First of all, a big shout out to my team of pre-readers and beta: NimNimBonjangles, bevey99, and Fran. Thank you so much for all the help with this story.
Secondly, a big 'THANK YOU' to all of you, who take the time to read reviews.
[Bella]
The last day of school couldn't have been more eventful if it had tried.
Giulia betrayed me in the worst ways by not starting at seven in the morning. I had to call Jake to pick me up on the way to school because Edward had spent the night at his house. I wasn't going to wake him up so early to give me a ride.
During the second period, some enthusiastic seniors pulled the fire alarm, hoping the day would end faster. Jasper was fuming by the time the firefighters and the police left the premises. He took the misbehaving boys into his office, claiming it was a first for students to get in trouble on the last day of school.
During lunch, I was shocked to witness a food war between the head of the cheerleaders and one of the smartest girls in my class. Jake shot me a, 'You've got to be kidding me' look before he'd gone to separate them.
I received flowers, candies, and other little gifts from my students because I apparently didn't win the popularity contest by mistake. When Jasper had told me this morning I was the most liked amongst the teachers, I couldn't believe my ears. I hadn't even known that was a thing.
It reminded me of my conversation with Jake last year about who'd win between him and Tanya. The answer was. . . .me.
After the last of my students left the last class of the day, I started packing my laptop. My eyes flitted to the mountain of flowers sitting on Edward's desk – because that would always be his desk, no matter who sat in it in the future. I'd even managed to forget Conner had claimed it as his for almost a whole year.
If I could avoid it, I tried not to think of Conner. I hadn't lied to Edward when I told him I'd be fine. I usually repelled things and situations that hurt me or caused me anxiety. It was just how I dealt with them.
I had no idea how I'd carry all the flowers and the presents since I didn't have my car, and Jake's bike wasn't designed to help me in this situation.
The answer to my silent pondering came with the person opening the door, nearly making me drop the bag with my laptop to the floor.
Edward stood there sheepishly, stepping into the classroom, closing the door, and turning the lock.
"Seems like I missed your last class, Ms. Swan. Are you going to punish me?"
I met him halfway, wrapping my fingers around the front of his white T-shirt. He smiled brightly, kissing me slowly. His hands came to rest on my hips, and despite the fact that I knew how rough he could be when his desire for me hit the roof, it always amazed me how gentle and careful he was when he touched me; like I was a soap bubble about to burst if he put too much pressure.
"My desk is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," I said against his lips. "Let's not push our luck."
He walked me backward until my ass bumped into the edge of my desk. "I don't think I got my fill of fantasies about fucking you on your desk that day."
"Edward, I'm serious," I insisted when he lifted me on top of it, his hands running under my skirt.
It was a flowery skirt that reached my mid-thigh. My legs parted on their own volition when Edward's fingers cupped me over my panties.
"So warm." One finger slipped under the side of my panties, touching my sensitive clit. "And so wet."
The handle of the door rattled as someone tried to open it.
I jumped off the desk, managing to knee Edward in the groin. He winced, grabbing his dick; his face scrunched up in pain.
"Shit." I touched his elbow, staring at him in concern, before turning my attention to the door.
"Bella?" Alice was on the other side of the door.
Everyone could have easily pieced together the reason behind Edward's volatile behavior toward Conner, but no one had batted an eye. Jasper knew the truth, and I was surprised he hadn't told Alice. If he had, then Alice had more tact than I'd ever given her credit for because she hadn't ambushed me for details. Granted, she'd found out right after the whole Conner debacle, and talking about my relationship with Edward was the last thing I wanted to do that week.
Edward limped and fell into my chair while I went to unlock the door, keeping it ajar so she couldn't see inside.
"Oh, I was sure you left," Alice said, eyeing me curiously from a few feet away from the door. She hadn't expected me to answer.
I ran a nervous hand through my hair, hoping it wasn't messy. "Just packing up."
"We're celebrating tonight! Be at Dawn in two hours." She winked before heading to the stairs.
I sighed in relief because we'd dodged another bullet.
I turned to face Edward, who was staring at me with a contemplative look, one of his hands still cupping his dick through his jeans.
"Did I hurt you?" I asked, walking closer.
"I'll live." He took my hand, pulling me closer. I leaned against my desk, facing him. He ran a hand over my hip, squeezing my fingers. "Do you think it's time?"
"Time…for what? To leave, yes."
I was probably just as happy as my students for the school year to be over.
"Time to tell everyone." Edward pulled his chair closer, wrapping his arms around my waist, looking up at me through his long lashes. "Tonight?"
