I'm trialling a new update system as of today. Nothing will change here, but if you like to see teasers, chapter images, and be notified of updates on Facebook, I'll only be posting those on my own page and in my reader group, CiaraShayee's Subconscious from now on. It's frustrating for me because there are a lot of great groups out there and it's helpful for finding new readers and new readers finding me, but I'm done dealing with the stupidity of a certain few trolls and I'm relatively sure I know where they're coming from, so this is what I need to do. I hope you understand.

Also, I'd apologize for the cliffhanger at the end of the last chapter, but I'd feel a bit hypocritical seeing as I know there are a few more coming your way before the end of the story...*peeking between fingers*

Chapter Twenty-Four

Bella

With a soft, regretful sigh, I place a gentle kiss on Edward's cheek and try not to laugh at his snuffly snore as I quietly back out of the room, grabbing my shirt on the way out. So cute. Our clothes always end up in the most random of places; I'm sure I saw Edward's tee draped over the wastebasket in the corner.

It doesn't escape my notice that I'm walking through a live-in museum as I quickly use the bathroom before moving down the stairs. The same pictures hang on the walls now as the ones that were here when I set off for England. My eyes trail over the smiling faces lit only by the flashlight on my cell.

Most of them are of Willow.

I smile wistfully at her cake smash photos, remembering being here to watch her smother herself in the yellow frosting. They did a flamingo theme and there's also a picture of Willow holding two plastic flamingos, one in each pudgy hand, while her mouth is bulging with cake. She grows up before my eyes as I take each step down. There's her first steps; her sitting on Edward's shoulders with a gummy smile at what looks like the Fourth of July parade if their red, white, and blue clothes are anything to go by; her wild blonde curls flying as she floats in a baby pool floatie...I can see a pair of large hands just in the edge of the frame. I know those hands intimately.

Willow beams in a ballerina dress in another snapshot, this time with a little girl that looks exactly like Tanya. Looking closer, I realize it must be Jessica. Garrett and Tanya were handing out invitations to her thirteenth birthday party last week. She and Willow were just a few months apart in age. Willow would be turning thirteen next February.

My smile widens when I get to her first day of kindergarten. She's out on the front lawn, her balloon arch over her head and a bright, freckled smile on her face.

Then the photos stop.

An empty frame waits for a photo that will never come. My heart aches and my stomach twists as I read the letters etched into the frame. Kindergarten Graduation Class of 2012.

She should have graduated from the very school Arlo now attends, but she never got the chance.

My cell vibrating in my hand serves as a reminder that I'm running late. If I don't get a move on, Mom will be outside my house with the boys and Max wondering where I am. Exhaling a shaky sigh and blinking back tears, I hurry through to the kitchen where Edward says he left Arlo's Stormtrooper cup. I keep meaning to ask him to bring it over but with the chaos of school starting, a new job, and this whirlwind with Edward, my memory is mush.

Thankfully, I don't have to hunt for the cup. It's sitting right on the counter. Smiling, because I know Arlo will be pleased to have it back, I snatch it off the side and spin around to head home.

A tall silhouette cutting off my escape route stops me in my tracks. The unfamiliar voice that accompanies it pulls a scream from my chest as fear rockets through my veins.

"Who are you and why are you in my brother's house?"

A thump overhead precedes thundering footsteps on the stairs. I remember that there's a light switch by the back door, flipping it on just as Edward skids into the intruder's back.

It takes a second for my eyes to adjust, but the white spots disappear just as Edward's terrified expression morphs into one of relief, his mouth stretching into a rueful, crooked grin as he finishes tying his drawstring sweatpants and tosses an arm around the intruder's shoulders.

"For fuck's sake, Sully. What are you doing here, sneaking around in the middle of the night?"

Sully?

Frowning, I narrow my eyes and scrutinise the face of Sully, finally relaxing when I realize...I recognize him. He's grown up a lot since I saw him last, but that mop of dirty blond hair and those ice blue eyes are familiar. His words replay in my mind, suddenly making sense.

