Bella's Point of View
The first week of school was a bit underwhelming. I had pictured all the staring and whispering with my return, but that hadn't been the case. Instead Ana seemed to be the complete center of attention. Her very first day of school had everyone buzzing with speculation, especially with the mysterious Edward Cullen at her side. With the two of them hand in hand, they became the gossip of Forks high. Emmett and I are old news now. As thankful as I was, I did pity Ana. She was already going through so much, with Phil and the move into the Cullen house.
Blending into the background had been easy, but unlike before, no one attempted any interaction with me. I've officially become unapproachable. Even at lunch, Jessica and Mike avoided any conversation. I sat with the Cullens, we were in our own little bubble. However, today was different.
Lunch time had just started, we all sat around our usual table. Alice and Jasper sat with their heads close, having a private conversation. They seemed content. I avoided bothering them. Emmett pulled me a little closer, resting his arm around my shoulder, his topaz eyes flickered towards Edward; seated directly across from us.
"What's the status for today?" Emmett asked with a somber look.
Edward made a slight face, his eyes narrowing slightly. He mirrored Emmett's position, moving his arm around Ana's shoulders as well. "Looks like they are finally making a move."
Ana and I exchanged looks.
"What are you guys talking about?" She asked, gently pushing her glasses from the tip of her nose back up.
Edward didn't comment, but I watched as he delicately ran his hand through her cropped chestnut hair. Ana trembled for a moment, watching him with vibrant hazel eyes.
Emmett dipped in close to my ear, I just barely felt his lips make contact. "A few brave souls came over to ask you and Ana a question." He whispered quietly in my ear. After, his lips trailed cold kisses down my neck.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the feeling for a moment. My heart was racing. His words didn't even register completely until I noticed two boys approaching our table.
I recognized one, Mike Newton, the baby-face. He was always quick to be overly friendly and helpful. He put forth some energy to try becoming friends with me, when I first arrived in Forks. But it was surprising that he was going to try to talk with me now. Since I've been completely wrapped up with the Cullen's, everyone has been avoiding me. I wonder what he wanted to ask, that was so important.
The boy that stood next to him appeared gangly, with bad skin and an awkwardness about him. There was nervousness in his posture. I found him eyeing Ana from across the room.
The two boys paused just inches from our table, their faces were a bit flushed, but they held up a mask of confidence. Mike was the first to speak up.
"Hey Bella, I haven't heard from you in a while, I just wanted to talk and maybe catch up…" He started, clearing his throat a little. Mike's baby blue eyes darted between Emmett and Edward for a moment, before settling on mine.
I sighed quietly, giving him the best smile I could manage. "What did you have in mind?"
Tension started almost immediately. I could feel Emmett's hold around my shoulders getting a little tighter. The expression on his face remained stoic. But I could see my comment had stirred up some discomfort.
Mike exhaled noisily, sounding completely relieved. "W-well the winter formal dance is coming up at the end of the month. I was hoping to take you. Maybe we could go out on a few d-dates beforehand… just to catch up."
Now it made sense. Mike was interested in a friendly chat, he had romantic intentions. That didn't make sense to me. It was pretty clear that Emmett and I were in a committed relationship.
Before I could reply, the boy next to Mike opened his mouth as well. However, his comment was in Ana's direction.
"I was actually here to ask the same thing to you Ana. I know we haven't had a chance to officially meet, but I'd be honored to be your date to the dance." The boy's face turned a few more shades of red.
Ana didn't seem surprised. She shifted her head down, looking at her hands. She appeared distracted.
When she didn't answer, I did. There was no way that I would agree to dating Mike Newton. But I did recognize the courage it took for him to ask. It wasn't easy, letting yourself be vulnerable and being honest with someone that you had a crush on. Even though it was unrequited, I didn't want to completely demolish his feelings.
"Thanks for the offer. But I'm in a relationship with Emmett. If I was even considering going to that dance, it would be with him."
Emmett cracked a huge smile, leaning in to peck my cheek. He didn't bother meeting Mike's gaze. He just continued to pretend that he wasn't even there. His arm loosened a bit as tension left his body. Emmett was never overly protective, he had trust in me and in our relationship. He knew that only he had my heart. No other man on this planet could change that.
Even though I said it delicately, I could still see the pain in Mike's eyes. He seemed completely deflated.
"I understand," He started, letting his head fall. "I guess I just needed to hear it for myself. There are a lot of rumors, I wasn't sure what to believe." He muttered.