I combed my fingers through his hair, chewing on my lips.
"Stop overthinking," he murmured. "Unless…" A deep V appeared between his brows as he stood, resting his palms on either side of my body, effectively trapping me. "Do you still have doubts about us?"
"No," I said quietly.
"Are you ashamed to be seen with me?"
"No," I groaned, cupping his cheeks. I hated seeing the doubt in his eyes.
"Then, why?" His hands ran down my spine, as he stared at me, confused.
"I'm afraid," I whispered. My forehead pressed against his shoulder. "I hate being judged, and everyone will judge me. . .us."
I felt his fingers curling into fists against my back. "I fucking hate how judgmental people can be. If we'd met today, no one would have blinked an eye."
"We both knew how complicated it was going to be from the beginning." However, neither of us had any clue about how deep we were going to fall for each other or that we'd survive longer than a few weeks.
"It's cool if you're not ready," he mumbled, pulling away. I felt cold without the warmth of his body so close. Edward went to take the flowers from his desk.
"What time do you have to be home tonight?" I asked, watching his muscles tense.
He shrugged, looking at me over his shoulder. "They know now, Bella. I can stay over if you want."
"Okay, but after you drop me off at home, you're going back to get a change of clothes for this evening."
"This evening?" His eyes widened when he realized what I was hinting at. "You're not just agreeing because I pushed you, right?"
"I'm tired of hiding, too," I reminded him. "Now, grab the flowers, and let's go."
.
.
.
At Edward's insistence, we took his car to Dawn. My heart was thumping loudly in my chest as we walked through the door inside the bar.
Edward squeezed my fingers, rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand.
When I spotted the big party waiting for us, I stopped in my tracks. There were two tables pulled together to host most of my colleagues with their significant others and a lot of alcohol already ordered.
"I can't do this." I chickened out, tugging at Edward's hand, ready to go the way we'd come.
"Too late," he said in a tense voice.
My eyes returned to the table to see at least five pairs of eyes on us. If my face grew any hotter, it might catch fire.
Edward steered me ahead. His hand was suddenly clammy and shaky.
As we approached the table, it reminded me of how nervous I'd been on my first day as a teacher last year, and I channeled the same energy as I had when I'd walked into the classroom to meet my students. It helped minutely, but some of my nerves vanished.
They weren't going to know the truth. The lie we'd come up with was believable, and if they had anything to say, I was ready to show them that love knew no age.
I stopped at the empty chair next to Jake, staring at the curious and intrigued looks on my colleagues' faces. At least none of them looked repulsed.
"Hi," I greeted them.
Edward let go of my hand to place it on the small of my back. "Good evening," he said in a shaky voice, which wasn't like him. He was always so confident.
Jake got up from his chair to clap Edward's back. "Here, take my seat. I have to go get Nessie."
Since Jake's chair was at the end of the table, Edward was too eager to accept it, while I had Tanya on my other side. It felt like the first time I'd gone out with them, but much more different.
"Oh, why didn't you bring her already?" I asked Jake.
"I'll tell you later," he said quietly before heading to the door with the helmet in his right hand.
"What's going on?" Tanya asked her huge eyes on us.
I placed my hands on Edward's incredibly stiff shoulders as I stood behind his chair regarding my colleagues. "I don't want you to make a big deal out of this, but we're dating. It started after Edward stopped being my student," I added, glancing at Jasper.
"It makes so much sense why we failed to hook you up with Paul." Peter laughed loudly, glancing at the bar.
I winced. Even if I weren't dating Edward, I wouldn't have gone for another bartender. James had been an eye-opening experience there. Aside from the fact that I got free drinks, the schedule was hell. And Paul was too much of a typical male who seemed to have a one-track mind. He always stared at my chest when I ordered drinks.
"Yeah, well…" I shrugged, gripping Edward's shoulders.
"How did it happen?" Alice asked curiously.
I moved to sit next to him while he took over the story. It was his favorite part – to spread the lie about how our relationship had begun.
I was aware most of my colleagues weren't likely to accept this, especially because of the way Edward had treated them while in school. But I wanted them to hear him talk and see him in a different light.
Alice kept looking at me while Edward spoke, and I knew she'd demand a better explanation. Not now, in front of everyone, but in the next few days – just the two of us, over coffee. I nodded to her to let her know she'd get better than this.
"Wow, Bella," Zafrina said slowly after Edward finished talking. "Did you like him before? It couldn't have been so sudden." Her black eyes turned to Edward inquisitorially. "What about you?"
