No - your eyes do not deceive you! This IS an update.
I made a booboo and long story short, this chapter
should have posted a week ago but I didn't get
around to it, so here it is :)
SunflowerFran has been on vacation, so
annaharding and I took on this beastly chapter by ourselves.
I tinkered a fair bit at the last second, so any and all mistakes
are mine.
Pay it Forward will be featuring three fics in different
categories on their new blog each month. Number one will
be our rookie…a new, first-time writer showcasing their
first fic on our blog. Number two will be our encore…a new fic
from a seasoned author giving us a sneak peek. Number three
will be our classic…one from the vault, a time-tested oldie.
If you are a rookie and need help, contact Fran on the PIF
Page, or myself. And if you have an encore, contact her to get
your new fic showcased. And anyone interested in writing a
summary on one of their favs, please feel free to send it in.
I've loved reading your reviews again this past ten days.
You're all wonderful people and I'll miss you dearly when
this wraps in just a few chapters :(
That said, I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that I have
not one, but THREE epilogues ready to go once the
regular chapters are done, so there is that :D
Anyway...I don't think many of you will be surprised
with this one ;)
~ oOo ~
Summary: When two little girls were allowed to walk
home from school one bright spring day nobody could've
predicted the events that followed. The way two families
were torn apart by the vendetta of a deranged man.
Nearly twelve years on, we'll watch as the two girls stolen
away from their homes at eight years old fight to take
back their lives. If only it were as simple as escaping. AU
Pinky Promises
Chapter Thirty-Five
Monday came far too soon.
Edward told everybody about his return to Italy first thing Sunday morning, but hadn't been able to get a flight out until Monday morning.
It was almost worse that way; knowing he was leaving, but being unable to think about it.
Enrico was stable according to Contessa, but the doctors advised family to get there as soon as possible. It wasn't looking good for him. At seventy-seven he was no spring chicken and the heart attack had knocked him for six.
Edward spent all of Sunday alternately worrying about his Nonno and Nonna, and Bella and Marley.
By the time five a.m. rolled around on Monday morning, Edward felt sick with nerves. Charlie had volunteered to drive him to the airport so he'd said 'goodbye' to his aunt and uncle, who'd be flying out later that same day, and walked down the street to meet Charlie at the car. He was surprised to find that he wasn't alone out there on the driveway.
"Bella?"
Bella stood beside her father's car, lit only by the sunrise painting the sky red and orange. She had Bodhi over one shoulder chewing sleepily on his hand and Marley sitting on her other hip, her face tucked into Bella's neck and hidden by the curtain of her hair.
"I…I thought we'd come out to say—"
"Bella? What are you doing out here?" Charlie appeared in the doorway, confusion knotting his brows as he raised the key fob and pressed the button to unlock the car. The sound of the locks disengaging was loud in the silent street.
"We just came out to see you off," she murmured softly, apparently unable to look at her father or Edward; her eyes were fixed on Marley's jiggling, slipper-clad feet locked against her hip, below Bodhi.
"Oh, okay." Charlie had always been an observant man. He'd also come to accept that his daughter wasn't a baby anymore, or even a little girl. She was a young woman with babies of her own – and a man she was in love with, whether she'd admitted it to herself or anyone else, or not. It was for this reason that he tamped back his sadness at no longer being his daughter's number one and motioned toward the car, saying, "I'm gonna get in and warm the engine up. You've got a few minutes before we need to go."
Edward nodded, reaching up to adjust his cap by tugging at the peak. "Sure, Chuck."
The sound of Charlie starting the engine made Bella jump slightly even though she'd expected it. Her movement startled Marley, who peered out from behind Bella's hair at the offending noise. Then she spotted Edward and her beautiful eyes filled with fat tears that tumbled over her rosy cheeks; she'd already been crying.
The sight of his favorite little girl so obviously distressed broke Edward's heart.
"Little sweet, hey, it's okay."
Edward couldn't help himself. He had to go to her.
Three long strides had him standing in front of Bella, where he reached up to cup Marley's cheek. She reminded him of the puppies he'd seen in adverts for rescue shelters. Her eyes were wide and sad, her forever smile turned down. Edward's heart splintered when her lower lip jutted out and wobbled.
"You're leaving!" She accused softly, her small voice trembling.
"Only for—" Edward trailed off. He couldn't promise that he'd only be gone for a few days, a week, or even two weeks. He had no idea how long he'd be away for, how long his nonna would need him.
At Edward's lack of response Marley's sniffles turned into sobs, then wails as she buried her face in Bella's neck and clung on tight. Poor Bodhi didn't know what to do with himself and soon joined in; Edward held his hands out and took the squalling baby boy, soothing him against his chest as Bella whispered to her daughter in an attempt to calm her.
"Bu-but he's go-going, Mamma!" Marley cried, tearing Edward's heart to shreds and stomping on it with her next words. "He d-doesn't love us!"
Edward couldn't bear it any longer. He stepped closer and placed his hand on Marley's back, gently tapping her to get her attention. She turned to face him with an accusing, distraught look on her tear-stained face.
"Hey, don't ever say that, okay? Don't even think it, little sweet. I love you all more than anything. You and your mamma and brother are my world. But my nonno is sick, little sweet. Nonno Enrico is sick, and I've got to go help Nonna look after him." Edward sucked in a deep breath, forcing a weak smile as he thumbed a tear from Marley's cheek. "I can't promise that I'll be back tomorrow, but I'll be back just as soon as Nonno is better. I'll call every day and video chat you every bedtime. You won't even miss me, you'll be so sick of talking to me."
Marley sniffled, wiping her nose on the sleeve of her pajama top. "I will," she told him sternly. "I'll miss you lots and lots."
"Oh, little sweet, I'll miss you too."
Charlie revved the engine ever so slightly – just enough that Edward realized he'd done it on purpose.
It was time to go.
"Can I have a hug before I go, please?"
