Blurry Lines: Chapter Thirteen

Isabella

I left the hospital soon after visiting Alice and Jasper. Making my way to the local market to pick up a few fresh tomatoes and a few branches of fresh oregano for my sauce, also grabbing a few movies for Edward and me to watch when Anthony goes to sleep.

I was so excited that my life was finally going the way it should have been going all along. I have the man of my dreams with me, finally. And I have the perfect son of all time. Could life get any better?

No, I thought as I answered my earlier question about life getting better. It can't.

I'd cooked dinner over two hours ago and Anthony and Edward was still nowhere in sight. I phoned Edward, but he didn't answer, his phone sending me straight to voicemail. Where is he? I thought pacing the living room. And where in the hell is my son?

Part of me felt that something was off. It just didn't feel right that Anthony wasn't home yet. And it didn't ease my mind that Edward wasn't answering his phone. I understand if he took him to a movie, but that should have ended hours ago.

After another thirty minutes passed, I decided to go back to the hospital. Maybe they were there walking around and Edward was in a section that didn't allow cell phones because of the machinery.

I grabbed my jacket, keys and my tennis shoes and headed for the door. I locked up quickly and ran down the stairs of the apartment complex. I was on the sidewalk in no time at all, the street busy with speeding cars. Just as I was about to cross the street I heard it, an echo of horns, all going off at once. I looked over in the general direction of the sound and couldn't help but scream. Anthony, my son, my little boy, was trying to cross the street by himself, his face stricken with fear.

My mind went into overdrive, my life meaningless to me as I ran through the street. The horns blared in my ears as I ran for my son. "Anthony," I screamed trying to get his attention. "Anthony, just stay there!" He didn't hear me as he stepped further into the traffic. "Oh Anthony, god no!"

I screamed bloody murder as an eighteen-wheeler sped down the road in the lane that my son was currently standing in. I pushed myself, my legs carrying me to heights I've never been before. The truck was feet's away but before I knew it I was there, in front of Anthony, grabbing him by his waist and swinging him with me onto the next lane over and running for the sidewalk. The truck driver blared his horn behind us, as I glued myself to my son.

"Are you okay?" I asked quickly, my brain retuning to me and clicking into doctor's mode. "Did you get hurt at all?" I asked lifting his eyelids and looking into his pupils. They were dilated to almost nothing. He was in shock. "Anthony its mommy, you're going to be okay, can you hear me? Please talk to me baby?" I begged.

"M-mommy…" he cried, holding on to me tighter.

"I know baby, I know. Mommy's so sorry. I should have been there. I should have been there. I'm so, so, so sorry, baby."

"I thought I could do it. I thought I could be a big boy." He cried.

"You are a big boy baby. You were so brave, but Anthony you need a bigger boy to help you cross the street. You never cross it alone. Do you hear me? Never alone, I told you that." I cried into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry mommy." He sniffled.

"I know sweetie. Are you okay, you didn't hurt yourself did you?" I asked repeating myself.

"I fell once, on my arm. It hurts, but I got up and tried again."

"Well let me get you home and I'll take a look at your arm for you, okay bud?"

"Okay mommy. Where's daddy?" he asked as he rested his head on my left shoulder while resting his sore arm between us.

"I don't know, but when he comes home you'll know."

0o0o0o0o0o

Midnight, the clock flashed, displaying the time to be midnight. That's when the front door creaked open and a smiling Edward came walking into the living room. He took his jacket off, threw his keys on the stand by the door, removed his shoes and began to walk further into the apartment. That's when he saw me.

I was settled on the couch, his dinner waiting in front of me on the living room table and my fist balled so tightly at my sides my knuckles hurt. "Isabella, what are you doing up so late? I thought I'd just crawl in next to you." He walked over to me, bending down and trying to kiss my mouth. I turned my head and he grazed my cheek instead. "What's wrong baby?" he breathed against my neck.

I smelt the alcohol on his breath and that just pissed me off further. "Where have you been?"

