Chapter 47: Old age is not fair
Edward was glad that Jacob's wedding was going to be a quiet affair in La Push. He could keep his word and be his best man. Everyone knew what he was, even though they had been at his funeral. It hadn't been that difficult to figure it out. Bella couldn't die so it was only normal that he was like her. Edward dreaded the reunion with everyone. And Leah and Jake's family knew about him because they couldn't keep their mouths shut.
Emmett made him promise to video tape if or when he ended up in a fight with a wolf. Edward didn't bother telling him there was no wolf besides Jake. He wasn't even sure he was a wolf anymore. His little girl was now twenty so that meant he had started aging some years ago.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Bella whispered.
Edward turned his attention to her. To the road. They were driving to Forks. They lived in Blue River, Oregon, very close to Washington.
He had let it slip his mind Jake was getting married, being sure he would never invite his friend – a vampire – to his wedding, even though he had promised. When Edward received the letter via email, he was shocked. It was an invitation for two, but in brackets was written 'more if necessary.' Everyone had declined so only Bella and he were going.
This time, Edward had called his parents, telling them he was visiting. They made sure they were going home a few days before the actual wedding so they could catch up. And his mom insisted he should bring Ginger. The cat was getting old and was quite sick, but Edward decided to indulge them.
He had to get used to lose people, animals, he loved. It was normal. It was the right way.
Ginger was pushing seventeen and Edward expected him to die any day. He was sure that no other cat in the world was as loved as him. Every time he was sick, Edward was there for him, stroking his back, washing his vomit, pushing pills down his throat. Just loving him.
He realized he hadn't answered Bella. "Thinking of Jake."
She giggled. "That sounds wrong, honey."
"And about going back…" he continued, ignoring her childish comment.
Speeding past the sign that welcomed them to Forks, Edward heard the start of a coughing fit. He pressed the pedal to the floor so he'd get home faster to take care of the poor soul in the backseat.
"He'll be okay, Edward."
"No, he won't," he insisted. "If he starts throwing up and chokes on phlegm again…" He cringed, remembering the time he thought he'd lost Ginger. Edward parked violently in front of the house, wishing again they'd allow chemo treatment for cats.
In less than two seconds, he opened the back door and picked the cat up from the backseat. He looked at his owner through his faded blue eyes, rubbing his whiskers over Edward's cheek. He kissed his head, hugging him to his chest.
Bella collected their bags, starting to the front door. Edward followed her, stroking Ginger as he sighed quietly.
They had entertained themselves on the way by imagining how his parents looked. Edward wouldn't have guessed that was his mother if he'd passed her on the street. The person who opened the door had all the hair gray and wrinkles on her face. It had been about fifteen years since his change, and eight since his last visit. Was eight years that much?
She blinked, not recognizing him. Then something flashed in her eyes when she realized he was her son.
"Edward, sweetheart!" She cried out. "Come here."
Edward bent, and carefully hugged her, mindful of Ginger, then kissed her brow. "Hey, Mom. How are you?"
"I'm good. Hello, Bella," she said, turning her attention to Bella.
Edward walked in, looking around. He could see her age reflected in how the house looked. It wasn't as clean as it once had been.
His dad was in front of the TV, munching on walnuts.
"Hi, Dad," he greeted. He didn't even turn around. Edward paid attention to his thoughts – he was focused on the game.
A warm hand came on his elbow, returning his attention to his mom. She was smiling kindly. "He's aging, sweetie." He didn't understand that. "ED!" she shouted. "The kids are here!"
He had hearing problems. It was starting to hit a little too close to home. After Ginger, they'd be next. Edward swallowed hard, doing his best not to break down in sobs.
His dad turned to them and grinned, finally acknowledging their presence. "Hello, son, Bella."
Bella went to his side, putting a hand on the small of his back. "Good to see you, Ed!" she said loudly.
He nodded. "Come here, join me!" He patted the couch.
Edward couldn't stay there for another second. He put Ginger on the floor and went outside. Propping his hands on the porch's railing, he let dry sobs escape him. It wasn't going to be tomorrow, but it was going to be soon – in a few years or maybe a decade.