Marley hesitated before nodding tentatively and reaching for him. He kept Bodhi and held them both tight to his chest, greedily inhaling their combined scent of baby shampoo and Marley's strawberry children's perfume.
God, I'm going to miss you, he thought, feeling the telltale prickle of tears. This is too hard.
"Edward, buddy, I hate to rush you…" Charlie called softly when, a few minutes later, Edward still hadn't relinquished the children back to their mother.
Edward winced, feeling Marley's grip tightening around his neck. "Little sweet…" he whispered, his heart breaking all over again as she began to shake with sobs.
"Hand her here," Bella said quietly. Edward handed Bodhi over first, then gently pried Marley's hands from behind his neck and pressed a kiss to her head. Instead of clinging tighter like he expected, she squirmed free of his hands and kicked him in the shin before running into the house.
"Bella, I—"
"It's okay," she murmured sadly, managing the smallest, weakest of smiles; it didn't reach her eyes. "You've got to go. Give Enrico and Connie hugs from all of us. I hope Enrico feels better soon."
Edward searched her face. She didn't appear angry, just resigned. "I'm sorry."
"Me too."
With one last sad, upward twist of her lips, Bella turned and carried Bodhi inside, closing the door silently behind her.
Edward had never felt so miserable.
~ oOo ~
"Good afternoon passengers. This is your pre-flight announcement for British Airways flight 54A to Rome. We'd like to invite those of you with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding. Please ensure you have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately fifteen minutes. Thank you!"
Edward sighed, double-checking his ticket. Seat 13A. "At least it's a window seat," he muttered to himself, stowing the book he'd brought along to read until his flight but hadn't actually touched. He'd been at the airport for almost five hours by then, his flight having been delayed for two hours because of a mix-up on the runway.
Edward was bored, hungry, and missing Bella, Marley, and Bodhi. He'd scrolled through the photo album on his phone named 'Little Sweet and Bo' twice, and dialed Bella's number more times than he could recall; not once had he pressed 'call' though. He'd distracted himself by wandering through duty free before finding an empty table in McDonalds and treating himself to a chocolate milkshake. Oh, and messaging his dad. Antonio had confirmed what Contessa had already told Edward; Enrico was stable, but his prognosis was not good.
Realizing that he still had to cross the airport to get to his gate, Edward tossed his trash in the nearest bin and shouldered his rucksack as he weaved through the throngs of busy travellers. One of the airlines was running a promotion in the main departure terminal and there were crowds of people gathered around four people on pedestals. As Edward passed the one nearest him he smiled, recognizing the iconic Madonna outfit. An elderly lady was posing with the Madonna impersonator as Edward paused to let a large group of Japanese students pass. 'Madonna' had her hands in her hair and a sly smile on her face as the elderly woman's giggly friends snapped photos of them together.
Hold on…
Edward shook his head, muttering a curse. He thought he saw…but no. It couldn't be.
Madonna and her friend parted ways, Edward unable to resist stretching onto tiptoes to scan the sea of heads behind them. Even though he'd known it was impossible, that they weren't there, Edward was still disappointed when he couldn't see Bella and Marley, like he'd just thought he had.
"Get a grip, Cullen," he mumbled, hoisting his bag further onto his shoulder and marching in the direction of gate twelve, where he'd soon be boarding. As he approached the gate he quickly sent two messages; one to his dad, to tell him that he was about to board, and one to Bella, to check on her and the kids. Phone shoved back into his pocket, Edward fished his passport from his coat and was about to join the queue when he heard it.
Footsteps. Rapid footsteps on the tiled floor. Edward shook off the jolt of recognition; it sounded like Marley charging around in her pawpaw's kitchen.
"Edwaaaaard!"
No…
In his hurry to turn, Edward almost hit a woman trying to go around him to join the queue. She gave him a filthy look before huffing and going ahead. Immediately, Edward spotted her.
Flip-flops smacked the tiles, hair streamed in crazy chocolate waves behind her head, and a beloved stuffed bunny was being dragged along by his ears by the most beautiful sight Edward could imagine.
"Little sweet!" Edward threw his rucksack to the floor, opened his arms, and sank into a crouch just as Marley reached him. Her small body hit his chest full-force as she threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. "What are you doing here?"
Marley sighed, shaking with the force of her panted breaths. "We thought…we'd missed…you, Edward!" She pulled back, sparkling blue-green eyes filling Edward with such an intense sense of joy that he almost burst into tears. "We came…to find you…but you weren't here!"
"We?"
"Hey, Edward."
Edward's gaze flew up, finding Bella a few feet away. She had Bodhi tucked against her hip, a pull-along bag at her side, and a bashful, nervous half-smile on her pretty face. "You…how?"
Bella frowned as she sighed and moved slightly closer. "Archie came over just after you left. He and Kristen…Well, she's gone away, and left the boys with him…" she trailed off, and it took a second or two for Edward to catch onto what she was saying. "Anyway, he pointed out that it was dumb of me to think we could just…let you go."
Marley tapped Edward's cheeks, apparently having caught her breath. She beamed, flashing two rows of pearly white baby teeth. "We're comin' to see Nonno with you!"
"Oh…" Edward breathed, taken aback and more than a little overwhelmed.
He was sad for his friend, who'd put so much effort into his relationship even when Kristen made it difficult. And he was sad for Carl-Roman and Chase, who loved their mother despite her faults. But he was also relieved for them, because with time they'd be able to move on and be happy without Kristen's absence weighing them down or holding them back.
And as for Bella, Marley, and Bodhi going to Italy with him…well, the wide, crooked grin spreading across his face was telling.
"You are?"
Marley nodded hard. "Uh-huh. Mamma says I gotta give Nonno and Nonna lotsa 'mooches and hugs."
Edward turned his gaze back to Bella; she still looked nervous. "You're coming? All of you?"
"Mmhm, if that's okay? I mean, I don't want to intrude—"
"Thank you."
Bella frowned. "Umm, what?"
"For coming." Edward stood and covered the remaining distance between him and Bella in two long strides, carrying Marley with him. He crushed her and Bodhi between his body and Bella's, a shuddering exhale making the little boy giggle as it tickled him.
