Chapter 12
I don't own Twilight. Just Evie and Oliver and maybe a few more Cullen children in the future of this fic ;)
Edward's POV;
I don't know how it happened but Bella and Oliver had become an irreplaceable fixture in my life. If Evie and I weren't with them – which was an odd occurrence, an anomaly really – I was thinking about us being together. All of us, together as a family.
6 weeks ago I would have balked at that term. Then I would have scoffed because to me, I already had my family and I wasn't planning on extending it. But now I could see what I was missing, what Evie was missing and I hadn't seen it until they had come into my life.
The background check I had asked Felix for came through a couple of days later but I just couldn't invade her privacy like that. I wanted her to tell me everything about her and her past for herself, in her own time. I had put the documents through the shredder at work and dumped it in the bottom of the recycle bin, ashamed of my actions.
.
.
"Daddy, my tummy hurts." Evie sobbed with distress in my arms, fat tears rolling down her cheeks. I tried to soothe her, rocking her gently and smoothing her hair away from her face. Her whimpers of pain became louder and more frequent and I felt her body retch in my arms. I quickly reached for the bin that I had placed next to the sofa, wincing as she vomited into it.
"Everything will be okay Evie, I promise." I whispered into her ear, trying to distract her from her suffering. I hated this feeling of helplessness. I was a failure. I couldn't even take my daughters pain away.
With every sob, retch and whimper my heart clenched painfully and tears pricked my eyes. I checked the wall clock and rubbed one-handed at my eyes tiredly. Evie had been vomiting for the past three hours and she was exhausted.
I had rushed her to a&e as soon as she had started and they had told me that it was a 24 hour bug that was going round and she would be fine tomorrow. That I should keep her hydrated and comfortable and if she couldn't keep fluids down, I needed to bring her back for intravenous fluids.
What she needed was Bella. Right now. She always knew just what to do and she always made Evie feel better. But I didn't want Oliver to get sick. I was at an impasse. But as Evie started sobbing and clutching her stomach again, I gave in and dialled her number frantically while trying to rock my distraught daughter.
I didn't even have to speak when she answered. She heard Evie's sobbing and said that she'd be at the cottage in the next 15 minutes. I let out a sigh of relief and put the phone down after thanking her profusely.
"Did you hear that baby? Bella's on her way over. She's coming to see you." Evie raised her head from where she'd buried it in my neck and smiled weakly through her hiccups. She put her thumb in her mouth and I couldn't bring myself to pull it out and take the comfort it was clearly giving her away. I tried to persuade her into drinking some of the flavoured water I bought her but she was too scared of throwing up.
I almost sobbed with relief when I heard the front door open and Bella call out to me.
"In the living room!" I called back, trying to re-tie Evie's ponytail while cradling her. Bella walked in, her hair piled high on her head, wearing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of sweats.
"Where's Ollie?" Evie asked weakly from my arms. Bella came and sat next to me on the sofa, tying Evie's hair up effortlessly, before planting a kiss on her forehead and smoothing her hair back with gentle fingers.
"He's at home with his Auntie Alice. Don't worry about Ollie right now, he's fine. Let's look after you okay baby girl?" She gently lifted Evie from my arms and sat her onto her lap. Bella managed to coax a few sips of the water into Evie before she cuddled her close to her chest. "Shush now my little Evie, everything's going to be fine."
Bella rocked her gently and Evie snugged closer into her warmth, one of her little hands resting against Bella's breast, much like Oliver did when he was nursing or slung against her chest. Bella looked up from Evie's face and looked up at me, curiously following my gaze to Evie's hand before shrugging at me and scooting over a little so she could whisper in my ear.
"I'm pretty sure it's a comfort thing, Oliver does it all the time. Don't worry; it doesn't bother me at all." Evie's eyes were closed and she seemed to be inhaling Bella's scent. She breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, snuggling closer. Her breathing evened out a little and she started dozing in Bella's arms.
"Mummy." Evie sighed happily in her sleep and fisted Bella's shirt while she cradled her closely, causing both Bella and I to gasp in surprise. Her chocolate eyes bore into my green ones as Evie remained oblivious. Bella gaped down at my daughter and then looked at me again.
My heart thumped when I saw longing in her eyes rather than fear or disgust. She didn't recoil the way I expected her to – she cuddled Evie closer. A wide smile spread across my face and Bella returned it immediately before tightening her hold on Evie. We sat in silence watching her sleep peacefully with her hands clutching Bella's t-shirt like a lifeline.
Bella's phone started ringing and she looked pleadingly at me. I fished it from the pocket she offered me while trying not to jostle Evie.
It was Alice.
"Hey Alice, what's up?"
"Oh hey Edward. Is Evie feeling better?" I grinned widely.
"Yeah, she's asleep on Bella."
"Oh, that's great." I could hear the panic in Alice's voice and immediately began panicking myself. Was Oliver okay?
"What's wrong Alice?"
