Thank you for your patience everyone.
All mistakes in this chapter are mine.
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Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight.
Chapter 15 Back To The Grind
Bella closed the screen door softly behind her as she stepped out onto her little porch. She turned, only to be greeted by Edward's face, smiling at her as he patted the space next to him on the swing. She walked the short length of the porch before placing the baby monitor on the small table next to the swing.
"Well, that's everything then. Thanks for helping me carry it all in Edward. And for sticking by me this past weekend. I don't think I would have gotten through it without your family there." Bella paused, waiting for Edward to stop swinging before she sat next to him.
"Well, don't forget, without my family, you wouldn't have been put in those situations in the first place. I'm so sorry Bella." Edward easily drew her body against his shoulder as continued to swing them. "She didn't put up a fuss going to sleep huh? She must really know her own surroundings."
"Don't change the subject. Listen, your family made a huge difference. You especially. You helped tremendously with her! Seriously." Bella nudged him as she heard his snort of sarcasm. "I felt so much more relaxed, although it probably didn't show much. It was nice to just have that other person there, for backup. I know I have Alice, but I always double check with her, just to be sure that she's ok with it. I never take her for granted because if she weren't there I probably would have broken down a long time ago. This is not for the faint-hearted. But this past weekend, I felt like if Alice wasn't there, then you were, or Esme, or Carlisle. Heck, even your brothers and Rose. I felt like any one of you would have stepped right in to help, and did. I haven't had that kind of support in, well, in forever Edward."
"Do you want it forever?" Edward's voice hitched as he calmed his own heartbeat. Here was his opportunity. "Listen Bella, hear me out. I know there are all sorts of reasons why you would say no right now. But say, five years from now, even one year from now. Do you think you want to be in my family's life, more specifically in my life…forever?"
Tears fell from Bella's face. She glanced out at the night, wondering why she couldn't concentrate. Edward had only ever touched on the subject of sticking around and being there for her and Tansy. But forever? It wasn't a word Bella could even comprehend.
"I'm scared Edward." Bella whispered her biggest fear, her body feeling so cold, she thought she was dropped in an ice cold pool in the middle of a Chicago winter.
"Aw honey. Of what?" Edward pulled her closer, protecting her from the shiver that crept through her body and not entirely sure if it was the cool night air that prompted that shiver. "Talk to me Bella."
"You love Tansy?" Bella's question was said as more of a statement and she felt, rather than heard Edward's affirmative response. "Five years from now, even one year from now. What if it's just me, and I am coming to you…alone?"
The words being said, without ever having a voice to say them, ripped a hole in Edward's own heart as he thought of the little girl mumbling through the baby monitor. With a quick turn of his body, he drew Bella into his lap and held her like a child as she softly cried.
"Bella, alone or not…I'll open my arms for you. Listen to me. You are my life now. I want you in my life, first and forever." Swaying back and forth slowly, Edward pulled Bella's face to meet his gaze, his heart aching at the trails of tears falling down her face. He smiled as he indicated the monitor, red light flashing in the dark and a soft mumbling coming through the speaker. "Now, if you come to me…with a little bit of baggage, you know what I would do then?"
Bella hiccupped and drew her sleeve across her face in an innocently childlike gesture before she answered with a nonverbal shrug.
"I'd open my arms even wider." Edward pulled Bella closer and she moved to straddle his lap, her own denim covered legs on either side of his as they embraced.
Edward held Bella as he felt her arms slip around him. He knew in his own heart that what he was saying was honest and true. Whether or not Tansy was with her in a year, he wanted Bella. Badly. He wanted to hold her and wrap her in a cocoon and never let anything bad near her ever again.
Instead, he settled for wrapping her in his arms as he felt her body go slack against his chest. He registered Bella's soft breaths against his neck and struggled to maintain control over his body. Now was definitely not the time for anything to come between them but he became all too aware of how close Bella sat on his lap…and how tightly she held him even as her body went limp…and how warm her breath was against his neck…how tight his jeans were becoming…
Edward's mind froze as he realized that the warm breath stopped. He could tell by the way Bella's body was pressed against him that she was holding a breath in her, and by how hard her chest was pressed against his, he could tell it was a deep breath. He relaxed when he felt her finally begin to exhale and then tensed when he heard the words he had wanted to hear for weeks.
