This version has NOT gotten the stamp of approval from the girls, yet. But I made a deal in my group to post anyway and you guys have to overlook grammar issues and such, okay? :-)

We're still in the same weekend. Bella's b-day weekend. Things move a little ahead next chap. I'm hoping this story won't be too much longer, but it wasn't supposed to be more than a few chaps to begin with. So, clearly I have no power over my stories lol

Thanks for reading!

No Matter What

Chapter 13

*X*—Bella Swan—*X*

The next day brought with it a mix of emotions for Bella. Her lack of sleep made her feel as though morning came quick. All the while it also felt like it didn't come quick enough. Talking to, and about her mom, left her feeling drained; both mentally and emotionally. She was ready to start anew and put that day behind her. However, she felt suspended in limbo as her thoughts bounced back in forth between the day before and the day ahead.

She knew better than to believe her mother or dwell on anything she'd said in the past. But once you hear something enough, it's only human to start believing it. At the very least pause to wonder if there's validity to the statements. That it's come from the people who should have loved her most, and unconditionally, has made it more difficult for Bella to ignore over the years. And the nagging voice in her head had spent all night trying to fight against her hearts belief that Edward truly loved her.

As if fighting to awake from a bad dream, Bella had to wrestle with her mind and refocus her thoughts. Edward loved her. He wouldn't say he did if he didn't. That's what she needed to hold on to.

Blinking her eyes open, she came face to face with the rare sight of pale skin and a swirl of colorful ink. With a smile, she leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Edward's shoulder blade. Then she followed the pattern pass his neck, down his back, and to his side stopping where his skin was raised the most.

"That kind of tickles." Edward's voice came out soft, yet groggy with sleep.

Having never heard any talk of Edward being ticklish, Bella knew that was an excuse for her to stop her movements. Normally she would have. But the new morning also brought with it a sense of determination in Bella. She wouldn't push and pester, but she wouldn't let Edward keep brushing her off when it came to certain topics, either.

In this situation, the topic was the source of his scars.

"What happened here?" she asked, applying a soft amount of pressure to his skin with her fingers.

"You know what happened."

She nodded because she did know, or at least had an idea, but she needed to hear him say it for once. "Will you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" His voice was tight, slightly aggravated. His body now tense. "That those are from when I flew through a car windshield? Sure, I'll tell you."

"Edward." Bella sighed and her shoulders slumped. She wasn't sure how much of him pushing her away she could take; especially after her admissions, her way of letting him in completely, from the night before.

At hearing the pain and some annoyance in Bella's voice, Edward turned over on his back to look at her. It forced Bella to pull her hands away from him, so he reached his arms out to her before she could take the gesture personally.

"They're from the accident," he stated the obvious; his voice was soft—explanatory even—and not at all like the harsh way he'd snapped the previous comment at her. "I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, so when it happened, when …" he cleared his throat and looked away. "When Rosie had to slam on her breaks the car behind us didn't have enough time to stop. She hit us and the impact sent me through the windshield."

While she was thankful he'd finally divulged some information about the accident, one detail she hadn't expected rang louder in her head. "You weren't driving?"

"No."

"Oh." Bella wasn't sure what else to say, but she knew she failed to conceal the shock in her voice. The way Edward always acted, as if he was responsible for the accident, had her assuming he'd been the driver. She decided she would need more time to process that, and moved her thoughts back to the present and the physical.

"How long did all this take?" she whispered, trailing her fingers back up the swirls of his tattoos.

Edwards eyebrows shot up but inside all he felt was relief that Bella wasn't going to push to subject further.

"It's accumulated over the years," he said, but kept his face scrunched in confusion. He was sure they'd had this conversation before. Sure she knew what most of his tattoos meant and which ones he'd designed himself.

"I've thought about getting another one," she continued with a forced shrug. "Do you plan on getting more?"

"Look at me." Edward squeezed her hand. When she looked up, he squeezed her hand again, and whispered, "Ask me what you want to ask me."

"I honestly don't know what to ask." She threaded their fingers together. Her voice shook as she continued, "I get wanting to keep your secrets. I get not wanting to dwell on things. But, this whole accident is shrouded in mystery to the point it's ... I don't know, Edward. I've told you since the beginning that I'll always do my best to understand. As of yesterday, I've told you I love you. If that's not enough to make you trust me—"

"You think I don't trust you?" Hurt. That's all Edward felt at her comment. Of course he trusted her. How could she think otherwise? "Bella, of course I—"

"Let's just not okay?" she asked in a small voice. "I'm sorry I brought it up again." But she wasn't sorry at all. She was pissed. However, she wasn't in the mood to fight, argue, or beg him to talk to her any more.