Warm arms wrapped around his back and he turned around, hugging his mom. She looked up at him, stroking his cheek. She didn't say anything, there was nothing to say. Though, she was thinking of how young and beautiful he was and will always be. How she and Ed were proud of him, and he shouldn't feel bad for anything. They were happy.
"Edward! He's sick," Bella said softly from the house.
Edward wrenched from his mom's hug, and followed the smell of vomit. He found Ginger at the top of the stairs. He sat next to him, taking him on his lap.
"Why did you climb? You know you can't make efforts, baby," he whispered.
He groaned, his stomach muscles spasming and Edward knew he was going to throw up again.
"Damn it, Ginger. You can't keep doing this. You'll kill yourself."
"What's wrong with him?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.
Edward had been so focused on the cat that he missed her approaching.
"He's sick. I'm going to clean this once he's done," he said, pointing to his vomit.
"Did he eat something bad?"
Edward shook his head. "It's stomach cancer. Fucking vets!" He cursed, kicking his foot in the stair. "No chemo for animals!"
"Edward," his mom whispered, touching his arm.
He wrenched from her touch. She was using the same soothing voice Bella did when they were talking about this. "I know," he snapped. "Life sucks. But he didn't do anything wrong! He's just a damn cat!"
"What's going on?" His dad asked, joining them. He had heard his son's tantrum.
"I'll get a cloth," Bella whispered to him, disappearing toward the bathroom.
Edward couldn't tell his dad, but maybe screaming it would make it better. He followed Bella to the bathroom. He could still hear his mom explaining what was going on, though. His dad was sorry to hear the news. Why did people say they were sorry? They didn't cause the illness or have anything to do with the death.
"You packed the medicine?" Edward wondered, looking at his feet.
"It's in the front pocket of your bag."
"Thanks," he mumbled, kissed her cheek and went to his room where she had dumped the bags.
Ginger recognized the room and wanted to be on the floor to explore. Edward tried to keep him in his arms, not wanting him to get sick again. Ginger almost implored him with his eyes. Edward obliged.
"If you get sick, it's your fault," he warned.
The cat let out a faint mewl and went to the spot his house used to be.
"You remember that, huh?"
He wriggled his tail, laying down and closing his eyes. Edward hated when he did that. It was almost like he wanted to die. The way he acted. Edward did everything he could to keep him alive and he wanted to die. Stupid cat.
After grabbing his pills, Edward went to him, kneeling at his side. "Pill time," he said gently.
His tail moved in annoyed. "Come on, kitty." Ginger only opened his mouth, too spent to move more. "Don't move from here. Just mewl, and I'll be here if you need anything," he whispered.
He stretched, sighing again. Edward stroked him for a few moments before going downstairs. He would have been sick himself if he was human. Ginger was his first priority these days.
Edward slumped on the couch next to his dad, putting his hands in his hair.
"How did it happen?" he asked.
Edward shrugged. "About three months ago…he stopped eating…he got sick, and I took him to the vet."
His dad patted his back. "Stop doing it."
"Sorry?" Edward shouted louder than necessary.
"Stop it, you heard me. He's suffering. And the pills you give him just make him feel a little better. You're just prolonging the inevitable."
"Dad," he hissed. "I'm hoping he'll get better."
"Do you think that cat will be okay again? Seriously, Edward? Do you see him? When is the last time you looked at him? Really looked at him?" he asked, saddened.
"What do you mean? I look at him more than I look at Bella, some days."
"Do you? If you truly looked at him, you'll see what everyone sees. A sick cat that is tired of fighting with this disease. You just see Ginger – the cat you love and want to be better. He will never be the same."
Bella had tried to tell him that countless time, even Rose. He had to hear it from his father to truly understand. Ginger was suffering while he was taking care of him. Damn it.
Bella appeared at his side, hugging him tightly as he made a difficult decision. He had to stop giving him pills, and that was going to kill him inside.
"Tell us about your lives," his mom said, joining them. She was trying to distract him.
"There's nothing special," Bella started. "Just attending high school, college, high school, college."
"College, huh?" His dad asked, laughing.
