Double update today! The teaser for the next chapter is at the end of this ;)
DISCLAIMER: THE STORY DOESN'T BELONG TO ME; THE CHARACTERS ARE PROPERTY OF S. MEYER AND THE PLOT BELONGS TO DANNYSK.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME SHARE YOUR STORY IN ENGLISH!
¡GRACIAS DANNY, POR DARME ESTA OPORTUNIDAD!
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"You never thought of buying helmets and knee pads?"
Bella folded her arms, staring at Edward, who just shook his head, his eyes darting with guilt and... fear?
They were in the park, the freezing cold dropping a gentle breeze with snow water, definitely worst case scenarios about what could happen to her little boy riding that bike unprotected, was starting to make her beyond nervous.
"He'll be fine."
"What do you mean? Don't you think I've seen this happen over and over again in the emergency room? They come in with a broken arm, with a concussion to the head...?" she squeaked in annoyance. Emmett grinned, moving closer to her he slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for an unnecessary tight hug.
"You see, Bells, men learn by trial and error. If Sammy falls, he'll proudly display his scars." Edward nodded without looking at them, his eyes locked on his son's zigzagging movement.
"Ug!" She groaned. "You can't be serious, too."
"I did buy Elizabeth protection, as soon as Edward told me he was going to give them bikes, and that was the first thing I did, Frozen helmet and knee pads." Then he looked at her like she was an infant. "But come on, Bella, Sam's a boy, boys don't wear helmets without looking like complete nerd freaks."
"You two..." she pointed angrily at them, "will be responsible if anything happens to my son."
"Done," the brothers replied in unison, making her angrier as she turned back towards the girls.
"There's no point in making such a fuss, Bella," murmured Rosalie, who was playing dolls with Eli. All men are the same.
"That's what I think," she snorted, looking back at the boys.
And then being shocked at the scene before her eyes. Edward, whose job it had been to make her life an ordeal, ran to where his son had skidded, of course, and picked him up with such tenderness that it brought down some of the fury the chestnut was feeling from the "I told you this would happen because of your sexism" that was struggling to get out of his throat. Edward cradled him in his arms, and did so with exuberance, unconcerned about being watched by some of the dads. How many times had she seen male pride get in the way at the hospital, as if enjoying life and showing emotion was wrong or made you weak? Sammy smiled, waving, asking to be put back on the ground where he shook out his knees before getting back on the bike, and Bella could see Edward's face relax at his child's laughter.
Her heart constricted, and she knew that this was the fatal moment when she would once again fall all the way back down for Edward.
"Mum, look at my new scars!"
Or no, perhaps she could kill her husband later and out of sight of witnesses.
O~O~O~O
"Are you still angry?" Edward whispered close to his wife's ear, smiling as he stole a shiver.
"Sammy fell, I told you that would happen, I can't be the happiest mum right now."
"It's just a couple of scratches and bruises, he's a kid, he's fine."
"Aha," she mumbled in mock annoyance making him smile, so without thinking he grabbed her hand.
"Tomorrow I'll buy him a Frozen helmet and kneepads too, I think he likes the guy... Hanna's boyfriend?"
"Ana," she corrected him with a laugh.
Then Bella watched their interlaced hands as they walked to the restaurant where they would eat, Emmett and Rosalie walking ahead with the children. It all seemed normal and relaxed, no one would ever know that holding hands could be so momentous, something more intimate it seemed than even sex itself, but his wife knew it was different for them, he knew it... and there was every indication that he was going to let go, so he was surprised when she sighed before letting him lead her inside. It was a small gesture, but a big leap for her humanity. Once inside, Rose entered the powder room as Emm began to order food for everyone, so Edward took the opportunity to pull Bella away before she sat down at the table. She smiled rolling her eyes but wanted to do this without much of an audience.
"I have a present for you." Bella blinked before looking at him as if she'd grown another head. What, I can't give you anything?
"You've never done that before, I..." she nibbled on her lip, "I didn't get you anything for Christmas..." she said.
"It's all right," she said before pulling out the little red velvet bag.
"For God's sake," she groaned, denying, "how much did you spend on this?"
"It was my mother's." He shrugged, playing it down. "I inherited a bunch of things like this from her. I gave most of them to Esme, except this one."
"It's... It's beautiful, Edward," she whispered, staring down at the small chain she was attaching to his wrist, from which hung a solitary heart.
"It occurred to me that it might be a good symbol for you to wear, something that represents me, you know, unfathomable and cold," he laughed, a slightly hoarse sound that tried to cover a lot of emotion coming out of his mouth. "I think given the situation; this little gift represents more than the engagement ring I gave you."
"Hey, don't mess with my ring, it's beautiful too," she joked, tapping it on her chest.
"Sure, wherever you kept it." She gasped before blushing.
"I... I took it off when..." Edward placed a finger on her lips.
"You don't need to explain yourself to me, darling."
And then he sighed, staring at her, swallowing again words that he knew, oddly enough, Bella was not ready to hear this time.
O~O~O~O
"Then... if you're interested, of course, I think there's something you can give me." His husky tone and intense eyes brought back memories of the night they had slept together, and without being able to help it, a shiver ran through her.
They were in the car on their way home, so she looked back to where the twins had fallen asleep.
"And what would that be?" She cleared her throat, trying to play it down.
"I'd like you to invite me to your end-of-year meeting at work," the news left her feeling rather unsettled.