"Bell—"

"We should probably start getting ready, but I'm going to call Laurent first and see what time he thinks we should go over."

Frustrated, Edward sighed and burrowed his head back in the pillow watching silently as Bella left the bed.

For a second, he'd forgotten about the day ahead. And now, with the morning starting off the way it did, meeting Laurent was really the last thing he wanted to do.

"Are you nervous?" Bella asked Edward on their way to Laurent's parent's house. "Or just mad at me?" she added the question with a dry, sarcastic laugh.

Edward shook his head and simply said, "I'm not nervous."

He was, however, mad at the turn of events—the change of plans she'd sprung on him last minute.

At first, the meeting was supposed to be something quick and simple. Edward would go with her to pick up Briella, and knowing the Revins would have a birthday cake for her, Bella invited him to partake in the singing and cutting.

Then today, she was nonchalant when she informed him plans had changed and they were having a small cookout. "It's not supposed to be anything fancy," she said as if that made it all okay. It wasn't okay at all, she saw that clearly by the look his face, but since he didn't say anything she'd hoped he wasn't too mad.

It was first thing in the morning when she'd told him about the change, right after things had gotten tense with them, and now hours later Edward had barely uttered a full sentence to her.

"So, then you are mad at me."

"Bella." His voice was low and laced with warning. He wasn't mad at her, but he would be soon if she kept pestering him with the same question.

Bella dropped it, knowing the best thing was to leave him alone for the rest of their ride lest they get into an argument about nothing.

When they got to Laurent's house, Edward rushed out of the car and to the passenger side. "Let's just get this over with," he grumbled under his breath.

Bella pursed her lips, thinking this might have all been a bad idea. But the minute they walked to the back of the house and Briella's squeals filled the air, she backtracked that thought immediately.

"Mommy! Edward!"

Edward's face broke out into a smile, and he kneeled down to brace himself as Briella barreled toward him.

"Hey, princess." He squeezed her in a tight hug. "I missed you!"

"Me, too! I was waiting for you."

"Yeah? Did you have something you needed to tell me?"

"Umm … Umm …" she shrugged. "I dunno."

Bella's laugh caught their attention, and Briella turned her attention to her mom. After hugs and kisses, she was quick to inform her that she wanted to go swimming, but Daddy said she had to wait.

"I gots a new swimming suit, but you gotta put it on so I can swim, too."

"Oh, okay." Bella nodded but shrugged at Edward's questioning eyes. Briella was already wearing a bathing suit. They had no idea what she was talking about.

"The suit she has on is new." Laurent walked up with a guarded smile. He kissed Bella on the cheek, and reached out for Briella before he continued, "And I told her she had to wait for you to come and put yours on before she can go swimming."

"Ah." They both nodded. That made a little more sense.

The three adults stood there in a silent, awkward showdown before the guys looked at Bella and quirked expectant eyebrows. "Oh, right!"she turned to Edward with a loving smile. "Babe, this is Laurent. And Laurent, this is my boyfriend—"

"Edward Masen," he finished for her and reached a hand out to Laurent.

Shifting Bree on his hip, Laurent returned Edward's greeting with his free it was a little stiff, on both their parts, Bella appreciated the fact they were both trying.

Briella, oblivious to any discomfort in the air, was beaming. All her favorite people were in the same place, and now she'd be able to go swimming! It didn't get much better.

"Edward, come go swimming with me!"

That wasn't going to happen no matter how much she begged. He'd do almost anything for her, anything to make her happy, but taking his shirt off in front of strangers was where he drew the line. "How about I watch you swim, instead?"

"Okay!" She smiled and reached out for him, but Laurent held her tighter.

At that, both men's expressions and postures hardened.

"Can Daddy and I watch you swim, too?" Bella asked with an exaggerated pout, trying to alleviate the tension. Briella nodded and smiled happily at her mother.

"You swim, too, Mommy."

"Okay." She reached for her. When Laurent hesitated, Bella narrowed her eyes. She was daring him not to hand Briella over. He quickly loosened his hold on her. "Let's go inside and see Nana. Then you can help me change into my suit."

"Yay!"

"Edward, want to come inside with us?" Bella asked.

"Does he need to help you change, too?" Laurent cleared his throat, calling for their attention.