"Oliver needs a feed and there aren't any bottles in the fridge or freezer. I hate that he's hungry but I the only jar of baby food I can find is the Bolognese one that he hates!" Alice sounded flustered and close to tears. I winced in sympathy before quickly making my decision.
"Don't worry Alice, I'll come and get him. There are bottles here and loads of jars of baby food, including a jar of that puréed carrot stuff he likes. I'll bring a bottle over and bring him back with me; I know you have work early tomorrow morning." She sighed in relief over the phone.
"Thank you Edward. See you soon."
"See you." I hung up and looked to Bella who smiled and mouthed "bye" before looking back down to Evie and stroking down her nose lightly. My heart clenched as I recognised the movement as something that she did to Oliver while he was nursing.
I grabbed a bottle from the fridge and warmed it before sprinting out to my car – which already had a car seat in the back for Oliver – and driving over to Alice and Bella's place. I could hear Oliver wailing as I walked up to the door and winced at the sound. I hated it when he cried; every sob pierced my heart as much as Evie's.
I walked into the modest flat and followed the cries to the living room. Alice was cradling Oliver, trying to comfort him while silent tears tracked down her pale pretty face. I placed the bottle on the coffee table before putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. I couldn't stand seeing those chocolate brown eyes that were so like Bella's and Oliver's filled with tears. She smiled up at me and lifted Oliver up to me, his sobs quietening to whimpers and the occasional hiccup when I rested his head against my shoulder. She made room for me on the sofa and I quickly transferred Oliver to the cradle of my arms. I wiped the lingering moisture from his cheeks before I uncapped the bottle and offered it to him, sighing in relief as he latched on and sucked the milk down greedily.
As soon as he was done I burped him, hugged Alice goodbye and took Oliver out to the car, strapping him into his seat and offering him the stuffed polar bear from our trip to the zoo. He took it happily and sucked the ear into his mouth as he usually did; his playful nature back now that his belly was full. I drove home, occasionally looking back at Oliver in the rear-view mirror to make sure he was okay.
I carried a giggling Oliver through the front door and walked to the living room, coming to an abrupt stop when Evie and Bella weren't down there. The bin that was being used for Evie's vomit wasn't by the sofa and the only light on downstairs was in the hall. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and walked up the stairs with Oliver, a smile spreading across my face as I heard Evie giggling weakly.
I found them in the bathroom. Evie was in a lukewarm bath, her hair and body freshly washed and smelling like strawberries and cream. She looked a lot better, like the sickness had literally been washed from her body. Bella sat on the floor next to the bath, soaked to the bone from Evie's splashing, her hair escaping the ponytail she had put it in and a vibrant smile across her face.
I'd never seen her look so beautiful.
Evie even managed a squeal when she saw Oliver, who gurgled in response and kicked his legs. Bella pulled Evie from the bath and wrapped her gently in a towel before cradling her in her strong arms and blowing a raspberry on Evie's bare stomach, making her giggle and kick her legs.
I left the bathroom and went to the quiet of my bedroom with Oliver to make a phone call to work, letting them know that I wouldn't be in tomorrow. It was late; almost 11pm but a few of them were doing an all-nighter to clinch a deal. They were okay with it considering tomorrow's a Friday and would have only been a half day from me anyway. They sent well wishes for Evie and hung up quickly, eager to get back to their deal.
I put the phone down and went to join my girls in the nursery so I could change Oliver into a pair of the pyjamas that he keeps here. Evie was already changed into a pull-up and her penguin onesie, and was sat comfortably on Bella's lap, playing with her favourite purple bear as Bella braided her hair. I changed Oliver's nappy and put him in his polar bear onesie, chuckling at how cute he looked.
"I don't think Evie should sleep in here tonight, just in case her stomach starts to hurt again." Bella nodded in agreement and carried her through to my room and after a moment of deliberation I followed with Oliver.
"You're sleeping in here with Daddy, okay baby girl? I'm going to sleep in my usual room with Oliver so we can have breakfast together tomorrow." Bella kissed Evie's forehead and tried to lie her down on the bed but Evie tightened her arms around Bella's neck.
"I want to sleep with you and Daddy. Please?" She whispered to Bella, who looked at me in askance. I shrugged and nodded, looking completely at ease while inside my heart was racing.
"Okay baby girl, Daddy and I will sleep with you. I need to get into my pyjamas though. Want to come with me?" Evie nodded and locked her arms around Bella's neck as she walked out of my room and across to 'the guest room' that had become 'Bella's room'.
I put Oliver down in the middle of the bed as I pulled out some sleep pants and a loose t-shirt, dressing quickly before pulling him back into my arms.
"I love you, little man." I whispered into his brown curls, inhaling his addictive baby scent and cuddling him close. I rocked with him, his head resting against my shoulder and my hand patting his back. He wrapped one arm around my neck and I felt him dropping off to sleep, my shirt clutched in his little fist.
Bella and Evie walked back in, and I turned to smile at them, pretending not to notice that Bella's glorious legs were fully displayed by the sleep shorts that she wore and that she was wearing one of my t-shirts again.
