Chapter 42 - Screaming Demon

EDWARD

Once Bella was released from the hospital, I took her home to the house Carlisle and Esme had purchased. I had been staying with them, since Jasper and Alice were married. I suddenly felt like a loser, as I helped her upstairs to the bed. She was supposed to avoid stairs, but there was no way to get to the bed otherwise. Needless to say, she wasn't thrilled about me carrying her up the stairs. Esme said she was most likely just self-conscious about her baby weight.

Esme brought little Elizabeth up the stairs to a basinet that she had picked out. It was so pink and ruffled I was worried I might lose the baby in it.

The baby, my baby, my little girl, it was all still sinking in.

I was kind of glad Bella seemed to take the lead on caring for the baby, because I was at a complete loss. Esme would step in and help her out, when she needed time to sleep or whatever. I pretty much only held her when she was happy and awake, which seemed like almost never. Was it weird that I wanted to hold my baby? I felt like I should get to know her or something. I realized that was stupid, it wasn't like I could ask her what her favorite color was. It would be funny if she said black and told me to get rid of the masses of pink people kept attacking her with.

Bella was napping, and Esme had run to the store. I was left with Elizabeth alone for the first time. Well, sort of. She was in my care and awake, so yeah, this was a big deal. No one would come take her if she started crying. It was me and her. Yes, I admit I did give myself a pep talk, I could do this. I was a dad. I could take care of my little girl.

Esme had been gone for a half hour, when Elizabeth started fussing. I tried changing her diaper. I was pretty sure I got it on right. She just kept screaming and kicking at me as I changed her. "Just remember that move when you start dating," I mumbled to her.

Apparently, it wasn't her soggy diaper that was upsetting her. I tried giving her the pacifier that was left with me, but she wasn't taking it. There was a knock at the door, and I almost ignored it, but I realized I needed help. I was disappointed to find Demetri standing there. The idiot smiled at me. He took my baby girl from me without asking and did the most obnoxious thing. He got her to stop crying. He picked up the pacifier that was clipped to her little shirt and popped it in upside down. I was about to correct him, but Elizabeth seemed to settle right down, sucking away on it with an intense but satisfied look on her face.

He walked past me, holding my baby like he did this every day. "So, how's B doing?" he asked me. I looked at him confused. "What? I have lots of cousins, and being the oldest, I babysat a lot."

I just frowned at him, she was my daughter.

"Edward," I heard from the stairs. I looked up to see Bella coming down. "Where's Elizabeth?" she asked with a hint of worry.

Did she not trust me with my own baby?

"I've got her, B," Demetri answered. "You look like you're doing well," he said smiling at her.

"Hey, D," she said with too much happiness in her voice. That was my happiness; I didn't want to share it! "It's so good to see you."

"Your baby girl is growing fast," he said taking Elizabeth's little hand.

"Not fast enough for you!" I snapped. I hadn't meant to say that out loud.

"Don't worry, Edward, cradle robbing has never been my thing," he said and winked at Bella, or B as he called her. I wanted to strangle him. That was my baby, and I wanted her back now!

Elizabeth fussed a little, and Bella thankfully took her. "Sounds like she's hungry," Demetri said, "Are you breastfeeding?"

"Yes, well, I'm trying to."

"Don't you dare give her breastfeeding tips," I growled.

He put his hands up like he was surrendering. "I was just going to tell her that momma might be able to help her with that, if she wanted to give her a call."

"Thank you, D, I think I will call momma D. I just can't seem to get her settled, and then she falls asleep. I think she isn't eating enough, because she's waking up every hour," Bella whined. "It's exhausting."

"I think momma had that problem with Deondre, she'd know how to fix it, and if not, one of her sisters would."

"Thanks, D, I'll give her a call."

I needed to remind Bella that Demetri was far from a savior. "So, are you taking that job with Barone?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow at me and then smiled at Bella. "I was thinking about it. I wanted to be sure B and baby girl were taken care of first."

"They are."

"Edward," Bella chastened me, "Why don't you go get us something to drink, while I show Demetri to the sitting room?"

I was not happy about this, but I did as she asked. Dang girl had me by the balls. "I don't want you working for Barone, D, it's dangerous," I heard Bella say.

"But think of all the hot cars I'd be able to get my hands on."

"Demetri, if something happened to you, your momma would be devastated. Not only that, what kind of example would you be setting for your brothers?" she asked.

I couldn't help but smile at that one, that was right, put him in his place. "Besides, if you stay here, I'd never see you again."

Crap, maybe I shouldn't have said anything. His working for Barone could have been a good thing.

"S'alright, B, I'm actually going to head back to Seattle. I just wanted to check on you first and make sure you were doing okay. They treating you alright?"

"Yes, Esme is very helpful, and Edward seems to be really trying, I think."

She thinks! She thinks! Of course I was trying!

"Just give him time to adjust to everything, B; this baby stuff is new to him."

She let out a sigh. "I know, but sometimes I wonder if a guy can really be that clueless, I mean hasn't he ever watched TV?"

"Guys don't notice babies, B, don't hold it against him. Maybe you can get him in a class or something, when you get back to Washington."

She must have nodded or something, because I didn't hear her response.

"So, B, I've got to ask. Are you coming home to me, or am I going to be on my own again?"

"Oh, D, I wish I could, but I really need help with Elizabeth, and I know you're busy doing whatever it is..."

He laughed at her. "I know you think I'm messing with illegal shit, baby, but it's legit. I work with a parts dealer and sell to parts stores. I get a good commission off of it."

"Oh, thank heavens," she said, and he burst out laughing.

"You know, it's sweet that you'd be my friend, even if I was into shit."

"Just don't get into it. Okay?"

"I won't. I'm going to miss you, B."

"No, you won't, Forks isn't far, you've been there before, and I'm sure Elizabeth will want to see her favorite Uncle D."

I heard a soft laugh and a kiss. I came rushing into the room, almost spilling the waters I was bringing, only to find D kissing her forehead. "You take care, girl. I've got a flight to catch."

I rolled over Bella's words in my head. I knew she was coming back to Forks with us.

Carlisle had said that maybe the house not selling in Forks was a blessing in disguise. They also had an opening at the hospital in Forks, since one of the doctors there was retiring, so he had a job waiting for him. He had put the house here in New York on the market as soon as he had gotten home from the hospital. He announced last night that they had gotten three offers already, and I was to help get everything packed up.

Alice and Jasper had come to dinner, and Alice was pissed. They weren't happy about us going back to Forks, because they were going to Texas. Jasper had already talked to someone about getting his credits transferred down there. Alice was going with him, but she wasn't happy about it.

"You ruined EVERYTHING!" she shouted at me. "I was in line for an internship with a fashion designer! I was going to have a shot at my dream, and you ruined it with your stupidity!"

She stormed out after that.

It was that night that Carlisle also dropped a bomb on us. He had called Chief Swan, and he was coming out to help us move. When he had asked why we were moving back, Carlisle just had to be honest with him, damn it. I was certain that my acceptability points in his eyes were dropping rapidly.

Bella hadn't said anything about it since it was put out there. I could tell she was nervous about seeing her father. He had known she was pregnant, so I was not sure why she was freaking out so bad. I didn't think she noticed me noticing her checking the calendar and looking freaked out. Her dad would be here tomorrow. If anyone should have been freaking out, it was me. I was the one who had knocked up his baby girl and thereby killed his wife.

Yeah, given everything, I would totally want to kill me if I was him.