My brother's house.

"Sullivan Cullen, so help me God…" Tossing the first thing I can reach at him, which luckily happens to be a dish towel, I blow out a breath and palm my still-racing heart. "You scared the life out of me!"

Chuckling like the little shit I remember, even though he's now easily six feet tall and almost as wide in the shoulder as Edward, Sullivan snatches the towel from the air before crossing the room to pull me into a hug, lifting my feet off the floor and spinning me around.

"Bella Swan got hot, huh?"

Red-faced and dizzy, I shove him away from me and eye Edward, who looks more amused than anything else. I wonder if he knew Sullivan was coming. "I was always hot, you little shit. And I see that you're still a hooligan."

Sullivan offers me the patented, lopsided Cullen grin. "Of course!"

"What are you doing here, Sully?" Edward asks, heading for the coffee maker because it's pretty obvious there'll be no more sleeping.

Hopping up to sit on the counter, Sullivan rakes a hand through his hair with a grimace. "Mom's dating Jason again."

I have no idea who he's talking about, but Edward evidently does. He winces and hangs his head for a second before shooting Sullivan a commiserating look. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you need. I'll get a bedroom set up for you."

Sullivan waves his offer away. "Don't worry, I'll take the pull-out down here in your study. It's closer to the kitchen so I can sneak snacks while you're sleeping."

Edward chuckles, shaking his head, as my cell vibrates again; it's my final alarm before I'm risking Mom and the boys beating me home. "Edward, I need to…"

His eyes flash to me. "Right. I'll walk you out. Don't go anywhere," he warns Sullivan, shaking his head when he simply salutes.

"See ya, Bella. Sorry for making you wet your pants!"

"Bye, Sully," I laugh, letting Edward lead me out into the foyer with a hand at the small of my back. At the door, I breathe out a sigh and glance down the hall before stretching up to plant a quick kiss on his lips. "I'll see you later, if you're not too busy."

Sliding his hand into the hair at the base of my head, Edward ducks down to kiss me breathless, thoroughly scrambling my brain. When he pulls back and tells me he's never too busy for me, and he'll see me at work anyway, I realize my faux pas. "Of course, I forgot. I'll see you in a few hours."

"You will," he murmurs, giving me one last smile before I let myself out and jog down the street, stepping into the living room in the pajamas I quickly pulled on just as Mom and the boys call out their greetings. Phew. That was close.

~ oOo ~

Worryingly, Edward doesn't appear for work a few hours later.

Instead, he sends me a text promising to call later to let me know what's going on. Garrett also receives a text from him. He simply tells us all that 'the boss' is busy, so we've all got to pull our weight.

It wasn't until I was dropping the boys at school that I realized it wasn't just me being late home that posed a risk to our secret.

Sullivan knows now. He caught me doing the walk of shame at six a.m. There's no reason for me to be in Edward's house, let alone sneaking out at that time of morning. I can only hope Edward will talk to him and make him promise not to blab. The sneaking around part of this relationship is tedious at times, but it's working for us right now while we're still feeling our way. I don't want anything to jeopardize that, and I have a looming sense of dread whenever I think about what my parents might say when they find out about us.

I'm enjoying the exciting, carefree part of our developing relationship.

Confusion and nerves become my companion throughout the day as I work my shift, pick up Max from Mom and Dad, then grab the boys from school to take them for ice cream. It's insanely hot out so I very quickly end up with three cranky, messy boys and one too-hot dog.

"Why can't we go play in Easy's pool?" Jaxson whines as I wipe his sticky hands.

"He's...busy."

"But he said we can go over whenever! And he gave you a key, remember?" Finley joins in with his brother.

"Max wants to go, too, see?" Arlo adds, using a leftover piece of cone to get Max to nod.

"I said he's busy, okay? We're not going to just go over there when Edward is busy," I finally snap, hot, tired, and selfishly nervous that Sullivan's arrival will take away my already limited time with Edward. As it is, we only have a few more weeks before he takes off for his vacation. I also need to let Mom know that he's here so she can include him in the numbers for Edward's surprise birthday party tomorrow, but I'm not sure how to bring it up without having to think of an excuse for how I know that he's here.

I've almost ruined the surprise party so many times by accidentally mentioning it. I can't wait for him to walk into Mom and Dad's backyard tomorrow and see what we've organized for him.

All three boys look at me with wide eyes after my uncharacteristic outburst. Shit.

Blowing out a breath, I toss the dirty tissues into the trash can and crouch in front of the boys. "I'm sorry for snapping, but you guys know we can't just show up at people's houses without being invited."

"But it's not just 'people,' Mom," Jaxson protests. "It's Easy. He said we could go over whenever we want and swim in the pool."

"I know he did," I sigh, wishing Edward had kept that little offer between us. I really don't want to take the boys over and interrupt whatever might be going on with him and Sullivan, but this is his fault. He stupidly told the boys they're welcome whenever and made a point of showing them when he gave me a spare key to the back door incase the boys need the bathroom or anything while we're there. "I'll text him and ask if it's okay, but if he says 'no,' you'll settle for the sprinkler, right?"

I'd call Mom and Dad to see if we could use their pool, but I already feel like they do too much for us. I don't want to fill up their house with crazy boys and a hairy beast of a puppy every single day, it wouldn't be fair.

"Right," they all nod in tandem, their bright smiles returning because they're confident that Edward will agree to have them over.

Of course, because he never says 'no' to them, Edward answers my text before we even make it home.

I gave you a key, didn't I? Bring Max, too. I'll fire up the grill.

When we walk down the street later on, loaded down with floaties and sunscreen and a big bowl of salad because Mom taught me never to go to dinner empty-handed, I'm surprised to see a familiar car pulling up right outside Edward's house. My pulse picks up as the boys scream for their nana and papa and take off running toward them. Max tugs at his leash, so I give in and let him go once I'm sure we're close enough that he won't get distracted and run out into the street. For a young dog, he sure does like to rip my arm out of its socket. We're definitely going to have to work on that when he starts puppy school in two weeks.

"Hey, little loves," Mom laughs, catching Arlo. "Where are you off to all dressed for the beach?"

"We're goin' to swim in Easy's pool!" he tells her just as Edward himself strolls out onto the porch. I have to stop myself from checking for drool, mindful of the fact that my parents are right there, but damn.

He's sporting my favorite of his board shorts—the pale mint ones with white trim. They make his grass-green eyes pop and contrast deliciously with his sun-kissed tan, not to mention provide the perfect amount of thigh porn without making him look silly. When my eyes trail up, over the dips and ridges of his bare, defined torso to his neatly trimmed beard and the smile it almost hides, I consider saying 'to hell with it' and throwing myself at him then and there. He's way too gorgeous for his own good and I'm pretty sure he has no idea.

"Oh, that's nice of, um, Easy?" Mom laughs, looking between Arlo, Edward, and me.

"It's my new nickname, right, bud?" Edward scoops Arlo into his arms, duck pool ring around his waist and all, and flings him in the air. The tiniest part of me is worried, but most of me trusts Edward with every hair on my boy's head, which is a somewhat startling realization.

"That's right!" Arlo cackles, gripping Edward's shoulders for dear life until he's back on his own two feet. Offering his grandparents a wide grin, he asks if they're coming in, too.

"No, no, we can't stop." Looking at Edward, Mom adds, "We just came to remind you about our change of plans for tomorrow. We're doing dinner instead of brunch."

Nodding slowly, Edward ruffles Jaxson's hair as he sidles over to lean against him. The sight of their easy affection puts a lump in my throat. "Do we have room for one more? Sully showed up this morning. He's going to be staying with me for a bit."

Mom manages to curb her surprise, but Dad doesn't. His eyebrows climb his forehead. "He's back? It's been a long time."

