Twilight belongs to the ridiculously talented Stephenie Meyer.
A Father's Hope belongs to me.
A HUGE thanks to twimom817 for beta'ing. This wouldn't be nearly as pretty without her.
Chapter Nine
The second weekend in November, I flew down to California for Chloe's birthday. Irina was having a party for her at the Rainforest Café and Chloe begged me to come. I hadn't spent a birthday with her in a couple years, and it felt good to be able to take a weekend and spend it with my daughter. I asked Bella if she wanted to come with me, but she declined saying it would just add fuel to Irina's fire and she didn't want that for Chloe's birthday.
Chloe had told Irina all about Bella when she got home after being with me all summer. Irina was pissed of course, telling me I had no right to bring dates around Chloe. I fought back reminding her that she brought Felix around Chloe without my permission.
"Besides, Bella is a friend of Emmett's and she was the maid of honor at their wedding which Chloe was a part of so it's not like she wouldn't have met her anyway. My parents have been friends with Bella's parents for a long time too – it was only a matter of time before Chloe and Bella's paths crossed. Does it really bother you to know that I've moved on and Chloe happens to like her?"
"Edward, I don't want women I don't know around my daughter!"
"I could say the same thing, Irina. Not that it matters much to you, but I won't allow you to demand that of me when you don't extend me the same courtesy."
That went over like a lead balloon.
I was so angry with Irina I couldn't stand it. Bella tried to calm me down, but I just ended up ending the call because I didn't want to take it out on her. She promised to come by later that week with a gift that she'd bought especially for Chloe.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked when she'd come by.
I was in my room packing and getting ready to head out the next morning. She sat down on my bed, playing with a bear Chloe had given me that I kept on my bed.
"Yeah. I'm just angry at Irina and her damn double standards."
"Edward … she's probably just doing it to get a rise out of you. Don't let her do that. She's also probably jealous that Chloe has another female figure in her life."
"Yeah, a better one than her own mother," I huffed.
"Bella, I'm sorry about this weekend. I really would have loved for you to have come with me. Chloe would have loved for you to be there."
"I know, Edward. I would love to go, but I don't want to cause more problems with Irina than I already have. I want Chloe to have a wonderful birthday party and I just think it's better if I stay here. After you graduate from the detective program, we'll plan on going down there for a weekend. We can take Chloe to Disneyland or something and it'll just be the three of us all weekend, okay?"
"That sounds fan-fucking-tastic. Chloe would love that and so would I."
"I thought so," Bella giggled.
A few hours later, I walked Bella out to her car.
"Wish her happy birthday for me, will you?" Bella asked quietly.
I placed my hands on her hips and pulled her toward me.
"You know I will. I'll miss you this weekend," I murmured into her neck as I breathed in her scent one last time.
"I'll miss you too, Edward. Have a good time with Chloe, but hurry back, okay?"
I pressed my lips against hers, ghosting my tongue along her lower lip. She opened her lips enough to grant me entrance and I slipped my tongue inside tangling it with hers. I slipped my hand under her sweatshirt and found the soft skin of her lower back. Bella was the first to break our kiss.
"Are you sure you can't come to my place? I'll drive you to the airport in the morning," Bella breathed.
After making love to Bella for the first time, I found that there wasn't anything I wasn't willing to give her. In a little over a week she'd become so much more to me. I wouldn't say she was everything just yet, but she had the potential to be.
"Bella …" I breathed. "I want to but I really … oh fuck it. Let me run in and grab my bag and let my parents know. Does this mean that you'll pick me up on Sunday evening too?"
"No … my offer was only to drop you off. You'll have to walk home," she giggled. "Yes, Edward! Of course I'll pick you up."
Her smile was gorgeous as she giggled at me. I couldn't help but press my lips against hers once more before disappearing into the house to grab my things and a pair of pajamas.
"Going to Bella's tonight, Son?" My father asked from the doorway.
"Yeah. Sorry."
"Don't apologize, Son. Bella's done you a world of good since you started seeing her. She's a strong and wonderful young woman. Your mom and I are so happy that you've found each other."
"Thanks, Dad. See you guys Sunday night?"
"Yup. Give my granddaughter a kiss for me and your mom and tell her we love her."
"I will."
I definitely made the right decision in staying at Bella's that night. I hadn't seen her really since the previous Saturday and I hadn't really talked to her because of the whole blow up with Irina. I'd sadly and unintentionally neglected my girlfriend. What started out as innocent kissing on the couch turned into a hot and heavy make out session before we made our way to the bedroom, falling into each other on the bed. I made love to her softly and slowly that night, tracing my fingers all over her beautiful body if only to ingrain the feel of her into my memory.
Sated and happy, I pulled her back to my chest and kissed her shoulder.
"I love you, Bella," I whispered.
"I love you too, Edward."
The next morning when I arrived in California, my heart hurt at the thought of being so far from Bella, but when I saw Chloe the hurt subsided a little.
"Where's Bella?" Chloe asked.
