Chapter Three: Female Bonding
"Bye Edward, I'll see you tonight," I told him, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. He hugged me tightly before driving off in his Volvo. I sighed and walked into the house, mentally going over all the food in the house and what I could make with it.
"Bella, is that you?" Esme's beautiful voice called from the kitchen.
"Uh huh, I'm coming!" I yelled back. I dropped my bag and slipped my shoes off at the door before making my way to the kitchen. Esme was still as beautiful as ever, but those who knew her saw how Carlisle's death had changed her. Her hair wasn't quite as bouncy and she was too thin. Her smile wasn't as big and the light that always used to shine from inside of her has dulled.
"How was your day, hun?" she asked, finishing up the dishes. I hugged her lightly and the smile that graced her lips was genuine. She tries so hard for Lizzi, Edward, and me and I know she loves us more than anything else.
"It was fine. I totally embarrassed myself in gym and Edward did a very good job of not laughing at me," I admitted, a slight blush coloring my cheeks.
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad, dear. I'm glad I raised Edward right," she smirked again, the same smirk Edward had minus the effect his had on me.
"You did a very good job with him. Where's Lizzi?" I asked, looking around the kitchen.
"Taking her nap, though it's time to wake her up. Could you go do that for me, Bella?" I nodded and went to Esme's room, still feeling a little apprehensive at entering her personal space. Lizzi was in her basket, starting to move and cry softly.
"Shhh, come here," I whispered to her, picking her up carefully. She calmed down quickly in my arms. She was always good for Esme, Edward, and me. She was a good baby as a whole. Of course she woke up in the middle of the night and cried when she needed something, but once she got it she was a happy camper. "Let's go find Mommy," I told her, bouncing her on my hip.
"What do you want for supper?" Esme asked me as I walked into the kitchen.
"I was thinking about that." I took a seat one the kitchen stool. "We don't have much and we'll need to make a run to the store. I was thinking take-out tonight and real food tomorrow."
"Chinese or pizza?" Esme already had her fingers poised over the phone, ready to dial.
"Pizza today, Chinese next time we need emergency take-out," I compromised. She nodded and placed an order for a little of everything. I knew when she sighed and plopped on the stool next to mine that today had been a hard day. "How are you doing, Esme?" I asked innocently, bouncing Lizzi on my leg.
"I've been better," she admitted, her fingers playing with the hem of her apron. "It was really quiet today. I love spending time with Lizzi, but it's hard to keep my mind away from…him."
"I know…well, I don't know but I empathize. Try turning on the radio," I suggested. Esme, to my surprise, let out a quiet laugh.
"Only you and Edward would suggest music is the key to a better day," she explained, still laughing slightly.
"Music has helped Edward and me a lot over the years, you should try it," I told her gently. Her smile dropped and she nodded.
"Do you have any suggestions?" she asked so quietly that I almost didn't catch it.
"Do I ever!" I jumped up and passed her Lizzi while grabbing her free hand. I tugged them up the stairs to Edward's bedroom and marched directly to the wall of music. Esme hung back a bit, standing by the door as if she was afraid something would eat her after she stepped through the doorway. "What do you like?"
"Oh, I'm not picky. I'll listen to almost anything." I can respect her for that, but it doesn't help me.
"OK…I think you would like some Holly Brook and her CD, 'Like Blood Like Honey', is amazing. Let's add a little classic Stevie Wonder, the beautiful Alicia Keys, and top it off with the Goo Goo Dolls." I smiled, proud of my accomplishment. I turned to see Esme staring at me, unaware that Lizzi playing with her hair. "Here you go," I handed her four CDs and she looked at them blankly.
"If you want me to, I'll listen to all of them," she looked dubious now. "Thanks Bella, I really do appreciate it." Esme finally looked up and smiled at me, tears in the corners of her eyes.
"You're more than welcome. They're Edward's CDs anyway," I joked, leading her back down the stairs.
"Bella, you know what's Edward's is yours as well." I turned to see her raise an eyebrow. "He couldn't refuse you anything, dear. Personally, I'm glad he fell for you instead of somebody else."
