Here we are again. There seems to be an even split between people who are willing to give Edward a second chance and those who want Bella to end up with someone ... like her boss maybe. If you want to see who JJ looks like, pop over to my FB group, AgoodWITCH Writes. He's worth it!
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 3 - It's Not Easy To Know
Bella went back to the office and started to transcribe her notes from their earlier meeting, knowing she'd soon be leaving to get Anthony. She managed to get through the majority of her transcribing before she left, but on her way back to the building, Jenks was waiting for her.
"Something wrong, Counsellor?" she asked.
"No, I heard Anthony's voice, so I waited for you both." JJ turned to Anthony and waved.
"Hi, JJ."
"Hello, Anthony, did you have a good day at school?"
"Yup, and tomorrow we're going to the park. And Friday, Auntie Esme is getting me from school."
"That sounds like fun. And then after that, you'll be on summer vacation."
"Yup," Anthony said in response.
The trio walked to the elevator and when Bella got off on the third floor, JJ waited for her while she dropped Anthony off at the building's daycare. When she returned, her face was impassive.
"How was lunch?"
"A little tense at times, but overall it went well. He's meeting us at the park tomorrow so he can meet Anthony. And he agreed to meet him as Esme's nephew and a friend at first, until he's around more and we get further along with the custody agreement."
"That's something, at least. Did he say anything about his back and forth to Chicago?"
"Yes, he's planning on moving back to Seattle. He is going back now to wrap everything up so he can make a home here in Seattle."
"That's a big decision to make on the fly," JJ commented.
"His relationship with his father is complicated. Now that his mother has passed away, I'm sure he's ready to be out of his orbit. Esme said he'd been thinking about it before he learned about Anthony, but now he's committed to living here."
"For Anthony's sake, I hope he stays committed. I'm a little surprised about him going with Esme on Friday. When did you change your mind there?"
Bella sighed as the elevator doors opened. "My concern with the Cullens watching him was them letting Edward see him before we'd talked. Esme and Carlisle will respect my wishes, and after talking to Edward today, I think he will too. My main concern is Alice. I'm going to have to talk to her soon, and that's not going to be pretty."
"Maybe mention your concerns about Alice to Edward. If he is agreeable to your wishes about Anthony, maybe he can help Alice understand this is between you and him, and she'll back off."
"That's an idea."
"Well, I'll let you get back to work, and enjoy your early day tomorrow."
Bella went back to her office and called Esme before she went back to transcribing. Esme was happy to take Anthony on Friday, and said Edward had seemed happy when he left, but they hadn't talked since. Bella told her it was a good first step and they'd see Edward tomorrow. With a confirmation of the graduation information for Saturday, they said goodbye and Bella got to work.
When they got home that evening, Bella texted Edward the information on the park Anthony had asked to play at. His response was a simple thumbs up emoji.
Bella realized he would miss the graduation, so she sent him a text about it.
Esme mentioned it, but I have a photoshoot booked for Friday night, and since I'll be moving soon, I can't reschedule it.
I understand. Just wanted to tell you beforehand in case you wanted to change your flight. I'll send you some videos and pictures so you can see it.
Thanks, I'd like to see it, but I'm not sure Esme would send it. She's trying to be respectful of your wishes.
Esme and Carlisle have been great, and she's watching Anthony on Friday, so she'll get time with her little man. I know they've missed it.
I'm sure she will. See you tomorrow.
Night. Bella texted back.
The following day, Bella was in knots when she dropped Anthony off at pre-k. She wanted his first meeting with Edward to go well, but there were a million and one ways it could go wrong. By the time she picked him up, she was such a wreck, she almost forgot to tell Lauren about Esme being the one to pick up Anthony for his last day.
They drove to the park and, as soon as they got to the playground, Anthony took off running. Bella sat down on a nearby bench and waited to hear from Edward.
"Bella?" Edward's voice pulled her out of her daze.
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought. Did you find us okay?"
"Yeah, the directions were pretty clear. Where's Anthony?" Edward asked as he sat beside her.
"Over there." She pointed to where he was hanging from the monkey bars.
"Wow," Edward whispered.
"What?" Bella followed his gaze to try and see what Anthony was doing.
"I didn't expect him to look that much like me when I was little."
"Oh, yeah. He's got your hair and my eyes. But his build is a lot like yours when you were his age."
"When's his birthday? It isn't coming up soon, is it?"
"Not until August twentieth. You'll have time to get to know him before that rolls around."
Edward watched Anthony play with the other kids for a few moments before he spoke again. "What's going on with you and Alice? Is this rift because of me?"
Bella looked at Edward. "No, Edward, it was Alice. You and I have our past and our baggage and there is so much history there. Your family has been my family for more than half my life and they supported me through everything. When I first realized I was pregnant with Anthony, I didn't know what to do. I had no way to talk to you without going through someone else, and I didn't want to put them through that. I didn't want them to have to lie to you every time they saw you.
"Alice was the first one to realize it. Alice, Jasper, and I were living together because it was cheaper. She had her suspicions about who the father was, but didn't say anything at first. When I finally told everyone, she was the one to tell me she understood the hurt was too deep.
