Hey Guys! I'm so excited to be posting this chapter, it was so much fun to write. I hope you guys like it.
Chapter 12
We landed on the last steps to the ground floor and as we walked into the living room my mother called down to us from the second-floor kitchen area.
"Just in time," she said from over the railing. "I'm setting dinner right now." I then led Bella and Issac up towards the kitchen. Alice was helping mom plate the food, while Jasper and dad were setting up seating arrangements.
"It smells good in here, Ma," I told her. "What are you making?"
"Just grilled salmon with some jasmine rice and bacon-wrapped asparagus." She answered.
My mouth was salivating.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful, Esme," Bella said. "But, I'm not sure that Issac will-"
"Don't worry, Bella," My mother interjected. "I went ahead and took the liberty of making fish sticks and macaroni and cheese for Issac. I remember feeding two-year-olds, pickiest bunch of eaters."
Bella gave her the biggest smile. "Thank you, but you didn't need to prepare a whole other meal just for Issac. I'm sure I would have found something for him to snack on," She tried to explain.
"Oh, Dear. Believe me, it was no trouble at all. Can I get you another beer there Edward?" Mom asked me, spying my now empty beer bottle.
"That would be great mom," I answered.
"Okay. I'll finish setting up for dinner while you get Bella and Issac washed up," She instructed me.
I took Bella and Issac back downstairs to the half bathroom. When we came back, everyone was getting ready to sit down. The dining table was a large, solid-wood structure and it sat about eight people. I saw that everyone's plates had been sat and everyone was taking their spot. I also noticed one of the chairs had a booster seat strapped to it, which I could only assume was meant for Issac.
"You're there, Edward," My mother pointed to one end of the table. I sat at one end of the table and my father sat on the opposite end. Issac was placed between me and Bella while my mother sat on Bella's opposite. Alice and Jasper sat on the opposite side.
As I took my seat, my mom handed me my beer and then asked Bella what she would like with dinner.
"Just a glass of water is fine," She said. "By the way, where did you get the booster?"
"It's one of our old ones from when the kids were younger," Mom explained as she got Bella her drink. "I just can't ever seem to get rid of anything."
"No kidding," Carlisle butted in. "We still have some of the kids old school projects stored in a box somewhere in the garage."
"I'm sentimental," Mom defended.
"You're a hoarder, Esme!" Dad contended.
"Oh, hush you!" My mother shushed him. After a round of giggles from the table, we started enjoying our meals.
As we continued to eat, we all made small conversation. Jasper and I talked to dad about what was going on at the hospital and how work was going, within reason of course. I remember the rules of the house; No strong medical talk at the table.
"So Bella," Mom suddenly spoke up, trying to add her in the conversation. "Where are you from?"
Bella paused for a moment, mid-bite. She looked over at me, not sure of how to respond and not probably wondering what all I've told her.
"I just mean, where did you grow up?" My mother clarified.
"Oh! Well, I grew up in a town called Forks, Washington," Bella said a lot calmer than she was before.
"Is it nice there?" Asked my mother
"If you like the rain I guess," Bella answered light-hearted.
"I take it you didn't care for it?" My mother continued to probe.
"It's was fine," Bella continued. "I mean, Forks was my home and I'll always love it. But there's only so much you can do in a small town, even less so when you subservient to the constant dreary weather."
"I'm sorry my dear," My mom said sympathetically as she gave light rub on Bella's back. "So what did you do for fun in Forks?"
"Not a whole lot," Bella said. "I spent a lot of time at the library or at home. And on occasion, when the weather was nice, I would tag along with my dad and we'd go fishing."
"Your father likes to fish?" said mom, very interested in learning this.
"Yeah. Any weekend he could get away from work, he and his friend, Harry, would take his boat out into the lake. If Harry couldn't make it though, dad would bring me along."
"What does your father do?" Carlisle suddenly chimed into the conversation.
"He is Forks' chief of police and my mom is a daycare teacher," It didn't escape my senses, the way Bella talked about her parents. I knew she must have been missing them a lot and was wanted to talk to them.
"Well, that's awesome about the fishing, though," My mother cut in, obvious to Bella's feelings as well. "Because sometimes Carlisle and Edward will travel up to Lake Michigan and do some fishing as well. It might be something you all could do together sometime."
"That could be fun," I added.