"I love you Edward." Bella's head fell limply against Edward's shoulder as she felt the last of her cries leave her tired body. Nope, she thought to herself, definitely not for the faint of heart, she thought wryly as she continued to let him just hold her and swing.
"Did you say something?" Edward paused the swing with his long legs and pulled slightly away from Bella as he looked at her questioningly.
"Did I?" Bella answered Edward's question with a question as she scrunched up her face in concentration. Did she say the words out loud? Surprise registered on her face as Edward rushed to explain.
"You said you love me Bella. I heard you. It was whispered, but I know what I heard." Smiling, Edward leaned in and kissed her lips.
Realizing that she must have indeed said them out loud, Bella's brain sent a message to her heart and she realized a moment later that she had said them and even more importantly, she meant them. All three syllables. She smiled against Edward's kiss and moved closer to him as he held her tightly.
The gentle sway of the swing caused each of them to push forward against the other. What started out as an innocent way of holding each other tightly, quickly escalated into a tight embrace with each of them crushing against each other. Keeping up with the motion, the gentle sway was replaced with quick, jerking movements as the wooden swing began to creak with their every move.
"Edward, I'm not sure I can do this." Bella could feel herself getting more aroused with every swing as she kissed Edward deeply.
"Please, just relax and enjoy this moment. I won't ask for anything more from you but you're so beautiful Bella. You don't have to do anything, just simply swing with me." Edward panted the words against Bella's lips and neck. She groaned with pleasure. It had been so long that she knew if she let it continue it would be nothing more than a quickie done in the heat of the moment. Definitely not what she felt their love deserved.
"Edward, please, we have to stop. I can't. Not yet." Bella hated saying the words as she spoke them. Damning Jacob for eternity, she moved to leave Edward's lap, groaning as she did. "I'm not ready for this yet Edward, I'm sorry." Bella moved to the far side of the swing.
"Yet? That implies that you might be one day. You know, I really feel like I could kill Jacob Black for putting you through this." Edward shifted, obviously trying to make himself more comfortable with his current state of arousal.
"There are other reasons too Edward. They may not be what either one of us wants to hear, but they are reasons and they are valid." Bella could feel her cheeks turning pinker, as if it were possible.
Edward turned his gaze forward and look out into the dark night. "Please, tell me what they are then so that I know." He said wrapping his arm around her shoulder and drawing her close to his side.
"I feel all kinds of stupid right now Edward. You are so incredibly sexy and I wish to hell I had no conscience. But, right now, the only thing I can possibly offer you is a lot of emotional baggage. I can't sleep with you, until I am legally divorced from Jacob. Not that I can't because of him, but it's not fair to you and me. We shouldn't have to 'settle' for our relationship. I won't have you be the 'other man' and me become the one who cheated. I know it's only on paper now, but the titles are still there. I think more of you and our relationship than for it to become labeled as an affair." Bella waited for his response.
"Ok, that's a valid reason. I'd argue the point that he has already left and that he probably hasn't been faithful to you these past few months, but I really don't know him. Anyway, that should be coming up soon now that you know Mr. Jenks will be calling you. And I can wait. But you said there were reasons. Which implies more than one." Edward prompted her by giving her a squeeze.
"Ok, now I feel stupid and embarrassed. I'm not exactly safe right now Edward. You know I'm not a virgin." Bella was met with Edward's look of 'duh, obviously' as he glanced toward the monitor. "How do I say this? I mean, I've had my checkup after Tansy was born and I'm ok, but it's just that, I knew by then that Jacob was gone already. And the furthest thing from my mind was ever being intimate with another man. Then I go ahead and meet you. I just never had my prescription filled and..." Edward cut Bella's rant off.
"Bella? Are you trying to tell me that you aren't on any birth control?" Edward asked outright and blatant, causing Bella to rush her answer in defense.
"Well, there just didn't seem to be a need. It's not covered by my insurance and with Jacob gone, I never thought about it. Besides, it just seemed like an added expense where the money would be better used elsewhere. I just never thought about meeting anyone else at that time." Bella turned to face Edward and felt her cheeks flame red. "I'm sorry, I know you have to be disappointed in me."
