A/N: *Leaves this right here*

Chapter 65 - Atmospheric Change

Giggles are loud. Then the jolts come from beneath. Edward's eyes unstick. The morning light in this room is romantic of sorts. Green walls enhance the glow. He feels like he's outside, but inverse; rested, no cringing joints or raw muscles.

The bed jolts again. More giggles.

Edward turns his head to see the very top of Elliot's head; his eyes peeking over the top of the bed. He climbs the mattress but slips off with a thump on traction-less little feet.

"Hey, cowboy," Edward whispers groggily. He scratches his head amused, letting him struggle a little. Elliot catches onto a good spot on the mattress and climbs up.

"Like Woody?" Elliot asks, amazed. Edward has to think on that a bit.

Ah, yes. The movie last night. Toy Story? Something. The skinny, large-headed fella with the cowboy hat.

"I'm a cowboy! Buzz Lightyea-o is my friend." Elliot thinks on that, too. "You'll be Buzz. You're my friend."

Edward likes that Elliot is so naive in his presence. He's a proactive, brave-hearted boy who doesn't act differently toward him like many do. Elliot is but a boy who acts on instincts regardless. Take it or leave it, screw your fear, hesitance, or adamancy.

Edward wishes Bella treated him the same.

He can't blame her. He and his issues are quite a lot.

Issues? Maybe. No, definitely.

Bella holds him in her hands like he's a ticking bomb. So much so, she created a room to accommodate him and his issues.

His mother thinks so, too, about the issues. She said, straighten up behind her pointed finger.

He didn't know this would be something he'd have to consider so quickly or think about at all. Days ago, he was free to get lost mindlessly and aimlessly.

Now he's holding onto a bouncing child, wrestling with his energy so early in the morning. He crawled into the room like he knew Edward would be here. Now he's crawling over him or jumping on the bed by him. Edward is always ready to catch him in case he falls over. It's like playing with his brothers all over again.

Soon enough, Elliot lands on top of Edward's chest with a thump in a fit of giggles after tossing him up, arm's length. They both lie there. Edward's fingers run over soft, baby hair that also smells delicious.

So much can change in a matter of days. Edward's eyes go glassy with faraway thoughts as he holds this child. Unfathomable, this is.

"You'll call me cowboy, now?"

Edward blinks away his reverie. "Isn't that your name?" He jokes.

"Nooo." Elliot laughs.

"It's not?" He insists.

"No way!" The boy sits up, straddling his torso. "It's Elliot Eh-ward An-fo-ny Swan." He enunciates, taking a pause after every name like he's at a spelling bee. His eyes looking up at the wall. He's very focused. Like the invisible microphone is before him, and he must not get it wrong. Then he dives back over Edward.

Edward feels his chest ache. He turns his head and lets his fingers squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. He lets the sting of surprise subside before he runs those fingers over his face like he might just need a good night's sleep again.

Or air.

Lots of air. His eyes sting, and he can't stop them.

His name.

Said fingers weave through soft hair to keep him in place. Not the child, but himself.

What is happening here? To him? He would like a good run. Legs pumping. Lungs protesting. Out of here. But he won't. He's stuck here, not by the circumstance, but by the amazement, fascination, and awe. The bits and pieces of himself and of her created such an adorable being. He feels a faster heartbeat against his raging one. The same. Nothing could get more gripping in this story of suspense.

Then, he hears the littlest snore.

….

Bella couldn't believe her eyes. Well, she's been trying to keep her lips from smiling. Before, she had to cover them to suppress her audible gasp. Her not finding Elliot in his bed, but pretty sure she knew where he went. Just a peek by the open door was evident that miracles do happen.

Both curled up on the bed. Both bent at the elbow as they slept. Bella didn't have the heart to wake them.

Now she watches them both inspecting something by a cove. Worms? Worms.

"He's a hunter," Edward said earlier, while watching him. Proudly? Proudly.

They both are hunters—one of tangible things, the other of … not. Edward doesn't realize it, though.