"But then you started reaching out to them more and she'd drop hints about you. I told her you'd made your decision when it came to me. I knew a time would come when you'd find out about Anthony. I wasn't delusional enough to think you wouldn't. But what Alice did was spiteful. She wanted me to bring Anthony to Elizabeth's funeral. I didn't think that was the time or place for you to find out about our son. When she came home she didn't say a word about it, so I thought she'd realized it wasn't the right time. But then—"
"I showed up on your doorstep screaming and throwing accusations."
"You had a right to be upset with me, but I believe I've got a right to be upset with Alice. Even if she had the noblest of intentions, which I don't believe she did at that moment, it wasn't the time and it wasn't her place to tell you."
"It wasn't her place to tell me. It was yours. And even if I wasn't ready to be a father back then, I could have visited for Christmas and his birthday. I'd have supported you so you didn't have to struggle—"
Bella snapped, growling at him as she spoke. "We didn't struggle, and I don't care about your money. I didn't want it then and I don't want it now."
"Mommy!" Anthony's voice cut through her haze and she turned to face him, plastering a smile on her face.
"Hey, Sweetie." Bella scooped up her son and sat him on her left knee, turning him to face Edward. "This is Edward. He's your Auntie Esme's nephew and a friend of mine from when I was in school. Can you say hi?"
"Hello." Anthony waved.
"Hey, Anthony," Edward said. "I saw you swinging on the monkey bars. You're really good at that."
"Yeah, Mommy says I'm her ninja warrior."
"Looks like it."
"Esme says her sissy lived far away. Did you live there too?" Anthony asked.
Edward took a deep breath before he answered. "Yes, in Chicago. But I'm moving here soon."
"So I'll see you more?" Anthony questioned him.
"Yes. But not right away. I have to pack all my things up and move them here."
Anthony turned back to the playground and then to his mother. "Mommy, can I play a little longer?"
"Sure, baby. But say goodbye to Edward before you go."
"Bye, Edward. See you soon." With another wave, Anthony was off again to the jungle gym.
"He's incredible, Bella," Edward whispered.
"He is," she admitted.
"Look, I'm trying really hard not to hold onto my anger. I did that for a long time and it made things worse. Losing my mom has upended a lot of things in my life and I'm trying to be calm and rational. But I'm hurt and I'm hurting. So I'll make a deal with you. I will try my best not to let anything going on between us affect Anthony, if you can do the same. I'm far from perfect, but we'll find a way to navigate this."
"I'm not expecting you to be perfect. I just want you to make this effort and sustain it. Because I don't want Anthony to get his heart broken. I've experienced what bad co-parenting can be and that's the last thing I want for him."
"Okay." Edward watched Anthony for another few minutes before he reached into his messenger bag and took out his tablet before he turned to Bella. "In the interest of co-parenting, can I show you where I was this morning?"
"Sure," Bella said warily.
Edward tapped away at the screen for a moment before he turned it to show her the exterior of a building. "This is an old warehouse in the industrial district. It's about a seven to ten minute drive from your place when there's no traffic. There's an open retail space on the main floor that I was thinking would be perfect for a gallery. Then the rest of the building is set up in a loft style that would be perfect for a studio and on the upper floor there's a three-bedroom apartment. The current owner hadn't anticipated how long the work would take and ran out of money. He's taking a loss on it, but it's better than losing it if he can't keep paying his loan."
"And you're planning to buy it?" Bella asked.
"I did buy it. Getting something comparable would have cost a lot more separately. Esme went with me and she agreed. I'm going to be staying with them while the building is completed, but I'm hoping it will be ready by the time Anthony is going to school ."
"And you want my opinion on it?"
"Well, I was hoping for some insight on what Anthony would like. He'll have a bedroom there and I want him to like it."
"Sure. Once it is closer to the point where it will need interior design, I'll give you some ideas. But for now, we'll wait until there's sheetrock up."
"Yeah, okay." Edward's eyes drifted to Anthony again, his smile involuntary. "Thanks for letting me meet him today. I'll keep you posted on what's happening in Chicago and I'll call you once I've found a lawyer so we can begin to work on the custody arrangement."
"Sounds good. Have a safe trip, Edward."
Bella watched as he walked away, and once he was out of sight, she called for Anthony.
"Where'd Edward go?"
"He had to leave, he flies back to Chicago tomorrow. But he was very excited to see you when he gets back in town, so we'll have to make plans for that."
"Okay. Can we get pizza?"
"Sure, pizza sounds great." Bella gripped his hand a little tighter as they walked to her car and drove home.
Bella and Anthony ate and went through their normal nighttime routines. Once he'd had his bath and bedtime story, she went out to the living room and began to spiral after her afternoon with Edward. She jumped when her phone rang, but relaxed when she read the name that popped up on her display.
"JJ, is something wrong?"
"No, I just wanted to touch base with you after Edward met Anthony. But your tone of voice says it all. Did he do something?"
"Not in the way you mean it, I'm just freaking out."