Before Edward can say a word, Sullivan's loud voice carries over the grass. He flashes me a wink as he strolls past me to grab Mom in a hug. "That's right, the best Cullen is back in the bay."

Edward rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, little brother."

Seeing Edward with his brother is still so surreal—it always has been. Despite only sharing one parent, they're so alike in both appearance and personality. Sullivan is how Edward was before grief stole his easy joy and more frequent smiles.

I don't know the whole story of how Sullivan came to be—I was only eleven when he came to the bay to visit his oldest half-brother the first time, then a gummy one-year-old. All I know is that during a separation with Edward's mom, Esme, Carlisle had a brief fling with another woman which resulted in a son. Making a mental note to see what Edward will tell me about it later, I focus back on the conversation in front of me as Sullivan crouches to introduce himself to my sons.

"You're Easy's little brother?" Arlo questions, looking between Sullivan and Edward with furrowed brows.

"Uh huh. I'm the newer, better model."

Arlo shakes his head resolutely, offering Edward a grin. "Nope. Easy is the best."

"Good answer, bud. Remind me to get you a popsicle when we get back there."

"Sweet!" My son hisses, his fist-pump making all the adults laugh.

"And you two must be Jax and Finn, right? Edward told me all about you." Twisting his cap around to reveal the snapping gator on the front, he makes their day by admitting that he's a Jacksonville Gators fan, too. "I went to watch them play a couple of weeks back and got a signed ball."

"No way!" Finley breathes. "Did you bring it with you?"

"Okay," Dad laughs, looping an arm around Mom's shoulders. "I can see we're old news for the time being." To Edward, he says, "We'll aim for six o'clock dinner, but come over whenever you're ready."

"Sure thing, Charlie. See you tomorrow."

As they're leaving, Mom reminds me to come over early with the boys so she can see about trying their suits on for Benjamin and Angela's upcoming wedding. I agree, then follow Edward, Sullivan, the boys, and Max out into the backyard. Admitting that he does have the ball with him, Sullivan leads the boys into the house with Max hot on their heels, which leaves me with Edward.

Wrapping an arm around my waist, he takes the opportunity to plant a toe-curling kiss on me. "Hey, short stuff."

I sigh. "Hey, handsome. I missed you at work today."

With a grimace, he guides me over to a lounger, gently tugging me down to sit beside him. "I had some calls to make."

"Sullivan's mom?" I guess.

Nodding, he rakes a hand through his hair. I'm momentarily distracted by the way this makes his muscles flex and shift, my gaze returning to his face when he blows out a breath through his nose, sounding frustrated and looking it, too. "And our dad. Carmen, Sully's mom, she didn't even know he'd taken off. He just got himself a bus ticket and hightailed it outta there." Grumbling the last part, he admits, "I don't blame him. That boyfriend of hers...he's a waste of space, by all accounts. He likes to knock Sully around and she kicks him out for all of a few weeks before having him back."

I'll never understand how a parent can do that to a child, let alone their own. I'd fight tooth and nail for my sons, just like I know Edward would have given anything to save Willow.

"So he comes to stay with you when this guy is around?"

"Sometimes. Last time, he went to see Dad, but as you can imagine…"

"It's awkward as hell?"

Edward purses his lips. "Understatement of the century."

I can only imagine. Carlisle is his dad, but Esme...she's his stepmom, but I can't imagine it's easy for her having to look at Sullivan. Still, he's a baby. He's barely eighteen, if memory serves me correctly. He deserves stability and a loving home, not to live with someone who likes to 'knock him around,' as Edward put it.

"What did they say when you told them he's here with you?"

"Carmen...well, she doesn't particularly give a shit, to be honest. Dad's just happy he's safe. He'll probably come out to see him if he sticks around, but he's asked me to persuade Sully to come with me to Utah next month."

My stomach turns at the thought of being without Edward for two whole weeks. He's admitted that he usually takes a month off after the summer rush, but not this year. I can't help but wonder if me and the boys are the reason his trip will be shorter than usual.

"Do you think he'll go?"