"I went out with Emmett and Rosalie. Do you remember them from college? We had a few drinks to celebrate my job and the fact that Emmett knocked Rose up. I also told them that we were back together and that we have a son who looks just like me and you." He finished in a lustful whisper.

"Speaking of our son, do you know where he is?" I asked, angrily, moving my face again as his lips tried to touch mine, again.

He leaned away from me, looking into my eyes confusedly. "What do you mean 'do I know where he is,' he's in his bed."

"Are you sure?" I asked with a hint of fake uncertainty. "Because when I came home you and he were still out. I thought you guys were at the movies, you know, like you'd promised you'd take him if time 'permitted.' So, I'm guessing since you had a few drinks with friends, time 'permitted.' So where is Anthony, where's our son, Edward?"

"Isabella, cut the shit." He asked, now as serious as a sober person. "Where is Anthony, where's my son?"

"You want me to cut the shit Edward!" I screamed in his face. He stood, taking a few steps back. "Fine, I'll cut the shit. Do you really want to know where our son is? Then let me tell you. Anthony Charles Swan is in our bed sleeping on the left side, your side, while his body is shifted on his right side, because he sprung his left arm tonight, and it hurts when he puts pressure on it.

"Anthony Charles Swan is sleeping with his mother tonight because every twenty minutes he wakes up in a sweat, which I presume he'll be doing until he gets the images out of his head. Anthony Charles Swan is suffering from post traumatic stress because he almost got hit by not one, but at least ten cars and a fucking eighteen wheeler Edward Anthony, from trying to cross the fucking street alone!"

"What?" he shouted.

"I could have lost my goddamn son tonight! And where were you, his father, and the man that promised to take him this evening? You were out drinking it up with a few old college friends while your son nearly lost his life. While I nearly lost my life!

"I should hate you. I should kick your ass. I want to hit you so much. I will hit you!" I said as my hand came up and struck his face. He didn't flinch, opting to just take the lick. So I did it again, and again, until I was pounding on to his chest. "Why weren't you there, you promised to be there? We could have lost him. I could have lost my baby boy."

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry…." He cried as he chanted his apology over and over into my ear.

"You weren't there. You promised Edward, you promised." I cried.

"I know baby, I'm so sorry. It will never happen again. Never again, I'm so sorry."

A scream had me detaching myself from Edward and quickly running to our room. Anthony was sitting straight up in the middle of the bed. I rushed to his side, Edward staying at the door, wiping his face clean of tear residue.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah buddy, I'm right here. Are you okay?" I asked concerned. My hands feeling along his forehead.

"My head hurts a little." He said with a yarn. His eyes were heavy, sleep inescapable.

"That's to be expected kiddo, but I'll go get you a few children Tylenol, okay? Is there anything else you want?"

"I want daddy. Is he home yet?"

"I'm right here buddy." Edward answered in a strained voice, the tears that no longer showed on his face evident in his voice.

"I'll go get your pills and leave you here with your father. I'll be right back."

I quickly ran across the room to mine and Edwards's bathroom, searching through the medicine cabinet for the small tablets. I found the tablets and filled the glass next to the sink with some water and walked out to see Edwards face in Anthony's sleeping shoulder, sniffles, and whispers of him being sorry leaving his mouth.

I cleared my throat, announcing that I was back, but he didn't rise from his position, opting to just stay attached to Anthony for the night. I walked over to my side of the bed, setting the glass and the pills down on my nightstand. I climbed into bed behind my son and as soon as I was attached to him Edward grabbed my left hand, intertwined his right one with mine, and held it over Anthony's back.

"I'm so sorry Bella, I'm so sorry."

"I know. I know you are Edward. But please, don't ever let it happen again. I can't lose him."

"I can't lose either of you." He whispered lightly.

0o0o0o0o0o0

He's gotten better. After the incident Edward, when his schedule permits it, picks Anthony up from the daycare every time. I never have to remind him and he never forgets. It has unquestionably and self inflictingly, become his job to know where Anthony is at all times. He's gotten better at it, already knowing where Anthony's favorite places are in the hospital.

