AN: Sorry for the delay. I was on vacation last week and was rarely able to get to a computer. I was surprised this morning by a tweet that contained a GORGEOUS banner by Ysar. http: / bit . ly /gtcxhB (Just remove the spaces) I'll post the link on my profile as well.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns it all, I own nothing, so sad. No copyright infringement intended.
How Can I Help You?
Chapter 18
BPOV
As Edward filled me in on the phone conversation he had with Crazy Cousin, the only thing going through my mind was that she and Jacob could apparently fight over the title of the most deluded person in the world.
"She seriously thinks you have finally given in and you are coming to be with her? She's going to flip out when I walk in holding onto you." I could just picture her face. "After all she's done to you over the years, the unwanted come-ons the two-faced approach she took with Tanya… the worst thing she's done has been to twist Irina's feelings. She made your little girl doubt you and your feelings."
Edward just looked at me. "She's not going to be an issue for us any longer after Saturday. Then we will only have to deal with Jacob."
He sat back in the seat and I could see that he was having trouble saying something.
"What is it, Edward? Say what you need to say."
"Are you really going to let him spend time with Riley?" He looked so hurt that I would even consider the possibility.
To be honest if I was ignorant of Jacob's involvement in keeping me from Edward, I probably would have let him visit Riley, but it was no longer just my call, and after what Jake did I won't let him near Riley.
Edward was looking down at our hands, not looking at me. I lifted my hand to his face and tried to get him to meet my eyes.
"Edward, please look at me. I want you to understand that I mean what I am about to say."
The hurt that was visible on his face made me flinch.
"After everything Jake did, do you honestly think I would let him near our child or that I would do that without talking to you about it? Riley is ours, I would never make a decision like that without you. Our family is too important to mess it up by allowing Jake anywhere near us."
He relaxed and the relief in his eyes was palpable. "I don't want him near Riley, Bella. There is just no telling what he could do. And I really don't want him near you. He's coming here in a couple of weeks so make arrangements for him to meet you at the diner, or at Charlie's and I'll be with you and we will deal with him then."
Oh this dear sweet man. "I think I should talk to him alone first. Maybe if we do this at the diner you could show up 10 to 15 minutes later that way you are there with me, but I have time to work on Jake, see if he admits to any of it."
He was shaking his head as I was saying it, "No, I don't want you alone with him. He's lost you and wants you back. I know I would do anything to get you back, so there is no telling what he will do."
"Edward, we would be in the middle of the diner. There will be people there and you will be close. If it would make you feel better, maybe Em could be in there somewhere close by. We have time to figure it out later. Now you need to tell me how I'm supposed to be moved in this weekend if we are taking off for Seattle on Saturday."
The change in topic seemed to bring his smile back. "Don't worry, love. The furniture will be delivered tomorrow, everything will be set up and then we'll unpack your bags on Sunday. Mom and Dad are going to watch Riley, and Kate and Irina are looking forward to visiting their grandparents. We'll leave early Saturday drive to my parents, have time for a visit and then go annihilate her."
"You are looking forward to this, aren't you?" I suddenly felt lighter about the weekend, now if we could just get through the night with Alice, I'd truly feel free.
"Don't start worrying about tonight Bella. I know Alice was rough on you at the hospital that day, but I'm sure she finally got the message about butting into our lives."
Alice and I had always been friendly, even after I went away to college we would email occasionally, but it was right after Edward and I had reconnected, when Mom was dying, that things between Alice and I took a bad turn.
O~O~Flashback~O~O
"Bella, take a break, get some lunch. I'll be here with your mom." My dad was being so strong, he rarely left the room and I knew he wasn't eating enough.
"Okay, Daddy, I'll run down to the cafeteria and bring lunch up for the both of us. I have my phone if you need anything while I'm gone." I'd make sure to bring him up enough food to last through the day.
I took the elevator down to the main lobby and walked to a bench just outside. I needed to hear his voice, it was the only thing that seemed to calm me down after being with Mom, just waiting.
"Bella…" It was amazing the calmness that settled into me, just hearing Edward's voice.
