32
I ask Bella if we can sit down to talk after the girls go to bed, and she agrees we need to. Because there's no way this is going to work out if we're at each other's throats over every little thing that happens.
In all seriousness, I don't know how I'd top that apology anyway.
We start with our wants, and things seem to be going well.
"I still want to cook," she states.
"I want the girls to help out, and I want them to do their own chores."
We agree.
"I'll try to stop buying things without getting your approval first."
"I'd prefer you to keep things under fifty dollars so I can reimburse you."
We disagree.
"You aren't paying me back for gifts I want to give them," Bella argues.
"Then you have to stop spoiling them rotten. By the time Christmas comes around, I'm going to go bankrupt trying to keep up with you." I run a hand through my hair and ask a question I'm not entirely sure I want to know the answer to. "Where in the hell did you find a bedazzled graphing calculator, and how much did you spend on it?"
Bella avoids looking me in the eye. "Actually, I made it. I went to the craft store, bought the crystals and some glue, and spent the day making something special for Rabbit."
"How much did your little project cost?"
"Around two hundred dollars."
My eyes widen.
"Not including the calculator," she adds hesitantly.
"Jesus, Bella. You can't do that."
"I did. And I'd do it again if it meant getting to see the smile Rabbit gave me when I gave it to her. Even if it pissed you off."
"I'm not pissed, just exasperated. There's no way I can compete with you if you keep spoiling them."
"I'm not trying to outdo you, Edward." Bella stands up and starts pacing. She forgets that she's around a human, so she's a mere blur at one point. I get dizzy and have to ask her to stop.
"I never wanted this life," she mumbles softly and sits back down. "If I had it my way, I'd be long dead by now, and my great grandchildren's grandchildren would be carrying on my legacy."
"But you're not. You're here."
Her eyes shut tight.