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 :)

Y'ALL. This last week has been HARD on multiple levels, and on top of the COVID crisis complications, it's almost too much. Let's continue to be kind, empathetic, and open to those who are hurting...

... except for Edward. Feel free to kick his ass and cuss him out for not sticking up for Bella. Let's see if he can make things right.

Chapter 18

Edward paced in the hall, waiting for Bella to come out of the bathroom. He was ashamed of himself, wanted to shower, and really needed to pee. He could do the last thing at the main house, but pride wouldn't let him. Besides, Elizabeth Cullen could smell discord a mile away, and he didn't want his mother thinking that he and Bella were already fighting.

Especially since it was all his fault.

He should have defended her; there was no question about it. But the minute Kate mentioned Tanya, all these feelings came rushing forward, and it was all he could do to keep from screaming. Regardless, he owed Bella better than that and needed to make it right.

He wanted to make it right.

Edward heard the light click off and took a deep breath. As he let it out, the door opened, and Bella appeared in the doorway in a silky bathrobe. She was startled to see him, but she couldn't hide the hurt in her eyes quickly enough. Folding her arms with a quiet sigh, Bella fixed her gaze just over Edward's left shoulder, refusing eye contact.

"Bella, I am so sorry," Edward said. "I'm working through a lot right now, and I know you know that. It's just... being back here where it all happened... it threw me for a loop. But I will handle Kate and make it clear that she is not to speak to you like that. But Bella..."

He paused, and her gaze gradually landed on his cheek. "I never meant to make you think I was ashamed of you because I am not. I know you're doing me a huge favor by being here, and I've obviously done a terrible job of conveying how much I appreciate it. But I do. I really do."

Bella looked away again, and Edward took another step toward her. "I know I'm not the most pleasant person to be around. And between Crowley and your friends, you've taken a lot of shit for doing this, and I... just… thank you. And again, I'm sorry."

She rubbed her arms, still silent, and Edward frowned. "I don't know what else you want me to say."

"I don't want you to say anything," she said, finally meeting his gaze. "I want you to do better. Your words sound sincere, Edward, but they mean nothing if your actions don't back them up."

"I know."

"Because I am taking a ton of shit for this. Rose keeps texting, and I can't possibly tell her how things have been so far."

"I know."

"And you really aren't the most pleasant person to be around."

"I know."

"You're condescending, arrogant, overbearing, impatient, manipulative..."

"You've made your point, all right?" He turned away. "I'm an insufferable asshole who should be kissing the ground you walk on!"

"You said it not me."

Her tone caused Edward to turn around, and when he did, he was met with a smile.

"Smart ass," he said.

"We're discussing your flaws not mine." She checked her watch. "And if we want to be on time for dinner, we'll have to resume that conversation later. And we really should, because I have lots more to say on the subject."

"The subject of my flaws?"

"Yes."

Edward chuckled in spite of himself. "You're impossible."

"But you love me anyway," she said, then her eyes widened as she heard what she'd said. Edward blinked, his expression shifting, and they both looked away.

"I, uh... I'm gonna go get dressed. In there!" she added, pointing toward the bedroom. "And you can do whatever you need to do to get ready. You know, shower or not, depending on how you smell. Not that you smell bad or anything! Or that I've smelled you enough to have an opinion one way or the other..."

"Of course not," he said slowly, her adorable embarrassment making him smile.

"Right! So, uh... I'll see you in a few!" She flew into the bedroom and slammed the door. She pressed her back against it, mentally face-palming herself for the word vomit she just sprayed all over them both.

"Dammit, Bella," she muttered to herself. "Next time, just accept his apology and shut the hell up."

Edward stared at the closed bedroom door for a few moments, glad things between them were back to normal. But the longer he stared, the more aware he became that Bella was getting undressed behind that door. He wondered what kind of lingerie she was wearing under that sexy blue robe... where and how it framed her curves and lines... and suddenly he had a big problem. The kind he needed his hand or a cold shower to fix.

And he'd promised himself that he would only use his hand while thinking about Bella Swan if he was actually touching Bella Swan.

Edward grabbed his clothes and headed into the bathroom, preparing for the blast of arctic water. As he stepped into the shower, he had a surprising realization.

Word vomit turned him on.

***STYB***

The house was much calmer when they came back, everyone preparing for dinner. Home-cooked meals were a rarity for Bella, and she took a moment to savor the aromas.

"Can I help with anything?" she asked.

Elizabeth smiled. "You can help set the younger kids' table."

"I can do that," Bella said with relief. "I was afraid you'd hand me an apron and tell me to make something."

"You can't cook?" Rachel asked as she unfolded the pumpkin-themed table runner.

"No. But I can burn with the best of them. And tell terrible jokes."

"Good!" Leah called out from the kitchen. "The rest of these bitches are gourmet cooks, so it is so nice to be among normal people for once." She nudged Edward. "Keep this one."

He winked at Bella. "I plan on it."

Bella looked at him in surprise, a wave of warmth coursing through her. Then she remembered they were pretending, and she shook it off as she counted out the right number of placemats.

They made quick work of it, Rachel entertaining Bella with tales of teenage Edward growing up with four sisters. Leah, who reminded Bella of Rose, soon joined in with her quick wit and sarcasm. Though they'd only known each other a few hours, Bella felt like she'd just made two good friends. And she swallowed the guilt she felt about that.

