Good morning, my dears!
All mistakes are on me.
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Bella
November 24, 2022
Cambridge, England
The nap helps, though I can't escape the homesickness that is settling in me. I didn't think I cared much about Thanksgiving, but the last few years, having our friends, our family with us meant more than I realized.
When I come out to the kitchen, Edward is working on tidying up the place. The food is done, covered in foil, and smells in-fucking-credible. It makes me want to cry again.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
He sets down the sponge in the sink and wipes his hands before coming over to me.
"Dramatic," I sigh, pushing some hair out of my face. His lips quirk at the corners. "I'm sorry I'm a pain in the ass."
"I'm sorry I knocked you up," he teases. I smirk.
"No you're not." I let out a breath. "And I'm not either. But seriously, these pregnancy hormones are no joke."
Edward hums and pulls me into his arms. It's honestly my favorite place to be.
"How long until everyone starts showing up?"
Just as I ask, there is a knock at the front door. Edward kisses the top of my head before letting me go and heading to the entry. I wander toward the turkey and stuffing, sniffing the air.
We're hosting a potluck, so really, things could have been so much worse for me today. I want to cry again just thinking of having to take on more than these two dishes.
I look up when I hear laughter, and smile at Corin and Erik as they enter. Corin is holding a dish wrapped in foil and Erik has a case of beers.
"Happy Thanksgiving," Erik calls, holding up the beers. It's a little annoying, only because I can't drink, but I take a deep breath and nod.
"Happy Thanksgiving," I call back.
Corin comes in, setting her dish on the counter. "What is it?" I ask, beyond curious. She pulls the foil back a tiny bit.
"I hope it's okay, I made turnips."
My stomach drops. Ew.
"It's great," I lie. "Thank you."
She smiles. "They are my gran's recipe. We usually have them at Christmas."
I nod. What a way to ruin Christmas.
Before I can be an ass and accidently say anything out loud, more people are coming in.
Heidi and Afton come in, followed behind Jessica. I grin, running over to her as she steps into our apartment. "You made it!" I say, pulling her into a tight hug. She laughs.
"I did. What else have I going on a Thursday night?" she teases. "I hope it's okay, I brought a friend," she winks at me and I snort, nodding. I peek behind her to see a blonde guy kicking his shoes off in the entry.
"I can't wait to hear more," I tell her. She grins.
"No, you really can't."
We laugh as he steps into the apartment with Edward. "Jess, this is Edward, my husband." I tell her, waving him to us.
"Christ, Bella. No wonder you work from home. I'd want to see this as much as possible too," she says, her eyes wide. Edward blushes and I let out a cackle.
"Trust me, he only gets better."
Edward's eyes widen as Jess lets out a loud laugh.
"Yes, how delicious," she says, shaking out her hair. I giggle and Edward rolls his eyes.
"Okay, excuse me ladies," he moves to the kitchen, and I grin. It's been a while since I embarrassed him.
"God, he's gorgeous," Jess says as we watch him walk away.
"I know. I jump him constantly."
Jess eyes me. "Lucky Bitch," she says without any heat. I smirk at her. She turns to the blonde man loitering near us. "Bella, this is Mike."
I reach out to shake his hand. "It's nice to meet you." I tell him. He nods.
"You as well."
He's got a dish in one arm, and I motion him toward the kitchen. He moves through and I turn to Jess again. "He's cute," I offer. He is, in a sort of generic way.
Jess sighs. "Yeah, he gets the job done," she teases with a wink. I snort.
"Come on in, get a drink," I suggest.
"I'll have two," she says. "One for each of us."
I hesitate. "Edward's friends don't know," I tell her. She looks surprised.
"Really?"
"You and my doctor are the only ones in this country that know."
Jess softens before pulling an arm around my shoulders. She squeezes me gently, and somehow that hug tells me more than words could. I squeeze her back and she smiles at me.
"Let's tuck in," she says, nodding to the kitchen. I nod.
"Yeah, let's."