"How is Renee?"
"They are keeping her sedated. The nurse told me they really want to set up the drip." From everything that I had learned during this process, once they set up the morphine drip it was really just a matter of time, at most a week.
"I'm so sorry love. Do you want me to fly up? I can be there by tonight." Edward was back in Los Angeles, attending a few meetings. "No, you are flying back tomorrow night anyway, right? Just come then, I'll be okay here."
After Edward had chased after me the day he came to visit my mother, we talked, really talked. I knew the day he told me to leave it was more about his girls than anything else; he apologized and told me everything. I told Edward about the state of my marriage, that I had never loved anyone but him, not even Jake.
Dad was sleeping in the hospital with my mother at night, so I was sleeping in a hotel after spending the days with Mom. She deteriorated so quickly. I would leave her room and burst into sobs as I rode the elevator down. Edward would meet me at my car each evening and we'd go to dinner, movies, dancing, anything that would take my mind away from what was happening. We'd end the evenings back in my room. Edward stayed with me for 3 weeks. He drove back to Forks a few times to check on the girls and Esme, who was staying with them. She knew we were together, but she was keeping it quiet until I could tell my father about the divorce.
Edward had left for his business meetings in Los Angeles, telling me it would only be a few days and I was to call him anytime.
"I love you, Edward. Come home safe."
"I love you too, Bella. I'm coming straight to you tomorrow night, so wait up for me."
We ended the call and I walked back into the hospital heading towards the cafeteria.
"Bella? Bella, wait up." My head whipped around to see the dark haired pixie running towards me.
"Alice! What are you doing here?" I hugged her, it had been too long since we had seen each other and she had not changed at all.
"Mom told me you'd be here, I was in town to pick up some things for the store and I wanted to come see you and your parents. I'm so sorry about Renee. How are you and your father holding up?" We continued into the cafeteria while I told her about how Dad wouldn't leave her side except to shower or use the restroom.
"Edward has really helped to keep me sane the last few weeks." Alice's eyes opened wide and her eyebrows shot up.
"What? I thought Edward was in LA for the month. That's why Mom said she was staying with the girls. Tell me you two aren't having an affair? What about Jake? You are a married woman, Bella." She didn't give me any time to say anything. Alice pulled me over to a table before starting again. "Bella, I love you, I really do, but you and Edward are not going to work out. He's married to his music now, he's with the girls all the time. You have Jake, why ruin your marriage for something that won't work."
I couldn't believe the nerve she had to say such horrible things. She didn't know anything about my marriage, and she obviously didn't know her brother.
I got the food I bought and stood to leave, glaring at Alice. "You really have no idea about my life, so don't assume. For your information I love your brother and he loves me. Jake and I separated before Edward and I ever even connected again. I'm starting divorce proceedings as soon as I get back to California and will be moving back to Forks to be near my father. Do not assume that just because you say one thing it's true. If you have a problem with me, perhaps you should speak to your brother. Don't bother coming up to see my parents. Goodbye, Alice." I left her standing in the cafeteria as I walked towards the elevator.
The next evening I felt Edward climb into bed beside me. "I'm sorry you had to deal with Alice on your own, Bella. She was way out of line, and I wish she'd kept her mouth shut."
I let him take my mind off of Alice and my mother's health.
O~O~End of Flashback~O~O
Edward stood up and pulled me into his arms. "She's not going to say anything to you anymore. I need to call Emmett though, because if Alice realizes that she is the last to know about Riley, neither of us will hear the end of it. Let's go check on the kids, Shelly should be here soon."
We walked into the house and the sight that greeted us had all of my lingering reservations about Irina melting away. Kate was playing her keyboard and singing softly while Irina was holding Riley and swaying around the room with him. He had a thumb in his mouth, his head was on her shoulder with his other hand wrapped in Irina's hair.
Edward took out his phone to capture the image.
I moved into the room as quietly as possible. "Hey guys," I whispered. Riley's head popped up. "Hey there, Big Guy, are you having fun with your sisters?"
"Mammamama, Dadadadada." He reached out for us, so I swept him into my arms.
