**Fiddling was had. Words were added. All mistakes are mine.**
Song:
"Halo," Beyoncé
Chapter 12
"How did today go?"
"Fine." He sighs, and I can hear the tiredness in his voice. "There was a lot of end-of-event stuff that had to be taken care of after the show was over. Then there were a few guys who wanted to hit the squadron and have a few drinks, so I tagged along. I'm pretty much wiped out."
"Do you get a break since you were there so late tonight, or do you have to report first thing tomorrow?"
"Bright and early. I've got a staff meeting at 7:30."
I tuck the phone between my ear and shoulder and reach for my hand lotion, squirting a couple pumps into my hand. "Wow. You don't even get a chance to catch your breath."
"Not really, but I'll definitely make time to see you this week. Especially after this weekend."
I smile as I settle under my blankets. "It was a good day yesterday, wasn't it?"
"It was. Do you think the boys had fun?"
"I know they had fun." Pulling the covers up higher, I curl myself around my pillow. "It's all they could talk about until Garrett picked them up tonight."
"I'll bet that will be an interesting conversation with their dad."
It's my turn to sigh. "I'm sure I'll hear about it soon enough."
"Do you think he'll have a problem with me?"
"I really don't care. If he does, it's his problem, not yours or mine."
"I just don't want to cause any issues between the two of you where the boys are concerned."
The corner of my mouth turns up. "And the fact that you're worried about that at all speaks volumes."
"Well, I mean it. If he tries to start trouble, I'm more than happy to talk to him." I can hear his sheets and blankets shifting as he, presumably, gets into bed, too. "Hey, can you tell Jacob I'm really sorry I couldn't make it to his game this morning?"
"I can."
"It was just too much to make it there then back to the base in time. Was he very disappointed?"
"A little, but he'll be fine. I told him we'd make plans for you to come another time."
"If he still wants me there, I'll definitely make it happen."
"Who is Edward?"
I heave a sigh as I shift my car into park. "Good morning to you, too, Garrett. Is there something wrong with the kids?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"No, they're fine," he says dismissively.
"Then may I ask why you're calling me first thing on a Monday morning when you know I need to be at work in"—I glance at the clock on my dash—"five minutes?"
"Because my sons haven't stopped talking about 'Mommy's new friend, Edward.' I think I have a right to know if you're taking my kids around strange men, Bella."
There are so many things about his rant that make me bristle, but I take a breath and exhale before I blow up at him. "First of all, they're our children. And second, I'm not taking them around any strange men. Edward is a friend of Jasper's."
"Are you dating him? I have a right to know who you're bringing around the boys."
The ridiculousness of what he's attempting to accuse me of is almost laughable.
Almost.
"Like I had a say in who you brought around?" I challenge.
"Look—"
"I don't have time for this. I have to go." Without a second thought, I end the call and drop my phone into my bag.
I'll deal with my ex-husband later.
"So, this is a barbecue?" Rosalie asks as she flips through the rack of swimsuits.
"Kind of. It's a birthday party for one of Edward's guys."
She raises a brow. "And you know this man well enough to go to his birthday party?"
"Not exactly. I met him and his wife and another couple at Alice's a while back. We ran into them at the air show last weekend, and the wife invited the boys and me." I shrug. "They were all really nice. And …" My lips disappear between my teeth.
"And?"
"And it's another chance for the boys to be around Edward in a neutral setting."
She grins and shakes her head as she goes back to looking through the rack. "I still can't believe they took to him so quickly." She snatches a hanger off the rack and holds it up. "I found it."
All I see are strings as she holds it up. "Um, Rose, I'm not sure about that one."
"You said you needed a suit. It's your size, and this shade of red looks spectacular on you."
"Yeah, but I was thinking more along the lines of a one-piece. You know, something more suitable for swimming with people I don't know very well."
"You at least have to try it on."
I grab it out of her hand. "Fine, but I'm not buying this one."
In the end, I'm able to bargain with her and put the bikini back on the rack, keeping the one-piece instead. But it doesn't take long for me to regret accepting her counteroffer.
According to my sister, I've put off underwear shopping for too long.