Edward just shrugs, tugging me into his side before pressing a kiss against the side of my head. We both hear the boys' thundering footsteps then, so we create a little distance between us as they run out onto the patio. "I hope so," he murmurs.

~ oOo ~

By the time I order the boys to pull on their sweaters and flip flops so we can walk home, they're in love with Sullivan.

He's the same funny, cheeky boy I remember from his summer visits when he was a child. Every summer, like clockwork, he'd spend two weeks with Carlisle and Esme. One of those would usually be in Utah, so he could also see Jasper and his family, while the other often involved a trip out to Jackson Bay to see Edward.

The moppy-haired ten-year-old I saw the summer before I left for England has grown into a moppy-haired eighteen-year-old with a mischievous, devil-may-care attitude to life. He's a breath of fresh air—it's no wonder the boys adore him. They've spent the entire evening playing soccer and teaching him how to Noodle Race. Sullivan even got my vegetable-phobe Finley to eat a corn on the cob by 'double dog daring' him. It's not green, but it's still a vegetable. It's definitely a trick I'm going to keep in my repertoire for the future.

"Are you stayin' for a while?" Finley asks Sullivan as I zip up his jacket and point him toward his flip flops on the seat over by the grill.

Grinning, Sullivan twists his cap backward and waves Finley over for a hug. "I sure am, Finn. Who else is gonna teach you to play soccer properly? He's no good at it," he says with a wink, nodding at Edward.

Shaking his head, Edward drains the last of his beer before rising from the table. "Whatever you say, little brother. Remember whose house you're staying in."

"Ooh, I'm quaking in my flip flops."

The boys find this hilarious, breaking down into fits of giggles which only worsen when Sullivan attempts to pull Edward into a headlock and winds up being tossed into the pool by his bigger, stronger brother.

Blowing him a kiss while nobody is looking, I wish we could be together in the open. Although Sullivan knows something is going on, and has made a few thinly-veiled comments throughout the evening, the boys don't. I don't even dare to hug Edward in front of them for fear of their little minds working overtime and their mouths blabbing to Mom and Dad.

At some point, probably soon, Edward and I will need to decide where this is going, because I can't live like this forever and I don't want us to be a secret. I want to shout about him from the rooftops and tell people how crazy about him I am. I want to be able to hold his hand in public, kiss him without worrying if there's anybody around, and stop sneaking between our houses in the mornings so my parents don't see him leaving or me returning.

Last night was the first time we stayed at his house, and it didn't escape my notice that he took me to the guest room instead of his bedroom. I can guess at his reasoning, but it still concerns me. We've talked about Willow, but we haven't talked about Kate and how he feels about her now. It's been six years since their divorce, but he wouldn't take me to his room and I assume it's because it's the room he once shared with her.

It's just another pressing topic in a long list of many that we need to cover.

"All right," I finally sigh once all the boys are ready. "Come here, Max."

Tired from chasing the boys and the soccer ball all evening, he heaves himself off the floor to amble over, giving me a sloppy kiss while I attach his leash to his harness—which he's quickly outgrowing. I already need to make another trip to the pet store to get a bigger one.

Wrapping my arms around Sullivan once he's climbed from the pool, grumbling and towelling himself off, I tell him he can babysit any time. He grins and sways us side to side before planting a noisy kiss on my cheek, much to the amusement of my sons. "You just let me know when and I'll be there. Oh! Can I show the boys one quick thing before you go?"

Frowning, I shrug. "Sure."

As he takes off into the house, the boys following behind him, he shoots a wink over his shoulder and mouths "Go get him" before nodding pointedly at Edward, who grins and scoots his chair back, patting his lap. I don't need to be told twice, quickly straddling his firm thighs and using my fingers in his hair to kiss him silly.

While I was worrying Sullivan would out us, I didn't consider the benefits of having him around as a distraction for the boys.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he murmurs, his voice gravelly, when I pull away to catch my breath.

"Tomorrow," I promise, hoping his smile will be as wide when we surprise him as it is right now.