"That just makes sense Bella. But you should know, this whole time I've known you, you have never disappointed me. If anything, you've just proved to me that you are worth waiting for. When you are free of all this, Bella, I'll be there. You are going to be an amazing woman when you don't have anyone else pulling your strings to make you dance." Edward kissed the top of her head. "Until then, I can wait."
Bella nodded her understanding and lay her head against his shoulder as she took his hand in hers and interlocked their fingers. Edward used his legs to slow the swing back to its calm, gentle sway.
"So, I guess it's back to the grind for you tomorrow then huh?" After enduring the silence for all of ten minutes, Bella tried to change the subject. She had enough of just the man's touch. She needed to hear his voice.
"Yeah. When I checked in with Ben after dinner, he joked about me ever going back or if you had kidnapped me." Edward's hand ran in gentle circles around Bella's back.
"Mmm, if you keep rubbing my back like that, I will kidnap you. How's Angela doing?" Bella moaned softly as she relaxed and felt the tension drain away while Edward continued rubbing.
"She's fine. Ben said she's doing really good except for being tired from keeping up with Benji while trying to relax. I'll let him know you asked about her." Edward whispered his answer as he lightly kissed the top of Bella's head.
They swung for a little longer before Edward stretched and stood to leave. "I hate to say it, but I've got a lot to do at work tomorrow and then I have a meeting at the union hall in the evening. Do you have those fliers from Seth?"
"Oh, yeah, he left them on the dining room table while we were gone this past weekend. I'll go get them. Would you mind taking a few to Esme and Carlisle? It would save me a trip to the city." Bella opened the door to go inside and get the fliers. "How many do you think you'll need?" Bella asked as they went into the dining room.
"Well, how many do you need?" Edward asked her as he looked over it. "Hey, I never noticed that he has a whole night planned for entertainment and all. He seems to have thought of everything."
"Yeah, he's coming through in spades. I'm not sure where I'm even going to put them up. I am currently unemployed and aside from doctor appointments, I really don't go anywhere. I guess I'll just hang them on light poles. Where else am I going to go?" Bella shrugged her shoulders. "I wonder if anyone realizes how incredibly embarrassing this is for me."
"I have an idea, you take one." Edward held the stack out to Bella. She took one. "I'll take care of these." He placed the stack under his arm and took Bella in the other.
"Edward, I can't let you do all the work. Give me more of those back. I hate that everyone else feels like they have to take care of me." Bella sighed and reached out for the flyers.
Edward set them back on the table. "Bella, we don't have to. We want to. Now, I'm going to say goodnight to Tansy and then I'll be back out. Those fliers better still be there on that table when I get back Isabella. Do not make me count them!" Edward's smirk betrayed his serious tone, causing Bella to laugh.
"If you wake her up, you aren't going anywhere except to the rocking chair to get her back to sleep!" Bella gave Edward a shove toward Tansy's bedroom door as she picked up the stack he set down. "I'm counting out some for your parents, that's all."
"What are your plans for tomorrow?" Edward asked, coming back into the room. He looked deep in thought and the strength in his arms as he crossed them in front of him did not escape Bella's notice.
"Emmett and Rose are coming over to try to fix my car. They said they still aren't sure what's wrong with it so they are coming over while Esme watches the twins. Your dad said that Mr. Jenks will be calling me too so I guess I'll just hang out here. Are you sure you want to take all of these Edward?" Bella waved the stack of papers out to Edward. "There's still quite a stack."
Edward took the stack of papers from Bella and lightly tossed them back onto the table causing them to scatter slightly. "I'm taking them. Period." He then reached his arms around Bella, causing her to fall into his embrace and rest her forehead against his chest as he kissed the top of her head. "Bella, will you promise me that you'll call me if you need anything this week? Even if it's just a hand to hold or an ear to talk to. Promise me you will remember that there are people there that care about you and don't forget about them."
"I could never forget them and you." Bella held Edward close and just looked up at his face, her chin now resting against his chest. The tightness of his arms around her let her know that he didn't want to leave any more than she wanted him to. "I know I am sometimes hard to deal with, but for what it's worth Edward, I feel truly lucky to have you in my life right now. Everything just seems to be headed farther and farther South. And there you are to hold me up. It just means more to me than you'll know. I'm going to miss you this week."
"I'm going to miss both of you this week. You'll call me tomorrow right? Even if it's just to say hello? Let me know how things are going?" Edward asked.