"Eh-eh-eh!" He cried, reaching for Edward when he stepped back. He took the baby willingly, leaning in to gently bump his forehead against Bodhi's. Bella's eyes filled with tears as she watched the tender moment between man and baby. They were miles apart in appearance, with Edward's dark, coppery brown hair beside Bodhi's almost white-blond curls, but in that moment, they could've been father and son.
Bella watched a tear tumble over Edward's cheek as Bodhi reached up to squish his face between chubby, baby hands. As he pulled away Edward gave the baby an Eskimo kiss and sniffled.
"This is the boarding call for British Airways flight 54A to Rome. We would now like to invite passengers to begin boarding. Please ensure you have your boarding pass and identification ready. Thank you!"
"Uh, that's us."
Bella nodded, her lips curling upward in a slight smile.
"We should go..."
"Mmhm."
Edward couldn't bring himself to move. He couldn't bring himself to pull his gaze from Bella and Marley, in case they disappeared. He squeezed Bodhi instinctively, delighting in the giggle it drew from him. He was a warm, heavy reminder that they weren't a figment of his imagination; he wasn't dreaming.
"I can't believe you came for me."
"To be honest, it wasn't just for you," Bella admitted. "I couldn't…we couldn't just let you go alone."
Edward exhaled hard as he searched Bella's expression, finding nothing but honest vulnerability. His heart raced as he thought he might see a spot of something else, a tiny thread of an emotion he'd only dreamed of seeing in her eyes.
"Eh-eh!" Bodhi dragged Edward's attention away from Bella, flashing his two teeth in a broad smile as he tugged on Edward's nose.
"All right, tesoro. Let's get going, shall we?"
Forcing himself not to dwell on what he might or might not have seen in Bella's eyes, Edward adjusted Bodhi and scooped his rucksack from the floor, heading toward the kiosks to get to the boarding gate, Bella and Marley a few steps behind.
~ oOo ~
It wasn't until they were sitting together on the plane during their ascent into the sky, Bodhi on Edward's lap, Marley to their left in the window seat, and Bella to Edward's right, that he realized something.
"Uh, Bella?"
"Yeah?" She peered up at him, guileless azure eyes enchanting him for a moment.
"Umm, well I just wondered…how did you get these seats?"
Bella rolled her eyes and rested her head back against the seat. "Riley. Dad called him after we left home, and he sent me this text when we were almost at the airport…" She pulled her phone from her pocket, opening up the conversation named 'Riley.'
R – Seats 13B and 13C. Enjoy.
B – What have you done, Riley? Xx
R – Stop being nosy. Say 'hi' to your man for me.
Edward's lips curled up in a wide, crooked, double-dimpled grin. Your man.
"We were going to just buy the cheapest tickets available and get on with it, but when we got here there was a man with my name on a big piece of cardboard by the arrivals sign. He handed me the tickets and said to enjoy our trip; that was it."
With a chuckle, Edward reached up and adjusted his backwards cap. "So I have Riley to thank?"
"Yeah, pretty much. He's too much, sometimes."
"Ooh, Edward, look! Look at the pretty clouds!"
Turning from one of his favorite girls to the other, Edward grinned and leaned in to peer out the window. There were clouds in all different shades of white and gray, the ground disappearing rapidly as they raced ever upward into the sky. The sun was high in its perch, sunlight making the clouds glow white the higher up they flew.
Marley sighed, the sound sweet and relaxed.
"Are you okay, little sweet?"
She glanced up at him. "Edward, I'm glad you didn't go without us."
A jolt of happiness spread through his veins as he took in her precious face. She had a sweet button nose, Cupid's bow mouth, and sun-freckled cheeks framed by bouncy, chocolate ringlets. Marley's eyes were her defining feature though. Wide, bright, and expressive beyond comprehension, her gaze was just as enrapturing as her mother's. A year with her family had lent her a new wisdom and sense of intelligence, but her innocence still shone through in her guileless eyes and loving spirit. As Edward gazed down at Marley with love swelling in his chest, he realized that all the things Carlisle and Esme had told him over the years, all the diatribes about the love he would feel for his children if he ever had them, were true.
Marley wasn't his child, and Bodhi wasn't either. But as Marley offered him a cheeky smile and Bodhi shifted in his lap to reach up and stroke his five 'o clock shadow, Edward was absolutely certain that he knew what Carlisle and Esme meant. The love for them was all encompassing and overwhelming in its warmth.
"I'm glad, too. Thank you for coming with me, little sweet."
"S'okay." Marley leaned in to Eskimo kiss her brother, then caught Bella's gaze. "Mamma, can I have my coloring book? Please?"
"Of course, baby. One second…" Bella dug through her bag, fishing out a box of crayons and Marley's coloring book. Once Marley was sitting comfortably with her fold-out table pulled down, Bella passed them across Edward and Bodhi.
"Thank you, Mamma."
"MammamaMA!"
"All right, big guy," Bella laughed at her rowdy son, taking him from Edward's lap when he reached for her. She stood him on her knees, smiling when he immediately started bobbing up and down on his chunky legs. "He loves doing this," she murmured.
Edward grinned, asking, "do you think he'll be walking soon?"
"Probably." Bella sighed wistfully. "He's already crawling really well. He'll probably start complaining soon that he wants to get down to crawl around."
"And I've seen him pull himself up, so it won't be long before he's walking along stuff, if not just full-on running everywhere."
Edward almost welled up thinking about the first time he'd seen Bodhi pull himself up.
"Edward, look! Quick, come here!"
Edward quickly set down the orange juice he'd been pouring and stepped into the living room, a huge, crooked grin spreading across his face when he spotted Marley and Bodhi. They were exactly where he'd left them a few minutes ago – both laying on their backs on the floor, their heads parallel so they could 'talk' to one another.