"Is Anthony still awake?" he asked.
"No, he was tired from all the excitement and crashed pretty soon after his bath."
"I can come by and we can talk it out. Maybe a guy's perspective would help?"
"Because you'd ever see eye to eye with my ex?"
"Maybe not on everything, but there might be something you're not thinking of because you're a woman. I'll bring beer," JJ offered.
"Fine, but only because you're good at talking me off cliffs. And you have excellent taste in beer."
With a laugh, JJ told her he'd be there in ten minutes.
Bella was still pacing when JJ rang the buzzer and she let him up. She had the door opened as he reached the top of the stairs. "That walk is no joke."
"Try doing it with your arms filled with groceries."
Bella let him in and they sat down on the couch, her bottle opener in hand. Once they each had a beer, JJ turned to her. "Now, what did he do?"
"He hasn't done anything, not yet, anyway. It was a nice enough first meeting. He agreed not to say anything to Anthony at first and he asked about everything going on with Alice. He even told me he's trying and he's willing to work with me, but asked me to be patient with him."
"Then why are we drinking while you pace the living room?"
"Because he comes from money. Even more than Alice does. Both his parents came from money and he had a trust set up by his maternal grandfather that he'll come into on his thirtieth birthday. But he gets a monthly stipend from it now on top of what he makes from his art and photography."
"So he'll be able to support Anthony. That should be a good thing," JJ said and she spun on him too.
"But I don't want his money. I didn't when we were teens and he was driving a brand new Volvo while I had a rusted out truck. I didn't want it when I got pregnant with Lizzie, even though his father had no problem telling me I'd probably poked holes in the condom to get a free ride. And I don't want it now. I don't care how many buildings he can buy and fix up to his specifications."
"Whoa," JJ called, gesturing with his beer bottle. "First, his father sounds like a piece of shit. Does Edward know about those comments?"
"Some, not everything he's ever said to me."
"I understand wanting to keep Anthony far from the old man. Now, as much as you might not want to hear it, Edward will be expected to pay child support, and that will include back pay for the last nearly five years. Take the money and use it to help you all out. Pay off some of the bills you've built up caring for him."
"It would be nice to pay off my credit cards. Then I could focus on my student loans. Thankfully, I have another year and a half to worry about those."
"And your last semester is already paid, because of their way of charging tuition."
"I'm grateful I don't have to take out anymore loans," Bella said.
"But you can apply for those grants again, since you're still in school. If you get them again, that's a good chunk towards the loans you already owe. Talk to Jane about what exactly you can use the money for. If you can't put it toward paying off debt accumulated while caring for him alone, then you can use it to pay for things now and pay off your debts with the money you're saving."
"But what if we can't work together and he tries to use his money to take him away from me? He could use my financial situation, my busy work schedule, the fact that I denied him the chance to be a father, all of it against me and then I'd lose my son. I can't lose another child, JJ."
Just then, the buzz of the intercom sounded. Bella frowned, but walked over to it. "Hello?"
"Bella, it's Edward. Can I come up for a minute?"
"What is he doing? Did you tell him he could stop by?" JJ asked.
Bella shook her head, her finger hovered over the button before she pressed it. "Sure, I'll buzz you up."
"I should go," JJ said.
"You don't have to leave just because Edward shows up."
"If you'll be okay with him here, then we can talk more tomorrow at the office."
"We should be fine."
"Then I'll leave you to it. You and Anthony will be fine, Bella. Don't go down the rabbit hole."
JJ opened the door and looked Edward up and down as he passed.
Edward looked after him, momentarily forgetting Bella standing just inside the door. "Who was that?"
"My boss, Jenks. He stopped by to see how I was after our meeting."
"I thought he was older for some reason," Edward said. "Does he stop by this late often?"
Bella glared slightly at Edward. "I don't appreciate your tone or the question. But to make it clear, no, he doesn't. He's not just my boss, he's my friend and he could tell I was upset so he came over to talk a few things through with me. Helped me realize I may have reacted a little harshly when it came to some things that were said today. My hackles immediately get raised when someone questions things about how I raise Anthony. I know that'll have to change."
"Well, I'm glad you have someone outside of this to talk to. You seem to respect him."
"JJ is great. He's an amazing lawyer, but he's patient with his staff. I'm really glad there's a place for me in his department once I am able to practice."
"That's great. You have another year, right?" Edward asked.
"I finish in December. I have two virtual classes this summer and then the last of my classes are hybrid in the fall."
"Oh, well it looks like we'll have another graduation to celebrate soon," Edward said. "Speaking of that, I got this for Anthony. I won't be here on Saturday, but I was hoping you would give him this gift?"
Bella took the bag she hadn't even realized he'd been holding. "Absolutely. I'll record him opening it so you can see his reaction."
"Thanks again, Bella. I'll leave you to your evening and I'll text you tomorrow when I land."
"Okay. Safe travels, Edward."
With a slightly awkward wave, Edward left and Bella locked up behind him. Edward was beginning to give her whiplash with his mood swings, but if he kept thinking about Anthony and putting him first, she would find a way to deal with it.