A small smile formed on Edward's lips, but his mind was still on Ginger. "Yeah. First time, I went to UCLA then I wanted to go to Princeton."
"Really?" he asked, surprised.
"Yeah, well…Bella didn't allow me. She said it would go to my head."
"It would have. He's already controlling and possessive. I didn't need him going there," she explained.
"Edward! I didn't teach you to be like that!" His mom chided.
"I'm merely trying to reenact the behavior of a husband from her days." That earned him a playful slap from Bella. "What about you?"
"We're just staying home. Leah is here daily because apparently Ella has a crush on your father, and sometimes, we go to the cemetery and just wonder what you two kids are doing."
Edward elbowed his dad, realizing a second too late, he should have been gentle. He grunted, rubbing his ribs.
"Sorry," he said quickly.
"Sure, sure. And what can I say? I still got my charms," he said, smiling, the corner of his eyes wrinkling. "And Anty is wonderful."
"ED!" Elizabeth cried out. "Stop calling the poor kid like that."
"You're not one to talk, Mom," he muttered. "My middle name is Anthony."
"And I never used it. It was my father's name as you know. It's tradition."
"You didn't, but Leah did for two agonizing years," he grumbled.
Bella was doing her best not to laugh. There was nothing funny.
"Oh, but you were kids."
"Yeah, exactly. I was tormented. I had nightmares!"
"Don't be dramatic," Bella said through giggles.
"How about I call you Marie for a decade?"
"How about you forget I have that name," she teased.
"Oh, I can feel the love," his dad chuckled.
There was someone outside. Edward heard a car's engine stopping and doors slamming close.
"I can feel guests," Edward retorted just as he heard a faint mewl from upstairs.
He really wanted to act normal around his parents, but he couldn't. He was acting crazy when it was about his cat. Bella explained his sudden disappearance just as the guests knocked. It was Leah with her little girl. She knew they were here, she had seen the car.
"What is it, Ginger?" Edward asked, dropping next to him.
His dead heart broke into a million pieces when he saw his pain-filled eyes.
"So you agree? No more meds?"
For a second, it appeared he nodded. Edward wouldn't put it past him. He was smart.
"Okay. I understand. I really love you." He kissed his small head. "How about you meet someone? Take your mind off the pain?"
He stayed quietly in Edward's arms on the way downstairs. He had been right. Leah and Antonella were there.
"Kitty!"
Edward smiled tightly and sat next to her. "He's not feeling well, but you can pet him," he whispered.
She had gotten so big. He remembered what his mom once told him about realizing how old she was when she saw him growing up.
"What do you say, Ella?" Leah asked. "Hey," she added, meeting Edward's eyes.
"Hello," Ella said brightly, sitting next to him and stroking Ginger's head. He closed his eyes in pleasure, purring.
"How old is she?" Bella asked, looking surprised at Ella.
"Twelve," Leah answered, sitting on the coffee table in front of them. She had aged too. Edward could see the lines on her face, her tired eyes.
Stop checking me out. Your wife if right there, she said playfully, in her head.
"I'm not into MILFs," he teased her.
She gasped loudly, her eyes widening. "Edward Masen!"
"What did you just do?" His mom asked, aggravated, appearing in the door way with a tray with lemonade.
"Nothing," he said innocently, still smirking at Leah.
She turned to Bella. "Could you slap him for me?"
"Gladly. It's my favorite past time activity," Bella answered cheerfully, her palm connecting with the back of his head.
"Ow!" Edward groaned.
Once they were all settled again, ready to start some other topic, he heard Antonella's thoughts. He hoped she wasn't going to ask it loudly. Ever.
"How have you been, Leah?" he asked quickly, before her daughter could turn him into ashes.
"What's a MILF?"
Fuck. She just had to ask it. After thinking about the acronym for ten minutes, she decided to ask.
"Edward will explain it to you, sweetie," Leah answered. Let's see what you tell her. And I promise, if you say the real thing, I will arrange your funeral. The real one.
Edward gulped, scratching the nape of his neck. "Uhh…it's not really important."