"Thanks for watching him. Rini, you're a natural with him. Can you two help me get dinner started for you while your dad gets ready to go out?"
Kate, Irina and I went into the kitchen only to find Mrs. Cope already working on dinner. I pulled out what Riley would eat and set it on the table near his highchair.
"I've got his pj's set out on the changing table and there are enough wipes and diapers to last a month. Just clean his face after he eats and he'll be ready to go down by 7:30."
"Don't worry Bella, I've got a great deal of experience with little ones. Besides I don't think I'm going to have to do anything. Kate and Rini are completely focused on Riley."
She was right. Kate was opening his food while Irina was settling Riley into his chair and putting his bib on.
"Irina, do you know how to prepare his bottle?" She shook her head so I took her into the kitchen and showed her how to measure the powdered formula and scoop it into a bottle with the distilled water already in it. "Just shake until it's all mixed. He'll take a full bottle about 30 minutes before he goes down for the night."
"He'll be ok, Bella. We won't let anything happen to him, and when you get home he'll be fast asleep."
Just that slip referring to her house as my home made my heart flutter. I left Riley to the girls and went up the guest room to change into jeans and a soft blue sweater before heading back down. Edward was waiting for me when I reached the bottom of the stairs.
"It's time to meet them. I spoke to Em and he's going to 'try' to keep it quiet." He was smiling, so I figured that Em would be in rare form tonight.
We said goodnight to Kate and Irina and I gave Riley a kiss on his head. "Be good for Mrs. Cope. Love you."
We walked out to the car and Edward opened my door, he leaned into me, pressing me. "You look lovely tonight." I blushed, "Edward it's just jeans and a sweater." He kissed my forehead, nose, chin and lips. "You could wear a potato sack and look lovely. Come on love, let's go tell my sister all about out amazing son."
Edward drove as he normally did, just this side of 'Bat out of Hell' fast. We arrived at Blue Moon before the others. Edward turned the car off and turned to me.
"Ready?" I nodded and he got out and walked around to my door. We walked arm in arm to the door. Edward held it open of course, for me to enter. Blue Moon was set up like a typical bar, there was a spattering of tables in one corner, several pool tables set up in the back and a long bar against the wall as we walked in. Edward spoke with the bartender and then lead me to a table in the very back. We had just sat down and ordered drinks when a booming voice was heard entering the bar.
"ED!" I could just make out Rose popping Emmett on his head as they walked over toward us. I stood up to give Rose a hug and help her settle in her seat, when Emmett took the opportunity to grab me into a bear hug.
"Em…can't…breathe…" He quickly released me into Edward's arms. "Sorry about that shortcake."
"Hey, I'm not short." I stuck my tongue out at him as he and Edward chuckled.
"It's great to see you both looking so happy." Rose said as she got comfortable. Emmett got another chair for Rosalie to put her feet onto.
"You have him trained so well Rose. What are you going to do once the baby is born?"
It was interesting to watch big, intense looking Emmett act like a teddy bear with his wife.
"So…" Em looked around before finishing his sentence, "how's little man? Does he have Daddy wrapped around his fingers yet?"
"Most definitely, Edward is great with him. You'll see it tomorrow when the delivery trucks come." Edward wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we all just sat and got reacquainted.
"It's really great that you're back, Bella. You make Eddie here a completely different person."
Edward squeezed me close as he agreed with Emmett. "She brings out the best in me, its true."
Just then Jasper and Alice joined our table.
"Bella, aren't you pretty as a picture. It's been much to long, Darlin'. How are you?" Jasper was always the epitome of a southern gentleman.
"I'm great Jasper, happy to be home. How's the teaching gig?" Jasper was a history professor at Peninsula College in Port Angeles.
"Its great. There's nothing quite like assigning papers to ruin the students' weekends."
Edward stood up to give Alice a hug, "Sit and join us you two."
Alice looked like she was unsure of how to approach me.
"Thanks for coming tonight, Alice."
Rose got up, well tried to get up. Emmett pulled her to her feet. "Ali, come with me to the bathroom."