~ oOo ~

"The label is all itchy," Finley whines, tugging the side of his waistcoat.

"Come here, sweetheart."

While Mom sets about cutting out the label, I turn to Jaxson and Arlo, beaming at my handsome little boys all dressed up. Opting for a November wedding means that Benjamin and Angela won't have to be as worried about us all melting to death in our finery. As page boys, Jaxson, Finley, Arlo, and Danny will be wearing miniature versions of the tuxes being worn by the groomsmen. I haven't seen those yet, but the boys look freaking adorable in theirs.

"You look so handsome," I tell them once Finley has pulled on his jacket and adjusted his bowtie to pose for a picture for Mom.

Blushing beet-red, Finley shuffles his feet. Arlo grins, wiggling his bowtie with both hands. "I do, don't I?"

Benjamin walks inside carrying two platters of food. Setting them down on the counter, he tells Mom there isn't room outside yet, then he turns his attention to the boys. "Well, well. Don't you three scrub up well?"

"Yep!" Jaxson agrees, just as comfortable with compliments as his little brother. "We're gonna look more handsome than you, Uncle Benji."

Scooping Jaxson into his arms for a tickle-attack, Benjamin is quickly ordered to put him back down before he wrinkles the hell out of the tux. "Oops." He doesn't look the least bit repentant, but he does as Mom tells him and carefully sets Jaxson back on the floor just in time to hear the doorbell ring.

Mom jumps up, clapping her hands. "That'll be our first guests. Bella, honey, are you okay getting the boys back out of those?"

"Sure, sure." I wave her off, guiding the boys back down the hall toward her bedroom. There, they strip off their suits and pull their party clothes back on. By the time I've combed their hair into some semblance of neatness, there are a few familiar faces milling around the backyard.

"Little Grandma!" The boys take off as soon as they spot Little Grandma and Grandpa Freddie. Smiling, I watch them go, then suck in a deep breath and meander around, saying 'hi' to everybody and compulsively checking my watch because as the day has gone on, I've gotten more and more nervous. Edward hates surprises. He's not a fan of crowds, doesn't particularly like socializing the way he used to, and he abhors being the center of attention—all of which he's going to be bombarded with the second he walks through the front door in...approximately ten minutes.

Swiping a red plastic flute of prosecco from the table as I slip away from TJ and Oliver to check my hair and make-up, I pray he'll at least be thankful that I talked Mom out of throwing a birthday beach party and inviting the whole town. I managed to curb her guest list ideas somewhat, but there's still a lot of people set to show up throughout the evening. When I step into the kitchen, I spot Mum struggling with the heavy cake box as she tries to get it into the pantry where she can unbox it safely. Following her into the walk-in, I grin at her short arms attempting to battle with the large box.

"Do you need some help, Mom?"

She offers me a distracted smile, carefully sliding the cake from its box so she can get the two tiers assembled correctly. "Please, that would be lovely."

Setting down my drink, I put my hands where she directs them, passing her the candles once she's got the top tier settled. "Umm…"

We both look at each other and laugh, because there's no good place to put the candles. It's a beautiful cake, two tiers with stunning teal frosting. The bottom tier starts off darker at the bottom, each wave getting lighter before tapering off when it reaches the incredibly realistic looking sand that separates the two tiers. There are some chocolate seashells and a fake wood plaque made out of icing that reads 'Happy Birthday, EC!' on the front.

My favorite part is the white adirondack chair right on the top, a blue icing towel thrown over the arm and a few more shells scattered around it for good measure.

"It's the perfect cake for Edward." Mom hums, but her thoughts still seem to be elsewhere. "Momma? Are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine, I'm fine." Smiling brightly at me, she loops her arm around my waist and sighs. "Have you noticed anything going on with EC? Anything out of the ordinary?"

My ears perk up, my heart-rate speeding up. Uh oh. "With Edward? No, nothing." Clearing my throat because that came out way too high and squeaky to be natural, I force a confused smile. "Why do you ask?"