Edward covered my knee with his large, warm hand. "Obviously, I liked Bella before that night. But I was her student. How stupid do you think I am, Miss Z?"
Zafrina laughed softly, shaking her head. "Can't say I'm not surprised…but you make a nice couple."
I felt my heart swell at the compliment.
Zafrina's girlfriend, Senna, nodded in agreement, smiling at us. "You can't even tell the age difference. If I didn't know you were part of the faculty, I'd have confused you with one of Rina's students."
Edward chuckled, relaxing minutely. I caught his eyes and smiled shyly.
By the time Jake returned with Vanessa, Edward and my relationship had been more or less accepted by the others.
Zafrina was one of our biggest supporters, considering Senna was five years younger than her. I refrained from telling her how their story was nothing like ours. The only ones who could relate to us were Jacob and Vanessa.
Peter and Charlotte kept quiet mostly. That was a new side of Peter because I knew him to be loud and opinionated.
Tanya stared at me as if I'd lost my mind, but it wasn't news to me. I'd thrown caution and sensibilities to the wind when I'd decided to date Edward, but there hadn't been a moment I regretted in our relationship.
Jasper and Alice were the only ones acting naturally. Jasper even engaged Edward in a conversation about his studies, which I appreciated.
To my surprise, Jake and Vanessa brought Maya. Jasper had snagged two more chairs as we'd waited for them, placing them at the head of the table.
"Hi!" Vanessa chirped, waving merrily, smiling at everyone. Her eyes widened when she had to take a double-take at who was beside me. Then she met my eyes, and I shrugged.
"Hi, Vanessa," I said in greeting, smiling back. "Remember Jake's girlfriend?" I said to Edward.
He nodded slowly, turning to shake her hand.
Jake slumped in the seat closer to Edward, with Maya strapped to his chest in a baby harness – or whatever it was called – and a scowl on his face.
"What happened to your usual babysitter?" Alice asked, worried.
Vanessa was still standing between Edward and Jake, but she placed a hand on Jake's shoulder, combing her other hand through his hair. "We've decided to give his dad some free time to visit his friends. Let's hope Maya will behave." She moved to sit on his other side.
I was grateful for the shift and focus of the conversation to the newly arrived couple and their baby.
"It's not so bad," Edward whispered, leaning into me.
"It could have been worse," I agreed, resting my head against his shoulder.
As I took a pull from my beer, I noticed Edward looking at Maya with a horrified expression. She was very well-behaved for what I knew she was able to do. Maybe she was tired.
"I'm so lucky not to be home much," Edward mumbled. "Imagine living with that."
I laughed, covering my mouth with a hand when I attracted attention. "And she or he will be your sibling."
"Mindfuck." He shuddered. "I'll probably kill it by accident if they leave me to babysit."
"I doubt you will," I said soothingly, watching as Maya turned her head to look around.
Edward winced, closing his eyes. "Did I tell you that she's showing?" he asked quietly.
"No." I hadn't seen Esme since the whole debacle with them finding out. In reality, only a few weeks had passed since then, but for a pregnancy, which meant a lot of changes.
"Yeah," he grunted. "There's a bump."
"Well, I bet she'll be pretty big by the time you return to school."
"Her doctor said she should expect the baby to arrive at the end of September."
"Will you visit?" I interlocked our fingers on his thigh.
"We'll see. Probably. I mean, it's expected of me to be there. I'll become a big brother." He shuddered again, making me chuckle.
"Is there any Cola left?" Jake asked loudly, scanning the bottles on the table.
Edward had managed to save one can for himself before Peter used the others to make cocktails for the ladies.
"I'll go grab some more. I want another," Edward offered.
"And another one of these." I pointed to my bottle.
Edward stared at me in shock, trying to tell me something silently, but I wasn't sure what.
"Oh, come on. It's not like we haven't been your age, hiding a fake ID," Jasper joked.
I realized my mistake instantly. Shit. I'd prompted a minor to buy me alcohol in front of all these people who used to be his teachers. I was such an idiot.
"I'll come with you to get the alcohol," Senna quipped, jumping to her feet.
While we waited for their return, Maya started fussing; this shifted everyone's attention to her. Everyone…except Tanya.
"Are you crazy, Bella?" she hissed; her wide green eyes made her look like a frog.
I knew exactly what she was talking about, but I decided to downplay it. "It slipped my mind that Edward couldn't buy alcohol."
