Thank you so much for the reviews! I'm glad you're all liking the story… the rewrite. This story is my baby, and I'm having a blast doing the rewrite, but it definitely wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without my wonderful beta Moonstruck Kitten! I truly do love you guys, this story rocks because of you!
No copyright infringement intended. All characters belong to the lovely Stephanie Meyer; I just like having a little fun with them.
CHAPTER 3
"I don't wanna do this, Edward," I whispered looking out the passenger side window, watching the trees pass us by. I really had no idea when we would be arriving, as I had no idea where the Cullen's were living these days, but the more we drove the further my heart moved into my throat.
"Bella, they have a right to know him … they're his grandparents … his aunts … uncles …"
"I know …" I sighed. "I just ... they probably hate me …" As we turned into a long driveway, I shut my eyes trying to calm my nerves. It wasn't working, I felt sick, sad, and so very anxious.
Edward stopped the car in front of the large house, putting it into park before forcing me to look at him. "They're not happy with you, but you didn't really expect them to be, right?" He sighed, glancing at Masen. "They don't hate you Bella … they just want to meet him."
I nodded, wiping away a few tears. He was probably right, but that didn't make it any better.
Edward got out of the car, and I unbuckled my seatbelt. I had just reached for the door handle, when Edward opened it for me. He smiled, extending his hand to help me out of the car, then reaching to open the back door to let Masen out.
As we went up the stairs to the porch, my hands trembled and my heart raced as if I'd just finished a pot of coffee. The door opened suddenly and Esme stepped out onto the veranda. Her eyes were stormy with anger and I ducked behind Edward, pulling Masen with me.
"Oh, no you don't!" Esme scolded. "You get over here right this minute, and give me a hug." It wasn't what I'd expected. Esme had always been quiet, supporting in a way that I was envious of, but I had been preparing for some sort of explosion, not this ... Not her acting as if the past four years hadn't existed. It undid me more than anything else would have.
"Isabella!" she exclaimed making me jump. I hung my head, my eyes fixed on the ground as I walked solemnly towards her. "Christ, Bella," she breathed into my hair as her arms enfolded me. "What in the hell were you thinking?"
My lips quirked at her version of heavy swearing and I exhaled a shaky breath, relaxing into her. "I don't … I didn't … I'm so sorry, Esme … I … I'm … sorry …"
She pulled away, wiping away my tears and letting hers fall freely down her cheeks. "Oh, honey … it's …" She stopped talking, looking just past me. "Oh, my goodness … is that him?" Biting my lip, I nodded; I didn't need to look behind me to know which him she was referring to.
Masen was hiding behind Edward with one eye barely peeking out when I did turn around.
"Brr!" Esme exclaimed dramatically. "It's freezing out here! Where in the world are my manners? Come on in." Esme led us into the anteroom where we peeled off our snow-covered winter gear.
"Masen, honey," I said bending down and helping him with his boots. "That's your Nana Esme … she's your daddy's mommy."
"Your mommy?" he asked looking at Edward with big eyes.
"Yeah, buddy, my mommy," Edward replied. "Your Nana Esme."
Masen turned to look at Esme, cocking his head to the side slightly. "Nana S'may?"
"Yes, honey," Esme gushed, kneeling down in front of him. "Nana Esme. Oh! I'm so happy I finally get to meet you …"
"Was that them, darling? Oh …" Carlisle gasped. Masen quickly backed up into my side. Edward stepped forward, kneeling next to him.
"Buddy," he soothed, rubbing his back. "That's your Grandpa Carlisle, he's my dad."
"Granpa Carwhile?" Masen asked looking at Edward nervously.
"Yeah," Edward answered reassuringly. "Grandpa Carlisle."
Carlisle bent down. "Do you like chocolate chip cookies?" Masen nodded animatedly while Carlisle looked to me for approval. I nodded once in agreement.
"Well, alright then," Carlisle said. "Let's go get you some cookies." He extended his hand for Masen to take. Masen hesitated momentarily, before taking his hand and following him into the kitchen.
"Wow," Esme laughed once Masen was safely in the kitchen. "You didn't get to escape us completely, did you dear? He's a spitting image of Edward." I didn't quite know how to respond. I hadn't wanted to escape them, just Edward. There was a sort of funny irony there.
