Hey guys! Okay, so I'm going to try and finish up a few of my other stories before I focus a whole bunch on this one, so until then there may be a few more delays in updating the chapters. But when a couple of those stories start to get closer to end, this will be updated more often. I still can't say exactly how many chapters there will be in the story, but I'm guessing we're over halfway through at this point.
More good news- Blakely's ear infections are clearing up really well! She hasn't been fussing excessively for the past few days, so that's a good sign!
As always, thanks to Wendy for pre-reading, and to all you guys who have been so generous with your reviews and kind words. It means a lot!
…...
From the last chapter:
"I needed to grow up and mature for real. And thanks to recent events, I've been forced into trying to grow up too fast once again."
Alice was quiet for a moment, and then spoke. "What the hell happened to you?"
I turned around and stared Alice straight in the eye, my lips pursed. "I was raped, Alice. I'm not trying to make an excuse of it, but that's what happened. And you have no idea what my life is like, or what it used to be like." I said coldly. Alice gaped at me, her mouth falling open as she just looked at me with pure shock written across her pixie like face.
"Oh my god, Bella, I didn't even know-"
My mind began racing, and I was desperately trying to block out all memories of that night.
"Yeah, you really didn't know." I interrupted her abruptly. "Because I didn't tell you. Because I chose not to tell you. And Edward didn't tell you either, so obviously you two need to work on the communication aspect of your relationship." I continued, feeling a little mean and nasty, and the look of confusion on Alice's face deepened.
"First of all, don't even begin to try and dish out relationship advice." Alice said, immediately getting defensive. "And secondly, what the hell are you even talking about? Edward and I don't have a relationship, other than the fact that we get along and we're friends. I help him watch Avery, the daughter you freaking abandoned, and he got me a part time job at the diner so I can get a new car."
I stared at Alice for a second, trying to process what she had just said. She and Edward were not in a relationship. The signs I had been reading were false, and I had overreacted over nothing. "Oh." I whispered softly, feeling a little defeated.
"Yeah." Alice retorted. "Please, Bella. I don't want to fight with you. I just…don't understand how you did it. I've only been spending time with Avery for a few months…but lord, she is the most beautiful and probably the sweetest baby in the world. Even I love spending time with her, and I'm not her mother."
"I didn't leave because I don't love Avery or Edward." I said quickly, starting to babble. "That wasn't the reason."
Alice squinted, and I then I realized what I had just said. "You love Edward, don't you Bella? You may not have realized it before…but you do now." Her voice was no longer cold- it was soft and melodic as usual.
I hesitated for a second, and then realized there was no point in lying for any longer. This was it. "Yes." I said quietly, and Alice sighed loudly.
"Oh, Bella. I'm sorry, for everything. But you know you can fix this pretty easily, right?" I stared at her, unsure, and she continued. "I know how Edward feels about you, Bella. I can tell by the way he looks when someone mentions your name, when he sees you, and even when he just thinks about you. It may be hard for him to forgive you at first, but I know he will. Because I know that he really truly does love you, too, Bella."
I blinked back a few tears, and then rubbed my forehead. "It's not that simple, Alice. It probably never will be."
She stood up, picking up her empty plate as well. "Maybe. Or maybe not." She said bluntly, and then brushed past me and walked back into the dining room to join the rest of the party.
…
When I walked into the living room later, after finishing my cake, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw that Edward and Avery were the only two in the room. Edward was facing me, so Avery was facing away from me. But just the sight of her, knowing she was there, made me ache both physically and emotionally; ache in ways I didn't even realize were possible.
I stepped closer to them, and Edward glanced up at me, the look on his face unsure. "Edward." I whispered, continuing to walk closer. "Edward…please, can I hold her?" I asked quietly, my voice barely a whisper. "Please." I said again, And Edward bowed his head.
"Bella…I don't know if-" He began, but I shook my head quickly, interrupting him before he could stop me.
"Just for a moment." I begged.
"Okay." Edward relented, and quickly placed Avery in my arms. When I held her for the first time in months, I was instantly overwhelmed. Everything seemed different, but still somehow still seemed the same. She weighed more, but she still molded perfectly into my arms. And when she looked at me, it was indescribable.
Her wide eyes lit up, and before I could blink, she was nuzzled up against my chest and cooed contently. "Oh my god…" I whispered, and tears immediately filled my eyes.
"Oh my god." I repeated, holding Avery tightly against me. "I'm so sorry." I babbled, the tears coming faster and faster like a waterfall. "I love you." I whispered, and then I looked away from her beautiful little face and looked up at Edward. "And I love you, Edward."
…
Ah! That was some confession, huh? But we all knew it was coming. Well, I don't know about all of you, but I definitely knew it was coming. Because dear lord, I promised an HEA a long, long time ago. And I would never ever be one to lie about my beloved HEA's.
Because in my book, Edward and Bella will always end up together. It may not be a happy road to get there, but somehow they're just meant for each other despite anything else that happens in the messed up lives I tend to create for them..
The next chapter should be out soon. I'm going to try to update tomorrow, but due to my slightly insane work schedule, I can't be sure that it will actually happen. But here's hoping, yeah?
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie