Chapter 12: Step by Step
Christmas came and went, everything slowly went back to how it was before. The awkwardness between Edward and Bella slowly faded away. They spent more time together to spend time with Renesmee. Their eyes were more for the child they had created together instead of their own problems. They made sure to push everything back to be able to give Renesmee the greatest Christmas she could ever have.
The vacation ended and it was right back to New Hampshire for school once more.
Bella was walking down the hall, heading towards her class when she slipped and fell. "Whoa! Easy," Edward chuckled, catching her.
"You always seem to be the one to catch me before I hit the floor," she commented.
Edward chuckled softly, helping her up off the floor. Bella smiled a little, pushing her hair out of her eyes. "Ready for that test Friday?" He asked. She shrugged.
"Not really, but I'll be studying tonight," she replied.
"Bella!" A voice called.
Edward looked up when a guy walked over and stood behind Bella. He had long blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, blue eyes, he was wearing sneakers, blue jeans, a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket. Bella cleared her throat. "Edward Cullen this is James McCarthy, James McCarthy this is Edward Cullen," she informed. James shook Edward's hand.
"Nice to meet you Edward," James commented.
"Likewise…" Edward answered.
James wrapped his arm around Bella's shoulders. "Ready for class babe?" He asked.
"Yeah, see you later Edward," Bella told Edward before walking way with James.
Edward watched them walk away and couldn't help but feel disgusted.
-------------------------
Bella was in the park with Renesmee and James, the young mother was surprised of how well things were going in her life. "Bella," Edward called. She looked over to see Edward walking up to her. "Mind if I talk to you…alone?" He asked. Bella looked over at James.
"We'll be here when you get back," James answered.
Renesmee was sliding down the slide as Edward pulled Bella away. "You can't be serious," he insisted.
"What?" Bella asked.
"A guy like him? Bella he's the kind of guy we made fun of in high school," Edward replied quietly.
"Just like Tanya is the kind of girl we made fun of. I don't think it's your business who I do or don't date," she pointed out.
"I'd rather you date Jacob than him," Edward answered.
"Yeah I wonder if Leah would be kind enough to share her fiancé with me," she said sarcastically.
"I don't trust him," Edward whispered.
"It's none of you business," Bella answered.
"Mama! I want to pway!" Renesmee called.
"I don't want Renesmee around him either," Edward added.
Bella stared at him. "Excuse me, but I believe Renesmee is my daughter too and she seems to like my boyfriend more than she likes your girlfriend," she answered. Bella glared at him, pulling her jacket more around herself.
"Bells, you coming?" James called.
"Goodbye Edward," Bella told him walking away.
She walked over to Renesmee up, lifting her up with a smile, but saw tears in her daughter's eyes. "What's wrong munchkin?" She asked.
"You and daddy fight," the toddler replied, tears in her eyes.
Bella kissed her daughter's cheek, wiping the tears away. "Let's go get some hot cocoa," she said quietly.
"Here, I'll take her," James informed.
Renesmee wrapped her arms around James's neck as they walked over to the car. Edward was watching, anger showing in his eyes as he walked away.
---------------------
Tanya was looking at her boyfriend as he paced their living room. "Edward what does it matter if she has another boyfriend? The only thing you two share is that kid," she commented. He shot her a glare before he continued pacing.
"I don't trust the guy Tanya," he replied.
"What does it matter? She's a big girl she can figure things out herself," she told him.
Edward stopped pacing and looked over at her. "Why am I dating you?" He asked. He grabbed his jacket and left the apartment.
---------------------
As Edward was walking through the forest, his hands stuffed in his pockets. The air was still freezing as he walked along the hills carefully, making sure to keep his balance. His mind was drifting back to Bella when things were better, easier. The time when he was a fool to believe she was cheating on him with Jacob. He moved his fingers through his hair as he maneuvered to easily slide down a hill on his feet, walking down one of the trails when he came across the sound of laughing and the smell of fire. "Hey James, how's that new girl you're going out with?" A guy asked, tossing James a beer.
Edward looked up and carefully climbed up a tree, careful not to disturb the group of guys. "She's cool," James answered popping the top off the beer.
"Come on man, she's got a kid," his friend laughed, shoving him.
"All the reason why it's just for the thrills, makes me look good," James commented.
The guy next to him started laughing. "Seriously, I make the kid like me, the girl's in the palm of my hand," James told his friends before taking a swig of his beer. Edward felt the anger rush through his system when he mistook a step and a branch broke. "What the hell was that?" James asked standing up. Edward grabbed a hold of another branch, swinging down. "Ah, Edward right?" James asked with a smirk.
"Stay away from Bella and Renesmee," Edward answered.
"I think that would be Bella's choice if she wants me to stay away," James commented.
"Stay away from them. They're my family!" Edward snapped.
James sighed as he handed his friend the beer he was drinking. "You know Edward, you don't seem to know when to quit do you? Newsflash, you're no longer Bella's boyfriend, you dumped her," he answered.
"You're using her," Edward hissed.
"Using is such a dirty word to say," James answered.
"Well that's what you're doing isn't it?" Edward answered.
James shrugged. "Call it what it want. I won either way," he commented. He started laughing and looked over at him. "What? The pianist really going to try to beat me up?" He laughed.
"Leave Bella alone, you're going to end up hurting her and I won't let that happen," Edward answered.
James just smirked at him. "You'd have to convince Bella. Is she going to listen to the guy who left her two years ago or a guy who's actually helping her with your kid?" James asked. Edward glared at him but James grabbed his jacket off the ground, putting it on. "See you later guys," he told his friends before walking away.
---------------------------------
Next day, Bella was sitting at one of the picnic tables, reading over one of her papers when the table shook. She looked up and saw James standing on the table top. "What are you doing?" She asked laughing. James sat down on the table top with a grin.
"Checking on my girl," he replied.
She smiled a little. "Whatcha reading?" He asked, snatching it from her. He sat back on the table. "Wuthering Heights? Really?" He asked.
"There's nothing wrong with it," she replied snatching it back from him.
"Yeah, nothing screams excitement than reading about a guy whining about a girl he lost," he muttered.
"There's more depth to it than that," she sighed.
She looked at her watch. "I have to go," she told him. James got off the table and wrapped his arm around Bella's waist, looking over his shoulder to see Edward standing by his car. He grinned at Edward, purposely burying his face into Bella's hair just to annoy Edward as they walked up the steps to the school.