Edward, who had already taken a step toward Bella, stopped and slowly turned to face Laurent. "Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying—"

"Come meet Miss Senna and Grandad." Bella focused on Edward. It was her best to way to explain and remind them both what the day was really about. Out of respect for the different yet equally important relationships she shared with both men, she did want Laurent and Edward to meet. However, there was a lot more to it.

She knew, in a way, that she was putting them all in a strange position—meeting Edward and all. But the Revins were the only family she felt she had. She couldn't run to her mom to introduce and gossip about her new boyfriend. She sure as hell had no intention of having him meet her dad. Bringing him over for her birthday lunch was the best way to bring them together.

"Guys." The pleading sound in Bella voice made both men stand down and Edward turn his attention back to her.

"I'd love to meet them." There was an edge to his voice, but Bella still exhaled in relief as they walked inside.

Not before casting a glare at Laurent, though.

X — X

"So, Edward, what's it like working at the warehouse?" Mr. Revin asked.

The cookout was short and simple like Bella had been promised. And though she had a good time—was thankful to the Revins and the few invitees that came over—she felt like all her energy was spent keeping Edward and Laurent on opposite sides of the house and yard. As soon as the cake was cut, she was ready to call it a day. But Grandad was determined to have them stay back. He wanted to know more about this boy Bella deemed worthy enough to bring around.

"It was really challenging when I first started working there,"Edward replied, keeping his voice as polite as possible. "Physically demanding, and hard getting different personalities to mesh. But now those guys, even the annoying one's, feel like family. And it doesn't always feel like work."

By the couch, a snort echoed. And since Laurent and Bree were the only one's sitting that way, there was no guess as to where it came from.

Edward didn't flinch. It wasn't the first jab, or huff, or snort Laurent had made in response to him. He was sure it wouldn't be the last, but he was desensitized to it now.

"So, you like it?" Miss Senna asked, with a polite smile trying to ignore her sons rude behavior. He would sure be getting an earful tonight.

"Yes ma'am." Edward nodded, keeping his smile friendly but guarded. He still wasn't sure about them. They were nice, but they were Bella's ex-boyfriends, parents. They couldn't possibly like him no matter how he acted or what he said.

"Do you plan on working there much longer?" Now Mr. Revin was back to asking questions and neither Edward, or Bella who was sitting by listening but not contributing, could make out the tone of his voice.

It almost sound fatherly, protective, but there was an extra edge to it. Not hostility but ... something similar.

Edward shifted in his seat, and thought about how to answer. He knew this question was part of some test, knew the whole day had been a test. Until now, he'd answered with as little information as possible. But thinking back to how important this seemed to Bella, how things had been that morning, and how he needed to find a way to let some of those walls down—let Bella in all while giving this family some insight and simultaneously stand up for himself—he knew he needed to give a more definite answer.

Shifting in his seat, Edward sat up straighter and faced Mr. Revin, who he had not been instructed to call Grand-dad quite yet.

"To be honest, sir, I never planned on being there for as long as I've been now. Before I got the job at the warehouse, I don't know if Bella told you, but I'd gotten in a pretty bad accident. Before then, things were ... different." Edward had too look away. By different he meant he'd been working mundane nine-five jobs at places Alice wanted him to. But he put up with—always letting how miserable he was brush off his shoulders because it provided for her and Holden.

Chewing on his bottom lip he took a moment to think about how to word this in a way they would accept and in a way Bella would understand what he meant. "Before then, my life revolved around a pretty intense relationship. Everything I had, went into trying to make that work. I didn't have much of a voice, or my own path. I never really decided what I wanted to do."

The air had gotten slightly thick, strained and tense in response to Edward's unexpected declaration. It seemed like even Laurent had stopped breathing, hanging on every word Edward was saying.

Edward felt the tension, felt all eyes on him. But focusing on his thoughts, he continued, "Getting this job, was a bit of a fluke. It wasn't at all what I saw myself doing. But I've come a long way. I've turned down two promotions now, because ..." he looked at Mr. Revin now, eyes hard and unwavering. "Because no. To answer your question, sir, I don't plan on just being a factory worker for the rest of my life. Then again, no part of my life has gone as planned. But I can tell you this ... I'm good at what I do. I like what I do. And even though I can't ever promise Bella that I'll become a doctor or anything fancy like that, she knows I'd do whatever it takes to make sure she and Briella are taken care of. Though, I think we both know they don't need that from me. Bella's done a pretty good job of it herself."