"What?"
"You know, Rosalie's inviting Emmett and well, if you want... I'd like to come with you."
"You've never wanted to go before." He ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, you know, I was an idiot before, and for the millionth time, I'm really sorry." He looked sideways at her. "Although, if you don't want me to go, I'll understand too, I can stay with the kids instead of Mrs. Cope going home."
"Hum, no, I..." She nibbled on her lower lip, pondering the possibility that this was really happening. I'm just having a little trouble adjusting to all this.
"I get it, Leah told me you've been seeing her." She blushed, but before she could say anything else, Edward stepped forward. "And that's all she said, well, that and to stop being so damn pushy, she asked me to give you time, it's just something I don't handle well..." He stopped in front of the traffic light, "You know, working so many years in a company has made me a bit... competitive so to speak, and to justify myself as well."
"I see." She laughed, sounding a little breathless as their eyes met. "And, well, I guess Leah asked you to stop insisting on me, because I told her I felt trapped, but the truth is I'm afraid you'll give up on me," she stammered, looking away. Suddenly, Edward started walking, but not towards home, instead he stopped on the side of the road, surprising her.
"I'm never going to give up on you." He unbuckled his seatbelt so he could get a better look at her. "In fact, I've always feared that you'll be the one who gets fed up with my shit once and for all."
"So you'll keep fighting for this?" She waved her hands, pointing across the distance between them. "Even if it's confusing and with no certain future?"
"Of course, if you want me to beg, I can do that too."
"You've never begged for anything, not even a contract," she joked, taking off her seatbelt as well, but her breath caught in her throat when she saw Edward's face.
"I know. But for you I'd do it in a heartbeat. Can't you see it, Bella?" he whispered, his gaze now fixed on the steering wheel, his hands balled into fists against his thighs. I've tried to be what you expect of me, I really am trying to make it up to our children, but if you want me to do better, I will. If you want to torture me every day for the rest of my life, refusing to kiss you or touch you, I'll gladly accept it. All I ask is that you allow me to stay by your side, by the side of our children." He raised his head, and she had to stifle a cry as she looked into his almost black, lifeless eyes. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. If I could take back the time I would. But unfortunately, I can only keep trying to get you through it, but if you can't... just don't take me away from our children, I don't know how long I can survive without them." His voice cracked with emotion. "Please, if you're going to deny me anything is fine, except that."
"I would never forbid you to see our children," she assured incredulously, "they are yours too and you have every right in the world..." She shook her head, "I didn't know that going away would cause you so much conflict because all this time, I thought you wanted us out of your life...".
"I don't blame you for thinking anything of me. However, let it be clear to you that it's not just them I need back, it's clear to me know who I can't live without."
"But..."
"I know you're brave or strong enough to live without me, but I could never make that sacrifice again, I tried that, and it didn't turn out well. I have to be with you. It's the only way I can go on living."
Without thinking things through, Bella leaned into him, and smiled as Edward wrapped his arms around her waist, settling her into his lap.
"I also know whose company I can't live without." A small smile lit up her perfect face, though the worry still showed on her forehead.
"Forgive me for being so... hysterical," he sighed, lining his lips. "I keep pushing you in ways I don't even realise."
And in the same line of abandon, Bella gave him a soft kiss, surprising him before returning to her place in the car seat.
"If you want to go to dinner, it's on Wednesday. You can pick me up at nine." He looked at her unfathomably, before a small, crooked smile played on his lips.
"Then I think we have a date."
And as he licked his lips, Bella followed the movement, she wanted... no, she needed to kiss him again, she needed it almost desperately, so she was willing to let it happen, when suddenly Elizabeth yawned in the back, leaving them frozen as if they were doing something wrong. Edward burst out laughing, a low, hoarse sound as he looked in the rear view mirror. Bella had to blink a couple of times trying to hide a ridiculous blush on her cheeks.
"Hi, baby, go back to sleep, we're almost home," she prompted in that soft, velvety voice.
"What's a date, daddy?" asked the little girl with a frown. Her puzzled green eyes and little pout was something that always managed to melt anyone.
"It's something I hope you don't have for many, many years to come." Bella laughed, rolling her eyes.
"Put on your seatbelt so you can drive us home."
"You put your seatbelt on," he countered, winking at her.
Arriving home, Edward got out of the car and held his little girl in his arms, and then as he brushed her curly hair away from her face, he placed a soft kiss on her neck, making her giggle, causing her to burst into laughter seconds later and beg him to let her go.
"No one but me can ever give you kisses," he growled, still tickling Eli. Bella rolled her eyes at his possessive tone and then froze completely still.
She was going on a date with Edward. She wondered if they ever had one... and just as her mind raced in that direction again, she decided to stop. She wasn't going back to the past, not anymore.
Hello! Bella is finally opening her heart to Edward; do you think they will do well on this upcoming date?
Here's a little teaser for the next chapter, now go and read it ;)
"It wasn't the only time you... you did something for me."
When Bella looked away, Edward knew exactly where his wife's mind had gone. Yes, that night hadn't been the only cliff he'd almost jumped off.
"Ever since we parted, I've said I'm sorry, but I don't think I've ever thanked you for everything you've done." He slid his hands down her small back. "Taking care of me when I needed you, giving birth to my children, carrying a lot of weight on your back, marrying me? So, yes... hum, thank you for everything, you're too good. I admire you more every day."