As he watched, Bodhi rolled himself over onto his belly, planking with a big, two-toothy grin for his beloved sister before he pushed up on his hands and knees and took off toward the coffee table. It had been pushed out of the way while the babies, Carl-Roman, and Marley played, but Carl-Roman and Chase had gone home now, leaving Marley and Bodhi to roll around to their hearts content. Apparently, Bodhi was bored with staying still.
"Watch this, Edward. It's sooo cool." Edward chuckled, in love with how much Marley adored her baby brother.
Edward's eyes were trained on Bodhi as he stopped in front of the coffee table, looking up at it for a few seconds before sitting back on his legs and contemplating his task. With a determined little frown on his face he reached up, grabbing at the edge of the table. Once he had a firm grip he grunted and pulled hard until he was on his feet, clutching at the table-top with both hands as he turned to shoot his sister a wide, proud smile.
"Well done, baby Beesy!" she cooed, using the nickname she and Edward had come up with when they put together his first three initials for a family tree they made – B. E. C. Marley had giggled and said it sounded like 'Beesy,' and it was beginning to stick. "You're so clever, yes you are, yes you are." Marley planted loud kisses all over Bodhi's head and face, tickling his chubby belly until he gave her the full-on belly chuckles she was hoping for, dropping back to the carpet to roll around on his back with his legs kicking in delight.
Later that day, Bella had cried with laughter when Edward showed her the video he'd managed to take of Marley tickling Bodhi, then she'd informed him that he absolutely had to send it to her along with the two photos he'd taken. The first was of Marley and Bodhi lying beside one another, Marley's arm tucked around Bodhi. The second was of the duo curled together on the sofa an hour later, fast asleep and angelic with relaxed faces and crazy curly hair.
"Eh-eh!"
Edward was pulled from his memories by Bodhi's cheerful call. He grinned at the baby boy as Bella leaned in to kiss his mop of curls before passing him over to Edward. "I'm convinced he's trying to say your name," she murmured.
"Ah, he's just vocalizing. Isn't that what Esme said? That they all start doing this at his age?"
"Yeah, but he's almost got 'Mars' down, and he only ever makes that 'eh' noise when he wants you." A strange, wistful, almost sad look crossed Bella's face as she watched Bodhi lean in to bump his forehead against Edward's, Bodhi's hearty giggles drawing more than a few smiles from the passengers sitting nearby as Edward blew raspberries against his sweet, button nose.
It was such a beautiful sight; albeit, a bitter-sweet one.
Not for the first time, Bella foolishly wished that Edward could've been the father of her babies. He was so wonderful with them both, and they adored him. He was a brilliant man, inside and out, and it made her sad to think that her son and daughter would never get to feel the unconditional love of a dad. Sure, they had lots of family members and friends doting on them, but it wasn't the same. Bella got choked up thinking of her dad and their bond, knowing Marley and Bodhi wouldn't experience that for themselves.
He loves them…just like he loves you!
Bella sighed, pretending to hunt through her bag when Edward shot her a questioning look.
Her subconscious had been getting louder and louder in recent weeks; ever since their return from Italy, Bella had been realizing what an idiot she was.
Edward's love shone through in everything he did. He woke early every morning and wandered down the street from his aunt and uncle's house, to Charlie's, where he would either take over with Bodhi's first feed if Bella was feeding him downstairs or make a start on breakfast so that she'd have less to do once Bodhi had finished eating. Now that Bodhi was on solids as well as his bottles, there was a lot more mess – Edward often took care of it while Bella cleaned Bodhi.
Then, Marley would join them in the kitchen. Usually, she scaled Edward and 'helped' him prepare whatever breakfast he'd begun making.
Bella had a framed drawing of her on Edward's hip, still dressed in her 101 Dalmatians pajamas as they cooked pancakes a few weeks previous. Edward was sporting only a pair of cropped, gray sweatpants and the slippers Marley picked out for him for his birthday back in April. Marley had her head resting against Edward's shoulder, her little arm wrapped tight around his back.
Every time Bella looked at the image on the wall above Marley's bed, she was hit with a pang of longing.
He loves them… just like he loves you! The ever-present voice called from the back of her mind.
Bella had to admit her subconscious painted a pretty picture. A sweet family unit; two parents and their two babies.
A dad for Marley and Bodhi.
But it wasn't that simple, was it? Could it possibly be as easy as Bella's mind accepting what her heart already knew?
Sometimes, while she watched her babies growing increasingly enamoured of Edward, Bella thought that it might be.
"Mamma, look! I drew us."
Bella pulled her head from the clouds and peered around Edward to better see Marley's latest artwork; inwardly, she sighed; outwardly, Bella plastered a smile across her face.
"That's brilliant, baby girl. Well done!"
Marley had drawn her favourite subjects. Edward and Bella were in the middle, holding hands of course, with Marley on Edward's hip, Bodhi on Bella's. They were all smiling goofily and surrounded by lots of red and pink hearts.
"This is 'cause we all love each other lots and lots," Marley added seriously, pointing to the hearts. "Right?"
Out of the corner of her eyes, Bella saw Edward grinning, his whole face lighting up as his dimples popped. "We sure do, little sweet."
He leaned over, pressing a kiss to her curly mop before giving Bodhi the same treatment against his nose. Bodhi found this hilarious and laughed loudly as he tugged on Edward's face.
Oh God, what is this man trying to do to me? Bella thought with a rising sense of resignation and dawning awareness. I don't stand a chance against sights like this.
~ oOo ~
"Edward, look! It's your house! I can see it, I can see it!"
Marley bounced in her seat, pointing at the looming house as it came into view.
Beside Bella in the front seat, Edward chuckled and nodded. "Well done, little sweet. You saw it first; that means you win a prize. What do you want as your reward?"
"Hmmm…" Bella twisted, eyeing her daughter's pensive expression before quickly checking on Bodhi. He was fast asleep in his car seat, snoring softly.
"You can always tell us later, little sweet, you don't have to decide now."
"'Kay. I'll tell you later."