"I promise. Oh, and thank you for my Mother's Day present. I really love it. It's so easy to use." Bella nodded at the table where the video camera sat already charged and just waiting for her to use.
"You're welcome. Sorry it wasn't anything romantic but…" Edward's words were cut off by Bella's kiss.
"It's perfect for Mother's Day. It's my very first Mother's Day and my very first present and I intend to use it a lot. The fact that it came from you and your family and Alice just makes it mean that much more." Bella pointed her head up, knowing that if she didn't say good bye now, it was only going to get harder to watch him leave. "Good night Edward."
"Yeah, if I don't leave now, I'm probably not going to." Edward bent his head and kissed her one more time. "Take care of my baby ok?"
In a flash their eyes connected, catching the meaning of his words.
"What?" Bella questioned, her voice faltering.
"My baby. My car Bella. Geez, that sounded awful. I didn't mean it that way. I always call my car 'my baby'. I kinda forgot." Edward shook his head at the way the words between them became mixed up.
"It's okay Edward. I know you didn't mean anything by it." Bella looked away, hoping her voice sounded more casual than she felt. Edward caught on quickly and drew her closer into his arms.
"I have to be honest with you, with us both." Edward pulled Bella's chin up so she had no choice but to lose herself in his gaze. "There has been a few times when I have wished she was my baby, Bella."
"Really?" Bella's eyes searched Edward's looking for a hint of betrayal and found nothing but sincerity.
"More than a few times if I am being brutally honest." Edward punctuated his words with a gentle kiss on her lips.
"You have no idea how many times I've wished that. You're so good with her and every time you hold her I just look at the two of you and call myself seven different kinds of stupid for falling for Jake and his lies. I wish she was yours too Edward." Bella finished her speech with a whisper against Edward's lips.
"Someday Bella." Edward gave her one promise, one last kiss before he picked up the fliers from the table and headed for the door.
The following morning, Bella kept glancing out the window while holding her phone in her hand. She knew it was unfair to unload on Edward, but she was itching to call someone. Alice had left earlier to finish assembling the room and promised she would be back in the afternoon. She debated calling Esme but decided against it after realizing that she would be busy watching the twins while Emmett and Rose…Bella squinted trying to see what Emmett and Rose were doing under the hood of her car.
What were they doing? It certainly didn't look like they were working on her car. To Bella it looked like they were working on adding to their family. She watched through the lacy curtain as Rose bent over to look under the hood of her car, again. Emmett quickly got behind her as they 'looked' at the engine. Bella blushed before closing the curtain and sent up a quick prayer that none of her neighbors were home and watching the mid-day scene.
Sighing, she decided to take advantage of Tansy's nap and just call Mr. Jenks herself rather than wait for him to call her. Anything was better than watching the homemade porno unfold on her front lawn.
"Hi. Umm, this is Isabella Swa..I mean. Shit. No, not that my last name is Shit, I mean it's Black, no not that is black, my name is Black. I mean that's my correct last name, Black." Bella smacked her forehead with her free hand before giving up and adding with a sigh, "I'm trying to reach a Mr. Jenks."
"Isabella. I was going to call you this evening after I heard back from your husband's attorney but now is as good a time as any. Carlisle filled me in on the details and faxed me some documents that you had at his house. I hope you don't mind our intruding, but we have seen this scenario too many times before. Between Carlisle's work at the hospital and my own as an attorney, we thought it best to act quickly. I hope you don't mind?" Mr. Jenks waited patiently for Bella to answer.
"No, no, I don't mind. I mean, I guess it's a good thing to get the ball rolling and I really don't have any idea how to proceed. I mean, I did look at the paperwork and everything but I really didn't understand a lot of it beyond him not wanting anything to do with us anymore." Bella's heart felt heavy in her chest and she made her way to a chair to sit down.
"Well, that's the gist of it. I can guarantee you that we will fight to get compensation of some sort for your daughter…Tansy is it?" Bella waited for the shifting of papers to stop before she answered Mr. Jenks.