Bella watches in wonder at how they get to know each other. It makes her a little jealous; she has to admit. They're all casual touches. Edward kneeling in close by the cove, Elliot in the nook between his bent knees as they discover new creatures. They talk. Well, mostly, Elliot. Bella in the background, sometimes catching up.

She laughs to herself.

Whatever. Chopper liver here.

But then Edward takes a moment to look back at her, and their eyes meet. And she's wrong. There's something.

Inclusion? Inclusion. He glances back to make sure she's close.

She aches in her middle when he looks at her.

He stands, and they continue their short walk on a Sunday. He kept his word. He left before Elliot awoke and came right back after a visit with Emmett and Erick. Of course, they had a reunion when Edward came back. Elliot running toward him, arms wide, big smile, something she doesn't get from him. Ever. Bella shakes her head internally.

Chopped. Liver.

She smiles so as not to laugh.

Edward looks over at her, probably wondering. He bends and snaps a twig in his hands. He lets it fall in shrubs. Then his hand is between them, and she watches that.

Edward remembers every word with his brothers. His prideless ask. Their deal. He's feeling defeated a little, but hopeful for busy hands. Emmett looked at him, keeping him beneath his nose. "You'll make up for the car, then," he said. Erik rolled his eyes, knowing the car Edward abandoned somewhere ten years ago didn't cost much. Emmett was a co-signer, but Emmett also made lots of money since then with the garage Edward helped build before leaving for college. Emmett was left in charge.

Whatever. That's what Edward told him. Whatever. Edward doesn't let it bully. Emmett's pat on his back told him a million things with one gesture.

Welcome back to where you belong, and I forgive you.

He knows his father was looking out the window down to the garage, watching his boys make good decisions. His father has always been stern but fair. He also must've been that small angel on Emmett's good shoulder to get him to accept and help Edward, regardless of his off-put. Father and eldest son communicated.

Then, Edward thought about paternal relationships. Particularly his toward Elliot. Fathers and sons.

"Does he know?" He asks Bella ominously.

Bella blinks up at him. "Know?"

"He's so … accepting. Like he knows who I am."

Bella internally sighs. Everything is internalized these days.

"I always told him of a father, who he was, and that he was far. But specifically? No. Not yet, I guess." Edward is quiet at that.

Elliot runs up, and Bella catches him. She has an idea. "Hey, Elliot. Where's Daddy? What's he doing now?" He smiles.

"He's explo-wing! He's a traveler."

Bella laughs a little because right this second, he's not wrong.

She sobers a bit at Edward's expression. His red ears. Maybe that game should've stayed between Elliot and herself.

"I'll make the connections. But only if you like." She rushes to say. "They're resilient at his age. He'll accept you instantly. No question. He won't even remember this when he's older." She sighs. "But, I guess it all depends on whether you stick around long enough. That's one thing they don't understand."

He doesn't say anything.

She gets a good glimpse of his thoughts through his expression. "Edward…" she softly calls, reaching for him. She finally catches that hand.

"Your name is Eh-ward?" Elliot jumps in. Both adults look down. "Just w-ike my name!"

Bella lets go of his hand, sheepish. She glances over. "Surprise. You got me." Edward is watching her. She shrugs. "I always loved your name. I thought he should have it."

"Both?" he confirms.

"Both." She nods once. "Swan as last." She admits. "Which can change." Charlie would fight that, but alas. She peeks over at him.

"I knew. He told me," Edward explains, looking at Elliot.

Their shoulders kiss as they continue to walk. He grabs her hand. Warmth rushes up her arm. Well, she guesses he's not completely thrown about it.

Hiding big smiles is her new skill.

And just when they see the house appear as they walk back, and Edward braves the words to speak—a request to reveal his identity to his son—there's an atmospheric change. A change Bella feared.

Deeply, deeply feared.

Edward doesn't get to speak up. Bella doesn't get to foresee what's about to come. All there's time for is Edward's quick reflex, grabbing Elliot into his arms so that a speeding car screeching to a halt in the driveway doesn't frighten him.

Well, they're all frightened.

Once Jameson steps out of the car, Bella isn't frightened, but frightfully pissed.

….

A/N: *runs*