried his hands it made my statement a lot heavier and I felt a bit bad for saying it out loud like that. I knew Edward had an issue with calling Carlisle his father. And I'm sure his story is way worse than mine, but now that I know having a father isn't a guarantee in life, I want him to take the second chance that has been given him. Carlisle.
"You know I can't do that," The frying pan hit the sink a tad too loud and he apologized. "I just.. what if he.. imagine I did accept him as my father figure.. what if he decides that he has everything he needs with only one son? He already has Emmett! Why would he need another one? It's just easier to leave it.. I'll be moving out in a year or so anyway,"
Come on Bella. Nip it in the bud right now. He's hurting and feeling insecure. "Stop that. Carlisle wants to be your father. I can see it. He and Esme adopted you for a reason, Edward. They wanted to help you and offer you a home with a family. Emmett wants you as a brother, Esme and Carlisle want you as a son. You just need to let them in and let them be your family."
He sighed and pulled me right back in a hug. My head nicely tugged underneath his chin. "Trying to play my therapist again, Mouse?"
"Again?"
"That's right," he mused and kissed the crown of my head. "You never stop," We stood there for a full minute and he laughed when we pulled away. I loved his laugh. "We're never getting done with the dishes if we keep hugging,"
"I love you," I sighed. Edward's smile was worth everything I have and more. He was the universe for me. My entire universe.
"I love you too, Mouse. Now come on!" He smacked my ass with the dishtowel making me squeal. "I wash, you dry,"

Aw they're just so cute. Even doing the dishes.

Thanks for reading!