Chapter 37 – Living

Edward

For the next couple of days, the three of us got to know each other even better as we spent time playing games, cooking together, and watching movies. But we couldn't stay in that little bubble forever and the real test of our new little family, would be figuring out our normal.

"So, I have a thing today," I said awkwardly one early morning as Bella and I were lying in bed together not wanting to move.

"What kind of thing?" Bella asked, sounding slightly nervous as a result of my nerves. Or maybe I was just so nervous that I was projecting it on to her. Either way, we were now both nervous.

I took a deep breath. "I'm scheduled to be in the studio with the guys for most of the day."

She raised her brows at me as if she was waiting for some kind of punchline. "Is there something wrong with that?" she asked after a minute.

Her casual question made me realize that perhaps I was being ridiculous. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that, but the very idea of being without her – even if only for a few hours – after so long apart, seemed like utter torture. "No, I just don't want to go. I just got you back and the last thing I want to do is separate."

"It's not like we are actually separating," she said while tucking herself back into my side. "I would offer to go with you…"

"You will," I asked eagerly, interrupting whatever she was trying to say.

"But I could really use some time at the café," she added.

"Oh…right."

"When will you be done with the studio?" she then asked before looking up at my face. Was I actually pouting? I couldn't be sure, but when she reached up and gently rubbed the lines between my furrowed brows, I realized that I was, in fact, frowning.

"I don't know. This afternoon sometime. We're never really sure how long it will take," I said, trying like hell to soften my face so I wouldn't freak her out. I knew I was acting like an idiot, but I was desperate to keep her within arm's reach, even if I knew that was unrealistic.

"Okay, why don't you just text me when you're done and I'll finish up and meet you back here," she told me encouragingly. When I only offered her a nod of agreement, she squeezed me tighter and kissed my chest. "It's going to be okay," she murmured. "Nothing will ever come between us again," she said, thankfully understanding my issue and not being upset by it. If anything, it almost seemed like she was trying to convince herself as much as me.

"Promise?" I asked her.

"I think getting married so soon was us both making that promise."

"True," I agreed with a smile. She wasn't just a girl I met once on a rooftop anymore. She was my wife, and that was an amazing thing. "Speaking of which, can I have your phone number?"

She giggled. "Yeah, exchanging numbers is probably a good idea."

"And I was thinking that since we didn't do the whole wedding hoopla, maybe we should set up some kind of reception thing. Just so our friends can all get together and meet. I want to know everyone in your life so you can never get away from me again, even if you tried."

"Wow. Stalkerish."

"Damn right!" I said with a laugh.

"I probably shouldn't find that sexy."

"Oh, but you do," I teased her, hoping I was right, but still not knowing her well enough to be certain.

"And here I thought we would only have to worry about your obsessed fans. Who knew you were the real threat," she joked back.

"Okay, maybe I wouldn't stalk you if you left me, but I would cry….a lot. And beg for you to give me another chance," I said honestly but tried my damndest to keep it sounding like a joke.

"Ah," she cooed while rubbing my head and kissing my temple. "I guess it's a good thing I'm never going to leave you then."

"I sure hope not, because I don't think I could survive it again."

She kissed my lips, and despite our playful banter, I kissed her back with a sense of desperation that neither of us were expecting. My trauma from losing her was rooted deep and had affected my life in ways I could never fully explain. I was terrified of losing her again, and I knew all too well that the world wasn't always a kind place. So many things could go wrong – a car accident, an assailant, a tree falling on her, a rogue lightning bolt, a fire in her café. Any number of things could take her from me, but the most likely scenario of all would be her realizing what a pathetic moron I actually am and deciding she made a mistake in marrying me. Perhaps Jasper was right to be worried about us. Not that I was worried about my bank account in the event of a divorce the way he was, but what if she discovered what I already knew – she was far too good for me.

But as she pulled away from our kiss and smiled at me with so much love radiating off of her, I experienced an all-consuming calmness. We were going to be okay, and I needed to trust in her just as much as I wanted her to trust me.

I took another deep breath. "Okay, so we are both going to our jobs today, and then meet up later for dinner?" I asked to confirm.

"Sounds good. What does Bree usually do when you're working?" she questioned.

"I have a tutor that meets with her. There is a room in the studio that they use to get all her school work done."

"So, she doesn't go to actual school?"

"She is pretty behind in her grade level with certain things, just because she was on the street for so long, but I'm hoping once she gets caught up she will be able to go."

"Makes sense. So, she studies the entire time you're working?"

"Not the entire time. She mainly just hangs out and watches, or colors, or whatever. She keeps herself entertained."

"Would you mind if she came to the café today instead?" she asked unexpectedly.

My stomach twisted. Not only was she going to be away from me all day, but she wanted to take Bree too. It was definitely a difficult thing to consider. But then again, I needed to force myself to not be so paranoid, so I smiled and agreed. "I think she would like that."

"Great. Well, I'll ask her if she wants to. I don't want to make her uncomfortable."

"Bella, you're her mother; if you want her to be at the café with you, then tell her that's what she is going to do. She isn't always going to be happy with the decisions we make for her, but she needs to do what we feel is best."