Though he didn't see it, Miss Senna winked at Bella then sucked in her lips to keep a smile from bursting through. Serves him right, she thought about the way her husband had been interrogating the boy for what felt like hours. This was an uncomfortable situation for all of them. But their focus should have been being there for Bella; act like the family they were to her. But her son and husband hadn't done anything to make the boy feel welcomed. If they pushed him away, she knew there was a chance they'd be pushing Bella away, too. And by default Briella.

"We should probably head out soon." Bella broke the silence when no one responded to Edward.

Laurent was the first one to reply. "That's a good idea."

"Good, I'll go get Bree's things."

No one replied, but she could feel Laurent walking behind her. As soon as they got to the room, she whirled around on him. "What the hell do you want?"

"I want Bree to stay with me tonight."

Fire and angry tears burned at her eyes, and her face turned red in an instant. "No."

"I didn't think you were taking her tonight. I already planned to take her to—"

Bella cut him off. "I don't care what you have planned, but she's coming home with me."

"That's not fair! I already promised her."

She shrugged and turned to look for something Bree could change in. "Too bad because you should have known better. I'm spending the day with her tomorrow. End of discussion."

"What's the problem? You never fight with me about keeping her. Is it because your man is here?"

In one stride, Bella was back to standing in front of Laurent and poking a finger to his chest. "You do not get to so much as mention Edward after the way you've been acting."

"He's been just as—"

"And I'm fighting with you about keeping her because you've never been stupid enough to try and take my actual birthday away from me."

Yesterday was about them spending time with Edward's family. Today was about meeting her family. But tomorrow, the actual day of her birthday, would be about her and her daughter. Nothing and no one else would matter.

"Okay, fine." He took a step back. "I can bring her home tonight or even first thing tomorrow. But, don't make me break a promise. It's just the movies, but …"

"Fine." She gave him a terse nod. "Bring my daughter to my house my nine o'clock tonight."

"Hey." Laurent pulled her back. He wouldn't let her leave as mad as she was with him. "Stop being like that."

"Like what?" Bella snatched away her hand.

"Like I'm the bad guy for wanting to spend time with my kid. Like I'm an asshole because I don't like my baby momma's new boyfriend."

"Don't call me that. And what did I just say about mentioning Edward? You don't get to when you have no reason not to like him other than being jealous."

"Jealous?" Laurent threw his head back and laughed. "What reasons do I have to be jealous."

"Briella and I both love him. So there's that."

Bella might as well had kicked him in the stomach. "Love him? You don't love him—you're just dickwhipped."

"You would think that." She shook her head. "But funny enough, we've never even had sex. So, how's that theory working for you now? No, I love him and he loves me and as much as it might kill you to hear it has nothing to do with sex. Which makes what I have with him ten times more real than what I ever had with you."

"Now you're just throwing out low blows for the fucking sake of it, Bella."

She shrugged and widened her arms.

Her face was stone cold, eyes hard and glaring. Inside, she was close to falling apart.

The day hadn't been anything like she'd hoped. And she wasn't sure on which side she would have to work more damage control.

"So, you're actually mad that I don't like you're new boyfriend?"

"That is not what this was about!" At this point, she didn't care about keeping her voice low. She wanted everyone to hear how she feeling. "You guys are all I have, and you know that! I didn't bring him here so you guys could love him, or accept him. But I sure as hell expected you to respect him, Laurent. You of all people should be a little more appreciative of the guy who's helping me raise your kid."

"Excuse me!" Laurent was in her face now. This is how they fought. Things got dirty, they went for the jugular. And neither one was about to back down.

"It's true. He's at my house almost every day. He helps me get her to eat her vegetables. He helps me tuck her in night. He is the first person I think to call now if she needs to get picked up from daycare. What do you have to say about that?"

"You're a hateful bitch, Bella."

"Good comeback."

"You guys both need to calm down." Senna's voice came from the doorway.

They both tensed and turned to face her, buckling under the disappointed glare she was giving them both. "You're both acting very ugly right now." Staring at Bella, she added, "Briella is upset at hearing you guys arguing." Then glaring at her son, she made a point in saying, "And Edward is the one comforting her. I don't know what's got you both acting so immature, but you're acting like children, not parents."

Bella felt like the words sliced through her, but she couldn't argue. Nodding, she started walking out the door, but was pulled back again by Laurent.

"I'm sorry. I don't want this to become a fight."

"Well, that's too bad because that's exactly what we're doing."

Laurent let out a heavy breath. "So, we're not cool?"

Not even close, Bella thought.

Not even close.

Soooo ... is that how you saw things going?

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Until Next Time

~Lo