Chapter 5 - The Months That Followed

"Maybe we could stay in tonight?" Edward asked as I rifled through my closet.

"No, Esme is excited to go out as a family for your birthday."

"My mom isn't who I'm worried about," Edward muttered.

I turned to face him. "I thought Emmett was getting better?"

"Day to day isn't bad. But when my mom makes a big deal about me, he gets pissy."

"Well, if he acts that way tonight, we'll say goodnight to your parents and leave. The important thing is that we continue to make the effort."

"I just don't get it. Even Laurent thinks we're good together. But Emmett gets extra mad when you or Rosalie defend me. Apparently, that was a fight between them last week."

I sighed, wishing I could fix the tension between them. "Time will be the biggest healer for you two."

"That's what my therapist said."

In the nearly seven months since Edward and I had started dating, there had been a lot of changes for him. And I'd been there for them all.

Esme and Carlisle were so thrilled to have him home and happy, that they tried to shower him in the love they hadn't been able to bestow all his years in Chicago.

The design team was fully settled in Seattle and I had just pitched an idea for one of our television ads. Begrudgingly, Emmett had to agree that featuring their shoes from sketch to street was inspired, even if it meant Edward was featured in the ad.

Edward had been unsure of the idea at first, but when he'd seen the completed commercial, he'd loved it.

One of Edward's newest designs, the Bella, was currently sitting on my bed. Because there was no way I wouldn't be wearing them tonight.

But I had a bigger gift for him than the fantasy of him fucking me in nothing but shoes he'd designed and named after me. He just needed to calm down so I could surprise him with it.

"I know what I want for my birthday," he said, pulling me from my musings.

"A little late to add to your list."

"You have some of your modeling pictures framed in your closet where you have your exercise equipment. Maybe I could have one?"

He'd never made a secret of how he thought my modeling pictures were sexy, but he loved the way I looked today.

The fact that he could appreciate the person in those pictures, broken as she was, but still make me weak in the knees with how much he wanted me now made the next part easy.

"Take them all," I said nonchalantly.

"Baby? Did I upset you? You know that isn't what matters to me, right?" Edward gripped my face in his strong hands, looking for signs that I was upset.

"Edward, relax. I'm not mad. I'm being serious. Move them all upstairs. In fact, move everything up there."

"Move everything upstairs?" He asked slowly.

"The offer is still good, right?" I questioned.

"Fuck yes, it is."

"Good. I need to let the office know I'm not renewing and have my name added to your lease. We can do that together tomorrow."

"Sounds good to me. Now, get ready so we can get tonight over with."

Esme and Carlisle were welcoming as we entered the restaurant; Rosalie was warm as she hugged us both, and Emma clapped at the sight of Unca Eddie. Emmett was reserved, but not outwardly hostile, which was an improvement.

We took our seats at the table and, after ordering, the conversation turned to the business as it often did with this group.

After dinner, Carlisle was talking about how he wanted to restructure the Marketing Department to reduce redundancies, which immediately made Edward tense.

"Bella isn't one of those redundancies, is she?"

"No," Carlisle answered, sounding shocked. "She's got a good eye and a strong business sense. When Emmett someday takes over as CEO and you become the VP of Design, I hope Bella will move up as VP of Marketing."

"Good," Edward sniffed.

"Liked we'd fire someone who is a valued member of our team. We see what she's worth," Emmett sneered.

"Emmett, that's enough," Carlisle hissed. "Your brother has been working hard to rebuild the relationships that were damaged over the last few years. Everyone is making an effort, except you. This attitude towards your brother stops now. Grow up and act like the father of a four year-old, and not like you're one yourself."

The table went quiet just as the waiter brought out the dessert. Edward's had a sparkler in it and I couldn't help but giggle at the sight.

"Happy Birthday, baby. Make a wish." My hand squeezed his thigh under the table.

"I already have my wish," he whispered.

Edward enjoyed his decadent chocolate cake and opened gifts, before we said our goodbyes and made our way home.

Later that evening, Edward found pleasure in my embrace, the heels he'd designed scraping against his ass as I held him close.

I couldn't take away all the pain and frustration he felt because of his brother's behavior, but I could be his haven in the storm.