They arrived at the garage then, Edward using the fob from the door compartment to open the door before driving into the empty space. His father, Antonio, had brought his car to the airport so they wouldn't have to wait for a cab or queue for a rental. Now, at almost seven p.m. and after travelling, he was ready to fall into bed and sleep for a week.
"Alright, everybody out."
Bella released Marley from her car-seat, meeting Edward at the trunk. He was carrying a sleepy Bodhi in one arm, the changing bag over the other. Edward's smile was soft as he eyed Marley, who was obviously tired, and her equally weary mother.
"Shall we head straight in to bed? Or are you hungry?"
"I'm okay. Baby girl, are you hungry?"
Marley frowned, holding her tummy. "A little bit."
"Alright, new plan. How about we build a fort and have a picnic inside? Then, when we're tired, we're already in bed."
"Yeah, a fort! Mamma, can we build a fort?"
Bella was exhausted - from the stress of waking yesterday to news of Edward's imminent departure; from trying to act upbeat about it even though the mere idea of him leaving was tearing her apart; from the sleepless night; and then the panicked rush to the airport to try and catch Edward before he left.
All she really wanted was to crawl into a bed somewhere, anywhere, and snuggle her babies.
A blanket fort full of her three favourite people sounded perfect for that.
"Sounds great to me!"
Marley cheered, bouncing a little. Seeing his sister obviously excited, Bodhi let out a high-pitched squeal and clapped his hands together as Edward carried him toward the house.
"All right, tesoro. I'm going as quick as I can!" Edward chuckled, expertly juggling the baby, bag, and his keys.
Bella trailed behind with Marley, unable to look away from the sight of Edward looking so domestic as he grinned at Bodhi, his tesoro - his treasure.
"Killing me," she mumbled under her breath, looking down at her feet and willing the butterflies flapping about in her stomach to settle down.
Marley tapped her mother's face, frowning with a slight tilt to her head. "What did you say, Mamma?"
Beet-red in the face, Bella refused to look at Edward - she could feel his gaze on her - and simply told her daughter, "nothing, baby girl. Look, shall we go inside? Edward's going in."
With Marley's attention successfully diverted, Bella breathed a sigh of relief and followed Edward into the house.
~ oOo ~
"Mm-mm-mmm. Dee-licious!"
Bella and Edward laughed, watching Marley suck syrup from her tiny fingers. As usual, she'd drowned her pancakes. Bella had warned him to watch her with the bottle while she took Bodhi to change his nappy, but when she'd returned she found a sheepish Edward and a very pleased Marley holding a plate of syrup with a side of pancake.
"I'm glad it was up to your standards, little sweet."
Marley beamed. "It was sooo good, Edward! Don't tell Pawpaw, but your pancakes are the best in the whole world, ever!"
Bella snorted, wiping Bodhi's face with a wet wipe before handing him his stuffed teddy bear. He flopped back into his DockATot, content to suckle his beloved binky and cuddle his bear. Bella knew, thanks to his droopy eyes and minimal complaints about being laid down, that it wouldn't be long before he crashed.
As she glanced over at Marley, Bella knew it likely wouldn't be long before she, too, was asleep, even after the mountain of sugar she'd consumed.
Speaking of…
"C'mon baby girl, let's go get your teeth brushed and jammies on."
Marley hopped up, following her mother from the impressive blanket fort; Marley and Edward had erected it while Bella fed Bodhi. It took up almost the entire living room and was filled with two twin mattresses covered with any and all blankets or throws they'd been able to find. They'd also scoured the nearby bedrooms for a mountain of pillows, and Edward had removed the fairy lights from the mantle to cast a soft glow inside the tent. They were clipped to the sheet with pegs, which were also what they'd used to keep the edges of the blankets attached to the chairs forming the structure. It was almost womb-like, cosy and comfortable without being restrictive. Even Edward could sit up without crouching, though the top of his scruffy, copper 'do brushed the 'roof' on occasion if he ventured too near to the sides.
Bella and Marley made it to the bathroom without any wrong turns. Bella pulled the small, metal bin over to the sink, using it as a step-stool for Marley so she could reach the taps. Fishing through the toiletry bag she'd packed in a panic, she found Marley's 101 Dalmatians singing toothbrush and strawberry flavored toothpaste. Because Marley always liked to use half a tube, given the chance, she quickly put the pea-sized dollop on the end of the brush and passed it to Marley before she could protest. Thankfully, Marley was tired enough, and eager enough to get back to Edward and Bodhi in the fort, that she didn't argue and pushed the button to start the musical brush, scrubbing her teeth just like she'd been shown.
"Mamma, I like it here," she garbled a few seconds later around the end of the red toothbrush.
Bella, perched on the edge of the tub, smiled softly. "I do, too, baby girl."
"And I love Edward lots."
Bella's smile turned wistful. There's that longing again. "I know you do. He loves you, too."
Marley scrubbed her teeth for a few more seconds. "Mamma, Edward loves you, too. Auntie Rose and Uncle Emmy said it. I heard them." She cocked her head, foam bursting from her mouth, blue-green eyes questioning. "Do you love Edward?"
"Uh, I-Marley, it's not that…umm, of course I do."
It was impossible to miss the way Marley's expression brightened at her admission. "You do?"
More than I can explain to you, baby girl. "Don't forget your front teeth," Bella murmured, smiling when Marley returned her gaze to the mirror to brush her front teeth.
~ oOo ~
Edward lowered his hand, letting his fist fall to his side. He stepped away from the bathroom door and sighed, reaching up to remove his cap and run his free hand through his hair.
"Umm, of course I do."
"Umm, of course I do."
"Umm, of course I do."
"She does?" Edward whispered, unable to stifle the smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Hearing Bella telling Marley to dry her face on the hand towel, he quickly hustled back to the living room with the covers he'd gone to retrieve from his room. He'd just settled on the floor outside the tent, after peeking in to check on Bodhi, who was fast asleep just as he was when Edward had left him, when Bella and Marley appeared in the doorway.
Bella frowned. "What are you doing out there?"