"He just seems different. I've been noticing it for a few weeks. It's not in a bad way at all, don't get me wrong!" If it weren't for the fact that I'm absolutely terrified of her reaction—and Dad's—I'd just tell her what is really going on with Edward. I'd tell her that we've been seeing each other for a few weeks now and I think it's getting serious.

Mom and I have always been close, we've always been open and honest with each other. When Richard and I started dating, after Jude because she was there when he picked me up for our first date, Mom was next to know. And when I took the pregnancy test to find out we were having Jaxson and Finley, it was Mom who cried happy tears with me over the phone.

It feels wrong to be keeping something like this from her, but for now at least, it's necessary.

With a twinkle in her eyes that scares me, she admits, "I think he might be seeing someone. Do you think that's feasible? Do you think it's someone at the restaurant?"

My choked breath is, thankfully, drowned out by Dad's voice yelling, "Renee, he's pulling up outside!"

"Oh! Quick, we need to get everyone gathered."

There aren't words to describe how relieved I am when Mom rushes from the pantry, tugging me with her and closing the door behind us. "I'll get the door," I offer, butterflies taking flight in my belly.

"Okay, I'll get everyone together outside." She's so excited, I don't think Mom has truly thought through the repercussions of throwing such a big party for a man who is more comfortable in small groups. Mentally crossing my fingers, I wait until she's ushered everybody outside before steeling myself as I head to the front door in time to open it just as Edward raises his hand to knock.

The wide, crooked grin that takes over his face takes my breath away. The girly sigh that escapes my lips would be embarrassing if we weren't alone—which I quickly realize we aren't when Sullivan sticks his fingers in his mouth and pretends to gag on them, appearing from behind his brother.

Shit. I forgot he'd be here.

"Hey, hot stuff," he chuckles, lifting me off my feet in an exuberant hug before sniffing the air and commenting on the delicious aromas wafting through the house "Somethin' smells amazing."

"Hey, Sully. Come on through. Dad's cooking his baby back ribs," shooting Edward a silly smile, I add, "Edward's favorite."

"Spoilt brat," Sullivan tsks, then cocks his head. "If I stick around long enough, will Charlie make ribs for my birthday?"

I'm still looking at Edward, soaking him in, so I see the hope that briefly crosses his face at the thought of his brother sticking around that long.

"Ask him," I shrug, waving them both in. "He can only say 'yes' or 'no.'"

"He'll say 'yes,'" Sullivan says confidently, leading us through the house after checking he's heading in the right direction. It's been years since he was here last, and the decor has changed probably ten times since his last visit. I'm not surprised he's unsure.

"Have you had a good day?" I ask Edward quietly.

Shooting me a small grin, he nods. I know, thanks to the conversation we had on the phone this morning, that he and Sullivan were planning to haul the surf boards out of the garage and hit the beach to try to catch a few waves. From the sun-kissed glow on his cheeks and the light in his eyes, I think it must have gone well.

"It's been great. I'd forgotten how much I like hanging out with him," he says, nodding at Sullivan's back. I feel the sudden need to warn him, so I stop just before we hit the last corner which will make us visible to everyone else, and vice versa. He frowns a little, peering down at me with the heat in his eyes that tells me he wants to be a lot closer and wearing way fewer clothes. "Are you okay?"

"Edward…" I breathe, wringing my hands. God, why am I so nervous? I answer my own question in a millisecond—I want him to like this. I want him to like what we've set up for him. I just...want him to be happy.

Before I can open my mouth and spoil it, I hear Mom's muffled "Arlo, wait!" just seconds before my youngest skids around the corner on socked feet, wide grin in place and white frosting smeared over his cheek.

Someone got into the food early.

"Hey, Easy. You need to hurry."

Edward cocks his head, shooting me a questioning glance before taking Arlo's hand as he tugs him through the kitchen. "I do? Why?"

"You're gonna miss your surprise party, silly!"

Well, here goes nothing.

Next update: Sunday

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