I left Evie and Bella climbing into my large King size bed while I went to get the bassinet from the nursery. I cradled Oliver securely in one arm as I carried the bassinet with the other. I placed it on my side of the bed and tucked him into it with his blanket before sliding into bed myself.
Evie was already sleeping in the middle of the bed, her little body curled around Bella's. I kissed her temple gently and brushed some of the hair that had escaped the braid away from her face.
"I love you princess." I whispered against my daughter's cheek.
I looked up to Bella, who was watching me intently. She blushed when I caught her staring but didn't look away, her lips turning up into a smile. I returned her smile and wrapped an arm around her and Evie, my hand resting on her hip. I closed my eyes and heard her quiet gasp, my smile widening at the sound. I couldn't help myself, I had to touch her and as touches go, it was pretty tame.
She sighed and soon her breathing evened out into soft snores, and I was surrounded by the peaceful breathing of the three most important people in my life. I flexed my fingers on Bella's hip and sighed.
"I love you Bella." I whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear before drifting off into a deep sleep.
*************************ISGWA*****************************
When I woke in the morning my arm was still wrapped around my girls and I smiled widely at the sight before me. In the night I had snaked my other arm under Bella's head. Evie was sandwiched between my chest and Bella's, her head resting on the swell of Bella's breasts. Bella and I were so close I could feel her breath against my face. My hand on her hip was clutching bare smooth skin as the hem of the t-shirt she was wearing had ridden up and I took the moment to trace along it.
Oliver's gurgling broke the silence and I gently pulled away from Bella and Evie so I could grab him from the bassinet. I lay back against the pillows and put him on my chest. He snuggled into it and I wrapped a protective arm over his back, smiling as he raised his head to look at me. I checked the time and smiled at Oliver, pride radiating from me.
"Look at that little man, you slept for a whole 8 hours! Well done." I whispered to him, smiling as he gurgled in response.
I listened to Oliver gurgle happily as I thought back to last night. Evie called Bella 'Mummy' and it was such a cute moment. It was what I wanted for Evie, she deserved a mother and Bella's the kindest, most gentle person I know as well as the best mother in the world. She clearly loves Evie and I love her.
I needed to talk to her, tell her how I felt and ask her if she'd take a chance with me and see how it goes. I'm not a romantic guy but I could be for her.
I'd be anything for her.
"Shall we practise sitting up while we're waiting for your Mummy and Evie?" Oliver gurgled which I took for a yes. I lifted Oliver and carried him to the nursery and sat on the floor with my legs spread. I sat Oliver down in the triangle I had made and let him lean on me. He started leaning forwards in his own time, trying to sit up and straighten his back on his own. He'd been doing this for a week now, since he turned five months.
I put a toy in front of him and leaned back onto my hands, watching as he played enthusiastically with the fire engine giggling loudly as he banged it against the floor. Then he brought it up and tried to put it in his mouth, my intervention the only thing from preventing it from happening. He started wailing and I turned him round to face me before lifting him up and planting a raspberry on his cheek.
"No baby boy. Don't cry." I rested his head against my shoulder and cuddled him close, one hand across his little back and the other patting his nappy soothingly. "There's no need to cry little man. Daddy just didn't want you to eat the truck." I paused and pulled the gurgling baby boy away from my shoulder, resting him on my forearms. I looked into the chocolate brown eyes of Oliver, who continued to gurgle and began grabbing at my face with his pudgy hands.
Did I just call myself Daddy? To Oliver?
I was shocked at how right it sounded and how content I felt saying it. I was still reeling slightly when a rumpled Bella carrying an equally rumpled Evie walked into the nursery a few minutes later. I watched as she walked over and sat down next to me, her heat searing into my skin deliciously. I couldn't take my eyes off her lips as they formed the words 'good morning' to me.
"Good morning." I whispered back, my hand reaching up and cupping her cheek. She gasped and her eyes closed at the contact, my heart contracting as she leaned into my touch.
As soon as the kids were down for their nap we were going to have a long talk. And with that thought in mind I kissed her forehead and leaned back before picking up Oliver and leaping to my feet. Her eyes were wide and she looked shell-shocked, her head tilting back so that she could make eye contact. She returned my smile, her eyes glowing with happiness as she stood with Evie in her arms.
I cast a watchful eye over my baby girl, noting that she wasn't as pale as before and had a wide grin on her face. She had an arm wrapped securely around Bella's neck and was sitting comfortably on her hip while Bella fussed over the mop of tangled curls on Evie's head with one hand. An onlooker would think Bella was her mother.
If I had my way, in the near future she will be.
"Who wants breakfast?" I asked my family.
If anyone's wondering, the dates of this chapter are 15th-16th April 2016 :)
I might post the dates for every chapter to help with the timeline! The date from Chapter 11 was 27th March 2016 because it was little Evie's birthday!
As always read review and enjoy.
