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 to maplestyle.

Y'all don't wanna hear from us right now, so let's just get to it!

Chapter 21

When Bella was a child, one of her few happy memories with Esme involved watching old movies. The great surgeon didn't have a lot of downtime, and on the rare occasions when she did, she loved to watch classic black and white films featuring gorgeous heroines making fools out of handsome leading men. Esme would watch them in the den, and Bella would sit on the floor just outside the room. Either Esme didn't know Bella was there or she chose to ignore Bella's presence.

Either way, the plots of the movies were variations on the same themes, and Bella usually predicted the outcome about halfway through. But her favorite part was the entrance by the villain, especially if that person was a woman. She would sashay into the room, usually in a glamorous gown, and utter a dramatic line. Everyone would turn toward her, and the whole room would gasp her name in shock. As a girl, Bella thought it would be cool to witness a moment like that and experience the ripple effect of the surprise arrival spreading throughout the room.

But as she sat in the family room at Elizabeth Cullen's house with her fake-boyfriend's very real ex-wife standing in the doorway, Bella felt how uncomfortable such moments could be.

Elizabeth seemed confused as she set her glass of wine on the mantle and turned toward her daughter and former daughter-in-law. Rachel glared from her position by the window then looked at Leah who looked ready to commit murder.

And Edward... well, he hadn't moved or spoken yet, and Bella had never seen him so still. She threaded her fingers through his, slightly relieved when he let her do so.

"Surprise!" Kate said, beaming. "I figured it would be best if she just showed up, not knowing if she'd be welcome."

Rachel sighed loudly and rushed out of the room. "If I stay, I'll kill her," she muttered on her way out. Bella wasn't sure which "she" Rachel referred to, but in her mind, both Kate and Tanya were prime candidates for a good ass-kicking.

"Always so dramatic," Kate said, turning to Tanya. "Bet you don't miss that."

Tanya didn't respond to that, her sole focus on Edward who still hadn't reacted yet. Even when Leah got up from the loveseat to stand closer to him, Edward just stared at Tanya unblinking.

Bella couldn't help but stare at her too: her piercing blue eyes, wavy strawberry-blonde hair, and impeccable taste in clothes made her impossible to ignore. And Bella quickly realized that was the point, that Tanya had come here looking her best knowing she would see Edward today.

Not caring what the sight of her might do to him.

The rest of the family soon came running as news of Tanya's arrival spread through the house. Leo's eyes widened at the sight of her, and he walked up to her asking for a hug from his favorite aunt while Bella narrowed her eyes.

Traitor.

Tanya took her time engaging with her nieces and nephews, rubbing in Edward's face that despite all she'd done, she felt she still had a place in his family. And even though Edward was quiet, Bella was seething inside.

Of all the fucking nerve.

"They certainly have grown, haven't they?" Tanya mused as the kids left the room.

"That's what kids do," Leah spat.

"What's with the attitude?" Kate asked. "I thought this was a reunion!"

"For family," Leah said, glaring at her sister. "And that bitch isn't family."

"Leah," Elizabeth warned. "You know I don't like women calling each other that name."

"What should I call her, Mom? Because I sure as shit ain't calling her family!"

"Why do you have to be such an ass, Leah?" Kate cried.

"Why do you have to be such an insensitive cow?" Leah shot back.

"Girls, none of this is helpful," Elizabeth said. "I suggest everyone calm down while we..."

"Tanya." Though his voice was barely above a whisper, Edward managed to overpower the room by saying her name. He'd come to his feet while his sisters argued, and now his full attention was on his ex-wife, who was smiling prettily at him.

"Edward." She practically purred his name as she looked him up and down. "You're looking well. Though I guess anything would be an improvement over the last time I saw you."

He ignored the jibe, his tone arctic as he spoke again. "What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you hear your sister? I'm here for the family reunion."

"I did hear my sister, and I second her thoughts." He glanced at Leah. "You are not welcome here."

"Oh, psh!" Tanya waved off his words. "Eddiekins, you..."

"Do NOT call me that." Edward all but trembled as he spoke. "You have no right to speak to me, but definitely not like that."

"This again? Darling, that's ancient history."

"Ancient?" Leah cried. "It was a year ago!"

"It was 14 months ago, and honestly, I don't think it even matters." She stepped toward Leah. "Or that it's any of your damn business."

"Take another step, Tanya," Rachel said from the doorway, flanked by a very pissed off Charlotte. "I fucking dare you."

"Rachel, language!" Elizabeth sighed.

Bella gripped Edward's hand tighter, frustrated with Elizabeth. Her son's cheating ex-wife showed up uninvited, and she was worried about profanity? Really, lady?!

"I think we should leave Edward and Tanya alone to talk," Kate said. "After all, their marriage is..."

"Over," Edward hissed. "The marriage is over, so there's..."

"Because we got divorced?" Tanya laughed. "A piece of paper can't destroy what we have."