His friend seemed even more nervous now, as he waited for Ana's response.
Unlike Emmett, Edward's response to this situation was a bit less controlled. He narrowed his golden eyes in the boy's direction. There was a general feeling of hostility behind his expression. If looks could kill, this boy would be dead.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name," Ana said, finally making eye contact with the boy standing next to Mike.
The boy swallowed hard. "I'm Eric,"
Ana smiled faintly. "Nice to meet you Eric. What made you want to ask me to the dance?" There was no emotion on her face.
"W-w-well, I don't know, you seem really nice, you're pretty new in town, I wanted to get to know you…" He replied, shuffling his feet.
"I do appreciate that, but I'm not in a place to make friends. My father is very sickly, I don't really have the time or energy to focus on anything else." Ana spoke truthfully.
I felt a pinch in my chest at her words. Ana really was going through a lot right now. Phil's condition was getting worse by the day, the medical staff at the nursing home he was put in had made the comment that Phil would most likely not be able to return to a normal life. He would need twenty-four hour care. So his only options would be to stay in the nursing home… for the rest of his life. This had put a great deal of stress on Ana.
Pity clouded both Eric and Mike's face.
"Oh, I'm really sorry to hear that… I just assumed… since you were so close with Edward… you were open to making relationships." Eric commented.
"Edward has been by my side through all of this. I wouldn't even have the strength to be here today, if it wasn't for him. He is incredibly important to me." Ana admitted, her cheeks warmed up.
Edward turned his sights to Ana with concern, lightly his hand moved to stroke her cheek. I could see the devotion in his every touch. It was clear they both cared for each other deeply. It didn't take a genius to see it. I felt it was hard to believe that Eric wouldn't notice this.
"So, you two are in a relationship as well." Mike spoke up, he realized that Eric had completely lost his nerve.
"Yes we are," Ana nodded with a small smile.
"U-um, sorry," Eric muttered, before quickly turning around and practically running back to his usual lunch table. He had left Mike behind, which Mike didn't at all seem to appreciate. He glanced around the table awkwardly at each of us.
"I'll… see you around…" He bowed his head a bit, before taking off as well.
Once he was out of hearing, Alice spoke up for the first time, an amused smile on her face. "Well, that was interesting. They won't be taking another shot again for quite a while."
I sighed. "You mean they aren't giving up? Wasn't what he said enough to convince them?"
"Teenage boys can be relentless. Especially when it comes to love and conquest." Alice replied with a chuckle.
Jasper nodded quietly in agreement. "Their emotions have taken a hit today, but I suspect they won't be giving up any time soon."
Emmett buffed his chest out a bit. "Let them try. I'm not in the least bit threatened. I mean, look at them."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Who are you trying to fool? If you would have kept up with your line of thoughts, I would have had to chase Mike off, before you made a scene."
I glanced at Emmett in surprise. He didn't show any signs of being bothered. He offered me a sheepish grin.
"You can't blame me in this situation. She is the mother of my children. How could I not be bothered?" He muttered softly. His hand moved now to my thigh.
Shivers rolled down my spine at his touch. I couldn't get the smile off my face. Electricity bounced up and down my leg. I was more than a little distracted.
"I wanted to ask, Bella, do you mind if you come with me to visit my dad? I tried asking Rene, but she said she had plans." Ana said quietly.
My eyes flickered over to Ana now as I placed my hand over Emmett's. "I'll come with you, no problem."
Ana chewed her bottom lip. "The nurse called the other day, they wanted to talk about the possibility of beginning hospice care for him."
I winced at the sharpness prickling my chest. I felt so awful. Phil was the only family that Ana had left. It was clear that Rene didn't want any part of this. Which was frustrating. She was still legally married to Phil. Their relationship had mattered to her in the past. But almost overnight that all seemed to change. It wasn't fair. I will do my best to be there for Ana from now on.
"I'll come as well, if you'd like." Alice offered with a warm smile.
Ana beamed. "Really? I mean… you don't have to. That nursing home is so depressing."
Alice shrugged her shoulders. "Us girls should stick together. We are all family now. Aren't we?"
"She's right," I nodded. "We are all here for you."
Ana sniffed, her hazel eyes beginning to water.
Edward noticed and pulled her closer to his side. He watched her with such torment and yearning. It was clear that he wanted to chase all her sorrows away. I was truly happy that the two of them found each other. I couldn't think of two people that deserved to find happiness more.