"So, mom," Edward asked heading for the kitchen. He was more paranoid than I was about leaving Masen alone, a quirk I found sweet. "Are Alice and Emmett here yet?"
"No, not yet," she replied. "Emmett will be here shortly, but Alice won't be here for another hour. I thought it best to spread it out."
"Yeah, that was probably a good idea." The words had no sooner left Edward's mouth when Emmett came barreling through the door. He glanced quickly around the room, his eyes landing on me, before he stalked towards me. I screamed a bit when he pulled me into a crushing bear hug.
"Shit! You haven't changed a bit!"
"Em … I … can't … breathe …" I wheezed.
Emmett sat me down just as Rosalie came walking in the door, a blond little girl trailing behind her. The girl was two, maybe three, and absolutely adorable. It was easy to see that she was a Cullen. I couldn't believe Edward hadn't told me.
I wondered if Alice had any kids, and suddenly felt the need to cry. I'd missed so much because I was being selfish … Hell, Edward missed nearly four years of his son's life. The Cullen's, all so innocent in all of this, missed out on the first four years of their first born grandson/nephew's life because I was too afraid to do the right thing. How will I ever begin to make it up to them all?
"Bella …" Rose greeted politely bringing me out of my thoughts, the little girl quickly making her way to Emmett.
"Daddy …" she whispered jumping into his arms, her eyes trained curiously on me.
I smiled at Rose, watching Emmett scoop up his daughter. "Rosalie …" I whispered feeling all sorts of guilty. Seeing them all together, seeing how happy they all looked, it took all I had to keep the tears at bay.
"Kenzers …" Emmett cooed, placing a sweet but gentle kiss on his daughter's forehead.
"She's beautiful," I whispered turning my attention back to Rosalie.
"Thank you …" Rose started to say, but was quickly cut off by her daughter.
"Who zat?" she asked pointing towards the door to the kitchen.
I turned my attention to where she was pointing, and found my own child standing there looking rather scared, but Edward was already in route to where Masen was standing; starring carefully at the now full sitting room.
"Masen," Edward spoke, his voice full of love and concern for our little boy. "Buddy, come here …" Masen ran into Edward's waiting arms before he was able to get the sentence completely out — my heart broke a little at the sight of the two of them together.
How could I have thought I was doing the right thing…?
Edward picked Masen up, and then turned to face the little girl and Emmett. "McKenzie," he said. "This is your cousin, Masen. Masen, this is your cousin McKenzie and your Uncle Emmett ... McKenzie's three just like you are, Masen."
"You free too?" McKenzie asked Masen. Masen nodded his head shyly.
McKenzie looked to Emmett furrowing her brow a bit. Emmett nodded his head encouragingly, so she went on, "You like fishies?"
Masen nodded his head, whispering, "Uh huh."
McKenzie wiggled out of Emmett's arms. "C'mon," she said tugging on Masen's hand. Masen looked to me and then to Edward, both of us smiled encouragingly, so he slid out of his father's arms, and they took off running down the hallway.
"Wow," Emmett bellowed, getting everyone's attention once the kids were out of earshot. "Eddie," he chuckled. "There's no denying this one. He looks just like you!"
"Emmett!" Rosalie and Esme both scolded, while Edward looked at me. We both laughed, but Edward was the first to talk.
"Nope, bro …" he retorted with a chuckle of his own. "No denying it."
Rosalie smiled, turning to me. "Spitting image of Edward or not … Bella, he's adorable."
"Thank you …" I responded, gesturing in the direction the kids took off in. "So is she … she's … well, she looks just like you."
"Acts just like her, too!" Edward added, making everyone laugh.
"So, when was she born?" I asked a bit embarrassed that I didn't already know the answer.
"She just turned three on December 26," Rose said.
"Wow … I can't believe—"
"Mommy!" Masen yelled running into the room. "I gotta potty … Mommy, I gotta potty!"
Edward jumped up, scooping Masen into his arms. "The potty's this way, little man."
Edward and Masen headed down a long hallway, while Esme went to check on dinner, leaving me with Emmett, Rosalie, McKenzie, and Carlisle. You'd think I would have felt a bit uncomfortable, given the circumstances, but surprisingly enough I didn't.