As they walked away, I leaned into Edward. "Let's just tell them when the girls are back. Dancing around this news for the next 10 minutes is just going to get painful."
Edward kissed my temple. "Sure love, we'll just tell them. Jasper, when Alice sits down again hold onto her for me."
Jasper gave Edward a strange look, but nodded his agreement.
As soon as Rose was settled and Alice was seated beside Jasper, Edward spoke.
"I'm glad you all agreed to meet Bella and I tonight. We have some exciting news to share and wanted you to be together when you heard it."
"You're getting MARRIED?" Alice tried to stand up but Jasper held her still, unfortunately he didn't clamp a hand over her mouth.
"Alice!" Edward hissed, "No, we aren't getting married, at least not yet." He looked quickly at me before continuing. "If you can keep quiet I'll tell you. As you know Bella came home last week and told her father that she and Jake filed for divorce. She filled Charlie in on everything that had transpired with Jacob and the reason she took this step. I ran into Bella after she had leased the cottage from Em and Rose. We talked, a lot, and over the course of an afternoon we learned that there were circumstances out of our control that worked to separate us after her mother passed." Edward looked at me, smiled and turned back to his sister, brother in law and cousins.
"Circumstances like Bella having a baby with her husband?" Alice should know better, she was just asking for Edward to lose his temper.
"I asked you to be civil, Alice. Is this what you'd call civil? Bella and I love each other, is that a crime? If not for her ex husband and Tanya's lunatic cousin using my baby girl, Bella and I would be happily married now raising our family together. Instead, I found out the most amazing and heart wrenching news a few days ago. I have the most adorable not quite 11 month old son that Jake and Chelsea did everything in their power to keep from me." I ran a hand over his back, trying to soothe him. "Edward, please, look at me."
He turned towards me, his eyes softening, "It's OK, we're here now, we'll deal with Chelsea and Jake, let's just finish telling Alice and the others about Riley." He took a deep breath and drew me into his embrace.
"Ed, you're a Daddy again! Rose and I are so happy for you." Em walked around the table and pulled us both into a bear hug.
"Alice, he's really a very adorable little boy." Rose started, but quickly stopped.
"You've already seen him, Rose?" Alice asked her.
"Riley was with me when we looked at houses. I didn't say anything to her about his father. Edward was the first to know, after Charlie."
"How could you keep him from Edward, Bella?" Edward glared at Alice and Jasper told her to stop. "Let them explain Ali, there's no need to keep assuming the worst."
Over the next twenty minutes Edward and I explained the whole convoluted history to them, the lies that were told to us, the blocked calls, the harm that Chelsea inflicted on Irina with her lies.
Everything.
"Oh. My. God. Jas, I need a gun. Can one of your 'kids' get me an unregistered pistol? I'm going to kill the bitch. She has messed with my family for the last time."
Edward and I were laughing. It was the only way to deal with her reaction.
"Alice, breathe. Edward and I are confronting her Saturday and then she'll be gone from our lives for good. Jake is flying in for Halloween so we'll deal with him then."
"Okay, then I only have one more question. When can I meet my nephew?"
Edward pulled out his phone to show the many pictures he had taken of Riley with either me, Kate, Irina, Esme, or ones of him walking around. "He's perfect, Ali. I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am right now. Bella is here, we have an amazing baby, Irina is willing to work on her anger issues and we are meeting with Maggie next week for a counseling session before her individual sessions start again. My life is finally on track with where it should have been years ago." My heart swelled with love for Edward.
Alice looked at me then her brother several times. "I'm sorry for the way I have behaved tonight. I just never wanted to see you hurt again, Edward. I wanted to protect you, but I think you only needed protection from me. I love you big brother and I am just so happy for you, and for Bella. I hope you both get exactly what you want out of life."
Later as we were getting ready to leave, Emmett's head popped up from where he was helping Rose. "Ed, we need to have a party, invite the family, friends and co-workers. We have a lot to celebrate. We could have a BBQ in the yard between my house and Bella's."
