Disclaimer: None of this mine, nor will it ever be. The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer and I just like to play with Edward and Bella.

Also, thank you so much for your support for my writing. It means to me more than words can say.

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."
Vincent Van Gogh

Chapter Three

"Seth, get your stuff! Your dad will be here in a few minutes," Bella called.

"I'm going for a run," Jake said angrily, stuffing his feet into his running shoes. "I don't want to see his ugly face. Give Dad the finger for me." He scowled at his little brother as he walked out of his bedroom. Seth frowned as he watched his older brother stomp past him. With a scoff, Jake sprinted out of the house and down the street, leaving his confused little brother in his wake.

"Why does Jake hate Daddy?" Seth asked, putting his backpack on the couch.

"Jake is angry at your dad because he left," Bella answered. "He left us when I was sick; when we needed him the most, Seth. I understand that he made that choice, but that doesn't mean that I'm not angry at him. He couldn't handle me being in this chair."

"Why? You're so strong, Mommy," Seth murmured, clambering onto Bella's lap. "I love you."

"I love you, too, bug," Bella said, kissing his forehead. Her cell phone vibrated on the cocktail table. "Grab that for me, will you?" He got off Bella's lap and handed the phone to her. She saw a text from her ex-husband while Seth sat on his knees on the couch, looking for his father.

Can't pick up Seth. I have other plans. And having him around would be a challenge. Give him a hug and a kiss. I'll see him next weekend – Riley

With a growl, Bella sent him a response. You just NOW realized that you had plans that did not include your son? He was looking forward to seeing you. Call him and explain WHY you cannot have him this weekend, Riley. I will not be the one to break his heart. – Isabella

I'm busy. I've got meetings. I'll make it up to him – Riley

Bella reached out to him, wanting her ex-husband to call her. She dialed him, but it went straight to voicemail. With an angry sigh, she looked at her younger son. "Seth, my little love bug, come here."

"Where's Daddy?" Seth asked, scampering off the couch and sat down on the chair next to his mother. "He was supposed to be here forever ago!"

"I just got a text from your dad, bug," Bella muttered. "He can't spend time with you this weekend. He's got plans, a big work project."

"Why can't he spend time with me?" Seth whimpered, his eyes welling with tears. "I miss him, Mommy. We play outside, throwing the ball and chasing each other at the park. We can't really do that …" He looked at his mother's worthless legs. With a scoff, he pushed away from his mother and stomped to his bedroom.

Bella felt helpless, scowling at her body and picking up her cell phone. She typed a scathing text to her asshole husband. We may need to reevaluate this custody agreement, Riley. You broke a promise to your son and he's shattered. You'll be hearing from my attorney. – Isabella

After speaking her mind, she called her attorney and unfortunately there was not a lot that could be done. The only way they could amend custody agreement would be if Riley's behavior became habitual. Bella's attorney did say that she would send a letter, explaining that if visitation needed to be changed or amended, that Bella needed at least forty-eight hours prior notice. It seemed only fair. Dropping the ball, last minute, was unfair to Bella and cruel to Seth. Her attorney promised to have the letter first thing Monday morning.

With Riley's last-minute cancellation, Bella called her parents and they came over for the weekend. Seth was outside throwing a baseball with Charlie while Bella and Renee ate a light lunch on the porch.

When Jake returned, he was surprised that his little brother was still at home. He walked over to his mother and grandmother. "Why is Seth still here? I thought that Riley would pick him up?" he sneered.

Bella sighed, looking at her older son. "He's still your dad, Jake," she argued, half-heartedly.

"No, he's an asshole and an asshole who obviously doesn't care about me, Seth or you," Jake snapped. "Where is he?"

"Busy," Bella answered. "That's why Nana and Poppy are here." She arched a brow at her son. "Come here, Jacob."

"I'll get you something to eat, kiddo," Renee said, kissing Jake's sweaty cheek.

"Thanks, Nana," he mumbled, sitting down in the chair she just vacated. "I'm sorry about being so cranky."

"You have every reason to be, Jake," Bella breathed, taking his hand. "I know that you're pissed off at your dad. It will be a long time before I can forgive him, if ever, but Seth still has that relationship with him."

"It must kill you to talk to him to arrange Seth's visits," Jake spat. He held his mother's delicate hand, so tiny in his. However, Jake knew that she wasn't delicate. She was stronger than anyone he'd ever known. He traced the veins on her hand. "Do you resent him?"

"I resent what he did to our family," Bella explained. "I resent that he threw away a relationship with you because he couldn't cope with the fact that I'm in a wheelchair."

"He didn't throw it away. I did, and by choice," Jake argued. "I don't want to have a relationship with a man like that."

"You're a better man than your father, Jacob," Bella sighed, squeezing his fingers. "I love you and I'm proud of you."

"Jake! Poppy said he got tickets to the Mariners tonight! A friend of his couldn't go and gave them to him. You want to go?" Seth asked, running over to his brother. "Can we go Momma?"

"Have fun," Bella snickered. "Be good for Poppy."

"They're tickets for a box, Bells," Charlie said. "You could come with us."

"Dad, even when I could walk, I don't like baseball. I think Mom and I are going to have a girl's night in," Bella smirked.

"A complete spa day," Renee breathed. "I'll go make those arrangements. Take care of my grandchildren, Chief."

"I always do, woman," Charlie laughed. "Jake, son, I love you, but go shower."

"Yes, sir," Jake chuckled. He darted inside. A half hour later, he was dressed in a pair of shorts and a Mariners jersey. Seth was his brother's clone, save for a Mariners t-shirt, not a jersey. "You copying me, squirt?"

"It's the highest form of flattery, Jacob," Renee said from her perch at the counter. She was typing on a laptop. She stopped, reaching into her purse. "Come here, boys. Nana has some money for you."

"Mom," Bella grumbled.

"It's a grandmother's prerogative to spoil her grandchildren," Renee retorted. She held out two fifty-dollar bills. "Have fun, boys. Don't spend it all in one place."

"Thanks, Nana," Seth sang, hugging his grandmother. He skipped over to Charlie, taking his hand.

Jake kissed Renee. She laughed, ruffling his hair. Jake walked over to his mother, kissing her forehead. "Love you, Momma."

"Keep a close eye on your brother," Bella smiled. "And have fun."

Charlie, Jake and Seth clambered into the SUV. With a wave, they drove off.

"Now, for that girl's night in," Renee said. "I'm thinking manis, pedis and a complete makeover. It's just what the doctor ordered. What do you think of red hair?"

"For me?" Bella snickered. "That would be a no. For you, maybe."

"Regardless, it's also my prerogative to spoil my only daughter," Renee said, plucking the keys to the modified van to accommodate Bella's wheelchair. "We've got an appointment at the salon that you used to frequent before your stroke."

"Mom," Bella sighed. "I don't think so …"

"I disagree. Sweetheart, I love you, but I see you fading away. Yes, you're adamant on getting your legs back. But, what about you. Self-care is important, baby girl. Let me do this. We have the time and you deserve it."

"You know what? I think I agree with you," Bella said, a slow smile spreading over her face. "But, I'm not dying my hair red."

"Blonde?" Renee quipped.

"Fuck. No."

A/N: Further proof that Riley is a ginormous bag of douche. Seth clearly still loves his father, but … yeah, bag of douche. Anyhow, pictures for this chapter are on my blog. You can find a link to that on my profile. I'm also on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. I'm on twitter, too: tufano79.

Teaser on Thursday! Thanks for reading!