41
By the time I've collected myself, Bella is pouring containers of Chinese food into bowls and popping them into the microwave. She doesn't look my way when I enter the room or even acknowledge my presence until I ask her if she needs any help.
"No, thank you."
"Okay." I grab some drinks, and she stops me before I can leave.
"I really am sorry, Edward. Today has been so great, and then I ruined it. I never should have taken them to V.C."
"It's okay, Bella," I assure her. "You couldn't have known Gianna was going to be there."
As soon as I say my ex-wife's name, her body stiffens.
"I should apologize for the vitriol she spewed about you though. Especially in front of your friends."
"I'm not worried about me," Bella insists.
"I know. This city isn't big, and they were bound to run into her at some point. Trust me when I say the day isn't completely ruined. You've never experienced Cullen Chinese night."
She looks up for the first time since I entered the kitchen, and a small smile plays on her lips. "Okay, now I'm curious."
"You'll see."
Angela is the first to surface. She gives me a big hug and helps carry the food to the living room. Alice comes down with a towel on her head and puffy gold stickers underneath her bloodshot eyes.
"I get to pick the movie this time," she says, plucking the remote out of her sister's hand.
"No, you don't!"
"Yep."
Bella enters the room with a mug of blood and sits between the girls on the floor.
"You pick cheesy romantic movies that end up sucking."
"You pick action flicks because Dad likes them so you can be his favorite," Alice argues.
"Hey now. I don't have a favorite. I love you both equally." I snatch the remote. "Why don't we let Bella pick?"
Everyone agrees, and Bella finds a humorous movie rated R that she asks permission to watch for the sake of the girls.
"Why not?"