Both tables were soon set, and the whole family gathered to eat. Bella sat between Edward and Leah at the massive dining room table, and Levi and Leo, the oldest grandsons, were on the other side of the table. They kept looking at her like she was a Playboy centerfold, and although it was kind of flattering, she couldn't help wishing that Edward would look at her like that.

"Bella?"

"Huh?" She blinked back to life and found Edward looking at her... with curiosity not desire. "Sorry," she said.

"It's okay." He smiled. "You just looked a little lost in space there."

Kate huffed and muttered, "Like the space cadet she is."

"Did you say something, dear?" Elizabeth asked her.

"Yes, Kate," Edward said. "What was that?"

Bella's spoon seemed to stop on its way to her mouth. Edward may have sounded polite, but Bella recognized that tone. That was the voice he used just before he "read someone for filth," as Dr. Crowley liked to say. Bella was glad Edward was standing up for her and secretly wanted him to tell Kate off.

But she also wanted to make a good impression on his family. And having him confront one of his sisters after only being there a few hours – even if he was defending Bella – wasn't a good look.

She squeezed Edward's leg, causing him to look at her. She subtly shook her head and, in a move that shocked them both, fed him from her spoon. "Best wild mushroom chowder I've ever had."

Edward's lips closed around the spoon, humming in appreciation. "Can't say I disagree."

Kate groaned in annoyance while Leah made an exaggerated gagging sound. "Oh, get a room!"

Bella stuck out her tongue at Leah, and they laughed together.

"So, what do you do, Bella?" Rachel asked. "Mother wouldn't tell us anything."

"I'm a doctor," Bella said.

"Wow!" Charlotte said. "What kind?"

"A surgical resident."

Rachel nodded as she buttered a dinner roll. "What year?"

Bella cleared her throat. "I'm an intern."

"An intern?" Kate cried. "Are you kidding me?"

Leah rolled her eyes. "Here we go..."

"So you're dating your subordinate, Edward?" Kate chuckled harshly. "Talk about lowering your standards."

Bella looked at Edward. "Did she just say..."

"Yes, she did." He wiped his mouth with his napkin. "And I've had enough."

"You know what, honey?" Bella laid a hand on his arm. "I've got this."

Bella took a swig of her wine then looked at Kate. She studied Kate – her aggressive posture and critical expression – and laughed aloud.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Kate cried.

"Nothing," Bella said calmly. "But I'm not about to waste my breath defending myself to you. Not when I could be enjoying the good food and great people at this table. Yourself excluded, of course." Bella sipped her soup then turned to Elizabeth. "This really is delicious. Do I taste chanterelles?"

Charlotte laughed and tried to disguise it as a cough, but Leah laughed outright. Kate looked angry enough to start a fire with her eyes, and Levi and Leo were damn near drooling.

Edward quickly shoved some food in his mouth before he started drooling too. Bella Swan was something else.

***STYB***

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly enough. Elizabeth let Bella clear the table and put away the scant leftovers, but she refused Bella's offer to wash dishes.

"I have grandchildren for that," she said with a wink. "Besides, you're Edward's girlfriend. That's enough work for anyone to handle."

Bella laughed, glancing out the window where Edward stood talking with his brothers-in-law. He was more relaxed than Bella had ever seen him, and the sight made her heart swell. Whatever this thing between them was, her concern for his happiness was real, and she hoped he'd find a way to hold on to it beyond tonight.

Elizabeth shoved them out the door around eleven o'clock, insisting they return to the guest house for a proper night's sleep.

"Suuuure," Leo chuckled too loudly, elbowing his brother. "They're going back there to sleep."

Edward glared at his nephew while Bella shook her head, pretending she wasn't having similar concerns. Things had been going well tonight, but the last time she and Edward slept under the same roof, she'd awakened in a rather compromised position. Her face warmed at the memory of his hard length beneath her, and she mentally recited the parts of the large intestine to calm down.

Their walk back to the guest house was quiet but not unpleasant. Bella let him prepare for bed first, assuming he'd take forever and give her time to read and reply to one of Rose's seven lengthy text messages. But after only ten minutes, Edward emerged from the bathroom in a pair of lounge pants and nothing else.

Bella felt she deserved some sort of reward for not ogling the man as he passed her. He was unfairly fuckhot, and if things were different, she would have followed him into the living room, pushed him down on the couch, and straddled his...

"No," she muttered to herself. "That's the last thing either of you need."

Her body protested, but she'd promised herself (and Rose) that she wouldn't do anything stupid this week. And sleeping with her pretend boyfriend while visiting his very real family would definitely fit the bill.

Well, she should have said she wouldn't do anything else stupid this week because she'd already made a major packing mistake. Bella had a secret weakness for all things lacy and silky, but now that secret was biting her in the ass... without actually covering it. She was wearing a skimpy black baby doll nightie that ended right at her hips, and the matching G-string left little to the imagination. It was one of Bella's favorite pieces and a great choice for her first night at Edward's potentially disastrous family reunion.

Unless he was sleeping in the next room and she had to pass that room to get to hers.

She hastily combed through her hair and put her ear to the bathroom door, listening for noise. All seemed quiet, so she cut off the light and opened the door slightly. She still didn't hear anything, so she tiptoed into the open, sighing in relief as she made for the bedroom.

"And I thought that purple thing from our first sleepover was hot," Edward drawled.

Sorry for the cliffie - sort of, LOL - but this was the best place to end this chapter.

Story rec: "Pursuing the Proposition" by LiLJiLL4286. This story just started posting, but ladylibre is already digging it.

Thanks for reading! Stay safe and healthy, and we'll see you next Wednesday XO