"No," Edward replied coolly. "But the sight of you fucking my best friend in our bed on our eleventh anniversary could."

The room fell silent, and Bella had to clamp her lips shut to keep from gasping.

"And if that wasn't enough," he continued, "your pathetic attempt to pass off his baby as mine could definitely destroy whatever the fuck you think we had."

"You're right," Tanya said. "I admit I've made mistakes and..."

"Mistakes?" Edward released Bella's hand. "Mistakes?"

"Yes, darling. Mistakes!" Tanya sighed, shaking her head sadly. "I admit sleeping with Emmett was a lapse in judgment. Losing the baby turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I no longer had to pretend I wanted him anymore..."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing," Charlotte murmured to herself.

"... what I thought I needed," Tanya continued. "But I was wrong. Haven't you ever been wrong before, Eddiekins?"

"DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT!"

"Hey." Bella lay her hand on Edward's shoulder, squeezing lightly. "It's okay."

"And what is this?" Tanya seemed to notice Bella for the first time. "Or should I ask, who is this?"

"She's that candy-striper I told you about," Kate said offhandedly. "The one warming his bed while he waits for you to come back."

"Right, right." Tanya nodded then smiled at Bella. "I suppose I should thank you for being there when I couldn't. I admit you're not what I expected, but hey, beggars can't be choosers, right?"

"How dare you fucking say—" Leah began.

"How dare I, what?" Tanya shot back. "I have the right to say whatever I want to the homewrecker who's fucking my husband."

"Do you hear yourself right now?" Leah snapped. "You're a fucking hypocrite!"

"Mind your business, Leah," Kate cried. "This has nothing to do with you!"

"And what does it have to do with you?" Rachel asked Kate.

"Everything because I'm the one who introduced them!"

"Please!" Rachel yelled. "She wanted to get her hooks in Edward long before you invited her trashy ass into our lives."

"Who are you calling 'trashy,' you out-of-shape bitch!"

As the argument raged, Bella tuned it out to focus on Edward. He was practically vibrating with rage, and she knew he was about to blow.

"Edward?" She stood in front of him, blocking his view of Tanya. "Look at me, okay? Focus on me."

With considerable effort, Edward looked at Bella, his green eyes nearly black with fury.

"Listen, I need you to go back to the cottage. Can you do that?"

He shook his head, angling to look beyond Bella to his ex-wife. "I can't let her just..."

"Yes, you can, baby. She's trying to get a rise out of you, and you don't have to let her."

"But the things she's saying..."

"They're only words, and they can't hurt you if you don't give them that power." She cupped his face, scanning his eyes. "Do not give her that power."

He clenched his teeth. "She has no fucking right..."

"No, she doesn't, and you can make sure she knows that by walking out of here as if she doesn't exist and never mattered. Besides, don't you have a call to make?"

"What?"

"That patient you need to check on?" She made a show of checking her watch in case anyone was watching. "We're three hours ahead of Olympic Med, but I think you can catch Dr. Sebi now."

Edward stared at Bella a long time, his mind completely blank. He felt everything and nothing all at once, and it was taking all his self-control to keep from keeling over. Let alone trying to figure out what patient she was talking about. But as Bella's eyes widened and her gaze trailed toward the cottage, he realized what she was doing.

She was giving him an out.

The shock of that was enough to bring him back to himself. He squeezed Bella's hands and turned toward Elizabeth. "Mother, I have to make a call to the hospital," he said. "Thanks for a beautiful afternoon."

"Edward, you don't have to leave."

"I'm afraid I do," he said, kissing her cheek. "This critical patient can't wait."

He hugged Charlotte, which got Rachel's attention. And when she and Leah came over to hug him, Tanya cackled.

"Can't even stay and face me, huh?" She shook her head. "How pathetic!"

Edward returned to Bella's side, whispering his thanks in her ear before kissing her cheek. Tanya stopped laughing, her voice hardening.

"Is that supposed to make me jealous? Am I supposed to care that you've taken up with this mousy excuse for a woman?"

Edward ignored her and headed for the hallway. But as he passed her, Tanya grabbed his arm. "I'm not done with—"

"Yes, you the fuck are," Bella growled as she rushed forward. "And if you want the continued use of your other arm, you will let him go."

Tanya was so stunned by Bella's tone she let Edward go. The clack of the back door signaling his exit cut through the silence, and Tanya turned to Bella. "Cute stunt, little girl. But you need to understand that—"

"No, you need to understand. I am not a little girl, though thanks for thinking I'm so much younger than you. I guess botox and surgeries can't compete with natural beauty."

"How dare you—"

"Talk to you like this? I believe in giving what I get. And since you came riding in here on a broomstick of disrespect, disrespect is all you're going to get."

"Preach!" Rachel said as Leah snapped her fingers in agreement.

"I don't know what you thought would happen today or what you might have been told about the kind of woman I am." Bella glared at Kate, who was silent for once. "But I am a grown-ass woman, a doctor no less, and the only reason I'm not kicking your ass right now is that I took an oath to do no harm. And because this is a nice room that I wouldn't want to destroy by fucking you up."