"That's right. Tansy. Mr. Jenks, I know everyone thinks I should ask Jacob for money or support of some kind, but I really don't want to. I mean, if he wants to for her sake, that's fine. But I want him to do it because he wants to, not because there is a piece of paper on file in a basement somewhere saying that he has to. Does that make sense?" Bella concentrated on the pile of laundry waiting to be folded on the dining room table and paused only briefly before adding, "Besides, I've managed this far on my own."
"Well, we will see what we can do. That will make things happen a lot easier and quicker. Without your wanting support from him and without his demanding any visitation, I could pull a few strings and get a hearing a lot sooner. It appears from what I've read and what you are telling me that neither of you are going to fight this. This should be quick and easy then. Carlisle almost had me worried there for a bit." Bella could hear the man's soft chuckle through the phone.
"Carlisle and his family have been really great. Everyone seems to be willing to help out." Bella was unsure what else to say. Everyone was making it seem so easy.
"Well, let me see what I can do to help. You'll be hearing back from me soon…" Before Mr. Jenks could finish his goodbye, Bella gasped.
There, peeking out from under a pile of Tansy's clothes on the dining room table was a flyer from Seth. Bella's mind raced. A fund raiser. Carlisle's words rang in her head about the fights that ensue over a child's well-being and at once she felt the wind being knocked out of her. Surely Jacob wouldn't do anything to stop Seth from having the fundraiser, but he did abandon his family. Bella pulled the flyer in front of her and scanned it quickly, ignoring the voice coming through the phone.
"Bella? Hello?" Mr. Jenks voice was becoming louder the more she ignored it.
"I'm sorry Mr. Jenks, I just remembered something that might be important. Or maybe it's not, but I am not sure." Bella's voice couldn't keep up with her mind's thought process and she knew she was stuttering.
"Calm down Bella. Take a few deep breaths. There's no hurry okay? We've got all the time in the world okay? Nice deep breaths." The fatherly concern coming through the phone made it easy for Bella to understand how the man was a friend of Carlisle's.
"Okay, a friend of mine, who is actually a distant cousin of Jacob's, is holding a fundraiser for Tansy. He wants to help with some of her medical costs. I am sure there is nothing to worry about, it's being held in 2 weeks, right before Memorial Day." Bella paused to breathe again. "Mr. Jenks, I know I said I don't want anything from Jacob, but this fundraiser…I could really use the money that is coming from that. Is there any chance that Jake could do something to it?"
"That does complicate things. Until everything is settled, he could try to gain access to it. I want you to listen very carefully to my instructions Bella. Call this friend of yours and make sure you let him know that the money is to go directly into an account for Tansy. You will have to go to the bank and set up a custodial account. Think of it as a savings account for her. Only one person can be named guardian of that account until she is of age. That way, Jake can't touch the money. If this cousin of his has any problem with you doing that, then I want you to cancel the fundraiser. I know you trust this man, but the word 'trust' has a mighty big flame to burn people with. I've seen it happen to one person too many."
"I'm sure Seth won't have a problem with it. He adores Tansy and he's helped me out so much already with small repairs to the house. I'll do what you said though. I just want to make sure that even though Jake won't contribute to her care, he won't be able to take money away that is earmarked for her care." Bella bit her lip as her anger rose inside.
"That's what I want to hear! Fighting words. I want to hear some fight in your voice. Alright, let me see what I can do. Oh, and when is this fundraiser and where is it?" Mr. Jenks last minute question had Bella curious. After all, she had never met the man before and he didn't know her and Tansy except through Carlisle.
"Oh, uh, Mr. Jenks, that's okay, you really don't have to…" Bella stopped as he interrupted her.
"Okay, I'll ask Carlisle. I'll talk to you soon Bella." With those final words laughing in her ears, Bella heard a dial tone and added her laughter to Mr. Jenks. She had no doubt left in her mind that she would be seeing Carlisle's friend at the fundraiser for her daughter.
A week later, Bella walked out of the house and into the fading sunshine, shaking her head. Staring at the two cars in her driveway, she knew she had no choice but to drive Edward's car to the courthouse the next day. She didn't want to, she really would have preferred her car, but it was still not running properly according to Emmett and Rose.
She never wanted to question them, but she seriously wondered if their mechanical skills were as impressive as everyone let her believe. It had been a few days since they had even come to look at it and the last time she had questioned them, they simply told her that they were waiting for parts to come in that they had ordered.
