DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction for which we will receive no compensation, especially since all characters belong to a different Stephenie. But this story helped save the babies, which we are all for.

Thanks again, maplestyle!

Hey, friends! ladylibre here. My lovely partner Steph has had a rough week physically - tooth stuff and back stuff - so send her some good vibes and prayers. And if you're in our Facebook group, feel free to also send some funny pics/memes to cheer her up. You know what she likes ;)

Meanwhile for our favorite duo, it's off to Connecticut!

Chapter 17

Bella hadn't been kidding about that ten-day forecast, and as such, she packed an extra bag of clothing just in case. New England was famous for its fall foliage, so she tossed in a pair of comfy boots in case they went for a walk.

Bella dragged her suitcases to the front door and smiled when she saw Rose sitting on the couch. Bella knew her roommate wasn't thrilled about her decision to go anywhere with McBitchy, let alone clear across the country, but she hadn't said a word about it as Bella had packed over the past few days. Most significantly, Rose was off today and could have slept in, but she woke up early to be supportive, and Bella appreciated it.

She wouldn't tell Rose any of that, of course. Rose didn't like people drawing attention to her softer moments, so the less said about her presence this morning, the better.

The doorbell rang, and Rose came to her feet.

"Be careful," she whispered when she hugged Bella goodbye. "Above all else, just be careful."

"I will." Bella squeezed her friend. "Thank you."

Rose opened the door for Edward and greeted him evenly as he grabbed Bella's heaviest bag. When she wished them both a safe trip before closing the front door, Edward nearly tripped down the stairs.

"No snarky sendoff?" he asked Bella. "Is she feeling all right?"

Bella chuckled. "She's fine."

The ride to the airport was pleasant and full of chatter. Edward tried his best to walk Bella through the expected festivities, and Bella asked general questions about his family. She was wise enough not to mention Tanya or his former best friend and chose instead to focus on his four sisters and his fourteen nieces and nephews.

If Bella could get half their names straight, she'd consider that a success.

Once on the plane, she gave herself a lot of credit for not whacking the flight attendant with her copy of Cosmo every time the pushy redhead shoved her breasts in Edward's face. Would he like a drink? A snack? Another pillow?

An oral invitation to the mile-high club? Emphasis on oral?

Yes, those were her exact words, and she punctuated them by licking her lips. Edward finally looked up from his copy of Field and Stream to find the redhead – and her double Ds – mere inches from his face. His eyes widened, and as he stared up at her, the redhead smirked at Bella, thinking she'd finally hooked him.

But Edward only shook his head and leaned back. "I'll pass," he said with a chuckle. "But you might want to check a mirror."

The flight attendant blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"You got a little, uh..." Edward gestured at his front teeth then turned to Bella. "Honey, what is that?"

"Ummm... that looks like spinach, darling." Bella smiled sweetly as the redhead covered her mouth in embarrassment. "Seems you should keep your mouth – and everything in it – to yourself."

"Oh my god!" the flight attendant cried as she scurried down the aisle toward the bathroom.

"Like you weren't sitting here," Edward said to Bella.

"I know, right?" she said, inwardly fist-pumping. Even though they were faking it, Edward reacting like a real boyfriend made Bella feel good.

"Some people have no respect," he muttered, returning to what must have been a riveting article about new baiting techniques. Bella returned to her paperback spy thriller, smiling to herself.

They touched down safely at Bradley International, the flirty flight attendant scowling as they exited the plane. Edward got their bags and secured their rental car, and before long, they were on the road.

"Did you know Farmington is only two hours from New York by car?" Bella asked excitedly. "And from Boston?"

"No," Edward replied. "Why would I?"

"It's a thing people know. Like, how long it would take to drive from LA to San Francisco or from Philadelphia to DC." She looked at him and shrugged. "Did you know Carvel Ice Cream is headquartered in Farmington?"

"No, I didn..."

"Oh my god!" Bella looked at him. "Do you think they give tours of their factory? With free samples?"

"I think the last thing you need right now is more sugar."

"Whatever." Bella's eyes lit up. "Bet you didn't know this either..."

"That one could die from a barrage of Wikipedia facts?"

"That Bamie Roosevelt lived here? She was Teddy Roosevelt's sister and Eleanor Roosevelt's aunt."

"Wait, what?"

"Yep." Bella sat back, rather pleased with herself. "Eleanor and FDR were fifth cousins once removed."

Edward shuddered. "I think that's enough trivia for now."

They fell into a pleasant silence, and Bella took the time to enjoy the scenery. As they passed a "Welcome to Farmington" sign, Edward's mood became more agitated. He fiddled with the radio, clicked the radio on and off, and adjusted the cabin temperature three times.