I saw Emmett and McKenzie whispering amongst themselves, before Emmett said, "That's Bella, honey. She's an old friend of Uncle Edward's, and mommy and daddy's … she's Masen's mommy."
"Oh," she replied simply, just as Masen came barreling down the hallway.
"Mazenzey, chocolate chip cookie?" he asked. McKenzie squealed and jumped off her father's lap.
Edward chuckled, sitting back on the couch next to me. "That kid has mad energy already … I don't think he needs chocolate chip cookies."
"You don't know how right you are," I retorted with a laugh, unconsciously leaning into him. "Which means you're not leaving until he's asleep tonight—"
"Alice will be here shortly," Esme stated, walking back into the living room. "Then we can eat … dinner's pretty much ready."
I was extremely nervous to see Alice. She was my best friend; at least she used to be. I desperately hoped she didn't hate me, but I couldn't really blame her if she did, it would definitely be within reason. I know I'd hate me if I were her; but I'd also like to think, well hope, that I'd be forgiving too.
"McKenzie." Esme laughed, once again pulling me out of my own thoughts. "Masen … look at your faces…" I turned my attention to my son and nearly fell off the couch.
"Masen!" I shrieked rushing to him. "Your hands … baby, don't touch anything! My god, Esme, I'm so sorry … I didn't think …"
"Oh, Bella," Esme giggled, completely shrugging it off. "Don't worry about it. They're kids."
Edward laughed getting off the couch. "Come on, Masen," he chuckled, placing a hand a top Masen's head. "Let's get you cleaned up, before you give your momma a heart attack … you too, Mack…"
"He didn't touch anything, did he?" I asked nervously, watching Masen and McKenzie follow Edward down the hallway.
"Bella, honey," Esme soothed, bringing my attention back to her. "Seriously, don't worry about it. There isn't anything in this house that can't be cleaned."
"He didn't touch anything, Bells," Rose supplied with a reassuring smile.
I bit my lower lip, knowing I shouldn't be worrying so much. "I'm just gonna …" I trailed off; gesturing toward the hallway Edward and the kids went down.
"Oh, of course," Esme retorted softly with a knowing smile. "First door on the left."
"Thanks," I mumbled walking down the hallway. The door was open a crack, so I pushed it open completely, grabbing Edward's attention in the meantime.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah … I just …" I was fighting to keep the turmoil off my face, but Edward had always been good at picking up my distress. He sighed putting the washcloth down, patting Masen on the head, as he slowly walked to me.
He lifted my face so I was looking at him. "Bella, I promise it'll be okay," he whispered soothingly. "Yeah, she's mad, but she's also missed you like crazy …Bells, she's happy as hell you're … well, that we found you."
"Mommy?" Masen asked pulling at my shirt.
"Yeah, buddy?" I asked looking down to my beautiful baby boy.
"I more cookie?" he asked, biting his lower lip — a trait he picked up from his momma.
Edward laughed, and I had to hide my own smile.
"No, Masen," I answered. "You may not have another cookie. Maybe after dinner."
"Told ya, buddy."
"I have cookie," McKenzie stated with conviction, walking back into the living room.
Edward laughed. "No, she won't."
Alice was there when we returned to the living room, and my son was instantly glued to my side. I couldn't really blame him; it was a lot for a three year old to take in … Hell, it was a lot for a grown adult to take in.
Alice looked exactly the same, I'm sure there were differences but she struck me as eternal, one of those people that aged so gracefully you never even noticed ... Jasper stood directly behind her as she smiled timidly, glancing between Masen and I.
Taking in a deep breath, she approached us, bending over to be more on Masen's level. "Hey there little guy, I'm your Auntie Alice …" she glanced up at me and then went on, "I've waited a very long time to meet you." I gasped.
She knew?
"Antie Awice?" Masen asked looking up at Edward.
Edward nodded. "Yeah, Auntie Alice," he confirmed. "Daddy's sister … And the funny looking man standing behind her, that would be your Uncle Jasper."
"I'd say you have no room to talk," Jasper retorted jokingly. "But considering he looks just like you …" he let it trail off there, his face sporting a smug smile.
