15
Bella felt overwhelmed as she stood in the kitchen with her brother, so she pushed open the screen door and walked outside to where Charlie and Edward were still playing.
"Mommy," Charlie squealed and leapt out of Edward's arms and jumped into hers, wrapping her arms and legs around her.
"Having fun, sweetheart?"
Charlie nodded, her hair falling into her face. She huffed as she pushed it out of her face. "Edward was being a dinosaur and kept trying to catch me. But I was faster than him."
Bella smiled and looked over at Edward, who had an eyebrow raised in their direction. "Is that right?"
"Yep," she chirped, laying her head on Bella's shoulder. "I'm hungry."
"Well, let's go get you something to eat."
Hoisting the girl up a little more, Bella held her hand out to Edward, who took it and wrapped both of them in his arms. He pressed his lips against Bella's forehead, saying with one gesture what they hadn't said to each other in a long time. Tears burned Bella's eyes as they turned and walked back into the house. Carlisle was still in the kitchen, though he had moved so that he sat at the table.
Bella bit her lip before walking over and placing the little girl in the chair across from him. "How about a grilled cheese sandwich?"
Charlie simply nodded, her eyes locked on the uncle she had never met.
Bella pressed a kiss on the top of Charlie's head before looking at Carlisle. "Do you want one?"
"Sure," Carlisle said, softly.
Taking a deep breath, Bella walked over to the fridge and pulled out the butter and cheese. She dug a butter knife out of the drawer and had just opened the loaf of bread when she heard Charlie say, "You and Mommy have the same eyes."
Shifting her attention to her daughter, she saw her leaning across the table for Carlisle, who leaned forward and placed his face in her hands. The tears that she had been fighting fell freely down her face. She never thought she would see the day where her brother and her daughter would ever be in the same room together.
"We do, huh?" Carlisle asked, reaching up and covering her hand with his. "You have our eyes, too."
"I do?" Charlie wondered, and Carlisle nodded. "I thought I had my daddy's eyes."
Bella clamped her jaw tightly as Carlisle tensed.
"He died, though, right Mommy?"
Carlisle shifted and looked back at Bella, who swallowed against the lump in her throat. "Yes, sweetheart. Just before you were born."
Charlie looked back at her uncle. "Did you know my daddy?"
"Um," Carlisle said shifting his eyes to Bella, who nodded softly. "Yeah, yeah, I did. He, um, was a great guy. Really, really great."
"I wish I had known him," Charlie muttered, before jumping out of her chair and walking over to Bella. "Mommy, I need to go potty."
"Do you remember where the restroom is?"
Charlie nodded, and hurried out of the kitchen. Carlisle was immediately on his feet and standing across the kitchen island in front of Bella.
"What the fuck, Bella?" he snarled. "She doesn't know?"
"How was I supposed to tell my daughter that her father was fucking monster, Carlisle? I never want her to know that she came from him!" Bella cried, dropping the knife on the counter and stumbling back against the sink. "Never, Carlisle. Fucking never!"
Carlisle hurried around the island, and before Bella could stop him, he had her in his arms. Her knees weakened and together, they sank to the floor, their tears from years of being apart, and years of missing each other, came crashing down.
"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," Carlisle cried. "But I will protect her, sis. With my life if I have to."
Bella just hoped it wouldn't take his life.