"I didn't know if you'd be comfortable with me," he waved toward the tent, abruptly feeling a bit stupid, "you know, sleeping in there with you guys."
Marley shot a withering look at Edward before rolling her eyes and clambering into the tent. "C'mon, Edward! You're being silly!"
Bella's expression switched from confused to frustrated within a second; Edward grinned, knowing how much she hated the eye-rolling.
"She's right; you are being silly. Of course, you can stay in there with us."
Warmth bloomed in Edward's chest. He'd wanted to camp inside the fort with his favorite three people, of course, but he hadn't wanted to presume Bella would be comfortable with that arrangement.
Baby steps, Edward constantly had to remind himself.
Marley's huff was audible, even from Bella's and Edward's positions outside the fort. She stuck her head out of the opening, looking between the adults with a wide, mischievous smile. "I've decided what I want for my prize."
"Your prize?" Bella asked.
"Mmhm. You know, for seeing the house first? Edward said I can choose later, if I want." Marley looked to Edward, who was wearing a small smirk. "Edward, I want you to sleep in the fort with us. That's my prize."
"It's up to Mamma, little sweet."
Marley's eyes swiveled to Bella. The pleading, puppy-dog look would have broken Bella even if she had wanted to say 'no.'
"Get in the fort, Edward," Bella sighed, waving him in with a smile.
Marley disappeared with a giggle and a soft cheer. Edward gestured for Bella to go ahead first, then failed miserably at averting his eyes from the view as she crawled into the fort, clad in just a pair of tight, black leggings and a loose tank top. When he made it inside a few seconds later, willing his over-eager body to calm itself, the sight was almost too adorable for him to bear.
Marley and Bodhi were sandwiched in the middle – Bodhi still comfortable in his nest. Bella was sitting to their left, leaving a gap big enough for Edward over on their right. He was grateful to see she'd left him the side with the highest section of roof. Edward crawled into his spot, unable to resist pulling his phone from his pocket to take a photo. He switched the camera to 'selfie mode' and held it out with his left hand, angling it so that all four of them were on the screen before snapping a couple of shots.
"Is it good?" Bella murmured. She smiled wide when he handed over his phone and showed her the photo he'd quickly set as his home page. They both looked tired, and Marley was sleepily holding her stuffed bunny over her head with droopy eyes, but it was a beautiful picture.
"I'll send it to you," Edward promised as he took his phone back and set it down beside him, checking that he'd switched off his alarms. Bella copied, and they both peered over Marley and Bodhi with soft, sleepy expressions.
"Are you comfy?"
Bella nodded. "Very. You?"
"This is perfect," Edward sighed, even though he knew 'perfect' didn't even come close to how right this set-up felt.
"Night Mamma, night Edward," Marley mumbled, rolling onto her side to face Bodhi. Bella and Edward whispered their 'goodnight's, but it was obvious she was beyond responding when her soft snores began only seconds later.
They smiled at each other over the babies' heads, and fell asleep quickly.
~ oOo ~
The following morning, Edward was very quickly reminded of the reason for their trip to Italy.
Over omelets, bacon, and freshly squeezed orange juice courtesy of Antonio, Edward reached for his phone with trepidation as it rang, spinning on the table-top.
"Are you gunna geddit?" Marley mumbled around a mouthful of eggs and bacon.
"Manners, baby girl. Don't talk with your mouth full, please," Bella chided gently, offering Edward a soft, reassuring smile when he looked to her as he answered the call.
"Nonna, how are you?"
Bella busied herself with feeding Bodhi, unable to resist snapping photos of his egg-covered face to send to their family back home. It only took a minute or so for the replies to pour in.
Just like his Pawpaw! Tell the kids Pawpaw loves them. Love you too, Bella. And give Ed our love – Pawpaw Charlie.
Aw, bless him! I miss you guys so much :( Give Edward big cuddles from all of us! Hope Connie and Enrico are okay xxxx – Rosalie.
Good boy, Beesy! Hope you're all good. – Emmett. Short and sweet, but perfectly to the point.
We'll see you shortly, just leaving the airport. Give those babies big kisses from Mimi and Carl! 3 – Esme.
Bella glanced at the clock. It would take around an hour to drive to Edward's house from the airport. Judging by Edward's fidgeting, he might have already left to head to the hospital by then. She quickly responded to Esme telling her so, and was surprised at her response.
Are you not going with him to the hospital?
Truthfully, Bella hadn't thought a lot about what would happen when she was rushing to the airport yesterday. She'd been heartbroken about Edward's departure and stressed about Marley. She hadn't moved from her bed since Edward left, even with the bribe of pancakes – her absolute favorite. Even when Archie had arrived just ten minutes later, Carl-Roman and Chase in tow, she'd refused to leave her bed.
As Bella had gone downstairs to see what was wrong with Archie, Marley's sobs had shattered what was left of her optimism that they'd be okay while Edward was gone.
Then Archie had explained what had gone on.
Bella stared at her brother's weary face, his red-rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks. "Archie…what's wrong? Tell me, please; you're scaring me."
"Kristen's gone," he muttered.
"What do you mean, 'gone?'"
Archie huffed and raked a hand through his hair. The desolate look in his eyes made Bella's chest hurt; she snuggled Bodhi close, inhaling the sweet scent of his baby shampoo from his curl-covered head.
"We argued…again. Nothing new there. She was supposed to have gone to New York on Saturday for some client meeting. Did you know that?"
Bella hesitated. She did know that, but only because she'd seen paperwork on the hall cabinet. The kids had knocked some papers down while they were charging around and she'd paused to right it. Her reading had improved a lot since her return to England, so she'd been able to make out the general gist of the writing. There were two airline tickets from Gatwick to JFK, and the details for the reservation at the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel.
Bella didn't want to admit that she'd noticed the reservation was for two people and only one room.
"She mentioned an upcoming trip last week, but I didn't know she was supposed to go yesterday," Bella hedged.