"Momma said I can't have cookie," Masen pouted to his Auntie Alice, effectively making everyone laugh.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry, buddy," Alice giggled looking up at me, a wide, bright smile covering her face. "But I'm sure she has her reasons."
"I eat two n' two," Masen admitted matter-of-factly. I couldn't help but bust out with a giggle of my own; leave it to my child, he's nothing if not honest and to the point.
"You had two and two?" Alice gasped. "Wow, four whole cookies? You won't eat your dinner now … that's too bad, too. I'm sure we got something yummy for desert … something like … pie?" She laughed tickling his belly.
"Pie?" Masen squealed excitedly. "I eat pie too, momma?"
"If you eat your dinner," I retorted, making him pout because we both knew he wasn't going to be eating his dinner. Masen Anthony was the fussiest eater ever.
"I hungry, Nana," McKenzie whined.
Esme glanced to me and then to Masen and McKenzie. "Okay, baby … How 'bout McKenzie and Masen help Nana set the table?"
McKenzie and Masen both squealed excitedly following Esme into the kitchen. Everyone else quickly made excuses to leave Alice and me alone, everyone except Edward; he actually looked to me for reassurance before leaving.
"I'm—" I started to say.
"Why, Bella?" she interrupted, tears filling her eyes, as well as my own. "Why would you do that? Why …?"
"I was …" I stammered, wiping away my tears, no clue how to explain the 'why' to my childhood best friend. "Because … because I was scared, Alice." It was all I could come up with, lame? Completely.
"You were scared?" she hissed incredulously, totally not taking my reason for 'why'. "I was your best friend, Bella. You … you shoulda talked to me! You shouldn't have left! I would have done anything to help you …" I knew her statement held nothing but truth, but I still had no real reason for being scared.
"I … I …" I was sobbing by this point, unable to stop. I was a blubbering idiot. "I knew you would, Alice. I knew you'd be there, that there wasn't anything … anything you wouldn't do to help me … I-I just couldn't, Alice … I couldn't see him. It just … it hurt way too much …"
That was the truth.
She sighed, pulling me into a hug — completely taking me off guard. "I know," she whispered into my hair, squeezing me tightly, as if she intended on never letting go. "I just wish you would have talked to me, Bella … let me help you … at least be there for you … I missed you!"
"I missed you, too, Alice," I admitted through my tears. "So much!" I really did miss her; I missed them all, but especially Alice.
"Promise me you won't leave again …" Alice cried, pulling back to look me in the eyes, her face telling me she wasn't messing around.
"I'm not going anywhere, Alice," I stated honestly. "You're stuck with Masen and me now."
"Good," she whispered pulling me back in for another hug. I couldn't help but smile as I took in the smell of her … the smell that was Alice. Oh how I'd missed my best friend.
The rest of the evening went by smoothly. I learned Alice and Jasper were married a little over a year prior, the previous New Year's Eve to be exact; this information didn't surprise me in the least, considering we'd been talking about our dream weddings our whole life.
It did however bother me that I didn't get to see my best friends get married, but I had only myself to blame and I knew it. I also learned that Alice and Jasper were expecting their first child, which they found out about on their anniversary.
She was about six weeks along, so I was super excited I'd be able to be a part of that. I was going to throw her the best damn baby shower ever!
It felt nice to finally have my family back … well most of my family.
Edward leaned into me from his spot on the couch. "I think someone's ready for bed," he whispered, gesturing to the floor where Masen and McKenzie lay watching a movie as the adults talked quietly amongst themselves.
I glanced down to Masen, who was laying on a Cars pullout couch next to McKenzie, who was currently residing on a Tinkerbell one; I figured Edward must have mentioned to Esme and Carlisle Masen's obsession with the movie Cars, or they just got extremely lucky.
Masen was trying desperately to keep his eyes open as they watched Peter Pan, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he lost the fight.
Turning back to Edward, I smiled. "I think you may be right."
**Author's Note**
Please, please review!
On another note, I know you're all anxiously awaiting the next rewrite… I plan, and will do a complete rewrite on all stories, but it is going to be a little while before another story will be posted. I want to get farther on this one, get a few chapters ahead of myself before I start on another story. Please be patient with me, you will get your favorite eventually :)