Today, however, is not a daycare day. Today is the day that both Edward and I are off and it's also move-in day and meet the grandparent's day. Anthony is more than enough excited for the both of us about meeting his grandpa and grandma. He even made them something at school just for this day.

"What time will they be here?" I yelled through the house to Edward who was in the living room packing the last of Anthony's baby pictures.

"They should be here around noon love!" He yelled back.

"Okay! Anthony, did you pack your toys like your father asked?" I asked him as his dinosaur swooped in and killed his J.I Joe. I know, but he's seven.

"Yes ma'am. He has the box in the living room, next to your box of books."

"Thanks kiddo. Why don't you go see if your daddy needs any help?"

"Okay." He said excitingly, running through the house.

"Be careful Anthony Charles!" I screamed after his vanishing form. I heard the exact moment that he made it to his father, a light crash announcing his arrival.

"Anthony-" Edward got out before he was cut off by Anthony's reassurance.

"I'm fine dad. I promise."

"Alright," Edward sighed. "You have to be more careful kid. You have to watch out for that arm. And Thanks to your mom you weren't born with the best equilibrium."

"Hey!" I shouted from the doorway. "I resent that!"

Seconds after my comment I heard my two guys give a loud throaty laughter that filled my insides with heat. I am always grateful that Edward and Anthony's relationship was easy. I thought for sure that Anthony would claim-up, like he does when he meets most people, but he made me proud and accepted Edward as his father instantly. It made me know that showing him the pictures of Edward and our family was the right thing.

We worked hard packing the rest of our things into boxes before Esme and Carlisle were to arrive. I was so nervous to see them, everything in my body telling me that they'll be disappointed in me for not telling them about Anthony. I mean Esme and I write each other at least three times a month and not once did I let her know that I was pregnant or that Anthony was for Edward. I felt horrible, but I don't think I would have done it any differently if I were given the chance.

Along with Esme and Carlisle we were expecting Alice and Jasper to get here soon with Hailey Marie Whitlock, my niece. Jasper was helping us move and Alice wanted contact with a human that could reply with something other than a gurgle. I on the other hand wished I could go back in time when Anthony gurgled. He's growing so rapidly that I'm afraid I will miss something important in his life. That he won't need me soon.

"Love we have company." Edward announced, standing in the door way.

"Who?" I asked nervously.

"Mom and dad." He said sympathetically. He walked over to me, kneeling beside me. "Babe, they're not going to be angry with you. You have to stop worrying about it so much Isabella. You did what you thought was right for you and Anthony and they could never be angry at you for that. You're his mother and if you make a decision that you think is best for him you shouldn't second guess it. Come on, they're waiting for us."

I nodded my head, grabbing his hand as he offered it to me. "Where is Anthony?"

Edward laughed; his eyes sparkling with amusement. "He ran in his room when the door bell rung. I think he is just as nervous as you are. Come on, let's go get our son and introduce him to our parents."

He led me out of our room and across the hall to Anthony's empty room. He was there, sitting in the middle of the floor Indian style and staring at the wall before him. "Anthony?" I called out softly.

Without turning he spoke. "Will they like me?" he asked, his voice shaking a little.

"No," I answered honestly. Edward looked over at me, his eyes wide and confused. I smiled at him, assuring him I knew what I was doing. "They'll love you kiddo."

"You said that about dad." He reminded me matter of fact.

"And was I wrong? Does your father not love you? Do you not love him Edward?" I asked Edward playfully.

With an exaggerated sigh Edward took on the job of parenting. "I guess I sort of, kind of, maybe like him, but love… that I do, with my whole heart. Anthony," Edward called. Anthony turned his head and looked at him nervously. "My whole heart is what I love you with. And our parents, your grandparents, will love you with theirs unquestionably."

"Will they leave me someday?"

"No, they'll always be here, Anthony, always." Edward promised.

"Okay, I'm ready." He exclaimed confidently as he stood and walked up to me and Edward, holding both his hands out, one for each of us to take. "Let's go say Hello."