35
"What was it like for you?" Bella asks. "How did the three of you cope?"
"I'm ashamed to admit that at first I developed a hatred for vampires, which made things all kinds of difficult, seeing as both my parents are ones. One day, I woke up and realized that it wasn't everyone else's fault that Gianna did what she did. It was hers, and my hate should have been directed at her. I still have my moments, but it was worse for the girls. Alice broke up with Jasper for a little while, but Angela is Angela. She tries to find the good in everyone, but it was still hard for her."
Bella smiles. "I've lived a long time, and never in my years have I encountered someone so entirely good. Rabbit is definitely one of a kind."
We're quiet for a bit, each of us sipping from our respective mugs and stealing glances at one another.
Again, Bella is the first to break the silence. "Edward, I want to promise you I'll spend the rest of my days here trying to prove to your family that not all vampires are bad. Some of us never had a choice in the matter, and we're trying very hard to overcome the stigma. My mother created V.A.M.P., hoping to make us all equal."
"You're doing a pretty good job so far," I admit with a weak laugh.
"And it appears I need to speak with Alec about what's happening on the fourth floor. How your wife—"
"Ex-wife," I correct.
She nods. "How your ex-wife got to that point in the application process is beyond me. Every decision made at Volturi beyond the first floor is made by Jane and Leah, and last I heard, neither of them are into women. I know my friends, and I know they wouldn't tolerate bribery. Their partnership with my mother is very important."
"I don't want to stir up trouble." I break out in an anxious sweat. "If they officially deny Gianna's request, I fear that she's going to show back up. I can't put my girls through that. She abandoned them right before their fifteenth birthday and has never looked back."
Bella's face contorts into an almost feral mask. "I'll never understand how she could take something as precious as motherhood and simply throw it away. To trade such a gift for immortality. What's the point of living forever if you don't have people to share it with you?"
"I honestly don't know."
Bella clears her throat. "So, am I allowed to be a surrogate mother to them for now? I know how fast things can change for a human, so if you found a suitable replacement, I would take a step back, of course. I don't want to do anything that would make you or the girls uncomfortable in any way."
I never thought about replacing Gianna, vampire or human. I'd written off that part of my life when the divorce was final. I was happy with it being just the three of us. Until now. Until I met Bella. It's only been a week, and she's already under my skin. I feel like we're even closer now after our talk. But this isn't about me and my wants. This is about my daughters and what's best for them. That will always be the most important thing.
"If you're going to do this, promise me two things."
"Name it."
"You can't just up and leave them one day because you get bored."
"I would never!"
"I'm just putting it out there. And second, I would appreciate it if you run it by me before giving them something as outlandish as an almost four-hundred-dollar calculator."
Bella thrusts her hand out.
"Deal."
"Deal."