"Oh, what about this one?" She holds up a negligée. The deep blue lace is tasteful and absolutely beautiful.
"It's gorgeous, but …"
"But what?"
"I'm not sure I'm ready for that."
She tosses it over her forearm anyway. "You two still haven't sealed the deal?"
"No. We're taking things slow." I turn my attention back to the tiered tables of bras and panties.
"What are you afraid of? Or is he the one who wants to wait?"
I glance around the store, making sure no one is close enough to overhear us. "I'm not afraid. I just want to wait a little while. What's so wrong with that?"
"Nothing, but you've been seeing him for months."
"I'm aware. And it's barely been two months, really." Sighing, I walk to the opposite side of the rack she's flipping through.
"I thought you cared about this guy."
"I do."
"Then what's the problem? It's probably been close to two years since you slept with Garrett, so you have to be wound up tighter than a ten-day clock at this point. And aside from the fact that he's drop-dead gorgeous, if this guy's half as great as you've made him out to be, I just don't understand why you haven't slept with him. That's all."
"That's all, she says," I mutter.
I can't deny what she's said; Edward is a great guy. It doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. And her assessment of me being wound tight isn't wrong, either. Every time Edward kisses me, he sets my body on fire. It would be so easy to let myself fall into his bed … to fall completely and irrevocably in love with him. But I'm still bruised by what Garrett did, the one man I've ever been with, and even though I know Edward is one of the good guys, taking that final step with him would mean potentially opening myself up to more heartbreak. I'm just not ready yet to be that vulnerable with someone else. So, for now, I'm guarding my heart.
"I'm just taking my time. I can't just jump into this headfirst."
"And he's really okay with that?"
I cut my eyes to hers.
She holds up her hands defensively. "I'm sorry. That didn't come out right. He obviously cares about you if he's being this patient."
"He's been amazing," I say on a sigh. "He hasn't even brought it up."
She wraps an arm around my shoulders and squeezes. "I'm sorry I brought it up. If he's willing to wait and isn't pressuring you into anything you're not ready for, then he's exactly the kind of man I hoped he was." She gently pushes a few items, including the blue negligée, into my arms. "But trust me on this. You'll thank me later."
"Are you sure there will be kids there?" Skepticism is written all over Seth's face.
I meet his reflection in the rearview mirror. "Brandon is supposed to be there with his family."
Jacob perks up with that tidbit of information. "He is?"
I nod. "Yeah, and there will probably be a few other kids, too, but I don't know who or how old." I side-eye my oldest, waiting for his reaction when I tell him, "And Edward will be there."
Both boys light up, those beaming smiles I love so much making a reappearance.
In the two weeks since the air show, they've asked more than once about when they might see Edward again. Knowing this party was coming up but not wanting to disappoint them if plans changed, I pushed off their questions.
When we pull up to the Cheneys' house, I see Edward's SUV, and butterflies I should be used to by now swarm my belly. My boys are about to get their wish.
After I remind them how to behave in someone else's house, we climb out of the car, grabbing our bags and heading to the door.
Angela greets us, a welcoming smile on her face as she ushers us inside. "I'm so glad you guys could make it."
"Thanks again for inviting us." I turn to the kids. "Boys, do you remember meeting Angela at the air show?"
Jacob nods and shyly mutters, "Sure."
Seth, meanwhile, walks right into Angela's personal space and smiles up at her. "Hi. Do you remember me? I'm Seth."
Amused, Angela giggles. "Hi, Seth. And yes, I do remember you."
"Will there be more kids here?" he asks, furrowing one eyebrow while raising the other.
"I'm pretty sure." She crouches down, closer to Seth's level. "But we have a pool and some games you and your brother can play until everyone else gets here."
"Are we early?" I ask, suddenly worried I crashed the party too soon.
Angela peers up at me and shakes her head. "Not at all. I just thought it might be easier for the boys to get acclimated before everyone else shows up." She stands and shoots me a knowing look before turning back to the boys. "But there is someone else here you might want to see. Edward is outside with Ben, setting up the grill."
The boys take off like a shot toward the open back door, not sparing me another glance.
