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Chapter 4 If Walls Could Talk
Edward POV
I have to admit I do feel better after taking a hot shower. Once I was dressed, I hesitantly made my way towards the main house.
Fuck!
Emmett's car is in the driveway. 'Hopefully she didn't say anything', I thought while chanting 'please' with my fingers crossed.
I stealthily walked into the house and closed the door. Following Emmett's laughter towards the basement, my ears perk up when I hear…
"I saw him naked Carlisle! No mother wants to see that!" She shrieked in mortification.
I paused after only going down two steps.
"Well, was it bigger than dads?" Emmett teased jokingly followed by his booming laugh.
Just great, I thought to myself as my shoulders slumped over in mild embarrassment. I prepared for the teasing I knew was coming.
"God, I can't believe you just spoke those words to your mother. That is so gross!" Esme screeched.
Obviously, Ma hit him because the next thing I overhear is…
"Owwww! Ma, you don't have to hit so hard!" Emmett whined while still laughing.
"Emmett why are you like this?" Carlisle questioned Emmett rhetorically, with a chuckle of his own.
I could imagine my dad shaking his head in amusement, his normal reaction to Emmett's "jokes."
"I thought it was funny." Emmett sulked.
"Look, this is serious! I'm really worried about him. That…floozy hurt my baby." She asserted angrily.
"Come on now Esme, calm down." Carlisle comforted.
"See that's the problem right there. You're still treating him like a baby. He's a grown ass man Ma! He's thirty years old for fucks sake." He stated matter-of-factly.
'Not my fault I'm the favorite asshat', I thought to myself.
"We're not babying him. He's going through a lot right now." Carlisle reasoned, his voice raising slightly. "He really loved that girl, hell he may still love her." He added, blowing a loud breath in annoyance. "We cannot forget the great summer of 99'. Two words…Bree Tanner." He stated with finality.
'Yeah, that was Emmett's only high school heartbreak, turns out she was just using him to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. Even though he did like her his pride took a bigger hit than his heart.' I thoughtfully recall.
"Wow Dad, that was a low blow. We said we wouldn't speak on that again, you promised." Emmett grimaced.
"Well son, I just thought I'd remind you to show a little more empathy for the struggle your brother is having." He responded casually. "Honey." He continued. "I am taking this seriously, and I'm going to talk to him Mimi, but we have to give him time. He negotiated. "This has been a huge adjustment for him, especially when you consider the fact that they've been together since they were nineteen." He relayed tenderly.
"Carlisle, he needs more than just time. Have you been in the pool house? We have to do something; we can't just sit back and watch him give up." She declared in an exasperated tone.
Honestly, I didn't know I was that bad…okay I'm lying. I knew I was bad but not intervention bad. Their conversation doesn't upset me, but it is a wakeup call for me to get my shit together. I can't even imagine what my daughter must think of me.
Before the conversation could continue, I decided to make my presence known. While loudly walking down the rest of the stairs I called out, "Hey guys." I greeted as it got quiet. Once I strode into the basement Emmett announced in his exuberant tone, "Welcome to the land of the living! Glad to see you have clothes on baby bro." He guffawed, slapping his knee at his won joke.
While my parent's back was still turned, I gave him the one finger salute, before snapping back at him. "Bite me jackass!"
"Alright shut it down boys." Carlisle chastised.
"Oh, honey you look better." Esme blurted. I noticed she didn't look me in the eye as her gaze was set on something behind me.
"Ma, you don't have to avoid me. It will never happen again." I groaned.
"Well, I hope so." She replied as she leaned in to hug me but abruptly pulled back, patting me on my shoulder instead. "I'm going to go start dinner now." She announced spinning on her heel and heading for the stairs.
Before she escaped the basement, she turned and spoke to my father, "Carlisle." She intoned, giving my father 'the look'. You know the one, and I don't mean the one that lets you know you're in trouble or grounded. This is the one reserved only for my father.
"Okay, Mimi." He responded with a flirtatious grin.
'Eww…' I murmured under my breath, and I heard Emmett echo my reaction.
"As long as you know baby." She said with a wink, before leaving us on our own.
"Gotcha by the balls, huh dad?" Emmett mocked.
"I quite enjoy it too." Carlisle replied, his eye shining with mirth.
"Damnit would you stop!" I growled. "I don't want that visual in my head dad!"
"Well, Ma saw you naked and now you know Dad likes Ma handling his balls. So now you're even." Emmett broadcasted shrugging his shoulders indifferently.
Carlisle completely ignored Emmett as he turned to me, "Have a seat Edward." He posed, gesturing to the seat next to him.
Walking by Emmett I smacked him on the back of his head for that last comment, before plopping down next to my dad.
"Dude! Am I the punching bag today?" Emmett shrieked holding his head.
"Emmett please!" Carlisle reprimanded, closing his eyes and letting out a breath. Opening his eyes, he asked, "How are you doing?" While watching me intently.