"I know, I'm just not ready for her to be mad at me just yet. The way she talks about music, I'm sure she loves hanging with you at the studio."

I rubbed her arms. "And she can next time. Today she is going to hang with you at the café."

Bella flashed my favorite of her smiles, before nodding and saying "Okay."

As I predicted, Bree was over the moon with excitement to be spending the day with her mother, and I managed to let them both go without making either of them aware of just how much it pained me.

The hours dragged on, and I found myself texting her every second I could, only to freak out when she didn't text me back right away. But, with encouragement from Emmett and Carlisle, I was able to put my phone down and take a little time to concentrate on my job and allow Bella to concentrate on hers as well.

By the time my girls were back home with me, I honestly felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. They were fine. We were all fine, and every subsequent brief separation only got easier and made our time together that much more cherished.

A couple of beautiful weeks went by, and our relationship only solidified even stronger. Everything I learned about her made me love her even deeper, and watching her bond grow with Bree was truly the highlight of my life.

We eventually got around to celebrating our marriage with our friends by renting out a rooftop restaurant under the stars, which couldn't have been a more perfect setting for us. Bella and I couldn't help but wonder how all our friends from very different worlds would mesh, but it turned out to be surprisingly easy and everyone got along amazingly. However, there was one consistent naysayer that went completely MIA.

"Where the hell did Jasper go?" Emmett asked me at some point during the evening.

"He is probably having a nervous breakdown in a corner somewhere," I joked.

"I hope not. He just needs to learn to relax a bit. I mean, Carlisle and I are both married and he never freaked out like this."

"Oh, but you both dated your wives before marrying them, and you both had prenups. Jasper just doesn't believe in fate."

"Well, I for one, am thrilled for you. Bella is great, and her and Rosalie seem to be hitting it off," Emmett said as we watched our wives giggling together with Bree. "Who would have guessed you'd be such a family man," he teased me.

"Certainly not me. At least not before I met Bella," I admitted.

"You know, Rose is bugging me for a baby now. She never wanted one before Bree came around. She even said she wants to adopt an older kid too."

"That's really cool. I hope you guys decide on doing that. Deciding to bring Bree home was the best thing I have ever done."

"Yeah, well she is your kid, so it all worked out. Imagine what would have happened if she really was an orphan and she went all psycho on you."

"I would have loved her just as much. I fell in love with her before I even knew she was mine, so it really doesn't matter. A kid isn't measured by what's in their blood. Who knows, maybe Bella and I will adopt someday too."

"You guys are going to be too busy popping out your own to adopt."

I shrugged. "She isn't sure she can have anymore," I said, reflecting on the conversation Bella and I had a few days prior. "When she had Bree, there were some issues and she ended up with a lot of scar tissue. I mean, we'd love to have another baby eventually, but if it doesn't happen, I think adopting would be really incredible. Hell, we will probably end up adopting either way. There are so many kids out there in need of a good home."

"A celebrity home at that," he said with a laugh. "You and Madonna and Angelina Jolie – making the world a better place one kid at a time."

I laughed with him. "Why not? I can afford it."

Emmett and I rejoined our ladies and enjoyed the rest of the party. It wasn't until a few days later that I finally found out what happened to Jasper that night.

"Don't even say it," he warned me as he strutted into the recording studio late, and with a lovesick familiar face in tow.

"Is that one of Bella's friends?" I asked him, thankful she was on the other side of soundproof glass and couldn't hear me.

"I said don't even say it," he hissed at me.

"What exactly is happening?" Carlisle asked confused.

"Ah, Jazzy-poo is in love," Emmett teased.

"I did not say that!" Jasper snapped, but then he looked back at the little brunette and he couldn't help but smile at her. "Ah fuck it. I'm in deep shit. I went home with her thinking it would be a simple hookup, and now I can't get rid of her."

"Like, she won't leave?" Carlisle asked concerned.

"Why the hell would you mess with one of Bella's friends?" I questioned heatedly. "You're going to break her heart and then Bella will be upset and…"

"I didn't think it was anything," Jasper interrupted me. "We even said it was just going to be casual and neither of us were going to be hurt when it was done. We actually agreed on it. But when we woke up the next morning, we just wanted to stay together, and we haven't been apart since. I asked her to come with me today because…"

"Wait, I'm confused. You asked her to come, or she wouldn't leave?" Emmett questioned.

"I asked her. When I said I couldn't get rid of her I meant it completely genuinely. I can't. My fucking heart won't let her go. If I didn't know any better…"

"Ha! You really are in love!" Emmett razzed him.

"This is all your fault!" Jasper yelled at me. "All that 'meant to be' shit! Do you know it was Alice who dragged Bella to that party you knocked her up at? Without her, you wouldn't have Bree. She also helped Bella after she lost her too. She was a huge fan of ours before we even made it big. I swear, it's like… kismet. We just clicked right from our first conversation at the reception, and I feel like I don't ever want to be without her again. What the fuck is wrong with me?"

"Aww, finally we have all found the right paths for ourselves," Carlisle said with a smile. "Now, let's get to work."

I smiled pompously at Jasper, which he responded my smacking me on the shoulder.

Carlisle was right. All of our lives were finally falling into place, and I was beyond excited to finally start living them….