"She couldn't come this time, Chloebear," I explained. "But after I finish my classes, I promise that Bella and I will come down and spend an entire weekend with you. How does that sound?"
Chloe's face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Really, Daddy?"
"Really, baby."
Irina was mostly cordial to me during my stay. I did notice that Felix was conveniently not at the birthday party which I was grateful for. I had been lucky as of yet to have not met him, and it wasn't something I was looking forward to.
My weekend with Chloe was way too short, but I knew that I'd be seeing Chloe in just over a month for Christmas. After promising her that I'd give Bella a big hug and a kiss as a thank you for her birthday gift, I kissed my daughter and got in my rental car to leave.
Bella was waiting for me at the baggage claim at Sea-Tac as promised. The smile on her face was bright and happy.
"Hey you," she breathed as I pulled her into my arms. "How was Chloe?"
I kissed her sweetly before releasing her.
"She's good. Looking forward to Christmas," I replied.
I leaned down and hugged her again before kissing her.
"That was from Chloe," I chuckled. "She loved the doll you sent her."
"I'm sure it was nothing compared to getting to spend the weekend with her dad."
"I don't know if I'd go that far," I chuckled.
The rest of November went by quickly. Thankfully, Bella and I didn't have to choose between houses or split up our time because my mom solved the problem for us by inviting Renee and Charlie over. Chloe called just before we were sitting down for dinner and I took Bella's hand and led her up to my room so we could talk to Chloe. The noise level in our house was just too much.
"Daddy, I miss being with you and Bella and Mom-mom and Pop-pop and Aunt Alice. Thanksgiving is weird here, we had enchiladas and chile rayaynos with rice and beans for dinner."
"I'm sorry, Chloebear. Say hi to Bella, she's here with me," I said, putting the phone on speaker.
"Bella!" Chloe cried.
"Hey, sweetpea." Bella smiled.
"I miss you, Bella."
"We miss you too, Chloebear," I said softly.
"I have an idea, Chloe," Bella began. "How about if we make a big Thanksgiving dinner together when you come home for Christmas?"
"Really?"
"Really. Would you like that, sweetpea?"
"Yes!" Chloe cried excitedly.
We talked for a few more minutes before Irina told Chloe they had to go. I promised to talk to her in a few days and told her we loved her.
"You know you made her day right?" I asked Bella as we made our way down the stairs.
"Something's got to brighten her day, Edward. She sounded so sad. She should never have to sound like that … she's five for crying out loud. Besides that … who eats enchiladas, chile rellenos, rice and beans for Thanksgiving?" Bella asked raising an eyebrow at me.
"I know. That's not exactly Chloe friendly food. But what do I do? Petition the court and put in a stipulation that if she's with Irina for Thanksgiving they feed Chloe turkey and mashed potatoes?"
"No, I guess not," Bella giggled. "I just wish this was easier on both of you," she said, suddenly very serious.
"Me too, baby. Me too."
December came with a vengeance and I was counting the days until Chloe would be with me again. Unfortunately, I found myself working harder and harder as I finished up the last couple months of my program, and I had to ask my dad to make arrangements for him to fly down and get Chloe. Bella offered but she knew that Irina wouldn't allow Chloe to come home with her, and my mom was working on a project and couldn't take the time off.
I had just stepped out of the shower when I heard Chloe's shriek of laughter downstairs. It had been a long day of class for me and they were just getting home from the airport.
"Daddy!" Chloe hollered.
"I'm up here, Chloebear. Give me a minute I just got out of the shower."
I dressed quickly and made my way downstairs to my little girl.
Christmas Eve my mom invited the same crowd over that we'd had for July 4th and Thanksgiving. Emmett and Rose came with Katie in tow. Chloe was so excited to have Katie to play with, she'd missed her fiercely and I made a note to ask Em if we could take Katie along when Bella and I went to California.
We spent the evening talking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Eventually, Rose and Emmett left so they could get Katie into bed and get ready for Santa. Bella volunteered to get Chloe bathed and ready for bed which Chloe eagerly agreed to. I peeked into the bathroom to see them playing with Barbie's in the bathtub, bubbles everywhere, both of them giggling and happy. I waited in my room until they were done and then I followed the scent of Chloe's strawberry shampoo to her room where Bella sat on the bed as she carefully braided Chloe's hair.
"Almost ready for a story, Chloebear?"
"Yep! Daddy! Bella showed me how to make my own bubbles in the bathtub."
"Oh she did, did she?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bella giggled in response.
"Yeah," Chloe continued. "You just get some soap in your hand and then curl your finger up against your thumb like this and let it out slowly," she demonstrated with her little hand. "And when you see the rainbow swirlies of the soap, you can blow on it and make a bubble!"
"Shh!" Bella shushed her, "you'll tell all our secrets!"
Both my girls fell into a fit of laughter as they began to tickle each other. When they calmed down, I sat on the side of the bed and read The Night Before Christmas. Chloe was asleep by the time I finished the story and Bella wasn't far behind. I gently helped Bella from the bed and pulled her toward my room.