From the confused thoughts of his parents, they had no idea what it meant, either. And they were curious. Why did he even have to comment on her stupid thought?
"Oh, okay." Ella let it slide, thankfully.
Leah talked about her life, telling them how Jake and Seth were helping her, but they were caught up with their other halves. That was news. Edward didn't know Seth had found someone. Her name was Betty and she was in his year at college, they had eloped to Vegas a few years ago. When Bella asked about her family, Leah's eyes dropped, and she mumbled about Harry being dead – another heart attack.
After some time, Elizabeth drifted to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and Bella and Leah joined her. Leah made sure Ella was okay and made Edward promise to keep an eye on her before leaving. She was a big girl.
"Can I play with your phone, Mom?"
"Sure, just not for long."
Ed engaged his son in a conversation about his college studies, and he told him. Edward didn't want it to be a secret.
"Don't look surprised," he joked. "I finished med school."
His eyes widened, and he was trying hard not to laugh. When Edward's face didn't betray anything, he sobered up. "Okay, where's the catch?"
"There's no catch, Dad," he groaned. "I was just intrigued by how Carlisle could do it. Turns out, I can do it too, with some difficulty," he added sheepishly.
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. What area?"
"Just general medicine. I'm also helping Carlisle by learning new things. He won't really attend college again, although he could." Edward shrugged.
"Selfless, as always," he muttered, grinning. "How old is he?"
"Carlisle?" Edward asked. "He's just twenty-four, but when we stay more than four years somewhere, he's pushing thirty. Not nice when people start seeing how he isn't aging..."
A second too late, he realized what Antonella was doing with Leah's phone. She had searched up Urban Dictionary and was looking up the acronym he'd used earlier. Fuck my life. Leah was going to kill him, and Bella too, and his mom.
Edward tried distracting her. "So…you're fourth grade?" he asked, nudging her gently.
"Fifth," she answered, without looking up.
He couldn't just snatch the phone from her hands. "What are you doing there?"
She turned her black eyes to his, frowning. "Fuck is a bad word."
Holy shit. She had already found out what MILF meant.
Edward heard Bella's sharp intake of breath from the kitchen.
"Yes, it is," he answered. "Do I owe you five bucks?"
"It's ten dollars these days," she said, smirking.
"Really, now?"
"Yep. It's crisis."
He laughed. "Do you want them now? And you promise not to tell your mom that you searched that thing up?"
"Then I need more." She spent too much time with Jake. That was 'his thing' written all over her words.
"Okay, fifteen," he conceded, reaching in his back pocket for the wallet.
"Fifty."
"Whoever taught you to negotiate wasn't good at it," Edward said, taking the phone from her hand and leaving the web page then putting it between them on the couch.
"It was Mr. Paul," Ella answered, jutting her chin up. "Mom doesn't really like him."
Paul. Her father. Crap. "Okay, fifty it is, but not a word. Promise me."
"Scout honor," she said seriously, making the sign.
"Figures," he mumbled, but glad they had something to talk about. "So you're a Girl Scout?"
"I'm going to see how the food is going. It will take a while," his dad said, nodding to Ella. She was bouncing, happy to talk about something she liked.
"Actually, I have to be on the camp, but I'll go after the wedding," she started. "It's amazing. I'm in the Studio 2B program. I have the Silver Award. I'm hoping this year, I'll get the Gold Award.…"
Edward paid attention to her stories because they were fascinating. He remembered being in such a camp and calling back home within the first week. He hated it so much that the bad memory had stuck.
"It came in handy," she told him, grinning when she was done with her camp stories.
"Really? How so?"
"Well…" She looked down at Ginger who stretched on his lap, groaning. "Is he okay?"
"He'll be okay." That was huge lie, but maybe dying was the best way to ease his pain. "So? You were saying it came in handy," he prompted her.
"Oh, right!" She nodded quickly, returning her eyes to his. "I was in the woods with Nessie and Claire, they are not Girl Scouts. And we got lost – technically, they got lost. I found the way out, even though it was night. The stars can tell you a lot of things."
"That's impressive. Who is Claire?"
"She is Quil's girlfriend. She is one year ahead of me."
"I see."