"Yeah all of us and Emmett," Dad agreed. "Speaking of which, where is that grizzly, teddy bear? Haven't seen him in a while."
Jasper and I shared a wary look before looking down at our plates again. Never looking in my father's direction.
"Uh...we just needed to take a break from each other, dad," I told him, half-truthfully.
"Is everything alright?" My mother asked, a little worrisome.
"Yeah everything's fine, mom" I reassured her but did not go into further explanation. Emmett and I were still on speaking terms at work, however, outside of work, we had not really communicated. Emmett was still being cautious over Rosalie and their unborn child and so we didn't interact as often as we used to. I still understood Emmett's fears, but it still hurt not being able to spend as much time with one of my closest friends as I use to.
We began to eat again, for a while in silence. Aside from that slight awkward hiccup, however, the conversation eventually began to pick up again as we continued with our dinner. Bella began participating more in the conversations than she was earlier in the meal. She talked with everyone around the table and gave her input and opinion on some of the discussion. It was so refreshing to see Bella join in and interact with people for the first time, I knew my family was having a strong effect on her.
Once the last bite had been taken and we had our fill, we made our way back down the stairs to the living area, and Esme starting preparing the coffee for dessert. While the coffee was brewing, my mother started clearing off the dinner table and filled the sink with soapy water to begin washing the dishes. But Bella soon stopped her.
"Esme," She halted as she came to collect her's and Issac's plate. "Let me do the dishes. You did all the cooking, I can't possibly let you clean all of this up."
"Tell you what," My mother said to Bella. "Why don't we do them together? And then, when we're done, you can help me serve your desserts."
"Deal," Bella agreed. She trusted me enough to hand me, Issac, as we got up from the table and took a seat in the living area.
A short while later, the rest of us were sitting down watching the Sunday night baseball game when mom came down the stairs carrying Bella's desserts. While Bella followed behind her carrying a tray that contained small plates and forks and mugs filled with coffee. Along with some a pint-size of vanilla ice cream and some sugar and milk for coffee.
We all sat around the coffee table while mom and Bella distributed the desserts. "This is so delicious, Bella" my mother complimented her as she took a bite of her peanut-butter brownie a-la-mode.
"Thank you," Bella said graciously as she took Issac from my arms and sat down with him in her lap.
"How did you know to bring these?" My mother asked, taking another spoonful of brownie.
"Actually, your son was very helpful with that," Bella said, acknowledging me. "He gave me an idea of what you guys' enjoyed and I just ran with it."
"Well, hit the nail on the head," My father said happily as he dug into his slice of lemon meringue pie.
"I'm glad you like it," Bella said as she spooned a small amount of pie into Issac's mouth. We all watched as the toddler's face contorted and puckered from the tartness of the lemon, giving us a good laugh at his expense.
"Hey, don't knock it, kid," My father told Issac. "This is delicious, Bella."
Bella nodded gratefully and we continued to enjoy our dessert. When we finished, it was still early enough so I thought I should go ahead and keep the promise I made to Bella earlier.
"So, Bella. You still want to hear me play you something?" I asked her.
"Absolutely," Bella confirmed as she helped Esme clean up the used dishes.
"Edward is a fantastic piano player," Esme said.
"Yeah. When we were teenagers, you couldn't pry Edward away from that piano," Alice agreed. "How he was ever able to find a girlfriend, I'll never know."
I immaturely stuck my tongue out at my sister for her comment. Unfortunately for me, Issac took notice and copied my behavior.
"No Issac," Bella attempted to scold that little boy. "Not nice."
"Eddie do," Issac said, pointing at me.
"Well, Edward was being bad," Bella explained
"Eddie bad?" He asked. Bella nodded and suddenly Issac looked over at me.
"Bad Eddie! Bad!" He yelled at me again the room was filled with laughter, this time at my expense. To keep myself from getting even more embarrassed, I ushered Issac and Bella up the stairs and back to the library.
When we returned, daylight had fallen and the room that had once been filled with sunlight was now bathed with the glow of the moon. I turned on a nearby to help gain a better vision to guide us over to the piano. I took a seat on the bench as Bella joined me, still holding Issac in her arms.
"What would you like to hear?" I asked her.
"I don't know," She shrugged her shoulders. "Anything. Whatever you want to play me, Edward."
I sat there for a moment, unsure of what to play her. There were dozens of songs I knew how to play well, but they weren't the right ones to play for Bella. I wanted to play her something I felt she would enjoy and could comfort her.