Laughing, Angela and I peer out her kitchen window. "Looks like they're excited to see him," she says, keeping her eyes on the scene playing out in her backyard. Edward, wearing flip-flops and dressed in swim trunks and a t-shirt, greets the boys with familiar hugs and fist bumps.
"They are. He's all they wanted to talk about once I told them he'd be here."
She chuckles.
I side-eye her, unable to completely look away from my guys. "What?"
"It's just that you're all he wanted to talk about before you got here. The boys, too."
A soft smile plays on my lips as I watch Edward listen to Seth ramble on about something. It's a sight I've been imagining since I introduced them. I'm still bowled over by how comfortable my kids seem to be with him.
Angela finally turns to me, tilting her head toward the door. "Come on. He's been dying for you to show up."
"Are you sure?" I ask Edward for what seems like the tenth time as I adjust Seth's water wings.
"I'm sure. You and Angela can even pull your chairs right up to the edge of the pool if you're worried."
"I'm not—"
He reaches for my shoulder, subtly squeezing it. "They'll be fine."
I turn to my eager son and stare him directly in the eyes. "You listen to Edward, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy."
After a final once-over, I send him and his brother off with my boyfriend to splash around in the pool.
"They seem pretty taken with him." Angela digs through the chest cooler and pulls out two bottles. She hands one over before leading us to the umbrella-shaded patio table. "Edward told me that the day of the air show was the first day they'd met him."
"Yeah. To both." I chuckle, watching Edward dodge Jacob's splashing. All three of them are laughing, and that same warm and fuzzy feeling I felt the last time I saw them all together comes back. All the months of watching my children—Jacob, especially—struggle to adjust to our new family dynamic have been rough. Seeing them laugh and smile … happy makes my heart so much lighter. "It went so much better than I expected it to," I say softly.
"I can see that."
I look over at her. "What do you mean?"
She shifts in her chair. "I hope I'm not overstepping, Bella, but I really hope whatever it is between the two of you works out. I can't remember the last time I saw Vamp so happy." Angela eyes me over the top of her sunglasses and smirks. "Ben said he's smiling just a little bigger at work these days, too."
"Oh?"
"Oh yeah." She giggles and sits forward. "Everyone is noticing. And after the air show, they all know why he has that extra bounce in his step."
I sip my drink and hope the afternoon sun explains away my burning cheeks.
Angela gives me a pointed look. "There are a few people coming today who expressly asked if 'that pretty girl Vamp brought to the air show' was going to be here."
"No," I groan, and she laughs.
"Oh, yes."
"I'm not sure I'm ready for what that might mean."
"It's a good thing. I promise." She places her hand on my forearm. "They just want to get to know the woman we know we'll be seeing so much more of."
When more people arrive, I try to fade into the background and let Angela fulfill her hostess duties, but as she said, a few people are eager to meet me. True to her word, she makes sure I'm not left completely alone. If she can't be nearby, she makes sure Charlotte knows to stay close, especially since my boys seem to have taken off with Edward.
The boys are thrilled when Brandon shows up with his parents, and I'm thankful to see another friendly face.
"Hey, Alice."
"Hey, yourself." She walks over and wraps me in a hug. "Have the wolves descended?" she whispers before pulling away.
"Wolves?"
She looks around the backyard. "I guess not then." Her gaze snaps back to me. "Trust me, you'll know when you see them."
"Beautiful Bella!"
The familiar voice has me spinning on my heel. "Lawrence?"
"How are you?" He kisses my cheek.
"I'm good. How are you? How are things at the restaurant? I still think about that crab cake."
"I'm very glad to hear that. Things are busy, and busy is good." He turns his attention to Alice. "And the delightful Mrs. Whitlock. So lovely to see you again."
She beams as she leans in for a quick kiss to his cheek. "You too, Lawrence. I heard you took very good care of my friend when she came to see you."
"You know Bella?" He looks between Alice and me.
"I do," Alice replies. "And she said you were a gracious host."
"Does that mean you're going to allow me to host you and Tex again sometime soon? You know you'll always be considered special guests."
Alice being Alice slips her arm through his and grins, tugging him toward one of the shaded tables. "Tell me what you have planned for the summer. Maybe we can entice Tex with a new menu."