"Edward … I should go home."
"Are you sure you can't stay?"
"Your parents …"
"My parents don't care, baby. You're welcome here anytime."
"That's sweet. But I really should go, my parents are expecting me. But if you want, I'll come back tomorrow, okay?"
I sighed in defeat and nodded.
I walked her downstairs and helped her into her coat before walking her out to her car. Snow had begun to fall lightly around us. Even in the dim light from the streetlamp I could see her pink cheeks and nose, rosy from the cold.
"Merry Christmas, beautiful," I said before kissing her sweetly.
She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
"Merry Christmas, Edward."
The next morning, we sat in our disaster of a living room. It looked like a war zone, there was strewn boxes and ripped wrapping paper everywhere. Chloe came over and sat down in my lap.
"Did you get everything you asked Santa for, baby?" I asked.
"I only asked him for one thing," Chloe answered quietly.
"Yeah? What was that, Chloebear?"
"For you to be happy."
"Oh, baby girl. I am happy. I have you and Bella and Mom-mom and Pop-pop and Aunt Alice. That's all I need."
"Do you love Bella, Daddy?"
I panicked for a moment before I realized that I needed to answer her with complete honesty.
"Yes, baby. I do love Bella."
"Good. 'Cuz I love her too."
Chloe went back to California just after New Year's and my dad took her back for me since I was still elbow deep in my classes. I finished up at the end of January and Bella and I went to Mariner's Landing to celebrate. I'd applied to Seattle PD and had been hired on as a detective and I'd be starting in mid-February.
Just as I was settling into my new job, Irina called saying that she wanted to take Chloe to Bahrain for spring break. I explained that it wasn't a good idea to take such a long trip when Chloe only had a few days off.
"What am I supposed to do, Edward? Ignore my life because my child has to go to school? That's absurd!" Irina ranted.
"It's not absurd, Irina. It's a fact of life. She has to go to school. It's good for her, and I don't want you pulling her out of school because you want to take a vacation."
"It's not a vacation, Edward."
"Whatever it is, the answer is no. Take her to Bahrain later this summer when she's out of school."
"That means that you won't get her for the entire summer."
"That's fine," I sighed. "A couple weeks less won't kill me."
After talking the entire situation over with Bella and talking to Chloe, Bella and I decided that spring break would be the perfect time for us to go down and spend a few days with Chloe.
Bella had some vacation days banked and I learned that I did as well. Since Katie was out of school that week also, Emmett and Rosalie were happy to let her tag along as a surprise to Chloe.
When the time came, I dropped Bella and Katie off at the hotel and went to pick up Chloe. I hadn't told Irina that Bella was with me because I knew if I did, she wouldn't let Chloe go. I felt awful having to hide her and she'd probably take it back to the lawyer but I didn't care. Bella was a part of my life and I wasn't going to let Irina give me shit about it.
Disneyland with the girls was great. They were both so excited as we made our way around the park. Even Bella; her eyes alight with excitement. Chloe had cried with joy when she realized that Bella and Katie were waiting in our hotel room for her. Both Chloe and Katie were beside themselves when they realized we were going to Disneyland.
We walked through the park; riding the rides, perusing the shops and getting our fill of the delicious eats they had to offer. We stayed until late in the evening, ending our day with the fireworks display.
"Thank you for a wonderful day, Edward," Bella said softly beside me before reaching up to softly kiss my cheek.
"You're welcome, beautiful."
Once the girls were tucked into bed and sleeping peacefully in our hotel room, Bella and I crawled into bed and snuggled up with each other before we too drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
"Thank you, Daddy," Chloe cried as I hugged her.
I was dropping her off after spending four days with her. I'd brought Katie and Bella with me as we were heading straight to the airport.
"You're welcome, baby. You'll see us again this summer and that's not too far off, so don't cry, okay?"
She nodded and turned to Irina.
"June fifth is her last day of school, Edward so any time you want to pick her up after that would be fine," Irina snipped.
"Okay. I'll look into making arrangements and I'll let you know when something is definite."
I kissed Chloe once more and she waved at Bella and Katie in the car as we pulled away.
The two months between spring break and summer vacation went by quick because the next thing I knew I was getting on a plane again to go pick up Chloe for the summer.
"She needs to be back before July 20th, Edward. We're going to Bahrain for a few weeks," Irina reminded me.
"That's fine, but she needs to be back in time to start school in August, Irina. Also … since I'm losing half of my summer with her, I'd like her for Thanksgiving and Christmas."
She rolled her eyes at me and muttered 'fine'.
Irina gave into my request entirely too easily and that worried me.
A/N: I just wanted to mention ... Bella was 19 when she was in that horrible accident that resulted in Jake's death. She's now 27 so she's had a considerable amount of time to come to terms with his loss. She's come a long way in those 8 years. Edward has only had a few years to come to terms with the loss of Irina, but never at any time did he ever feel that Bella was using him to replace Jake. I just wanted to be clear on that. ;)
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