Balancing her tea cup in one hand and the baby monitor in the other, she tried to close the door as softly as possible so she didn't disturb her sleeping daughter. The trip to the doctor's office that morning had left Tansy feeling sore from the poking and prodding and Bella feeling raw and helpless since there was nothing she could do to prevent her daughter's pain.
Placing the monitor on the small table, Bella gently sat down on the swing and folded a leg under her before reaching to grab the thick blanket that was left out from the previous night.
It had only been at Edward and Jasper's insistence that they needed time with their girls that Bella and Alice caved and invited them over for a late night fire the previous night. Neither woman was willing to admit that as the time for Tansy's surgery drew near, they both began feeling anxious. Even though it was still a few weeks away, they had religiously taken to videoing her every day. Edward had even gone so far as to use his phone and set up a face time call between Bella's house and his parents, making sure to even get Emmett and Rose in on the picture. The uncertainty of each day made everyone well aware of what was at stake and Bella couldn't begrudge her new family their time with her daughter.
As she thought back to the previous night, the four adults goofing off around the fire, no responsibility in sight as Tansy was safely tucked in her crib. Bella's heart ached for Edward. Or Alice. Or Esme…
Shaking her head, Bella mentally slapped herself. She and Alice had gone it alone so many times now, she couldn't believe how dependent they had become on others. When did she get so needy? As she stared into her cup, she realized that she had always been that way, but it was only recently that anyone had cared enough to pay attention.
Bella shook her head when she thought back to her last call with Mr. Jenks the previous day. The kind lawyer let Bella know that he had been able to call in a few favors with a few colleagues. The thought that Bella could be a single woman in just a couple of days made her head spin. Barring anything unforeseen happening of course.
Those were the words that chilled Bella's own heart. She knew that Mr. Jenks meant well, and was just trying to be kind but she had asked him to explain what those 'unforeseen' things were. It turned out that Jacob did know about the fundraiser and was informed by his lawyer of the court date.
Even with Seth's assurances to Bella that the money was going into Tansy's newly created bank account, no one, not even his own lawyer, was able to predict what Jacob might do. All Bella knew was the sooner it was all over, the better. She was tired of her reality biting her in the ass. She was single, but married. She was a Swan, but she was a Black. She was a wife, but had no husband. The labels had made her head swim until Alice calmed her down by proclaiming confidently that the dog would not show up in court. It was only to Jasper and Edward that Alice confided she thought Jacob was going to strike someplace else.
Trying her best to clear her head, Bella breathed in the cool evening air and brought herself out of her fog. She desperately needed a full night of sleep and was starting to feel like she was underwater, again. She inhaled the steam from her tea cup and breathed in the spearmint scent, hoping it would relax her.
Like the answer to her prayer, she saw Jasper's car turning into the drive. It had barely stopped before Alice jumped out and sprinted up the steps to her. Bella couldn't help but smile at her friend as she plopped down next to her.
"We brought sustenance. And liquid fortification." Alice gestured toward the car where Edward and Jasper were carrying a bag of food and a case of beer.
"Thanks Alice, but I don't think I could eat anything." Bella felt her stomach tighten just thinking of food. Alice nodded her head sympathetically.
"I know. That's why we stopped and I got you these." Alice reached into the pockets of her jacket and pulled out two small cans of a protein supplement. Bella laughed as Alice placed the cans on the small table. "It's not funny Bella. You are losing weight and now is not the time for you to stop taking care of yourself."
Reaching over, Alice gently brushed strands of Bella's limp hair from her face. She took the tea cup from her and placed it on the table.
"Yes Mother." Bella laughed as she watched Jasper and Edward set up shop on the side of the house near the firepit. Craning her head, she could see Jasper attempting to light a fire while Edward pulled the chairs closer. "I guess we should go down there huh?"
"You don't have to. You always have a choice Bella. Jasper and I are going to veg out down there but you Edward can do whatever you want." Alice stood and gave her friend a quick hug.
Picking up the monitor and leaving the cans and her tea cup behind, Bella reluctantly followed, knowing Edward was waiting for her to come to him. She knew that if she stayed put, he would eventually join her on the porch, but she had to admit to herself that company and conversation sounded better than the constant chatter of her restless mind alone.
Edward met her halfway and wrapped his arms around Bella warmly. Still sensing her shiver he pulled away and questioned her?