As the two of them walk off, a certain someone catches my eye as he jerks his head toward the house and slips through the door.
"Hey, Alice?"
She looks over her shoulder. "Yeah?"
"Can you keep an eye on the boys? I need to go inside for a minute."
"Sure." She looks toward the house and grins. "Take your time."
The moment I step inside, an arm wraps around my waist and tugs me all the way inside and into a darkened hallway.
"Hey." I can hear the smile in his voice as his lips brush my neck.
I spin in his arms, gliding my hands up his sun-warmed chest and resting on his shoulders. Smiling up at him, those butterflies I feel in his presence swirl in my belly. "Hey, yourself."
"I couldn't wait another minute to do this."
As he presses his lips to mine, my eyes flutter closed. The feel of his arms wrapping around me and the taste and smell of him are enough to make me weak in the knees. The two of us hiding in the hallway of the Cheneys' home is a perfect stolen moment.
"God, I wish I could steal you away for a while," he murmurs, his lips finding their way back to my neck.
With my head titled back, I'm left dizzy as his kisses linger. "Yeah, me too."
When he pulls away, my eyes slowly open and find his focused on my lips. Our breaths are loud in the secluded space, and I can tell by the hungry look on his face, going back to the party is the very last thing he wants to do.
The way he adjusts himself as we walk toward the door is a pretty good clue, too.
Charlotte elbows Angela, nodding her head toward the gate of the backyard. "Look who finally decided to show up."
Angela, Alice, and I all turn to see who she's talking about. Alice shakes her head while Angela rolls her eyes.
"I'm not surprised they're fashionably late," Angela says.
"Who are they?" I ask, making sure to keep my voice low.
"They are Mike and his wife Jessica and James and his wife Victoria," Angela murmurs.
Alice leans in and lowers her voice. "Is Jess still bent out of shape over that mess last year?"
Charlotte, like a dog with a juicy bone, is quick to reply. "Yeah. But she hasn't been back. Peter said it was weeks before Mike would show his face at anything after hours. He'd go to work then go home unless his presence was mandatory. Rumor is Vamp told them to work their shit out."
My eyes bounce all around the table, hoping someone fills me in. Angela is the first to notice.
She matches Alice's hushed tone. "Jessica, the dishwater-blonde," she says, tilting her head toward the couples who just walked in, "got wasted at the squadron last summer. She got all handsy with a few of the guys, your man included."
My eyes snap to the woman in question.
"She tried to say it was a misunderstanding," Angela continues. "The only thing she did was embarrass her husband." She settles back in her chair and sips her drink.
"But she's married," I whisper.
Charlotte shrugs. "That doesn't stop some people from trying to trade up."
"Trade up?"
"Believe it or not, it's not unheard of for a wife to want that higher ranking man for herself because she has some convoluted idea that his rank makes her more important." Charlotte rolls her eyes.
"Mike is actually a few years older than Edward," Alice says. "The difference is Edward has been promoted below the zone twice already."
"And that means …"
Angela leans closer to me. "That means Vamp is hot shit. It's an early promotion, so to speak. But you'd never know it just talking to him. He's too humble to rub anyone's nose in it."
All of them sit up and plaster smiles on their faces when the blonde and redhead walk over.
"Hello, Angela," Jess says, giving our hostess an air kiss to her cheek. "Beautiful day for a party, isn't it?"
"I'm so glad you guys could make it." She pulls back and motions to me. "Jess, I don't think you got a chance to meet Bella at the show, did you?"
"No, I didn't have the pleasure." She holds out a limp hand. "Jessica Newton. It's nice to meet you. Ella, was it?"
I clear my throat, taking her hand. "Bella. Nice to meet you as well."
Angela looks past Jessica at the redhead standing behind her. "Victoria, this is Bella."
"Hi, Bella. Nice to finally meet you." The redhead, while still a little standoffish, seems a bit less dismissive than Jessica. Her smile as she takes a seat at the table is enough to put me at ease. "You caused quite the stir after the show."
"I did?" I look at the other women sitting at the table. "Did I?"