"Hey." Bella rested a hand atop his while they waited at a red light. "It's going to be fine. I'll be on my best behavior, I promise."

"It's not..." Edward cleared his throat and forced a smile. "Thanks. For saying that, I mean. It... it helps."

"No problem."

Before long, they approached a large but inviting house with a curved driveway lined with cars. Edward and Bella had to drive a few houses down the street to find a spot, and as they approached the house, Edward's jaw tightened as he surveyed the cars.

"Looks like everyone's here," he said.

Bella nodded. "Guess we're a little late."

"Great. I'm sure someone will have something to say about that."

"I think people will underst..."

"Whatever." He knocked on the door. "Let's just get this over with."

Bella reached to hold Edward's hand, and he cut her a glance that could have melted an ice sculpture. She blinked in shock, fighting her hurt, and tried to smile anyway. "We're supposed to be a couple, remember?"

"Oh, right." He grabbed her hand rather roughly. "Good thinking."

"It would probably help if you were smiling, too. Instead of looking like you want to kill me."

He glanced at her. "I don't want to kil..."

"There you two are!" his mother exclaimed as she opened the door. "I thought you'd gotten lost."

"Traffic," they said together, and Bella smiled genuinely. "Plus I couldn't get enough of the beautiful scener..."

"Bella!" She pulled her into an aggressive hug. "I'm so glad you came!"

"Oof! Me too." Bella smiled sheepishly, looking around as Elizabeth released her. "I love the mums and pumpkins out here. Really festive."

"You don't think it's too much?"

"I'm here too," Edward groused. "In case anyone cares."

"Of course I care, dear." Elizabeth patted her son's cheek fondly. "But I'm most excited for everyone to meet Bella. I know they're going to love you as much as my son does!"

"If only I could be that lucky," Bella said.

Edward pinched Bella's arm, and she smiled at him. "Honey, don't get kinky in front of your mother..."

Elizabeth watched them and shook her head. "You two are too cute. Well, come in, come in! It's getting nippy out here."

Edward let Bella inside and shut the door behind them. The house was packed: men laughing around the TV in the corner, women chatting in groups, kids running all over the place. And the noise? He couldn't believe he'd ever not noticed the noise! He loved his family, but the urge to clap his hands over his ears and run back to the car was almost overwhelming. He desperately missed the serene solitude of his trailer and squeezed Bella's hand to lead her into a small, empty parlor off the living room.

"Edward?" Bella looked at him in concern. "Is everything okay?"

"I, uh..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just that..."

"Eddie?" came a high-pitched squeal from across the room. "Eddie!"

Bella's eyed widened as fifty-eleven people all whipped their heads around to stare at them... well, stare at Edward.

Then all hell broke loose.

Bella was shoved aside as people rushed him, hugging him and kissing his cheeks while firing off questions. Edward laughed a rare but nervous laugh and held up his hands.

"Okay, okay! Calm down before the Johnson's call the cops again." The crowd laughed and quieted a bit, giving him some room. "But since you're all here, let me introduce you to Bella."

"Who?" several voices asked at once.

He turned and found her cowering in a corner, looking as if she might jump out of the nearest window.

"Bella?" She turned to look at him with wide eyes, and he got a wicked gleam in his. "Come, honey." He whistled and patted his thigh to beckon her. "They won't bite."

"Speak for yourself," a male teenager murmured to another.

A shortish blonde reached up to smack the back of his head. "Levi!"

"Aunt Rach!" He complained. "Don't mess up the hair."

Edward was still patting his thigh, trying to coax Bella from her corner as if she were a frightened animal, and she shook her head and laughed. "You're insane."

"And rude," the teen-smacking woman said. "Guess I'll just introduce myself since my brother here has forgotten his manners. I'm Rachel."

"I'm Bella." She extended a hand as she crossed the room to meet Rachel. "It's very nice to... oh!"

Her words were cut off as Rachel hugged her, and Bella realized in horror that the whole family was touchy-feely. She patted Rachel's back awkwardly and found everyone watching her face, so she made sure to smile.

Or try to.

"I'm also Edward's favorite sister." A slew of protests rang out, and she shrugged. "What? I am!"

"Don't listen to her, Bella." A full-figured woman with a sleek, sandy bob approached. "She's in desperate need of Charlotte's psych services and has lost her grip on reality. For I am actually Edward's favorite sister." She leaned in to whisper. "But he'd never admit it because we're so much alike."

Bella glanced back at him. "I can believe that."

"I'm Leah," the woman continued. "Are you ready for this?"

Bella squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes. "Hit me."

"Okay." Leah started pointing. "That's Crazy Rach and her husband Nick. Kate and her husband Jackson are by the window, and Charlotte and Peter are behind me, probably making faces."

