Chapter 25

Songs:

Holding on to Heaven, Nickelback
Addicted, Saving Abel
Home, Phillip Phillips

*Link to YouTube playlist in chapter 1.

Edward

"Tell me how this is right," I say, my finger stabbing the paystub on the table between us. "How did you not know she was doing this? Don't you look at your own goddamn books?"

Pop picks up the slip of paper and studies it with narrowing eyes. "I had no idea," he says under his breath.

"I know Mase was a sore spot for her, but for her to pay him less than what the rest of us were making ... that's bullshit, Pop, and you know it."

"Maybe she—"

"Maybe she what? Made a clerical error? I have a box of stubs that go back almost as far as when he started at the shop. He never made what the rest of us did. Never."

"Why would she do this?" he asks lowly. He looks up, and his confused eyes meet mine. "He never said anything to me. Why wouldn't he ever say anything to me?"

"Because he probably didn't fucking know his own father's wife was screwing him over. He should have been making thousands more a year. It's no wonder they struggled so much."

He places the paper on the table and brings his thumbs and forefinger to his face, rubbing his eyes. "Why didn't he just ask for help? We would have found out about this years ago if he had."

"You know why. He was pigheaded and stubborn, not to mention a proud son of a bitch. Thought he needed to prove he could get shit done on his own." I cross my arms and lean back in my chair. "We both know you and Mom never made him feel like he could come to you."

He looks up at me. "Did he ever come to you?"

"No. Stubborn and proud, remember? I imagine he didn't want to be seen as weak or incapable."

"And he always felt like he had something to prove," Pop says with a sigh. "I'll talk to your mother, but I have a feeling she's gonna have some way to explain it away."

I place a hand on the paystub and slide it closer to him. "Don't let her. She's gotten away with far too much shit over the years where your son was concerned. And this," I say, stabbing my finger on the paper once more, "this took from your grandson, too. Sammy shouldn't have had to pay for your wife's grudge against a dead woman. A woman you decided to sleep with and knock up. Mase paid for that mistake, too, just by being born."

His gaze bores into mine, and he's not nearly contrite enough in my opinion. "I'll deal with it," he bites out.

I stand, ready to be done with this conversation. "If you don't, I will." I turn to leave, but I'm stopped.

"Wait," Pop calls out. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about, too."

"What?" I ask, stepping back to the table. My hands wrap around the top of the chair.

"I'm pretty sure you already know what." He raises a brow.

"Spit it out. I need to get back to the shop."

It's his turn to cross his arms over his chest. "You and Bella seemed pretty cozy at the cookout on Saturday."

"And?"

"You two back together?"

"We are. Is that going to be a problem?"

He shakes his head once. "If Mase were still alive, we'd have an entirely different set of circumstances to contend with, but he's not, so we don't."

"That's an awfully long way to go around to say no."

"Look," he says, uncrossing his arms and leaning forward, placing his elbows on the table, "you two have a history, so I'm not surprised. I just don't want you getting wrapped up with her if it's going to bring trouble."

I bark out a laugh. "What kind of trouble can being with Bella possibly bring? And since when do you care who I spend my time with?"

"Since I know how your mother is going to react when she finds out."

"She already knows." I give him a sardonic grin.

"She does? Since when?"

"Since the day she got back from her trip."

"She hasn't said anything to me."

"Probably because she's still having an internal meltdown over it."

He chuckles and slowly shakes his head. "Probably." He sighs and looks up at me. "You're going to need to be careful, son."

"I know."

"It's not just you and Bella this time. And I know I'm not the best grandpa, but I still care about Sam. Seth too ... he's not completely unaffected by what you two are doing."

"I know, Pop."

"Just—" He breathes out a long exhale. "Just be careful. I want to see both of you happy, but you both have a lot of baggage. Kids, a baby mama, and a dead husband are one hell of a full cart."

"I realize that," I say with a nod. "But she's worth it, Pop."

"Then I hope you two can make it work."

"Thanks." I step back, ready to get back to work, but remind him of what he needs to do. "Don't forget to talk to Mom about that," I say, pointing at the paystub still laying on the table. "She needs to be held accountable for that shit. Masen deserved better. Bella and Sam deserved better. And they need to know what she did. Mom needs to apologize and make it right, too."