"She was meant to fly out Saturday afternoon. When I told her that she couldn't go because of the party, and asked why it couldn't wait until the following morning, she said 'it's too important, I have to be there.' She couldn't understand why I was upset or why I was frustrated at her for putting the meeting before me and my birthday. I asked why she had to be there and she just said that she's up for a big promotion, but she's been saying that for years now. It's always another promotion, another trip, another crucial meeting…" Archie breathed out a shaky exhale, looking as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
"Did you know…Kristen's never once been here for either of the boys' birthdays? She's always missed their parties, and I don't think she's ever picked out a present for them. I do all of that. I buy the gifts and make the cake and invite everybody. She actually forgot Carl-Roman's fourth birthday. She was in America…somewhere, I can't even remember now…and I called her to see if she wanted to say 'happy birthday,' but she was in a meeting or something. Her phone was switched off. When she called me back she asked what I wanted and why I'd called, knowing that she had a bunch of 'critical' meetings."
Listening to Archie speak, Bella had never felt so sad for her brother. Outwardly, he had it all. A pretty fiancée, two gorgeous sons, a good job which was flexible enough to allow him a leave of absence, though it would soon end, and a house to call his own. He had a loving family which had been put back together again after a horrific crime, and he had his health.
But looking at him now, seeing the downtrodden man who constantly put up a happy front for his loved ones, Bella felt nothing but hate for Kristen. She'd whittled away at him behind closed doors for so long, never showing her true colors in public.
"Daddy?" Carl-Roman appeared in the kitchen doorway, baby Chase walking at his side. The boys were holding hands, their faces mirroring their dad's sorrow.
"C'mere, boys." Carl-Roman hurried Chase and melted into Archie's embrace when he scooped both boys into his lap, holding them tight against his chest.
"Daddy, where's Mummy?"
Bella's heart broke at the look on Archie's face. How could he explain that Kristen wasn't coming back? Bella was no expert on relationships, but she'd seen enough of her brother's relationship and Kristen's absence to know that she wouldn't be spending a lot of time with her boys. She'd never wanted to before, and without Archie's pestering she likely wouldn't now, either.
"I'll give you a minute," Bella murmured, pausing to kiss each of their heads in turn – Carl-Roman, Archie, Chase – before leaving the room. As she made it to the doorway of the living room she heard Archie begin.
"Boys, I'm sorry, but your Mummy has gone away for a while…"
Bella and Bodhi had remained in the living room for almost an hour before Archie and the boys joined them. Chase was too young to really understand what was going on, and was happy enough with Thomas the Tank Engine on the TV. Carl-Roman was more subdued than usual though, and snuggled into Bella's side on the sofa, leaving Archie to sit on the chair opposite. He looked marginally better. Relieved, almost; like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Are you okay?" Bella mouthed.
Archie paused, seeming to take stock of his emotions, before nodding and managing a weak smile. "I'm…surprisingly okay."
A few minutes passed before he gasped. "Shit, Bella...Edward! He's gone this morning, hasn't he?"
The reminder of Edward's absence hit Bella like a sledgehammer to the heart. She gulped, misery sweeping through her veins. "Yes," she whispered.
Archie's face fell. "I'm sorry. How're you holding up?"
"We're fine, we're fine," she mumbled, almost more to herself than to Archie, like she was trying to persuade herself that she was fine.
"Where's Mars? She still sleeping?"
"No, she's…" Bella sighed. "She's heartbroken, actually. Inconsolable. I don't know how she's going to deal with this. I've been wondering and worrying about what would happen when Edward inevitably left us, but I guess now we know."
Now Archie had never been good at hiding his emotions when they were kids, and he hadn't gotten better at it with age. This was how Bella knew he was itching to say something, but stopping himself.
"What? What is it?"
"Well, why was Edward inevitably going to leave you? Jesus, Bella! Any fool can see he loves you three to pieces. Until Rico got sick he had no plans to leave. Between you and me, he's even been talking to Dad and Uncle Pete about projects they're working on."
Bella frowned, confused. "Why would he want to know about their projects?"
"Houses, Bella. He's been asking about houses. To live in? He doesn't want to live with Carl and Esme forever."
"I don't…umm…" Bella couldn't believe what she was hearing. Edward was looking at houses. To live in. In Eastbourne.
And he loves you, Bella's subconscious added. And Marley and Bodhi.
"His music earns him a lot of money, plus he's got that trust fund from Enrico's parents. He's not hurting for money, squirt. And the houses he's been asking about? They're not for one person…"
This time, it didn't take any time at all for Bella to work out what her brother was hinting at.
Edward's looking at houses for himself…and me, Marley, and Bodhi.
In a way, it seemed awfully presumptive of him to be thinking that way. But Bella couldn't deny that with every passing day, her feelings for him grew stronger, more intense.
More permanent.
He'd admitted already that he loved her, Marley, and Bodhi, so why wouldn't he think about the future? A future in which they would live together, in a house of their own.
The idea petrified Bella, her heart racing and pounding a rapid tattoo against her ribcage. But it also warmed her. The images the idea conjured were sweet and pleasant, and felt nice as they wrapped themselves around her mind and weaseled their way into the fissures of what she'd imagined her future to look like. She could live with Edward in a home where they raised Marley and Bodhi together, where they lived happily as a unit and cooked together, hosted barbecues for their family and supported one another.
Suddenly, the idea of Edward being alone in Italy seemed abhorrent. Bella couldn't stand the thought of him being there in that big house, worrying about his beloved Nonno and Nonna by himself. Why had she let him go without offering to accompany him?
Frustration boiled within her chest.
But she'd never make it there in time. And she couldn't leave Marley and Bodhi, so she'd have to organize their things as well as her own, and find some way to get there.
Archie chuckled, pulling her from her half-formed plan. "Do you need a ride somewhere? The airport, maybe?"
They were delayed when they realized one very important detail – Marley's and Bodhi's car seats were in the backseat of Charlie's car, which was most likely only just arriving at Gatwick.