"You know very well what I mean! Besides…he's still a child. What the hell does he know about satisfying a woman?"
Right, because Tanya was a slut, and all she could think of was sex.
"Our relationship is more than just physical," I said quietly, hoping no one else would hear our conversation. "And, Edward is a man, believe me."
"Of course." She rolled her eyes. "Did you turn him into one?"
A sudden surge of anger took over my body. Every conversation I had with Tanya seemed to turn into an argument of sorts. We couldn't get along. I had no idea why I was even bothering.
"If you must know, no," I said acidly. "It's clear you don't agree, but I'm not looking for your blessing."
Edward returned then. His hand came into my line of vision, placing my fresh beer in front of me. He planted a kiss on my cheek before he took his seat.
"Thanks," I whispered, leaning closer to kiss his soft lips. I felt him smiling, and I was happy he'd managed to loosen up.
"That's on the house, Bella," Senna said loudly, mirth dancing in her voice.
I pulled away from Edward to glance at the bar. Paul waved my way, but he didn't look pleased I'd brought a date.
"He can dream on," Edward joked, looping an arm around the back of my chair.
Senna laughed loudly, and I felt like I'd missed some big joke that I'd rather not know. Hopefully, Edward had made it clear to Paul that I was unavailable.
Tanya drummed her nails on the side of her glass, pulling my attention to her. She was watching us with a disgusted look on her face. "I don't even see the appeal."
"Good, because Edward's all mine." I stood, taking Edward's hand. "Let's dance."
"What was that?" he asked, puzzled.
We stopped several feet away, falling into an easy swaying rhythm to the rock ballad playing. I realized with a shock that we hadn't even danced together until now. At least this was the kind of dancing that wouldn't end in me breaking my neck.
"Tanya being a bitch," I muttered.
"Tsk, tsk. Such language is punishable, Ms. Swan," he teased, pulling me flush against his body.
"She's just asking for it, I swear," I mumbled into his shirt. "I hate how she's always gotten on my nerves – since the moment when we met."
"I can relate. Our first interaction made me hate her guts. When she introduced herself to us, she didn't specify how we should address her…like you did, so I called her Mrs. Denali, ready to point out she'd written a huge error on the blackboard."
I snorted, looking up at his smirking face. "And you wondered why she hated you during school?"
He shrugged. "Of course, it all went downhill from there. It was hate at first sight – something so rare…" he mused, chuckling.
I cupped his cheek, kissing his lips slowly. "I don't regret bringing you here. I don't even care what she has to say…or Peter, because he's been awfully quiet."
"We've got some support in Miss Z and her girlfriend. I had no idea she was a lesbian."
"Well, you must understand why she keeps her personal life a secret at school. Some parents could be judgmental. She told me that once she and Senna ran into one kid's parents while shopping and got all sorts of absurd threats."
"Christ. See? It can be much worse than our controversial relationship."
I wrapped my arms around his neck, swaying to the music, enjoying the moment. I tried not to think that my colleagues were watching because it would make me feel self-conscious, and I'd stop having fun.
I returned to the table alone because Edward had gone to the toilet.
"What sort of witchcraft have you done on Cullen? I don't ever remember him being so kind and polite?" Peter asked, amused.
I rolled my eyes. "That's how he's always been…at least in my class…most of the time."
"It's not the students' fault if you don't know how to make your class fun," Zafrina butted in. "I rarely have trouble with my students. And I don't have any bad memories about Edward. He was one of my best students."
I smiled in gratitude at her, appreciating the way she stuck up to us.
"Bella, would you mind? I want to dance with Jake." Vanessa was staring at me with puppy-dog eyes.
I wasn't sure what she wanted from me until Jacob unstrapped Maya from his chest, placing her in my lap. I hadn't even agreed.
"Thanks." He winked, dropping the harness on the back of his chair, before taking Vanessa to the dance floor.
I wrapped my arms around Maya's small, warm body by instinct so she wouldn't topple over. She was almost eight months old, and she was able to stand on her own from what I'd learned from Jake's stories during our lunches together.
Her little fist closed around a thick strand of my hair, pulling with all her might. Now I understood why Vanessa kept her hair up all the time, and even Jake had his in a ponytail.
"Ow," I gasped, slowly prying her little hand from my hair.
"You have no idea what you're doing, do you?" Alice asked, entertained.
I glared at her from across the table. Edward chose that moment to return. He was watching me with a look I couldn't decipher – shock, wonder, terror.
"Didn't you ever babysit in high school?" Alice laughed when Maya managed to smack my nose so hard it blinded my vision.
