No. 3
They're both covered in flour. It's heartwarming to see their smiles on their faces, with something telling me it'd been a while since they'd been there like this. They both eat chatting with one another about spaceships and fairies. I try my best to contribute but when I do they look at me like I'm speaking Spanish.
"Anna," I stand beside her at the counter with a little bit of sauce on her spoon, "one more then that's it!"
"She never eats that much. You're a good cook," Lucy said, "you said you weren't."
"Me? You guys did this," I shake my head, "your both excellent."
"What is going on here?" Edward walks into the room in a robe, long checkered pyjama pants.
Don't look, Bella. You won't check out your boss.
My eyes defeated, I looked up trying to get a peek through the white shirt beneath. He looks tired, only he isn't angry and tired this time. In fact, a massive smile is plastered on his face as he takes in his children.
"We cooked," Seth gasps, "Bella did the pecipee and hot things for us."
He holds up a fork with a piece of meat and sauce on it. Edward leans down slightly to open his mouth. Seth's eyes light up when his father eats it.
"Oh yum. That's so delicious," Edward runs his fingers through his son's hair, "Did Anna help too?"
"No," Lucy answers quickly, "she watched us but."
"She'll help one day," I say, "she's learning from watching you two."
"Thanks," Edward smiles at me, "they don't do this stuff often."
"It's fine. They're being kids," I shrug, "I'll clean up and get them into a bath."
He studies me for a moment, making me feel like I'm under some microscope. His green eyes are intrigued by something I couldn't even see.
"Bella. You have sauce on your chin," he smirks, "did my children not even tell you."
Seth laughs into his hands watching me with delight.
"Oh you two," I laugh trying to wipe my face.
"No, here," Edward steps closer pressing his thumb to my face, his fingers carefully caressing my chin, "it's small."
I'm rendered unresponsive, staring up at his face as his eyes keep focused on my chin. Thank god I put on that expensive makeup today. His finger is on my face for seconds, but I feel the sensation all over my body for minutes after. Like he just ignited some spark in my blood that had been waiting for a flame. The simple gesture had affection, even if neither of us would confirm it.
"Got it," he smiles down at me.
"Thanks," I bite my lip, "I'll clean."
"Don't. I'll do it," he waves me off taking the bowl from Anna and walking toward the sink, "go take them to their bath."
"I'm showing her this time," Lucy gasps.
"Oh wait. His pictures," Seth whispers unaware we can all hear.
"Oh the children did some pictures for you," I smile at Edward, "the one of the blue princess is from me and Anna."
"Bewwa helped her," Seth says.
For a moment I think Edward will correct him. The kid has already sold me out for breaking the no first name rules. Edward's expression turns to warmth though as he sifts through the pictures.
"These are excellent. Lucy, you've not given me one in months, look how neat it is. Seth, how did you know I loved Batman?" he grins at them.
"Bewwa said she was colouring you one so we did too," Lucy shrugs, "she said we should."
"Thank you," He smiles at me, relief sprinkles at the edges of his lips.
"Umm. Bath," I clap before pulling Anna out of her high chair, "let's get a bath before you turn into pasta yourselves."
I earn a crowd giggle, including one from their sexy ass father.
Stop. Checking. Him. Out.
The pair of them run away, but before I can follow Edward stops me with a clearing of his voice.
"Sorry about my wife before. She has all these rules thinking her kids need to be perfect. I'm not around enough to relax them. I don't mean to burden you with my personal problems, but I want them to have the best life possible," my eyes say he's tearing up, but my brain doesn't believe it, "when she's not around please if possible bend the rules. They need this and I can't always be around to do it."
"When you can be around you just have to do it ten times harder for them. Until then you can count on me to not just bend the rules but break them. They're kids and sometimes as an adult, it's fun to be one too," I say, "you have beautiful children."
"Thank you," he does this crooked grin with his lips, I internally melt, "I'm working from home more to be closer but most cases require me to travel to London. The one I'm working on is... tough."
"My father was a cop. I understand that dad has to work sometimes, my mother did too. Dad had to run out during the night sometimes and I wouldn't see him at home for days. One time I saw him for the first time in a week after he pulled me over for speeding," I laugh at the memory enjoying his own sweet chuckle joining in, "can I ask why you practice law here instead of America?"
"The green countryside was somewhere I wanted to raise my kids with my wife. When I became successful I thought maybe she'd take the slack while I brought home the money to feed them, educate them," he shakes his head, "that's private. Sorry."
"Don't be hard on yourself," I bounce Anna before turning to her, "Daddy is a rockstar right, Anna?"
To prove my point she holds her hand out to him squealing, clenching and unclenching her hands.
"Thank you, Annabelle," he laughs sniffling slightly, "thanks for the picture. I'll pop it up in my office because I need the joy right now."
"Anytime you want an Anna and Bella artwork you just ask and we'll get out the crayons," I nod.
As I leave to find his children I can't help but feel three simple pieces of paper meant more to him than I could ever fathom.
"Stop," Lucy screams at Anna, "stop splashing me."
"Anna," I grab her arms and hold them still.
I decided to start with Seth, bathing him alone to gain confidence. Once I was convinced I had a flow I did the girls together.
"She's learning, Lucy. Remember how I said she watches you," I say wiping more food from Anna's face, "so when she's doing something you don't like, ask her to stop nicely. That way when she grows older she'll know to be nice back to you."
"Mummy never even asked if she was okay. They should have asked me for a second girl," she looks down sadly, on the verge of tears.
Jealousy - art thou a bitchy emotion.
"Hey," I say, "I'm an only child. You're very lucky to have a sister to play with. Think of all the things you can teach her when she is older. Like dolls and colouring."
Lucy looks at Anna carefully.
"I didn't want her at first," Lucy says.
"That's okay. Change is scary," I smile, "now you can show her how much you love her."
Without needing more encouragement she leans forward, kissing her sister's cheek.
"Good job," I praise, "see Lucy. You're an amazing big sister."
"Really?" she looks up at me.
Were these kids never encouraged? Complemented? Their confidence must be at rock bottom.
"Sure," I nod, "I'd love a sister like you."
"Maybe you could be my friend instead," Lucy shrugs, dunking her thoroughly drowned doll into the warm water again.
"Lucy, I'd love that," I say, "let's get you guys out. You'll turn into sea mermaids if I don't."
"Mermaids don't live in baths, Bewwa," Lucy corrects me.
"Right," I laugh, lifting Anna up and placing her on the floor to wrap a towel around her, "what about an octopus?"
"Still wrong!" she groans watching me dry her sister.
"Oh, I'm so silly," I shake my head.
"No, you're really smart," she pops her chin on the edge watching me.
Perhaps I'd taught her something today - how to accept and give compliments. As I help her out of the bath I feel a strong connection to her. Watson said to make friends with her first - seems like half my work was already done.
Once they're tucked into bed after two runs of the bedtime story I check the clock noticing it's 8pm.
Another rule broken.
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