"Honestly?" I began with a sigh. I feel stupid." I paused. "I mean, Dad the entire time I was trying to make things work, she was creating a whole new life…without me, I thought she was my forever. I don't know where I went wrong, but I guess it really wouldn't have mattered if I tried to fix it anyway." I admit dejectedly, feeling sorry for myself once more.
"I can't imagine what you've been going through but son, I need you to know this is not your fault." He reasoned. "What Gianna did was very…" He paused, searching for the right word. ", unexpected and was a blow to your ego and self-esteem but you did all you could because you loved her and that doesn't make you stupid." He discloses, reassuringly.
Running my hand through my hair nervously. A habit I've had as far back as I can remember. I stumble over my response, "Dad, I—I've never felt so helpless and just empty…I still can't believe she did this to our family. How do I just let go of the life we planned?" I deduced. Suddenly, I felt Emmett's hand gripping my shoulder.
"Eddie, it's a process that will take time, but you can't stop your whole life. Take it one step at a time but don't just give up." He added with a sincere expression, followed by a gentle squeeze to my shoulder in support.
"You need to take it day by day, Edward, and not rush your emotional healing. But you have to at least try, especially for that little granddaughter of mine." He smiled. I echoed his smile, thinking of my Renata as I looked down to my hands and picking at my nails. The sound of his voice caused me to raise my eyes to his once more. "I know how you are about your plans, but life doesn't always happen in specific or planned steps, no matter how much you want them to, and that's okay." He articulated. "It doesn't make you a failure, and more importantly it doesn't make you any less of a man." He finalized, leaning back in his seat.
I found it difficult to talk with the lump in my throat and settled on nodding. He seemed to know what I felt without me having to express it all verbally.
"I just need you to know we are here for you." Carlisle added soothingly, patting me on the knee.
"Yeah, baby bro we got your back." Emmett confirmed.
Once I cleared my throat I replied, "Thank you guys."
"Great!" Emmett said with a clap of his hands before he continued. "Now that we've done the emotional thing we can get down to business. When are you coming back to work?"
"Emmett." Carlisle warned.
"What? I think that's a fair question. It's called Cullen & Cullen yet I'm the only Cullen showing up."
"You were doing so well Emmett." Carlisle sighed.
"No, he's right. I do need to get back to work."
"That's the attitude to have Eddie! You just need to get back in the swing of things and I have just the project for you!" Emmett exclaimed in excitement. "Listen to this!" He began. "A restaurant in the dark. With the right marketing and allocating of funds this could be the next big thing. I already talked to the owner and she's ready to make some big changes. I have the perfect name! Are you ready?" He asked, rubbing his together animatedly. "Dark Dinning." He stated flicking his hands up as if framing a sign. "So, what do you think?" He questioned with a huge smile.
'Who's eating in the dark?' I thought to myself, although verbally my response was more intellectual. "Uh."
"Dinner's ready!" Esme interjected before he could ask me for my thoughts again.
Oh, Thank God!
"We can talk about it later, Emmett." I answer getting up from the couch and heading up the stairs towards the kitchen.
"Awesome! You made my favorite!" Emmett boomed, taking in the spread before him.
"It looks delicious love." Carlisle smiled while kissing her forehead affectionally.
"So, do you." Esme flirted.
"We're about to eat, please don't upset my stomach." Emmett deadpanned while piling food on his plate.
"Emmett! Save some for the rest of us" Esme gently scolds, as he continues to serve himself.
"But Ma." He whines. "You know I love your lasagna."
The small spread of food was mouthwatering. Her lasagna recipe had been passed down from many generations, along with garlic toast and a side salad.
After a few minutes of fork scrapping and moans of appreciation, mostly coming from Emmett, Esme daintily wiped her mouth. "So, Edward." She paused, waiting for me to make eye contact. "Renata's first day of kindergarten is tomorrow, how do you feel?" She smiled.
"I can't believe she's about to start school." I say feeling a soft smile overtake my face. "I remember when we brought her home." I reminiscence thinking back to the day she was born.
"Don't we know it. Before you can blink, she'll be in high school and trying to steal your car." Carlisle joked while glancing at Emmett and I.
"Yeah." I said with a laugh. "It wasn't our finest moment." I confirmed.
"Hey!" Emmett protested, finally pulling himself away from his plate. "It was the party of the year and we thought you would've been asleep."
"I can't wait for you to have kids." Carlisle replied with a smile, pointing his fork at Emmett.
"Not likely old man." Emmett chuckled.
"Actually Edward." Esme cautiously interrupted. She twirled the napkin in her hand. "You know Gianna's going to drop her off at school for her first day." She hesitates unsure of how I will respond. When I remain quiet, she continues, "Are you okay with that? If you want, I can go with you." She bargains.
"Well, I'm not going to miss her first day of school." I reply, resolving within myself that this would be the first step of coming out of my slump.
"Great!" She responds with a knowing grin as though a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
'Great indeed', I thought to myself sarcastically.
A/N: Thank you for your reviews and support! Let us know what your favorite part was. What are your thoughts on Emmett? What do you think Gianna did?
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