Edward looked to me, "Would you be up to that, Bella? It'd be like a Welcome Home/Welcome to the Family/ Housewarming party celebrating you and Riley."
"On one condition, let Alice plan it." Alice beamed. "Keep it low key Alice, but plan away." I wanted us to redevelop our friendship and I would be the bigger person and put it behind me.
"It'll be perfect. We could have it next weekend and by then most of the town will know, and Bella and I can make a formal announcement about Riley to cut some of the rumors out."
We left after I made plans with Alice and Rose to discuss the party later in the week.
Edward drove us back to his house and the feeling in the car was much more positive than it had been on the drive to Blue Moon.
He held my hand after helping me from the car. "I can't believe how well tonight went. You were fantastic." I could feel the charge that always happened when we were close. "Bella, will you stay with me tonight?"
Oh how I wanted to. "I don't think it's a good idea, Edward. I won't be able to control myself around you."
He flashed a cocky smile. "I'll be good enough for both of us." He pressed me back against the car, his smirk turning to a pleading smile. "Please, I just want to hold you."
"I'm not ready for this night to end either, Edward. Is it terrible that I am not as excited to be moving tomorrow as I was?"
Edward drew back from me, looking down into my eyes. "Well you know you could just move in here. It's not too late to cancel the deliveries."
I really wanted him to understand what I was about to say without Edward being hurt.
"Edward, there is nothing more that I want than to live with you, but we aren't ready. I've been home just over a week. You are it for me. It's what I want, but for the sake of our family, we need to take our time. What I will be doing tomorrow is asking Rose to amend the lease, change it from a year's lease to a 6 month lease. Let's take our time and if we want to move ahead prior to the six months, I'm sure Rose and Em will let me break the lease."
Edward crushed me to him. "You know you're it for me as well. We'll do whatever you want, just know that when you are ready, I will be too."
We walked into the house, Edward went to say goodnight to Shelly as I went up to check in on the girls and Riley.
Kate was listening to her iPod when I knocked on her door. "Hey. How did everything go?"
I sat on the edge of her bed, "Alice was Alice, but everything is fine. We're having a party next weekend, so invite a few friends."
Kate sat up, "Bella? The Homecoming game and dance are next Friday night. Irina and I are going and wondered if you would take us dress shopping?"
My heart swelled. "I'd love to. You know we are going to Seattle on Saturday, how about after your dad and I meet up with Chelsea, I take you girls to a couple of shops to see what they have."
Kate gave me a hug. "Thanks, Bella. It'll be fun and save us from shopping with Dad or Aunt Ali."
"Hey, I'm not so bad to shop with." I looked over my shoulder at Edward standing in the doorway.
"I told her we'd go shopping Saturday afternoon in Seattle." He just nodded and walked over to kiss Kate goodnight. "Love you, Katie Bug."
"Love you too, Daddy."
Together we walked over to Irina's room and after seeing that she was sleeping soundly, Edward turned off her television, moved the book she had on her lap and pulled her comforter up over her. I gently crossed Riley's room and looked down on my sleeping baby.
His arms were thrown up over his head, legs spread wide, and his head cocked back at an angle. "He sleeps in such strange positions." Edward traced a finger down Riley's cheek. I grabbed his hand to stop him.
"Don't wake him up or he'll never go back to sleep."
Edward just looked at him. "I could stay here all night watching over him."
I took his hand and pulled him from the room. Edward walked to the stairs leading up to my room. "I thought you wanted me to stay with you?" His eyes flashed, "Really? You'll stay with me tonight?"
Still holding his hand I walked down the staircase. "No funny business, Mister, just sleep."
Edward chuckled, "I promise there won't be anything funny about tonight." He tilted my chin up and kissed me.
When I regained my breath I nodded, "Yeah, nothing funny about that."
OoOoO
Again, sorry for the delay in posting. Last week was Spring Break and I took my kids to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and we did the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I whole heartedly recommend visiting, it was fabulous right up until a mob of teenagers broke line right in front of me and one of them broke my toe.
Anyway, the next update will be by Friday- and we are finally dealing with Chelsea.
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