Then suddenly it hit me.
My fingers began to strum against the ivory keys as if they had a mind of their own and the melody began to play out. It was a song that I hadn't heard in quite some time, but it was one that I was very familiar with. While I continued to play, I looked over at Bella to see how she would react to the song and she looked...frozen. She didn't really give anything away in body expressions about what she thought of the song. However, she did look a little bit more calm and at ease. In fact, she seemed more relaxed at this moment than I'd ever seen her before.
As I stroked the last key and the song came to end, I placed my hands at my thighs and sat there waiting. Waiting to see what or how Bella would respond to the song would be. Would she hate it? Would she like it? She said she enjoyed the piano, but maybe she wouldn't enjoy hearing me play the piano. I looked over again and that her head was down, so I couldn't even read her face now. I sat there a few moments longer and finally Bella looked up at me; But, this time, tears have filled her eyes.
And for a moment, I thought I had ruined something for her. But then I saw the brightest and more welcoming smile spread across her face and I knew all was right with the world once more.
"That was amazing, Edward," She said with tears still stuck in her throat. "More than that! It was...words can not even describe it."
She then did something a little unexpected. She willingly wrapped one arm around me and pulled me into a warm, caring hug.
"Thank you, Bella," I told her, resting my chin on the back of her shoulder. "It was a lullaby that my mother used to play when I was younger. It's been a while since I've heard it myself."
"Well, it looks like it's still effective," She acknowledged towards a sleeping Issac. Resting contently against his mother's arm.
"I think that is our cue that it's time to head home," I whispered to her.
"Yeah. It's getting late," She agreed.
I helped Bella balance Issac in her arms as not to wake him up. We turned out the light and headed down the stairs.
Mom and dad were sitting on the couch, watching the game. While Alice and Jasper were staring into each other's eyes while enjoying a glass of wine together.
"I think we're gonna head out guys," I announced to the room as we walked in.
"Okay," My mother stood up from the couch. "I'll walk you guys to the door."
The rest of my family followed suit as we headed to the foyer. We were all passing around last minute hugs as we said our good-byes
"Thak you so much for your hospitality, Esme. It was a wonderful evening," Bella thanked my mother.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Bella," My mother said, placing her hands on top of her shoulders. "I was afraid that tonight might bore you a bit."
"Not at all. Your house is simply divine and Edward played me the most beautiful song on the piano," Bella said.
"Oh, I thought that's what I heard being played up there," Mom eyed in my direction. "When Edward was a baby, that was the only thing that could get him to sleep through the night. It's nice to see that it still works" She noticed the sleeping toddler.
"Yes, it was so beautiful," Bella agreed.
My mother gave Bella a quick hug, being cautious of Issac. We said our goodbyes and were about to head out the door before my mother quickly grabbed my arm to hand me the diaper bag. Bella was already out the door and heading to the car when my mother handed me the bag and pulled me down for one last hug.
"Good night, Edward. I love you," She tells me.
"Love you too, mom," I rest my chin on the back of her shoulder.
"She's fantastic, Edward." My mother suddenly whispers in my ear. "Take good care of her."
I nod to her as I pull back from our embrace. She looks at me, directly in the eyes.
"I'm serious, son," She says. "Hold on to her. She's special."
"I know, Ma."
I know she is.
"Alright then. You guys drive safe and I expect you to be here next Sunday as well," My mother pokes me in the chest.
"Well mom, I don't know. We might have other things planned," I teased her.
She gives me a death glare. "Edward...I'm not asking," She says through her teeth. No matter how old I get, my mother will always have the power to frighten to my very core.
I quickly agree to her demands before going to join Bella in the car. She already secured Issacs in his car seat as he continued to snooze away. I got myself settled inside and got myself buckled in before starting the car.
"What did she say to you?" Bella asked me as we pulled away from the house.
"Nothing. Just that she wants us to come back again, next week, for dinner," I answered. Omitting some of the conversation.
"It was fun," She said.
"It was," I agreed. "My family likes you."
"I like them," She responded, getting more comfortable in the seat.
We continued our drive back home and I was in awe in of how great tonight went. I would also be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to doing this again. It honestly felt almost perfect.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rescue Me ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"How often have you been using your wrist, Bella?" Leah asked.
"Quite often," Bella tells her. "I mean, I'm chasing around a two-year-old and a dog all day. So I can't exactly be falling behind," she giggled.
