No. 8
Edward throws his head back in laughter, eyes clenched shut while his shoulders move freely with the sound.
Mesmerising.
The sound. The view. The everything.
Just. Mesmerising.
"It's not that funny," I smile wickedly.
I had been telling him about one of the drunk antics Rose and I had gotten ourselves into. We'd found ourselves naked outside her house, locked out after we both lost a bet. We were drunk and had bet on the winner of The Bachelor - unfortunately he picked neither. She forgot to grab a key and we were forced to crawl butt naked through a window.
Of course he watched me as I spoke glued to my face, hanging on each word of the story.
"Don't do that," he takes a sip of his beer before pointing to me with it, "that whole discredit me act. You're funny and not just that but smart, kind and pretty."
"Pretty," I grin swirling my wine, "you think that I'm pretty?"
"Know it," he smiles, "it's putting it lightly too."
"The alcohol is talking," I roll my eyes putting my glass down deciding against a sip
"Half a light beer, Bella?" He raises an eyebrow grinning.
"It has power," I laugh, "it's making you delusional."
"Call me what you want. It's true," he says.
He'd brought me to a grunge-inspired bar by Trafalgar Square after giving me a little tour of the city. We waved hello to the Queen together, watched the red buses move around the city, he even treated me to an underground trip. The perfect tour guide.
"Tell me about your case," I say, "Watson said you are in prosecution."
"You want to hear?" Again that shock that I'd care about his job or life.
"Why does that shock you?"
"My wife just never cares to listen. I thought it was a woman thing," his eyes meet mine, "it's just a Tanya thing. You don't need to pretend though, my work is taxing."
"Tell me," I encourage, "it's important to you and if it's stressing you, then you should talk it out."
"He murdered his kid after his wife tried to take them from him. Thought if he couldn't have them neither could she. He tried to kill himself too before he was caught," he huffs, "it's just sticky cause there's a strong argument from the defence. His kid was terminal and he has an argument. He did it to relieve the child from suffering. Like a mercy killing."
"Oh Jesus," I cover my mouth, "that's tough. I bet you're good at your job and that poor baby will get justice."
"Yep, well I hope so," He sighs, "I guess it makes me hold my kids tighter more frequently. I couldn't imagine her pain."
"You think you and Tanya could ever turn it around?" I ask suddenly, "your kids are so beautiful and I just hope you both work it out for their sake. Even if that means separated."
"She's currently at a high tea in the countryside for a birthday party… for another weird woman's cat," he says, "because she wants to build prestige for some instagram partnership she wants in on."
"Sounds like important work," I smile at him.
"Very. Contributing to society," he laughs.
"I mean she could be putting criminals behind bars," I shrug confused.
"That would be doing actual work, Bella. What an odd suggestion," he scoffs laughing, "she would manipulate till she blocked access to them. I'm already speaking with incredible lawyers. I just need to wait to make my move. Find evidence she's cheating again I guess."
"I see. But well speaking of work," I check the time on my phone, "your parents will be well and truly grandparented out. We should head back so I can get them fed and cleaned up. I got them all a little treat too."
"You got them something. You're so sweet," Edward smiles, "how adorable."
"It's small," I shrug.
"Let's go home," he nods, "I hope you enjoyed your day out."
"I did."
"Bewwa," Seth wraps his arms around my middle firstly, "grandpa took me fishing."
"No way," I love how their little faces glow when I over react with shock and excitement.
"I caught one all by myself," he grins.
Edward cuddles both his daughters, one in each arm, together kissing their faces.
"That's amazing, Seth," I say, "I went to the city today and I got you something."
I kneel in front of him reaching into my bag to pull out his blue and green lollipop.
"Wow," he gasps, "thank you."
"Beautiful manners Seth," I praise, "I have one for you girls too."
I walk to Edward smiling up at just him as I hand them their pink and yellow lollipops. Lucy thanks me while Anna gives me a grin.
"Can I have a bite?" Edward teases Lucy opening his mouth.
"Nope," she pulls it back over her shoulder.
"I got one for Daddy too," I laugh handing him one, "me too, and even your mother."
Speak of the devil. Something wicked this way comes...
"Oh kids," Tanya walks in, she wears high heels and a tight black dress, looking down at her phone, "they're back."
"Say hi to your mother guys," I instruct.
Seth simply waves, Edward lets the girls down, but they just look at her rooted in place, fixated by their lollipops.
"Guys," I say again, "hug your mother."
"No, they'll just wreck my dress. It's fine," Tanya waves me off before looking up from her phone, "are those lollipops. Miss Swan we said absolutely no sugar."
"Tanya," Edward sighs, "it's just…"
"Don't," she snaps at her husband.
Walking over to the twins she snatches up their candy, before ripping Anna's away from her small hand. Anna begins to cry loudly, shrieking from the force. Edward immediately picks her up, holding her to his chest, soothing her with a light bounce in his arms.
"You're out of your mind," Edward snarls, "they were gifts and they're kids. A little sugar won't hurt."
"I'm their mother. I say no. They'll get diabetes and we'll be the shit parents who didn't look after them," she growls back, "Miss Swan I suggest you get these kids to bed before 7:30, on time for once."
"I…" I begin.
"Now," she yells at me.
I jump. So does Seth beside me, reaching up to take my hand for comfort. Only I don't know which one of us needs it more.
"I overstepped. I'm sorry," I moved to Edward taking Anna from his arms, she had calmed down but tears stained her rosy cheeks.
He passes me an apologetic look, lightly grazing my hand as he lets go of Anna.
"Let's get to bed, guys," I say softly, "your mother is very tired. She had a big day."
"Yes, Bewwa," Lucy follows me.
"Lucinda Cullen. We speak to our elders with respect," Tanya snaps, "Miss Swan or it's chores."
"I told them they could refer to me as Bella," I face Tanya.
"You're not their mother," she sneers, "do your job before you are on a plane back to where you came from."
If I wasn't holding Anna I'd slap her.
Edward looks positively furious. He's frightening. More than here which is saying something.
As we leave the room Edward offers her a choice insult before the shouting begins.
I cover Anna's ears as the children follow me, heads down, silent tears on their cheeks.
I was so fed up with this woman.
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