No.16
His hands feel so gentle on my back, stroking shapes and secret promises of commitment.
"People would call us crazy," I say suddenly eyes shut.
He had thought I was asleep, but really I was just savouring the moment of being naked and bare in his arms. The sun had begun to rise, peering through the drapes ever so slightly.
"Little more than a month we've seen such a whirlwind," I whisper, "who knew a connection could grow out of this."
"You stepped into our little world and changed it for the better," when I open my eyes he's staring down at me.
"So you really want this?" I sit up, covering my chest with the sheets.
"More than anything," he nods, "I've wasted enough time in a marriage that started rotten. When you see something like this in front of you, you jump at it."
"Okay," I smile, "I quit then."
His eyebrows rise in confusion, shocked by my abruptness.
"I'll find a little apartment and we can do this correctly," I say, "We can build this sturdy not just for us but your kids as well."
"Oh, Bells. I love you. For not just accepting me but the baggage I come with," grinning his warm hand finds a place to rest at the bottom of my back.
"I love you and your baggage," I smile down at him.
"She's due back in a few days but the lawyers have everything they need. She'll be arrested when she comes back for hurting Lucy and I've signed all of my divorce papers," he says.
"So we have reason to celebrate?" I lie down my bare chest on his, his arms wrapping around me like a shield.
"Then lie back," he is like a child.
"No. I mean with your family," I laugh.
"We could have two celebrations," he lifts up pushing me back into the mattress, "so lie back."
Tanya was met at the airport by police. They took her in for questions charging her before she agreed to sign her section of the divorce papers. The decision regarding the children was a fairly easy one when it was put towards a judge - a loving, high earning father or a broke, jobless mother who attacks her kids. As for another nail in the coffin, Edward had her sign a prenup so she walked away with no assets.
Edward had decided I would be his last nanny. I'd surprised him with my resignation, but not because of the letter itself. He was left more shocked by the lack of clothing I had on when I handed it to him in his office.
Yep. He needs a new computer.
With Tanya gone and less time granted to an office each day, he was able to look after the children himself. He was there for school drop off and pick up, he ate dinner with them each night, he tucked them into bed.
It took me only a few weeks to find an apartment in London, with Rose even making the decision to relocate with me. She had jumped onboard rooming with me so she could continue dating Emmett, with things only getting serious day by day.
Looking back on the two months that had passed I never dreamed this could be possible. Not even a second of it felt real. Edward and I had only fallen deeper in love looking forward to our very bright future together.
"Bella," Edward stands holding Anna, stressing out, she's laughing at him.
He'd brought the kids over to my apartment while Rose was out with Emmett.
"What's happening," I laugh, taking her from his arms.
"She's got my keys," he groans stressed out, "Every time I take them from her she screams a storm."
In her small hand, she rattles the keychains and keys in her small hands grinning.
"Please," I hold my hand out.
She looks up at me like I'm crazy. As if she'd willingly hand over the fun. Edward looks exhausted, the twins squealing as the race around the apartment. His journey as a lone father was slowly driving into the part where the kids never leave you alone.
"This instead?" leaning into the pocket of Edward's baby bag, still over his shoulder, I hold up a colourful teddy bear.
Instantly she drops the keys onto the floor taking the bear from me, giggling she brings its ear to her mouth. Throwing down the bag he leans down to pocket his keys before another kid takes them.
Rosalie walks into the room, hair in a bun, the queen of daggy attire.
"Hey, kids," Rose beams at the twins.
Seth blushes looking down, still slightly shy around her. Lucy, the complete opposite squeals racing to hug Rose.
"Hey Rose," Edward smiles at her, a slight wave.
"What are you crazy kids up to? Edward, you look like you're letting them win." It takes me a moment to realise she's talking to us.
"That's the advice she gave me you know," I laugh, Edward looks at me interested, "to never let them actually win. Just let them think it."
"I have an idea," Rose gasps, "how would you guys like to hang out with me. I can even call Uncle Emmett. We could order a pizza? Then Daddy and Bella can go have some adult time."
"Adult time," Edward winks at me suggestively.
It felt surreal sitting back at that table, in that bar. He holds my hand in his, stroking my hand with his thumb, across the table.
Last time we came we had no clue where our innocent flirting would lead us.
He'd brought me to the same bar we came to when I visited London with him that first time. Where we'd laughed and enjoyed the slow process of getting to know one another.
"So I was going to get Anna to ask considering her new thing is copying everything," he smirks, "but then she decided to put on her own show."
Anna had decided playing parrot was a cute way to drive everyone crazy. While it was incredibly cute listening to her interpret your words into her own way, it did grow old fast.
"Ask me what?" I smile.
"Well, remember how we were talking about how if I'd met you first I would have travelled and done things differently," he sips his drink, refusing to let his grasp on my hand loosen.
"Sure," I nod, "when we walked home?"
"You said they loved Disneyland," he says, "well turns out you were incredibly right. However, a part of me felt wrong simply pulling you along on a kids vacation, so I thought we could make it romantic too."
"What do you mean?" I narrow my eyes at him.
I know where this is going, but I need to hear him say it.
"Paris?" he pulls out a folded envelope from his pocket sliding it across the wood of the table.
"Paris?" I gasp.
"After touring Disneyland the kids can enjoy the hotel's kids club. We can enjoy the bar, the spa and even go tour the city," he smiles, "it hit me the kids have never had a proper family vacation. Perhaps because our family hasn't been complete. You were the missing piece."
"Oh Edward," there's nothing holding back the tears, they're falling freely down my face.
I look up at him amazed. In awe.
"Get ready, cause I'm going to feed you those strawberries under the Tower Eiffel," he leans forward so I can kiss him.
Thanks for reading. Xx