"While I get that, Bella. The more often you use your wrist, the longer your recovery will be, and the more often you'll have to come to see me," Leah explained.
"I understand," Bella said.
We were currently sitting in the exam room with Leah for Bella and Issac's follow up appointment. Overall everything was going very well. Issac had made a full recovery and seemed to be adjusting to this new normal without much struggle. Bella, on the other hand, was a little less than healed.
Because of her constant house cleaning and homemaking, Bella had not given her fractured wrist time to mend. As a result, Leah had noticed some swelling forming around the injury and Bella confided in her. Saying that she had been experiencing some tenderness and pain over the past few days.
"Why didn't you tell me, Bella?" I asked her, very frightened.
"I didn't want you to be concerned," She said.
Leah basically put Bella on bed leave, telling her that unless it weighed more than a remote or a paperback book; She didn't want her picking it up. She also prescribed Bella some very mild pain meds to help with the discomfort.
"I check back in with you in about two weeks, to see how everything's going," Leah told her.
"Thanks, Leah," Bella expressed.
"No problem. So, how's everything else going with guys?" She asked us.
Bella sat awkwardly on top of the paper-lined exam table while had Issac sitting on my lap in a chair against the wall. A couple of days after dinner at my parents' were pretty normal. I continued to work my shifts as a paramedic, while Bella and Issac stayed at home. Bella continued to say how badly she was wanting to get a job and tired she was of sponging off me and my family. I told her that we didn't mind helping it out, but she was still dead set on getting a job. Unfortunately, with her still being in hiding, she couldn't give out hr information even if she could pin down a job.
We did get a little bit of good news though. When we came into our appointment today, Leah gave us an update about James. Thanks to her husband, Sam, he was able to get a few of his guys to keep an eye on James and see what he was up to and, according to Leah, one of the officers saw James' car heading out of town the other day and hasn't been seen since. Hopefully, he won't be coming back anytime soon.
"Maybe I can now at least attempt to find a job," Bella said as she got up from the table.
"Well, if you're really wanting a job, Bella. I may have something for you," Leah offered.
"Really? What is it?" Bella asked interested.
"My friend, Emily is the director of the Urgent Care Family Center on Jefferson St. and one of her employees just quit. If you want, I could talk to her about giving you the job?"
"That's great, Bella!" I said, but Bella was hesitant.
"Well...what's the job?" She asked Leah.
"It's just a secretary position. You know, answering phones and organizing appointments and paperwork and all that," Leah explained. "And don't worry, we can pay you under the table to prevent James from finding you. Emily and I were roommates in college and we've been friends ever since. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to help you out."
It sounds like Leah had been preparing to bring this job up to Bella for a while now, just by how much she was trying to sell her on it. Still, though, it sounded like a very promising job. One that would put Bella's training into use; Better than having her flipping burgers or bagging groceries like she thought she would have to. Plus, the urgent care center was just ten minutes from the hospital, which would be better for our commute.
"Yeah, Leah. That'd be great," Bella exclaimed. "Thank you."
"Sure. I'll give her a call after work today and we can set something up," Leah said.
"Absolutely, I look forward to it," Bella said.
On that bit of good names, Bella and I left the exam and headed towards the parking lot. We were all buckled in when Bella let out a heavy sigh.
"Damn it," She said softly.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"I completely forgot about Issac," She answers. "If I get this job, what am I gonna do about him. I can't have you stay home with him, since you've got to work as well."
We sat in silence for a while as we drove home. I contemplated how to solve the current issue at hand. Obviously I couldn't stay home with Issac while Bella worked. And as much I wanted to remind Bella that she didn't have to work, it seemed very important to her that she did. So where did that leave us?
Suddenly an idea came to mind. One that I thought would work well for everybody. I turned to Bella after putting the car in park in the driveway.
"Bella, I think I have an idea," I told her.
She looked me over, ready to hear what I was proposing.
What did you guys think? What do you think Edward will suggest? What do you guys think of Carlisle and Esme? Let me know! If you're also interested in what Edward was playing for Bella, I'll leave the link in my Bio. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Unfortuantetly, however, this will be my last chapter for a while. I start the new semester this week and I won't be able to update as often. I'll try my best, but I can't promise when. Anyway, I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far and will continue to follow Bella, Edward and Issac's story. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Until Next Time...