My thoughts turned now towards my sons. Emerson and Greyson were always on my mind. When we were apart it was painful. I wondered what they were up to. Was I missing out on anything? I wish that I didn't have to ever be away from them. But it was important for me to go to school. I had to graduate. After that, I could spend all the time in the world with them. I just had to get through this first. But that didn't make it any easier.
I couldn't wait for this school day to end. It was Friday, so I would have the full weekend to spend time with them. Like I promised, I would be spending the weekend with Charlie and Rene. It was the only way that they would agree with me moving out of the house. I would have to stay the weekend with them. It was fair. And thankfully they accepted Emmett coming along as well. The only down side was there was no way Charlie would accept the two of us sharing a room for the night.
But I would make the most of this. I was planning on enjoying myself. I refuse to let the other stresses affect me. There has been a lot going on lately. The biggest issue at the moment was Rosalie. She was spotted around the Cullen house a lot. She lingered around the forest. Waiting patiently for something. But I didn't know what.
I knew that Carlisle and Esme still welcomed her with open arms. But Emmett and the others wanted to keep her out of the house. Not with the twins being around. We didn't trust her to be around them. So, for the time being Carlisle allowed this. Rosalie wouldn't be permitted inside the house while the twins were there. But since they would be with me, at Charlie's, Rose would be welcomed into the house for the weekend.
This would have made me a bit wary, if not for the fact that Emmett would be staying with me throughout the weekend. Ana would be coming with us as well. Although, we knew Charlie wouldn't allow Edward to hang around all night. The only reason he was allowing Emmett, was because he was the father of his grandchildren. The relationship was different.
I wasn't sure how this weekend was going to go. But I was hopeful nothing would happen.
To my relief, school finally ended without any more awkward conversations. Everyone continued to avoid us. At times it felt like I was behind a wall of glass. Everyone could walk by and stare, but none got close enough to talk to. It was unsettling at times. But with Emmett by my side, I was content. Nothing else mattered. We made our way back home, but didn't stay there long. Just enough to gather up the boys. Emerson was continuing to grow rapidly. At this point he was big enough to be put in a rear facing car seat. He didn't have much trouble walking, although he still remained quiet. He spoke a few words, but usually preferred not to speak. Greyson, on the other hand, didn't grow nearly as fast. He was keeping pace with normal growth and development of a human child. It was comforting. But it didn't lessen my worries surrounding him. His strength was very noticeable. If I wasn't careful, he could crack my ribs, or break a bone, with just the smallest motion.
Emmett and I would be dropping the boys off with Charlie and Rene, so we could go with Ana to the nursing home. It would only be for about an hour and I'm sure my parents were eager to get some one-on-one time with the twins.
Although, I suppose calling them twins was a bit of a stretch now. Emerson looked like he was nearly two years old. While Greyson was a little over two months old now. The difference was startling. It didn't take long for Charlie to notice, but he has yet to make any real comment. I wasn't sure whether he was waiting for me to offer an explanation, or he was trying to piece things together on his own. I knew Charlie was suspicious, but I just couldn't bring him into this world. Thankfully, Rene didn't seem to notice quite as much. Or if she did, she was really good at hiding it.
But without much being said, we dropped the boys off and picked Edward and Ana up. They had gone over to Charlie and Rene's immediately after school. Edward opened the door to the backseat, glancing at the carseats with hesitation.
"Just move them to the trunk for now," Emmett said with a slight wave of his hand.
Edward sighed and did as he said. Unhooking both car seats from the back. Ana eyed him with slight pink touching her cheeks. I had a guess of what she was imagining. Before I could drop that line of thought, the image of Ana being pregnant came to my mind.
Ana shot me a pleading look. "Bella please," She sounded highly embarrassed. Not to mention the look of utter discomfort on Edward's face as he looked pointedly away from me. Obviously, I had struck a chord with both of them. I better just keep my opinions to myself.
A/N: I'm sorry for not updating this story for such a long time. And I'm really sorry that not much happened in this chapter. It's basically just a filler chapter to spring back into this story. I needed to start somewhere. But thanks for those that stopped to read this little tid-bit.
S/N: I recently found out that I'm pregnant with my first child, so I've been a little distracted lately. But I'm going to try to do more writing. I think it will help with all the anxiety surrounding this pregnancy. Thanks everyone.