"No. I'm not a particular fan of babies," I mumbled, trapping both her hands. I arranged her on my lap, so her back leaned against the edge of the table, and she was facing me while I bounced my legs. I'd seen that move in movies, but I wasn't sure it worked.
"Neither am I, but no one asked about my opinion," Edward mumbled, staring into his lap.
"That's different," I said. "It's going to be family."
Tanya choked on a gulp of her cocktail. "You're pregnant, too?"
"No!" I almost shouted. "And what do you mean, too?"
"I mean…that would have been the cherry on top of this whole mess."
"I get it that you don't agree with our relationship, but would you stop with the insults?" Edward spat, leaning over me to glare at her. "It's me you hate, not Bella."
Tanya huffed. "Do you think I hold grudges on little boys who decide to act out in my class after they're no longer my students? You're not that important to me, Cullen."
I clutched Edward's thigh when I saw him tense up. It would be just like him to get into an argument with Tanya. "Then drop it," I said to her.
The tension around us seemed to affect Maya, who started wailing for the whole bar to hear. I glanced over my shoulder to check for her parents, but I couldn't spot them.
No way, I thought, amused yet outraged. They'd gone for a quickie somewhere while leaving me with their ticking bomb.
"You've got to be kidding me," Edward muttered, and I noticed him scanning the bar, too.
"The bag," I said to Jasper. "Give me some toys from there." The magic bag, like Vanessa liked to call it, was on his side of the table.
He threw the plush bunny at me, and thankfully Edward caught it before it could smack me in the face. He placed it between my body and Maya's, but she looked inconsolable.
"Shh." I rubbed her back, bringing her closer to me while cursing her parents to the deepest pits of hell. I had no idea what to do with a baby on their best behavior, let alone a crying one.
I tried showing her the toy, but tears kept streaming down her cheeks as loud wails escaped her little mouth while her body contorted with the strain of her fit.
Zafrina took mercy on me just when Alice was ready to get up and help. I allowed Zafrina to lift Maya from my arms, rocking her slowly, whispering to her.
"She might need a change," she said contemplatively. "Or, maybe she's hungry."
I went to retrieve a diaper from the bag, now sitting on Vanessa's chair before leading the way to the ladies' room with Zafrina on my heels.
"God knows I don't want kids, but that doesn't mean I have no idea how to handle one," she said, amused.
"I was never a big fan of them. They're loud, and when they cry…you don't even know what they want. Look at her now." I pushed open the door of the bathroom, heading to the counter between the sinks.
"I think you should have brought the whole bag. We'll need wipes, as well," Zafrina explained.
I pulled a load of paper towels, daring her to object. She just giggled.
She did the dirty task while I stared in horror and tried not to gag at the atrocious smell. For the billionth time in my life, I wondered why people wanted this willingly.
When she was done, she handed Maya to me, who had quieted. "I trust you to find your way back to our table. I have to pee."
"Thanks, Zafrina."
"Don't mention it."
Jake and Vanessa had returned to our table, and they were demanding to know where I was with Maya. Apparently, everyone at the table had been in for some fun at their expense because they hadn't told them I'd taken her for a diaper change.
"Bella!" Vanessa cried out, rushing to me. She picked Maya from me, scowling. "Peter said you just left with Maya."
I glanced at Peter and noticed most of everyone's faces trying to keep from laughing. I returned my attention to Vanessa. "Yeah, I tried selling her to the drug dealer on the corner, but it didn't work."
"What?" Jake, who'd lost his sense of humor, barked, rounding on me.
"Jesus Christ!" I shouted, making Maya whimper. "I was just in the bathroom to change her diaper with Zafrina's help. If you wanted some time alone, you could have said so. I guess we'd all have understood."
Their faces grew red, and it seemed they'd realized their mistake.
"Did you lose Rina on the way?" Senna asked, amused.
"Oh, the drug dealer wanted her instead of Maya." I poked my tongue out at her.
Senna laughed; her eyes darted to someone behind me. I winced, turning to find Zafrina staring at me with wide eyes.
"Long story," I mumbled, slumping in my chair.
After everyone took their seats, Jake met my eyes. "It's great to know that next time we want to give a day off to our usual babysitter we can always count on you."
"What? No…" I felt faint. I was the worst candidate to be Maya's babysitter, but he didn't notice the terror on my face.
"I promise to keep you busy the whole summer," Edward whispered in my ear, making heat consume my body.
And now everyone knows...
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