"I know. I'll take care of it."

The whir of the impact wrench is loud as I zip through tightening all the lugs on the tire in front of me. The faster I can get this job done, the faster I can get out of here.

I've got a hot date with my girl.

The fact that it's pizza and board games with our boys is irrelevant. Strangely enough, I'm almost as excited to spend time with the boys. But you better believe once I get Seth back to Angela tonight, I'm sneaking back in that trailer if it's the last thing I do. I haven't had Bella for more than a week, and I'm going out of my fucking mind.

"E!"

I look over my shoulder at Pop, standing just outside one of the bay doors. "Yeah?"

"You got shit under control here? I need to take off."

We make eye contact, and I realize he means he needs to go home to read his wife the riot act. "Yeah, I got it. See you Monday?"

"If we survive the weekend," he says with a grin.

I shake my head and smile, turning back to my work. After the last car is lowered or returned to the lot, those of us who are still around sweep up the shop and do what needs to be done to close the doors for the night. I switch off the lights and lock up, making sure the alarm is set.

I light a cigarette as I walk to my bike, anxious to get home and shower so I can pick up my boy and go see my other favorite people. As I wave goodnight to Jazz, my phone buzzes with a text.

Sam wants to know if we can get two pizzas. He thinks he and Seth should have their own since they're "men." *insert eye roll* - B

I chuckle as I type out my reply.

Order whatever you guys want. I'll pick them up on my way over. - E

Thanks, Edward. See you soon. - B

See you soon, beautiful. - E

I rush home, speed through my shower, and have Seth in the back of the Nova in record time. The pizzas are still piping hot when I pick them up, and Bella was right; Seth won't shut up about his and Sam's abilities to devour an entire pie on their own.

By the time I pull in behind Bella's car in her driveway, I'm antsy as fuck to see my girl. Seth climbs out of the back of the car and bolts for the door.

Sammy stands there with a wide smile on his face to welcome his cousin. "You're finally here!" he squeals, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

I chuckle as I grab the pizza boxes from the passenger seat. Seth is a few years older than Sam, and he's already started to grow out of the excitable stage. So, Sammy's enthusiasm reminds me how young he still is.

The boys disappear inside, running past Bella as she holds open the door for me. "Hey, handsome," she says softly, her twinkling eyes meeting mine. "Missed you."

"Missed you, too." I peek past her, seeing that the boys have disappeared into Sam's room.

I lean down and pucker my lips, and she looks over her shoulder and back to me before obliging my silent request. It's over far too quickly, but I'll take it.

"How was your day?" she asks, her hands tucked into her back pockets as she follows me into the kitchen.

I slide the pizzas onto the counter and turn around, leaning against the aging Formica. While I know I need to tell her about the talk I had with Pop, about what I figured out about Masen's wages for the last ten years, I'm not sure I'm willing to fuck up the rest of our evening over it. "Interesting," I finally say.

She raises a brow. "Oh?"

"Yeah, but we can talk about it later."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Bella. I'd just rather not spoil tonight."

"It's nothing bad?" she asks hesitantly as she steps toward me, biting her lip.

I open my arms, knowing she needs the reassurance. "It's nothing that will change anything, okay?"

She steps close enough that I can wrap her in a hug. She pulls her hands from her pockets and wraps her arms around me, burying her face in my chest as she nods. I close my eyes and kiss the top of her head, just breathing her in.

The low rumble of a stampede grows louder, and we break apart. We wear smiles on our faces as the boys stomp into the room, shouting about pizza and Doritos and asking what games we're going to be playing tonight.

I'm as surprised as anyone when the trouble twins turned garbage disposals are able to finish off their own pizza. They even manage to consume a bowl of ice cream each as the two of them kick our asses in a thrilling round of Candyland. But I redeem myself when I'm crowned king of Chutes and Ladders, much to Bella's amusement.

Bella helps Sam play against Seth and me in a game of Go Fish, but before a winner can be declared, the boys' eyes get heavy as the sugar high from too much soda wears off.

