Somewhere To Begin Chapter 4 If Walls Could Talk, a twilight fanfic

Abounding thanks to our spectacular team, Liz Vesper, Editor, BohemianRituals and Connie Sanders, our pre-readers.

Chapter 4:Walls Could Talk

Edward

I have to admit I felt better after a hot shower.

After getting dressed, I made my way towards the main house.

Fuck.

Emmett's car was in the driveway. Hopefully, Ma didn't say anything about the… mishap.

Mishap? Dude, you were naked.

So not helping.

Maybe a quick prayer would help?

I walked into the house and closed the door. I followed Emmett's laughter towards the basement.

"He was naked Carlisle; no mother wants to see that!" She squealed.

I froze mid step.

"Are you serious Ma?" Emmett laughed. "That's hilarious."

A flush creeped across my cheeks and let out a low groan.

Great, he'll never let me live that down.

Maybe you'll be able to laugh at it one day, too.

Really? You really believe that?

I said one day.

"Emmett, it isn't funny." Ma huffed. "This is serious, and concerning, he's not himself."

"Hey, I'm just trying to lighten the mood." Emmett tried to sound innocent. "Besides, it's not like it's something you haven't seen when he was a kid."

It was quiet for a moment.

"Ow, Ma." Emmett whined. "Hitting isn't nice." He chuckled.

Dad sighed. "Why are you like this?"

"I was just trying to help." Emmett grumbled.

"Well, stop." Dad said. "Please."

"He's hurting. My baby is hurting, and it's that-that-that… girls' fault."

"Come on now, Esme, calm down." Dad said.

"I am calm, Carlisle." She sighed. "You didn't see how he looked; he's broken."

"I know he's been having a rough time, but I wouldn't say broken." Emmett said.

"I know what I saw, and it's more than just a rough time." Ma said.

"We can all agree he's gone through a lot, and yes, he's not himself. But we have to give him time. He really loved that girl—hell, he may still love her. We all know what happened, and that's not something he's just going to get over." Dad said.

"I'm not saying he's just supposed to get over it, but… but—"

"Honey." Dad interrupted Ma. "I thought we said we would give him some space. They've been together since they were nineteen, this is a huge adjustment for him."

"We gave him space, Carlisle." She said with tension in her voice. "He needs more than that. I mean, have you seen the pool house?" She paused. "We have to do something; we can't just sit back and watch him give up." She said softly.

"I'll talk to him." Emmett said. "He just needs a little kick in the ass."

"No, not without an adult present." Dad said.

"Don't." Ma said.

"Wow." Emmett said dramatically. "I'm trying to step up and do my big bother duties, but my own parents don't believe in me. That hurts. That really hurts."

Dad inhaled. "Your mother and I don't doubt you one bit Emmett, and while I'm sure Edward would appreciate your…" he paused, "unique words of wisdom, I think I'll talk to him."

"Yes, great." Ma said. "You'll talk to him."

Honestly, I didn't think I was as bad as they made me sound.

Seriously?

Okay, I was lying.

I knew I was a little different, but not so bad that my Mom felt like something needed to be done.

Do I have to remind you, you were naked?

I was wrapped in a blanket.

Naked.

Point taken.

Okay, this was a wake-up call. I needed to get my shit together. Noted.

Before the conversation continued, I stomped down the stairs. "Welcome to the land of the living! Glad to see you have clothes on, baby bro." Emmett smirked.

While my parent's back was still turned, I gave him the one-finger salute. "Good to see you too."

"Ma, he's giving me the finger." Emmett said as he pointed at me.

I scowled at him.

"Cut it out boys." Dad mumbled.

"Stop it." Ma said while she hit Emmett's arm, making him lower it before she turned to me. "Oh, Honey, you look better." She cleared her throat.

She didn't look at me, not really. She gazed at something behind me.

That was fair, I guess.

"Ma, you don't have to avoid me." I shoved my hands in my pockets. "That will never happen again."

"Well, I hope it won't." She breathed out as she leaned in to hug me, but abruptly pulled back and patted me on my shoulder instead. "I'm going to go start dinner now." She said before she spun on her heels and headed toward the stairs.

Before she walked up the stairs, she turned around. "Carlisle don't forget." Her eyes flickered to me before she gave him a pointed looked.

Subtle.

She looked pointedly at him.

"I got it." He smiled at her.

She winked at him before she went up the stairs.

It was silent as we all glanced at each other.

"Ma gotcha by the balls. Huh, Dad?" Emmett mocked.

Dad tilted his head to the side. "I quite enjoy it, too." He smirked.

"Damnit, would you stop?" I growled. "I don't want that visual in my head."

"Well, Ma saw you naked and now you know Dad likes Ma handling his balls." Emmett shrugged. "I think that makes you about even."

"Since we've all learned something new, I think we can move on." Dad rolled his eyes. "Have a seat, Edward." He gestured to the cushion beside him.

As I walked past Emmett, I smacked the back of his head for that last comment before I plopped next to Dad.

"Douche bag." Emmett muttered as he held his head.

Dad shook his head at our antics.

What can I say? He brought the worst out of me.

Dad let out a breath. "How are you doing?"

"Fine."

"Bullshit." Emmett coughed.

"Edward." Dad raised his eyebrows at me.

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Honestly?"

"No, lie to us." Emmett said, sarcasm heavy in his voice.