Bella looked and laughed at her accuracy. "You're good."

"My husband Brad is out back, nursing his fourth glass of scotch because, well, I'm a handful."

A trio of children ran through the room, and Leah said, "And speaking of handful, these are all ours."

Bella blanched. "Yours?"

"Girl, no. You crazy?" She gestured to the room at large. "Mine and my sisters' kids: Lily, Lila, Lianne, Lelani, Luna, LuAnn, Lilliana, Lana, Laney, Lee, Leo, Levi, Leon, and Leland. Think you can remember that?"

"Sure." Bella blinked. "This introduction was brought to you today by the letter 'L.'"

Everyone laughed, including Edward who was being mobbed by his nieces and nephews. Leah shooed the children away, and Edward returned to Bella's side, taking her hand. He gave it a little squeeze, causing her to relax, and they all took their seats around the room.

"So... Becca." Kate began with a smirk. "You don't come from a big family?"

Leah rolled her eyes as Edward glared at Kate, but Bella didn't look at her. When Bella didn't answer, Kate huffed. "Um, hello?"

"Oh, were you talking to me?" Bella asked. "I wasn't sure since my name isn't Becca."

"Becca, Bella, whatever," Kate snapped. "How have you been dating Edward?"

"Long enough, Karen," Bella said sweetly. "It is Karen, right?"

Leah tucked a chuckle into a cough, patting her chest for effect. "Must be something in the air."

"I asked you a question," Kate said sharply. "And I expect an answer."

"Kate..." Rachel warned. "Don't be like that."

"Like what?" Kate asked. "Edward runs off without a word then just waltzes in with this doe-eyed pop tart when the ink is barely dry on his divorce papers?"

"Oh, get over it," Leah chimed in.

"I'll get over it when he admits he's not over it," Kate shot back. "Tanya was the great love of his life, and everybody here knows it. So Becc—I mean, Bella is nothing but a place-holding rebound with no real shot at.."

"Katerina Elise!" Elizabeth entered the room to glare at her daughter. "Go check on my pies. They should be about ready."

"But I was..."

"Now."

"Fine I could use a drink anyway." Kate stood up to leave the room and stopped to look down at Bella. "Funny how Edward hasn't contradicted me. Wonder what that means."

Bella was shocked by her boldness but managed to keep a straight face. She'd hoped Edward would say something in her defense, but he just sat silently beside her as Kate's departure left an uncomfortable silence in the room.

"Edward, honey, why don't you show Bella the guest house where you two will be staying?" Elizabeth suggested. "Give you some time to freshen up before dinner at seven."

Edward nodded mutely, releasing Bella's hand as he came to his feet. Bella smiled through her disappointment and told the remaining family she'd see them later. Edward led her out a side door and down a winding path to a cottage tucked behind the main house. The one-story cottage was complete with a sitting room, kitchen, full bath, and bedroom.

One bedroom to be exact.

"With a king-sized bed?" Bella's cheeks colored as they stepped into the room. "That's... roomy."

"I'll take the couch," he muttered, still not looking at her.

Bella sighed. "Seriously, Edward?"

"What?"

"What do you mean, what? Your sister interrogated and insulted me in front of your entire family, and you just sat there stone-faced."

"I..." He looked away. "I didn't know what to say."

"You, the king of quips, didn't know what to say? That's definitely a first."

"It doesn't matter. Kate just likes to hear herself talk. No one pays her any attention."

"You should have defended me," she said firmly. "I know coming here was hard for you, even without us pretending to be a couple. But it's hard for me too, walking into a situation I don't know much about. I don't think it's too much to ask for you to have my back, the same way I've clearly shown that I have yours."

Edward's eyes widened, but still he was silent.

"I'm going to take a shower. Please bring my bags from the car and leave them in the bedroom so I can change my clothes." She looked at her watch. "We'll leave for the main house at 6:45, so don't be late."

With that, she marched out of the bedroom and into the bathroom, making a point of locking it behind her. That familiar sense of not being good enough reared its ugly head, and she turned on the faucet as her eyes welled up with tears. But when she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, she straightened up.

"No." She leaned forward to look herself in the eye. "Don't let these people get to you."

She nodded firmly at her reflection and heard the front door close. She walked toward the bathroom window and watched Edward go.

All this time, she'd been worried that her nerves and general awkwardness would be their biggest challenge once they got here. But after ten whole minutes around his family, Edward had gone into some sort of walking coma and looked like he had completely given up.

This was going to be one long-ass week.

Well, so far, so meh. Hopefully things will get better at dinner.

Rec this week is actually all the stories for the "Perfect Date Contest." Find them at FFN under author "PerfectDateContest."

Thanks for all the support for this story - see you in a week! XOXO