This had subdued their frenzy somewhat, and they'd spent the next hour waiting for Charlie to return playing with the children. As soon as Bella told Marley of her plan to try and catch Edward at the airport she was revitalized and more excited than anybody had ever seen her; she whizzed around the house, her voice loud and smile bright. Carl-Roman was a little jealous that Marley was getting to go back to 'the cool house with the awesome pool' until Archie reminded him that he had to go to school and he had a football game with his team in two days.
Mollified, he turned his attention to his trains, helping Chase build a track around the living room.
Everyone froze when they heard the sound of Charlie's car rolling onto the driveway. Bella and Archie's gazes locked; one nervous, one gleeful.
Archie had wondered how long it would take for Bella's and Edward's blossoming relationship to become glaringly obvious to his dad. He was fairly confident Charlie suspected something was happening, but he knew their deeper connection would be unable to deny after this.
"Pawpaw!" At the sound of keys in the door, Marley, Carl-Roman, and Chase ran to greet their beloved pawpaw. Bodhi toppled forwards from butt to all-fours to follow them, Bella scooping him up just as he made it to the doorway.
He smiled, slowly and sweetly, as she nuzzled his soft cheek and kissed his head.
"Pawpaw, we're goin' to see Edward!"
Bella winced, hearing her dad's confusion when he asked what Marley meant, reminding her gently that Edward was going to Italy. "Do you think he'll be mad?"
Archie snickered; he was enjoying this far too much for his sister's liking. "I honestly don't know, squirt."
For the first time, it occurred to Bella that she'd never had to do this. Never had to request his blessing to do anything like this. As a teenager, she'd never had to beg to go to parties or to concerts with friends. She'd never had to plead to go away for the weekend, or go on a date with a boy.
And now she was asking for him to let her go to Italy.
Sure, Bella was an adult, and her choices were largely her own. She had money in her account from the fund Charlie set up when she was born, and she had packed the essentials for herself, Marley, and Bodhi to last them at least until she could get to a shop in Italy.
All she needed was Charlie's blessing, because she'd have hated to go without it. And Bella knew she was going. She had to.
"Bella? What's this about going to Italy?" Charlie appeared in the doorway with a creased forehead, Chase in his arms, and Carl-Roman and Marley at his sides.
Here goes nothing…
Needless to say, Charlie had agreed - and had apparently contacted Riley during her journey to the airport with Archie at the wheel.
Bodhi slapping at the table pulled Bella from her memories. She looked down at the phone in her hand, realising the screen had gone dark. Waking it up, she tapped back a response to Esme, promising to do whatever Edward wanted her to, before tucking it into her pocket and refocusing on Bodhi.
Edward was just finishing his call. He set his phone down with a huff and pulled hard at his hair with both hands.
"Are you okay?" Bella asked quietly.
Edward's eyes lifted to her, their beautiful green lightened by the tears swimming within them. "Nonno's stable, but…not good. He's…he's probably not got a lot of time left."
"Oh, Edward," Bella breathed, feeling her own eyes filling with tears. "I'm sorry."
"Edward, what'sa matter?" Marley whined, leaving her chair to clamber onto Edward's lap. She wrapped her arms and legs around his torso like a baby monkey clinging to its mother, snuggling her head under his chin. Edward visibly sighed, looping his arms around Marley and holding her close as he lowered his head, sucking in a deep breath against her curly hair. The sheer sorrow written in his features broke Bella's heart, defeat shaping his bowed frame as he hunched over Marley.
"Nonno Enrico is poorly, little sweet," Bella answered for him, seeing that he was struggling to find words. She mopped Bodhi's face clean, then lifted him from the highchair and moved to take the chair Marley had occupied a minute previous. She edged closer, reaching out to rest a hand on Edward's shoulder. Marley tilted her head, peering at Bella from behind a curtain of chocolate ringlets.
"Is he in hop-sital?"
Bella smiled slightly. "Hospital, baby. Not hop-sital. Yes; Enrico is in hospital."
"Like…ummm, like when baby Bodhi was born?"
"Yes."
Marley frowned, squeezing Edward when he inhaled a shaky breath. "So, ummm, the doctors are looking after him? And giving him med'cine?"
"Yes, the doctors are looking after him and trying to help him feel better," Bella paused, because she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to promise that the doctors would be able to help Enrico. It wasn't certain that they'd be able to, and Bella didn't want to break Marley's heart by making promises she wasn't able to keep.
Marley had matured in a multitude of ways since their return to England, but she was still a very literal thinker, particularly when Bella or Edward told her things. She took their words to heart; she trusted that they'd always tell her the truth. In times like this, Bella wasn't sure what was for the best, and she desperately wished she had Esme or her dad to lean on for reassurance and guidance.
"Eh, eh, eh!" Bodhi babbled, leaning almost out of Bella's arms to reach for Edward.
Edward opened his arms, scooping Bodhi into his lap alongside Marley. "Hey, tesoro. Now I have my two favorite little ones; my little sweet and my tesoro," he murmured, snuggling them both close.
Bella rose from her seat, gathering the forgotten plates from the table and carrying them to the kitchen. Edward looked like he could use a moment, and if she was honest, she needed a moment to herself as well.
She'd thought her heart was breaking when she was kidnapped thirteen years ago.
She'd thought her heart was breaking when she was systematically abused by her abductor for over a decade.
She'd thought her heart was breaking when she gave birth to a helpless baby girl when she was still just a child herself.
She'd thought her heart was breaking when she'd escaped, returning home to her family only to be stolen away once again, almost losing her baby, her best friend, and her life in one day.
And she'd thought her heart was breaking when Edward left her behind yesterday morning.
But Bella was wrong.
Watching Edward drawing strength from her babies, his little sweet and his tesoro, was tearing her to pieces. Watching him come to the realization that he was going to lose his beloved Nonno was absolutely gut-wrenching.
And watching Edward, her sweet, kind, loving, family-oriented Edward, knowing how much pain he was in, was breaking her heart into a million pieces.