"Are you cold? You're shivering." He asked her with concern.
"I am shivering. But it's not from the cold." Bella looked down as she said the words, hiding her smile from his prying eyes.
"Silly girl. Come here." Edward's arms wrapped around her again and kept her there until he felt a warmth rush up his back. "Finally got that fire going Jasper?" He said without turning to even look at his brother.
"Not me. That was all Alice." Jasper's reply had the four of them laughing.
"With Alice and fire, bigger is always better." Bella stepped back from Edward's embrace and shifted to turn them both facing the fire, catching the glint in Alice's eyes as she played with the flames, poking at them with a long stick as Jasper stood protectively nearby.
To Edward, Bella whispered, "It's one of the reasons I have the firepit on this side of the house, conveniently located near the hose."
"I heard that Bella." Alice laughed as she put the stick down near the pit and sat in a chair. Jasper quickly took the seat closest to Alice's.
"Are you okay with us coming over again tonight?" Edward stayed put, his arm still around Bella as they stood nearby.
"I always am okay with you coming over. I have court in the morning, so I guess I should at least try to get some kind of sleep, but I am always happy to see you." Bella motioned towards the chairs and Edward took the cans and monitor from her hands.
After settling the items in plain view on a small table, Edward reached over and took a can from the cooler near Jasper's feet and then joined Bella, taking the last empty chair and dragging it right next to her before sitting down.
"You guys are both drinking? Who's driving?" Bella's concerned look flashed from Jasper to Edward and back again before catching a smug look on Alice's face.
"You didn't tell her?" The look of shock on Edward's face was comical as Alice continued to smirk over at Bella.
"Tell me…" Bella let the end of her sentence hang, waiting for someone to finish it for her.
"I guess I forgot to tell you that they were staying over to join us tomorrow in court. It was the obvious solution." Alice turned away from Bella to stare at Jasper as she felt his hand tighten around hers in support.
"You forgot? To tell me what? That they were staying over? Or that they were coming with to court? I can't believe this. Alice!" Bella had to raise her voice to draw Alice out of her Jasper-induced trance.
"What? It's no big deal. It's just a few drinks and then bedtime. Calm down Bella." Alice turned to face her slowly, her reluctance at leaving Jasper's face evident. "What is the problem?"
"Bella, if you want, we can go. I don't want to make you uncomfortable." Edward shook her arm gently, drawing her out of her fog.
Bella took a moment to process the change in plans, shaking her head before she answered.
"No, it's fine. I mean, I would have liked some kind of warning before it was sprung on me but what's done is done." At the look on Edward's face, Bella continued, "Honestly Edward, there's nothing wrong with it. Disruptions to my plans are never a good thing, but this is okay. It's a good kind of disruption." Bella finished with a smile, knowing that even though it was a change in plans, there was no real harm done and she needed to roll with it, needed to learn to roll with the changes instead of fighting against them.
"As long as you're sure." Edward leaned back, visibly relaxing as he stared at the fire. "Oh and Alice? You're fired. Can't even deliver a simple message." Edward shook his head and laughed with Bella as Alice gave him the finger while staring at Jasper.
"So, court tomorrow? Carlisle has some pretty amazing friends." Bella looked over at Edward.
"Yeah. He's a good man to know." Edward said vaguely.
"Who? Your dad or Mr. Jenks?" Bella wrinkled her brow in confusion.
"Either. Both. Take your pick. Trust me, I think everyone is surprised that he was able to pull this off as fast as he did." Edward smiled.
"I am still not sure what's to pull off. I don't know what to expect other than I am supposed to plan to spend a few hours there. I think they are giving me some leeway because of her medical condition, they know I can't possibly stay there the whole day and just wait for her father to show up." Bella's words were said very matter-of-fact and with no feeling at all.
"So, how did the doctor's visit go?" Jasper's voice came out of the blue, startling Bella.
"Oh, it was fine. That's always the typical response isn't it? Fine even though it's not fine. Just have to build up her strength a bit." Bella sighed deeply. "I just don't know anymore. He adjusted her meds again. It really is just a waiting game. Seems like we are playing a game anyway. She needs to be stronger for the surgery. Trouble is, how long will her heart last before it gives out completely? I mean, technically, if she isn't able to have the surgery right now, today, then what? If she gets sick and codes do we do an emergency surgery and hope for the best or what's the alternative?" Bella shuddered, knowing the alternative.