"I'm gonna get him tucked in," Bella says as she lifts an almost-asleep Sam from the floor.

"Yeah, and I gotta get him back to his mom's." I thumb over my shoulder toward my son as he stares bleary-eyed at the television.

"Do you ..." She hesitates and bites her lip as she stands there with her son in her arms, his head resting on her shoulder.

"Do I what?" I unfurl my legs and stand, stretching out my sore muscles from sitting on the goddamn floor for so long.

Her eyes flash to a distracted Seth and back to me. "Do you want to come back?" she whispers.

The corner of my mouth lifts into a smirk. "Are you suggesting a sleepover, Isabella?"

Her cheeks flame as she shakes her head and laughs. "Grow up, Edward."

"Hey," I say, reaching out and pulling her marginally closer to me. "Yeah. I'd love to come back ... if you want me to."

"I want," she whispers.

Angela is less than thrilled with the sugar-crashed state in which I return our son to her, but she hides it pretty well. She also reminds me of something I've tried very hard not to think about.

"Ben flies out Monday for that interview, Edward."

"Already?" I ask, my throat tightening. The thought of being separated from my son makes my soul ache, but I swallow it down, determined not to worry until there's something definite to worry about.

"Yeah. As soon as I know something, we can sit down and talk."

I nod my head but don't really acknowledge what she's saying. To do that would be to admit I might be losing out on a good part of Seth's life. I refuse to think she might want to alter our custody arrangement, but I have no idea what she's really thinking. I walk back to my car in a daze, suddenly anxious to hold Bella.

"Fuck," I grind out through gritted teeth. "Hold onto the top, baby. I don't want to smash your head against the fucking headboard."

Her grip on the bar of the headboard tightens, along with the muscles in her forearms, keeping me from fucking her right into the wall. Her legs are bent over my arms, giving me full access to her and leaving her completely at my mercy.

Whimpers resonate from her throat, and I'm not sure if they're entirely voluntary. I chuckle, breathless, as I plow into her, sweat dripping from my chest to hers. My mouth hovers over hers, our lips barely touching as we breathe in each other's breaths. "You like that?"

"Yeah," she says, her eyes closed and her back arching off the bed. "So fucking much." She gasps and moans. "There. Right fucking there."

I push into her again, angling my hips so I hit just the right spot. "There?" At this point, she's practically bent in half, but the sounds she's making tell me she's as into it as I am.

"Oh!" Her breathing all but stops before she tilts her head back and lets out a moan that seems to come from her fucking toes. Her pussy clamps down on my cock as her entire body tenses up. The expression on her face, the way she's pulsating around my dick, the smell of her, it's all too much, and I come with a stifled groan against the skin of her neck.

Tremors rack my body, and it's all I can do to not collapse on top of her. Our skin is sticky with sweat, our limp limbs still tangled, but I couldn't give a fuck less that we both seem to be momentarily incapacitated.

Bella's sharp intake of breath sounds like she's coming back to life. I rise up enough to help her slowly lower her legs to the bed. "You okay?" I whisper as I lean in, kissing her temple. I pull back and watch her face.

She's practically glowing, even in the dim light coming from the bathroom. Her face is flushed, and she looks thoroughly fucked ... in the best way.

She hums as she opens her eyes. "Better than okay. I so needed that."

I slowly pull out of her, and I'm already thinking about the next time I can have her. "And we so need a shower. Come on," I say, climbing out of the bed and offering her my hand. "Let's make it quick so we can sleep."

Reluctantly, she follows me into the shower, and we make quick work of washing off. Once the last of the soap bubbles are washed away, we stand under the spray and just hold each other.

"I've missed you this week," she says against my chest. She looks up at me. "Are you staying the night?"

"Aren't you worried about Sammy finding me here in the morning?"

She smiles and shakes her head. "He has a tendency to sleep pretty late when he's suffering from a junk food coma. And I think tonight definitely qualifies as one of those nights. He just might sleep until noon."

"After what we just did, I might sleep until noon." I reach behind us and turn off the water. "Come on. Let's go to bed."

"So, you're staying?" she asks as she dries off.