"We've got insurance," Charlotte said.

"And a bucket of plaster in the shed," Leah added.

"Who the hell do you think you are to speak to me this way?" Tanya screeched. "I am Edward's..."

"You are Edward's cheating whore of an ex-wife and nothing more," Bella said calmly. "But I am the woman fucking your ex-husband, the woman getting him past all the shit you put him through, and the woman who l—"

Bella stopped short, realizing the crazy four-letter-word that was about to come out of her mouth. She cleared her throat and said, "I am the woman who lights him up in ways you can't even imagine."

"You're a distraction," Tanya seethed. "A useless plaything to keep him amused until—"

"Until what? He comes back to you?" Bella laughed, the lighthearted sound at total odds with the mood in the room. "So not only are you an adulterous skank, you're also delusional." She turned to Charlotte. "Are you taking new patients? Cuz this chick could really use a shrink."

"I don't do walk-ins," Charlotte said thoughtfully. "But I could make an exception because this seems like an emergency."

Tanya folded her arms. "This is all a big joke to you, isn't it?"

"This situation? No. You?" Bella stepped into her face. "Ab-so-fucking-lute-ly."

Tanya's face reddened, and Bella felt Edward's sisters coming up behind her in solidarity as she said, "Now you need to let those knock-off Prada pumps take your sorry ass out of this house and out of our lives before I show you the kind of woman I really am."

"You can't throw me out, you dirty-ass home-wrecking mistress!" Tanya hissed, spit flying from her mouth. "This isn't your house or your family and..."

"But it is mine." Elizabeth's voice rang out as she walked toward Tanya. "And I want you gone. Now."

"Mother Cullen?" Tanya turned to her in shock. "Please don't let this—"

"You don't get to call me that anymore," Elizabeth said hotly. "And you are not welcome in my home anymore. Now get the hell out before I throw you out."

Tanya looked at Kate, but she was looking at the floor. She looked at Charlotte who shook her head in disbelief, at Leah and Rachel who were five seconds from jumping her, and Bella who met her eyes as if to say, "I dare you."

"You all can to go to hell!" Tanya screamed as she stormed out of the room, slamming the back door as she left.

"And you," Elizabeth looked at Kate, her eyes sad. "How could you do this to us? To Edward? He's been through so much already, so why would you make things worse by bringing that woman back into his life?"

"She said it was all a misunderstanding and he would be glad to see her and..."

"And you believed that?" Leah asked. "Really?"

"I thought she really wanted her family back and that Edward would..." Kate glanced at Bella then sighed. "Never mind. I'm... I'm sorry."

She fled upstairs, and Bella sank into the nearest chair. She couldn't believe what had just happened, how quickly everything turned to shit. And that she'd threatened to beat up Edward's ex-wife in his mother's house.

"Mrs. Cullen." She looked up. "I am so sorry. I should never have taken it upon myself to..."

"I'm the one who's sorry," Elizabeth said. "You did what I should have done the moment Tanya walked in here."

"But this was a family matter, and I had no right to..."

"You have been more family to Edward in two days than that woman had been for their entire marriage." Elizabeth patted Bella's hand, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for standing up for him."

Bella blushed. "You don't have to thank me for that."

"Yes, we do," Leah said, placing her hand atop her mother's. "I would have just beat her ass and called it a day, but you thought more about what Edward needed. And that's worth everything to me."

"And me," Charlotte said.

"And me." Rachel placed her hand on top of Charlotte's. "I think I speak for all of us when I tell you how glad we are that you're in Edward's life. And how much we hope you'll stick around."

Bella's bottom lip trembled, but she held herself together. They didn't know about the conflict churning inside her, but their sincerity touched her.

"I'm the only child of a woman who spent more time at work than with me," she said shakily. "So my concept of 'family' is a little skewed. But being here with you, even with what just went down, has shown me that maybe family can be a good thing. Thank you for that."

"You're welcome, honey," Elizabeth said as everyone leaned in for a group hug. "You are so welcome."

Bella savored the moment and committed it to memory, praying this wouldn't be the last time she felt this way.

"I'm going to go see about Edward's patient," she said as everyone pulled back. "With everything that happened here, I think we're going to call it a day."

"I understand," Elizabeth said. "I'll have someone leave a dinner basket on the cottage steps in a few hours."

"Thank you." Bella came to her feet. "We'll see you tomorrow."

Bella made her way out of the house, looking around. She saw no sign of Tanya and breathed a sigh of relief. Things had gotten way too real back there, and Bella had no idea what she'd find when she got back to the cottage.

Whatever it was, she hoped she could handle it.

So that happened. How we doing?

Story rec: There are twelve entries over in A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words FB group that need voting on! Only 500 words or less makes for very easy reading

Thanks for reading - see you next Wednesday! XO