"It's not every day we see Edward tripping over himself like that. He's usually the picture of calm and collected." Charlotte grins. "Personally, I think it was adorable how he came into the tent to get food and was so worried about everything being perfect."
"Oh, that was you he was with that day?" Jessica asks me. "You were the one there with the two little boys?"
I point to the side yard where Edward, Jasper, and Ben are tossing around a football. "Yeah, the two younger boys over there are mine."
"They're so cute," Victoria coos.
"Thanks."
Jessica sits up straight, reaching for her drink. "I never thought I'd see Vamp go for anyone with kids. He never struck me as the family man type. You must have him under some kind of spell to have him falling all over himself with those kids, Bella. What's your secret? Is it some kind of magic pussy?"
I sputter, choking on my drink.
"Cool it, Jess," Angela says, shaking her head.
"Just because he wasn't interested in you doesn't mean you can be rude." Alice narrows her eyes, the corner of her mouth turning up in a slow grin. "I'm sure your husband would love to know you're over here giving Vamp's girl a hard time."
"Sorry." The plastic smile Jessica shoots me is anything but apologetic. "Must be the heat."
I ignore the woman as much as possible, but it's clear Jessica has some kind of agenda where I'm concerned. Her snide remarks and dismissive glances send my hackles up. I've just met her, but for some reason, I seem to be wearing a target, and I have no idea why. When she asks Angela about the next monthly meeting for the wives, it's painfully obvious she's making a point to remind me I'm an outsider.
"I'm sorry, Bella," she says with an air of superiority. "It's just for the wives. I'm sure you understand."
I catch Charlotte rolling her eyes just before Angela says, "But we get together for dinner or drinks on other nights. You're more than welcome to join us then."
"Yeah, sure," is my lame reply. "That sounds great."
Angela lowers her voice. "Ben took Tex's job as Edward's OPSO, so I'm the one who organizes the meetings now." She squeezes my hand. "It's usually the commander's wife's job, but if Vamp ever lands a wife …"
Like a magnet, my eyes are drawn to Edward and my kids, and for a brief moment, I allow myself to envision what that future might look like.
"I'm so glad you guys could make it." Angela sways us back and forth as she hugs me.
She might be a little tipsy.
"Me too," I say with a laugh. I turn to Ben. "And happy birthday again. Thanks for sharing your day with us."
He pulls his wife back into his arms, smiling. "Thanks. It was good to finally get to know the woman behind Vamp's recent extra pleasant disposition."
"Did I hear my name?" Edward says as he approaches.
"Sure did," Ben says, turning to Edward. "I'm trying to warn her off your moody ass."
Edward's sharp green gaze lands on me. "I'm pretty sure she would've run for the hills by now if that were an issue."
Amused with their back and forth, I turn my attention to the boys. "Jacob, Seth! Tell Brandon goodbye. It's time to go."
Edward walks us out, even going so far as helping make sure the kids are buckled in.
"Thanks," I murmur as I close the back door of my car.
He reaches for my hand, gently brushing my fingertips with his. "I'd love to kiss you goodbye, but I guess this'll have to do." He squeezes my hand and releases it, stepping back. "I'll call you later? Maybe we can catch a movie or dinner this week."
"Definitely."
With my lips burning with the need to kiss him again, I climb into my car and drive away, hoping for the day when I won't have to.
A/N: How are we feeling? Do you think Garrett is going to let it go, or will he be a problem? Are you frustrated Bella hasn't, as Rose said, "sealed the deal" with Edward? And can't you just picture Seth grinning up at Angela and hogging Edward's attention? I can't wait to hear your thoughts!
We'll be sticking to an every-two-weeks posting schedule for now. I'm slowly getting back to a routine, so hopefully, that means more words will be coming. Thanks for your patience, my friends. Xo
Remember, the best way to stay up to date with what I'm up to, join in the discussion, and to see exclusive weekly teaser pics, check out my Facebook group, Sunshine Fics. I'd love if you all could join us. I'm also on Twitter at CSunshine1220.
I will "see" you in two weeks!
Be kind.
Stay safe.
Stay well.
Lots of love
~Sunshine