Dad and I stared at Emmett, who blinked at us.

Dad closed his eye and took a breath threw his nose. "Yes." He opened his eyes. "Honestly."

I rubbed my neck as I thought about what I wanted to say, what I really wanted to say, and what I had been embarrassed to say.

"I feel stupid. While I was trying to make things work, she created a whole new life… without me. I don't know where I went wrong, but I guess it really didn't matter that I tried to fix it, anyway." I admitted more so to myself.

"I can't imagine what you've been going through." Not the first time I heard that today. "But, son, I need you to know this is not your fault. What Gianna did was very…" He paused, looking for the right word. "Unexpected and hurtful, but you did all you could because you loved her and that doesn't make you stupid."

I shook my head. "Dad, I—I… I still can't believe she did this to our family. How do I just let go of the life we planned?"

Suddenly, I felt Emmett's hand gripping my shoulder.

"Eddie, it's a process that will take time, but you can't stop your whole life. Take it one step at a time, but don't just give up." Emmett furrowed his brows. I could count how many times I'd seen him look this serious.

"Emmett's right." Dad said.

"I am." Emmett nodded.

"Take it day by day if you have to, but at least try." He titled his head to the side. "I know it won't always be easy, but just remember life doesn't always happen in specific steps, no matter how much you plan, and that's okay. It doesn't make you a failure and—more importantly—it doesn't make you any less of a man." Dad said.

I found it difficult to talk with the lump in my throat, so I nodded.

He seemed to know what I felt without me having all the words.

"We're here for you." Dad said as he patted my knee.

"Yeah, baby bro, we got your back." Emmett confirmed.

I swallowed. "Thanks."

"Great!" Emmett clapped his hands together. "Since we've had a heart to heart, we can get down to business. When are you coming back to work?"

"Emmett." Dad let out a heavy sigh and his shoulders slumped.

"What?" He widened his eyes. "I think that's a fair question. It's called Cullen & Cullen, yet I'm the only Cullen showing up."

Dad dragged his hand down his face. "You were doing so well, Emmett."

"No, he's right." I rolled my eyes. "I need to get back to work."

"That's the attitude to have Eddie!" Emmet said as he slapped me on the back.

"Yeah, I'm a team player." I said dryly.

"Exactly." He grinned. "You just need to get back in the swing of things and I have just the project for you!" He bounced on his toes.

I looked at him. "What is it?"

"A restaurant in the dark."

I frowned.

"With the right marketing and allocating of funds this could be the next big thing." He beamed. "I already talked to the owner, and she's ready to make some big changes, and I have the perfect name! Are you ready?" He asked.

I crossed my arms and leaned back into the couch.

"Dark." He lifted one hand up. "Dinning." He lifted his other hand up. "So, what do you think?" He had a huge smile on his face.

Who'd want to eat in the dark? By choice? "Uh."

"Dinner's ready!" Ma said.

Oh, thank god.

"We can talk about it later, Emmett." I said while I was getting up from the couch.

"Alright, I have so many ideas to tell you." Emmett said.

We all headed up the stairs and into the dining room.

"Awesome! You made my favorite!" Emmett boomed.

"It looks delicious, Love." Dad said while he kissed her forehead.

"You look delicious yourself." She kissed his cheek.

Eww. I scrunched up my face.

"We're about to eat, please don't upset my stomach." Emmett said as he piled food on his plate.

"Emmett, save some for the rest of us." Ma gently scolded.

"Hmm, huh?" He hummed as he continued to put more food on his plate.

The small spread of food was mouthwatering. Ma made lasagna, along with garlic toast and a side salad.

After a few minutes of fork scrapping and moans of appreciation, mostly coming from Emmett, Ma wiped her mouth. "So, Edward." She paused. "Renata's first day of kindergarten is tomorrow. How do you feel?"

"I can't believe it." I smiled. "I can still remember the day she was born, like it was yesterday, and now she's about to start kindergarten."

"Don't we know it? Before you can blink, she'll be in high school and trying to steal your car." Dad joked as he glanced at Emmett and I.

"Yeah." I laughed. "That wasn't our finest moment."

"Hey!" Emmett mumbled. He still had food in his mouth as he pulled away from his plate. "It was the party of the year and you two were supposed to be asleep."

Dad chuckled and shook his head. "I can't wait for you to have kids."

Emmett pointed his fork at him. "Not likely, old man."

"We'll see." Dad smirked.

"Actually, Edward." Ma cleared her throat and twirled her finger around her napkin. "You know, Gianna's going to drop her off for her first day of school." She hesitated.

I remained quiet.

"Are you okay with that?" She raised her brows. "If you want, I can go with you." She looked at me, unblinking.

I moved my food around my plate. "I'll be fine."

This would be the first step toward me getting my shit together.

Ma sighed. "Okay."

I looked up to see Dad put his hand on top of Ma's. They shared a look before Dad kissed her forehead.

Dad turned to me. "Everything will go great."

"Yeah." Emmett said. "It's not like things could get any worse."

"Emmett." Dad grimaced.

Ma sighed and put her elbow on the table, placing her head in her hand.

"What?" Emmett looked around the table. "I'm not lying."

"Thanks for the encouragement."

"Oh, come on. It was just a joke." He slapped my back. "You'll be fine."

"Yup." I popped the p and nodded my head. "I'll be fine."

Just fine.