"What did the doctor say?" Edward asked, straightening up.
The silence surrounding the adults was broken only by the crackling of the fire. Bella inhaled deeply after Edward asked his question. She knew people were curious. In general terms, she never minded talking about it. She always left people hoping that she opened their eyes to the world's ignorance and maybe left them questioning themselves on what they could do to make the world a better place.
But talking to this group, the three people that probably knew her best even in the short amount of time they had known one another, was another matter entirely. She knew the short answers that were polite and well-meaning wouldn't work with this crowd. This crowd wanted answers straight from her heart, no matter that it might bleed a little while she talked.
"Well, obviously, if it gives out then they will try the surgery with how she is. I just need to keep her as healthy as possible until she grows strong enough to survive the surgery or sick enough that they will do the surgery and hope for the best. Trust me, the unknown is killing me." Bella tossed her head back and looked up at the darkened sky, hoping that no one would catch the tears filling her eyes. "It's always going to be something."
Bella looked around as Alice scooted her chair closer to her, with Jasper following suit. Edward reached over for one of her hands as Alice took the other and squeezed.
"Well, I can't pretend to know what you're going through, but you know we are all here for you Bella." Jasper, sitting on the opposite side of Alice, couldn't reach Bella. He leaned forward as he said his words and then leaned back in his chair before casting a wink at Alice.
As Bella took in Jasper's words, she felt both Edward and Alice squeeze her hands in support. Closing her eyes, she thought about how even with all her rotten luck, she still wouldn't trade anything for her daughter or her friends.
The next morning, Bella bolted upright in her bed after hearing the alarm start to chirp. As usual, her first glance was to the baby monitor and it's flashing red light. Brushing the tangled mass of hair from her face, she turned toward the other warm body lying in her bed. Edward didn't even stir. She let the machine chirp a few more times before smacking it with her hand. She rolled back over and propped her head up on her arm as she stared at his back.
The evergreen colored t-shirt was practically threadbare and bunched up around him in all the right places. During the night he had managed to turn onto his stomach and was currently hugging one of Bella's pillows underneath him. She smiled as she took in how peaceful he looked. Bella was torn between waking him up and indulging herself in a few more moments of admiration. She couldn't resist touching his back, slowly gliding her hand across the soft cotton of his shirt as she tried to smooth it out.
Bella smiled as she noticed that a corner of his lip twisted up the lower her hand moved. His eyes were hidden by a flop of hair laying across his forehead and Bella couldn't resist touching that next, admiring the soft curls that most men would either lop off or try to tame flat. She opened her fingers to let the softness slide between them and then quickly retracted them as she heard him mumble incoherently.
"Didn't catch that, what did you say?" Bella teased as she leaned in closer to his body.
Edward pushed himself up, nearly knocking her off the bed before wrapping her in his arms.
"I said, I am awake and if you keep doing that, we are not going to leave the bed." Edward drew Bella onto his lap, careful to keep enough distance between their bodies.
"Oh no, we are leaving this bed. I have a big day planned, followed by an even bigger night." Bella's eyes were playful as she brushed the hair off of Edward's face.
"You do? Anything I should know about?" Edward played along.
"Well, at some point today, I become a free woman. And at some point this evening, you are taking me out on a date." Bella said the words with confidence even though Edward recognized a bright pink stain coloring her cheeks. He knew how much it took her to say the words.
"A date date? Edward asked with surprise in his voice, pretending to be shocked.
"A real date. You are going to come and pick me up and bring me flowers and hold your car door open for me and buy me dinner. I expect an appetizer and dessert too, just so you know." Bella folded her arms across her chest, trying to show that she meant business. "Maybe even a drink or two."
"Sounds serious. Are we celebrating something?" Edward wrapped his arms around Bella's waist as much as he could with her arms folded.
"You bet we are. It is our first official date as boyfriend and girlfriend. Exclusively boyfriend and girlfriend. I am not sharing you with any other women." Bella kissed his lips, careful to keep her morning breath to herself.
"Likewise Ms. Swan." Edward emphasized her new name.
"Not yet I'm not, but I will be soon." Bella answered with a confident smile.