"There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

In the early hours of the morning, naked flesh on naked flesh is too much of a temptation. Front to back, curled around her with her leg pulled over mine, I find my way back inside her. My lips graze her warm skin as my fingers tease her clit. It's slow and lazy and everything I want every morning for the rest of my life. We come quietly, both of us worried about waking the little boy down the hall.

"Shower with me?" I whisper against her neck, nipping the skin there.

"No," she mumbles against her pillow. "Let me sleep. I already have to change the sheets." She reaches out blindly for me. "Stay."

"You sleep. I'm going to go clean up in case Sam wakes up." I kiss her temple and roll away from her.

"Fine," she says petulantly. "Go wash your dick, but don't be upset when he's still sleeping in two hours and you're sitting there twiddling your thumbs."

I chuckle as I gather my discarded clothes and walk away. She's never been the most pleasant morning person, but I hoped getting her rocks off before the sun was fully up would help.

Apparently not.

Deciding the shower in her bathroom might disturb my girl's slumber, I head for the one on the other side of the trailer.

Sammy's bathroom is a little less organized than Bella's, but it's still clean. I have to collect a few bath toys before I start the water, and when I finally step inside the tub, I start to feel claustrophobic. The ceiling is too low with a shower head to match. It's about shoulder height, and I have to bend down just to get under the stream of water.

I make quick work of getting myself clean. It's not until I'm done that I realize I've used watermelon-scented, tear-free kids' shampoo, but as I run my fingers through my hair, I can appreciate its detangling properties.

Just as I wrap a towel around my waist, the bathroom door flies open and I'm met with my nephew's wide, questioning eyes.

"Uncle E? What are you doing here?" He pushes past me and lifts the seat of the toilet, dropping the pants of his Spider-Man pajamas to take a piss. "Did you sleep the night here? Did Seth?" he asks excitedly, not really paying attention to where he's peeing.

"Watch what you're doing, bud," I say, redirecting his attention to his task. I wait until he's washing his hands before I answer. "No, Seth's not here." I reach out to grab his arm before he can tear through the house to wake his mother and demand to see his cousin. "He went home last night when you went to bed."

"Oh." His shoulders sag and his smile falls.

"I'm sorry. But maybe we can get Seth and go do something with him later today. I just have to call his mom and see what they have planned, okay?"

"Yeah. Okay."

I'm beginning to feel uncomfortable, standing here in just a towel, but before I can send him off, he looks up with a mischievous look on his face.

"What is it, Sammy?"

"Since you're already awake, you can make me pancakes!"

The batter sizzles as we pour it into the skillet.

"Make some Mickey Mouse ones!" Sam demands.

"Mickey Mouse ones? When have you had Mickey Mouse pancakes?"

"When we went to Disneyland, Uncle E," he says with as much exasperation as a six-year-old can muster.

"Hey, watch it, mister. There's no reason to get grouchy with me."

"Sorry," he says sheepishly.

"So, what exactly does a Mickey pancake look like?"

As he explains the finer details of how to arrange the three circles of batter in the skillet, Bella emerges from her bedroom. She's freshly showered, her hair still wet and her skin still pink from the heat of the water.

"I thought I smelled something yummy out here," she says as she approaches. She reaches Sam where he sits on the counter and hugs him, kissing his cheeks and making him giggle. "Are you helping Uncle E make pancakes, baby?"

"Uh huh," he says with a definitive head nod.

"They smell great," she says, pulling away. "Are you being a good helper, Sam?" She reaches into the fridge for the butter and syrup, pulling them out and putting them on the table. "Are you listening to your uncle?"

Again, Sam nods, and I grin as I watch him from the corner of my eye. "Yup. I'm being a good helper." He turns to look up at me. "Ain't I, Uncle E?"

My smile widens. "You sure are, buddy."

When the last of the batter is cooked and Mickey's misshapen head tops the pile, I take the plate holding our breakfast to the table. And as Bella and I sit there with our coffee and pancakes listening to Sam's excited ramblings, I have a vision of the three of us doing this every morning. Seth would be seated at the table, too, on the days he's with me.

