As soon as the plane landed, I checked my phone. Alice's text message, "Love you both!" seemed perfectly innocent, but it told me what I needed to know. Alice and I had anticipated that Bella might ask to read any message from her, and we had agreed on a code. These words indicated that nothing had changed.
Sprinting through the airport would be rude, but Bella walked very rapidly from the gate to the lobby. She didn't trip or even stumble. I was impressed. Renee was waiting to wrap her daughter in a long hug. Then she held her at arm's length, and carefully examined Bella's face and expression. She looks different. Older, naturally. And the last time I saw her, she was not herself. I flinched as I saw Bella in her mind, as she was then. A week after I left her. I struggled to maintain my composure. Charlie never thought of that time. Until now I'd been spared this evidence of my folly. But I had to maintain a pleasant expression.
"Mom, you look great!" Bella's face was alight with happiness.
"So do you. Both of you." Renee turned to me and pulled me into a hug. That was sweet of her, considering she was just recalling how much pain I'd caused her daughter. But her mind had quickly turned back to Bella in the present. Now she looks confident, purposeful. It's wonderful to see her looking so together.
"It's very nice to see you again," I said politely, still reeling internally from the vision of Bella pale, hollow-eyed, unanimated. "Thank you for inviting me."
We headed for the garage, and Bella and Renee chatted about our flight, Charlie and the end of the school year. "Phil's busy this evening, and I thought the three of us could just go out for dinner," said Renee as we merged with traffic leaving the airport. Her mind was still overflowing with joy. I forced myself to focus on the present. Renee's happy thoughts helped to calm me.
"Don't you miss my cooking?" asked Bella.
"I don't want you to have to cook! This should be a vacation for you." I have missed her cooking, and everything else about her.
"It is a vacation because I'm spending time with you." She reached over to squeeze her mother's hand.
"Where should we go? What's your favorite kind of food, Edward?"
I remembered Bella asking me the same question. But I didn't think "mountain lion" was the right answer now.
"Anywhere is fine. I'm not hungry at the moment."
"Really?" I thought teenaged boys were always starving. Phil's team could eat six meals a day.
"They gave us food on the plane. It didn't look very good, but I ate it anyway, just because it was there. And since Bella was taking a nap, I ate hers too."
"Right," said Bella slowly. "Edward, you must be stuffed. I hope you don't mind sitting through dinner with us."
"I don't mind at all." I noticed her attempt to play along with my lack of appetite and pondered for a moment. Bella's help with my necessary deceptions could be valuable. But she was far from an expert liar. I might be better off managing the charade on my own. My special gift and decades of experience had enabled me to fool every human I'd encountered. Until Bella, of course. I'd play any part or cope with any obstacle for her sake. Whatever happened, I'd make it work.
"Let's get something that we don't have in Forks," she continued. "What about that Thai place you told me about?"
They placed their orders, and Renee excused herself from the table. I took the opportunity to pour ice water from my glass into Bella's. It was so humid. Humans had to drink a lot of fluids here.
"Are you planning to eat nothing the whole time we're here?" Bella asked sharply, as soon as Renee was out of hearing.
"I'll eat if I have to, and I probably will have to," I said quietly. I looked into her eyes, picked up her hand and began tracing circles on it. "Please don't worry. I can tell if my behavior is bothering someone and make adjustments. Remember, you're the only one whose reactions I'm not sure of."
She was starting to relax under my gaze, but she shook her head slightly and frowned.
"I'm not worried about whether you can fool everyone. I know you can do that. I'm worried about you."
"I don't understand."
"I know how awful it is for you to eat food." She looked anxious.
"Truly, I don't mind, love. There are many things I have to do. Eating food is not even close to being the hardest."
She sighed. I had no idea what was troubling her. Was she still concerned about what I might have to endure to pass as human? Did she doubt my ability to pull off the charade, despite her denial? I'd alluded to the burdens my family and I carried. Had I reminded her of the negative aspects of the identity she was so eager to assume?
"I'm fine," I insisted. "What would bother me is if I thought you were worried about me and not enjoying this visit."
"Are you sure?"
"Very sure." I leaned closer and locked my gaze on her chocolate brown eyes. This time her lips curved into a dreamy smile and her heart beat quickened. She inhaled, and I knew she was absorbing my scent. I was floating away on the love I saw glowing in her eyes. We were both startled by Renee's return.
The two of them chatted energetically throughout the meal. Renee's mind was full of her daughter, and she wasn't troubled by my failure to eat or drink anything. I listened to their conversation, basking in Bella's happiness. She looked over at me frequently and seemed reassured by my rapt expression. Then she knocked over her glass, and I automatically caught it before it fell.
"Thanks, Edward." She favored me with a radiant smile.
How did he do that? "Wow, you have very fast reflexes! I bet Phil would like to have you on his team."
Bella's eyes flickered over to me for a moment and then she returned her attention to Renee. "Mom, I just started reading this amazing book. Angela recommended it…."
"Who's it by?"
Bella's distraction had worked. Renee had forgotten all about the glass.
"Edward, this is Phil," said Renee proudly. The cutest, sweetest husband in the world.
"Edward, nice to meet you." Renee wasn't exaggerating. He's a good-looking boy.
"It's very nice to meet you, sir." We shook hands. His hand is cold. Maybe we should lay off the AC. These two aren't used to Florida weather. Broiling outside and freezing inside.
"Sir? I don't hear that very often. Please just call me Phil." Is this kid in high school? He seems older than my guys. I guess he's just nervous meeting me. I am, gosh, I am his girlfriend's stepfather. I do not feel old enough for that!
"Bella's told us that your family is very athletic." Gotta put him at ease.
"Yes, my brother Emmett especially. But all of us like to get out and run or go hiking."
"Well, you seem pretty fit," Phil continued. In his mind, I saw his intention of punching me gently in the upper arm, and I moved very slightly to absorb the impact. I couldn't let him bruise his knuckles on my body. "Maybe you can come out and warm up with my team tomorrow. Renee probably told you we're in the regional tournament this weekend. We have a game at 10:00 and another at 3:00. I'll be coaching all day. You can go with me in the morning, and Renee and Bella can pick you up."
"That sounds like a great idea," enthused Renee. Male bonding time. Phil's so good with teens. I want to know what he thinks of Edward.
Alice had been certain that the sky would be cloudy until noon.
"Sure. I'd love to."
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, especially since I didn't give you much to start with other than the premise! This chapter is still setting things up. There are definitely more fun moments to come.