"Good, me too," I told her in a serious tone. She rolled her eyes as the door bell rang. I signed for our dinner and brought it to the kitchen table. We can at least make it look like a home-cooked family meal.
"Talk to me, tell me about something that happened to school today," Esme told me as she put Lizzi in her seat.
"Nothing much, though a girl in gym made me a tad bit angry." That was an understatement.
"Well, tell me about it," she urged. She looked so excited at the chance to gossip that I couldn't turn her down.
"I don't think you'll want to hear it," I said hesitantly. Esme probably doesn't want to know about a slut who threw herself on Edward at every possible moment. When put like that, I don't want to know about it either.
"Of course I do, I like knowing what's going on with you and Edward," she insisted.
"Well…Edward and I have PE together and Jessica Stanley is also in our class. She's been bugging Edward since last year and she can't see that Edward isn't interested. She was all over him in the bleachers yesterday and touching him and ugh. I had too…stake my claim," I blushed, remembering the incident which was just awkward.
"I've heard about that Jessica Stanley. Her mother is big in the gossip/social scene. I've heard that…" Esme launched into stories that she's heard through the grape vine. As she spoke, it became more and more apparent that she's lonely. I made a promise to myself that I would spend more time with Esme, even if Edward was home. The summer sun set as we talked about anything and everything. The longer we talked, the brighter Esme shined and the wider the smile.
"Mom, Bella! I'm home," Edward called from the door. I jumped up quickly and ran to meet him in the middle. My feet, however, had other ideas. I tripped on a ridge where the rug was bunched up. Edward routinely caught me with an arm around me waist and steadied me. Edward was about to speak when Esme started laughing hysterically.
"It wasn't that funny, Esme," I sighed. I knew it was pretty funny, but I would've thought that the people closest to me have gotten used to it.
"No, that's not it," she squeezed out before being taken over by another fit of giggles. "It was how practiced Edward seemed when he caught you." She was still laughing her ass off and I couldn't help but laugh at her laughter. I was overjoyed that she was finding enjoyment in something.
"Mom, I'm going upstairs," Edward told her once she calmed her laughter.
"Go ahead. Thanks for talking to me Bella, I enjoyed our afternoon," she smiled at me sincerely.
"I did too; we'll have to do it again very soon." As soon as we reached Edward's room, he pulled me over to the couch and sat me down next to him. His arms wrapped around me tightly and I snuggled into his side.
"How was work?" I asked after a few silent moments.
"It was fine and I don't think I could've found a better job for me. I get to use the loud blender thingy." I rolled my eyes at his childish ways. "How was your evening with my mother?"
"It was great. I suggested some music, so you'll notice you're missing a few CDs. She wanted to know about Jessica-" cue disgusted facial expression "-and she told me a lot about Jessica's mother. I think she's just lonely, sitting at home all day with only Lizzi for company. In some ways I'm glad you have to work so Esme can get her girl time."
"If it makes two of the most important women in my life happy, then it makes me happy," he told me, kissing the top of my head sweetly. He paused and sniffed my shirt. "Why do you smell like tomato sauce?"
"Why do you smell like coffee and fruit?" I retorted. "Esme and I ordered take-out for dinner because neither of us felt like cooking," I explained. I felt him nod and pull me even closer.
"You know I love you, right?" he sighed into my hair.
"Yeah, I know. I love you, too," I sighed back. I was thoroughly worn out from all the emotional events of today.
"You sound tired, go to sleep," Edward whispered softly. I nodded and buried my face into his shirt before drifting off into dreamland.
AN: I know it took a while, but I gave you guys a lot last week. This isn't my favorite chapter but I felt it was important to show some Esme/Bella bonding time. I'll try to update more often and I'm hoping life will slow down again.
FUNFACT: I love Jane Austen and her books. Today, my English teacher (who knew of my fondness of her work) gave me a fictional story of Jane Austen's life. I'm so excited to read it and I'm sure it will be great purely because it's about Jane Austen.
A shout out to all the wonderful reveiwers, who have given me so much more than I expected. Thanks for reading and I like reveiws, Emma