And I want it. Bad.

"Where did you sleep, Uncle E?" Sam whips his head in his mother's direction. "Mommy, did he sleep on the couch?"

Bella chokes on her coffee and sets down her mug, wiping her mouth. "Um ..." The panic on her face is almost comical, but when she looks to me for help, I can't leave her hanging.

"Yeah, bud, I slept on the couch. I thought it would be nice to make breakfast for your mom. She needed a treat." I wink at Bella when Sam's stabbing another bite with his fork, and my girl's cheeks flame red.

Sam nods, his cheeks full of his decimated Mickey Mouse flapjack. "It was a good idea." He looks up at me and licks a drop of syrup off his lower lip. "You should sleep over every night so we can have pancakes every day!"

"Wouldn't that be something?" I look up and meet Bella's wide eyes. "Maybe—"

"Okay," she says, rising from the table and gathering my cleared plate and her own, walking toward the sink. "So, what are we doing today?"

"Can we go swimming at Pop and Nana's?" Sam asks, his head turning between me and his mom. "It's a good day to swim."

I watch as Bella's entire body kind of ... deflates. Her shoulders fall, and I can almost see her eyes close, even though she's turned away from me. I watch quietly as she inhales a deep breath and straightens her shoulders. "I'm not sure about that, Sammy," she finally says. "Pop and Nana might be busy today."

"Can you call them?" He looks at me. "Can you call them, Uncle E? Maybe call Seth and see if he can come, too?"

"We'll see, bud, okay?" I ruffle the already-messy hair on his head. "Let me talk to your mom about it."

"'Kay." He climbs out of his seat and takes his syrup-covered plate to Bella at the sink. "Here, Mommy."

"Thanks, baby." She smiles down at him and sends him off to wash his sticky hands. "Be sure you use soap this time," she shouts as he disappears down the hall.

I walk up behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "You okay?" I whisper.

She turns her head to looks at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "I am now."

"Do you want me to ask Pop about us coming over to swim?"

Her gaze moves to the hallway where Sam left to wash up. Her eyes find mine again. "I guess I should figure out how to play nice with your mother, huh?"

"No, she needs to learn to play nice with you, Bella." I turn her around in my arms, pulling hers around my neck. "You're back in my life, and not as my—" I shake my head, unwilling to say the words. "Point is, she needs to figure out her own shit. That's on her, not you. But if going over there makes you uncomfortable, we don't have to go. Doesn't this park have a pool?"

She sighs. "It does, but it hasn't been open for months. They've had filtration issues and then they wanted to resurface it. It's been one thing after another." She steps out of my arms and turns back to the dishes. "No, if Sam wants to swim, our only option is your parents' place."

"Then you better get your suit, baby." I pat her ass and kiss her lips. "We're going swimming."

A/N: Are we still all coming for Esme? What do you think her reaction will be when she finds out her actions have been brought to light? And does anyone else want to give Sam a big, squishy hug? I kind of love him. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

To answer a reviewer here—since PM notifications aren't going out—no, Mr Sunshine isn't in an MC. Buuuut, the hubby of one of my prereaders is, so I have some insider information. ;)

***The fundraiser I've mentioned the last few weeks is still ongoing and still adding some big names in fic to the list of participating authors. And the organizers have made it even easier to get the chance to talk to all of your favorites. For a donation of $50 or more, you will be granted an all-access pass to every Zoom call you want to join. Isn't that awesome?! But don't worry, you can still donate as little as $5 and join a call of your choosing. Every dollar counts, so even if you can only give a little, it will be so very much appreciated.

My session is this Saturday, July 18 at 8pm EST. I'll also be raffling off a One Shot or futuretake to one of the attendees! For your chance to chat with me and be entered in the One Shot raffle, see the Facebook group, Author's 411, for more details. A schedule listing the participating authors and times is posted in that group as well as my own.

Remember, you can come chat with me in my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. I also share teasers and chapter pics there every week. And you can follow me on Twitter at CSunshine1220, and on my blog sited in chapter 1. Thanks so much for reading!

Be kind.
Stay safe.
Stay well.

Lots of love
~Sunshine