36

The Hunk

Edward is heartbroken when Bella finally opens up to him.

He knew she was having a difficult time, but to hear that she was questioning his love after everything they've been through is still a hard pill to swallow. He doesn't know what else he can do to convince her that he isn't going anywhere.

She apologizes over and over again, growing to the point of hysterics when she realizes that he's crying. "I've hurt you."

"I'm okay," he chokes out.

"No, you aren't. We have to be honest with each other."

"I hate seeing you in pain, Sugar. I know this has been hard on you, but it isn't any easier on me having to watch you go through this."

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not making this easy on you, and I know it doesn't feel like it, but I am trying, Honey. Neglect and abandonment are all I've ever known before I met you. I had no one besides my sister and was completely blindsided by her news." She cries. "I know I can survive her move as long as I have you. Doubt crept in, and I'm sorry, Edward. So sorry."

"You could have talked to me. I would have done everything in my power to reassure you that I'm here to stay." Edward kisses her softly. "Nothing could make me leave, aside from you telling me to go and meaning it."

"Zafrina helped me see that. If the roles were reversed, I would do anything to prove to you that I love you, and I'm not going anywhere." She caresses the side of his face. "I will never not want you, Edward."

Edward tries to swallow a sob, but it bubbles out of him. "I will never not want you either, but it's killing me, Sugar. It's killing me to know that there's still a part of you that doubts my loyalty. I don't know how else to prove it to you."

"You prove it to me every day." Bella sighs. "I'm just waiting for you to realize that you can do so much better. I feel like our relationship is one-sided the majority of the time. You're constantly having to deal with my drama."

"I love you and all the baggage you carry."

"I know. That part of me was practically nonexistent, but after everything with Alice, it got overwhelming, and I couldn't fight it no matter how hard I tried."

Edward squeezes her tightly.

"I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. That I didn't think to call Zafrina before things got awful."

"I don't know what would have happened if you had called her before I was ready. I needed to decide that for myself."

"It's selfish of me to wish that you didn't need to see her at all. That I could be enough for you." Edward sniffs. "But I know it's not possible for me to be everything you need all the time."

"Thank you for understanding. I love you, Honey."

"Forever. I will love you forever and then some. The next time you feel a hint of doubt, come to me, and we'll work through it together."

"I will. I promise."

o.O. .o.O.o

It's hours later, after the tears have finally subsided, and they've showered before falling into bed that Edward remembers what transpired when he got to work this morning. He squeezes Bella tight. "Guess what I walked in on today."

She hums.

She took a sleeping pill before they showered, and he can tell she's trying hard to fight it. He could wait to share the news with her until tomorrow, but it's eating him alive. He has to tell someone. "Do you remember Irina?"

Bella laughs. "Short-term memory loss isn't a side effect of a depression slump, Honey. Irina is one of the part-time cashiers? What about her?"

"She's going to school for a degree in business and offered to look over the books for us until we can find a reputable accountant."

"Okay."

"So, I stopped by the office to check on things, and imagine my surprise when I found my sister sitting on her lap, trying her hardest to suck the air out of the poor girl's lungs."

Bella gasps and sits up. "No way."

"Yes, way. Apparently, it's been going on for a couple months, but they've been keeping it a secret."

"I can't believe it."

"Believe it. My pregnant sister is dating an employee."

"That's not it," Bella slurs and snuggles back into his chest. "She's totally moved on and forgot about me and our plan to raise Kat together."

Edward laughs. "Go to sleep, weirdo."

"Love you, Honey."

She's asleep before Edward can reply.

o.O. .o.O.o

No one expects Bella to bounce back right after her first appointment with Zafrina. It takes time for them to find a good cocktail and then even longer for the medication to settle.

Edward makes it a point to prove that he's there, supporting her every step of the way.

And when the doubt starts to creep in, he doesn't rest until she knows that they're going to get through it together. Because without a doubt, Edward knows they can do anything as long as they have each other.

After a couple of one-on-one meetings with Zafrina, Bella brings up the possibility of him sitting in on one. Their makeshift couple's therapy session is painful. Especially when both women insist that Edward shouldn't hold back, and the dam finally opens.

He voices his thoughts, his own struggles, and his fear that Bella will always question his love for her.

Bella spends the majority of the three days following their session in bed until she's able to climb out of the hole she buried herself in.

Finally, after a lot of discussions and another session with Zafrina, they're both able to walk away from the experience, feeling lighter than they have in ages.

When Zafrina decides that it's time to change Bella's appointments from weekly to biweekly, the couple celebrates by inviting Rosalie and Irina over for formal introductions.

It's been months since Rosalie's divorce has been final, her baby is due in just a couple months, and Edward has never seen his sister as happy as she is right now.

Irina is smart and funny. She takes all of Rosalie's shit and returns it ten-fold. They were made for one another.

Bella starts to come out of her shell a little, regaling the tales of Rosalie's attempt to win her heart. She includes the Valentine's Day prank that backfired, and Irina hisses.

"We've been together since early January." Irina glares at Rosalie. "You mean to tell me that you kissed another woman?"

"I was just having a little fun and wanted to brighten her first day at The Bakery." Rosalie grabs her hand. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't love Bella, but joking aside, it's completely familial. She's practically my sister."

Irina huffs, but Edward can tell that she isn't seriously mad.

"RiRi. You know I'm in love with you," Rosalie coos and the woman melts.

Bella laughs.

"So, I'm guessing the theme for the nursery is still going to be rainbows?"