Thank you to the reviews! And say hello to Lolliward ! I'm really sorry about the delay and all..and this is insanely short, but just remember the Author's Note.
Note the name change, everyone!
Okay, and also, I just posted a one-shot and its amazingly sexually explicit, so it you have time, go check it out and review!
He gave a large smile, which I returned in a lesser fashion, as he held up a cherry lollipop.
I tried to keep the smile from my face, but it was hard. "You should come over later," Edward suggested, popping the candy from his mouth. "My mom wants to meet you."
I swallowed hard. "I can't."
"Why not?" he asked, eyebrows pulling together.
"I...I have my sisters to take care of, and there's bedtimes..." I struggled with how to word this. I didn't want another fight or disagreement between us because things finally cooled, and the warming feelings were back. "You know, babies are hard to take care of and all, and when they get off schedule..." Damn, I sounded like such a mom.
"Bella, where are your parents?" Edward asked, his tone serious. In fact, he looked more serious than I've ever seen him before. Dead serious. I wondered if he knew, or if he had an idea where things were going in my household. "Why can't they take care of them?"
For a moment I tapped my foot, biting my lip. "They're...away. I have to take care of my sisters."
"What? By yourself?"
I gave him a blank look. "And you haven't already expected hearing that?" I asked. "When you were over I was the one that had to take care of them. You heard Sophie or Emma, whichever, calling me 'momma'. Didn't you suspect my parents are deadbeats?"
I was back to the point of not wanting to trust the wrong people. One slip up and...and I wouldn't have the girls anymore. But after that problem with Caitlyn and my blaming Edward, I knew I could trust. If not completely then pretty close to it. Yeah, I did still have to watch what I said to and around him, but not as consciously as any other person. Maybe I had more freedom with Edward.
His voice was softer when he spoke again, like he was scared to hurt me. "Your parents don't help at all?"
How do I answer that? I looked out at the parking lot where kids still hung around, but for the most part, they were all gone. "No," I admitted quietly, hoping that he didn't actually hear. "Not at all." Against my wishes and attempts to blink them away, a few tears fell down my cheeks. He didn't need to see this, so I turned away.
There were the sounds of feet shuffling before Edward was right beside. My heart did a weird, painful thud when he put him arm over my shoulders.
"Well, your doing a really good job." He said it like it was only to make me feel better.
"Your just saying that," I laughed humourlessly.
"I've seen how they act around you!" he objected lightly. "If your doing it by yourself then clearly your doing something right."
I shrugged. "I wonder what that is," I mumbled, looking down at my feet. Clearly I did try my best with the girls – I mean, what else could I do? That didn't necessarily mean I was doing things right just because I was trying. It wasn't my goal to make their lives perfect or doing everything perfectly for them; all I did was do my best. All I wanted to do was try my best to raise them – I didn't think I was perfect.
"Your too hard on yourself, Bella," Edward said. "Did you ever think that maybe you were meant to be perfect at taking care of kids?"
"What's that have to do with anything?"
"Bella, I knew something was up the first time I was at your house. And I didn't even know you are a...well, that your kind of like a mom, and yet I could still see how happy they are. They're little perfect little angels."
A smile stared to form, but I washed it away. "I swear they understand what's up. Even Sophie and Emma."
"Maybe they're just as smart as you," he suggested.
A weird feeling started in my throat and plunged into my stomach. I couldn't tell what it was, but it was some sort of sickening feeling that couldn't be placed on some kind of stomach ache. Maybe it was just That Time of Month again. I hoped.
To distract from the awkward silence, I continued with the first topic before we got sidetracked on the deadbeat parents. "I'll come over if I can bring the parade."
Ten minutes later we pulled up to the elementary school where Caitlyn stood with Melly's hand in hers. Edward managed to talk me into letting him drive us there, and despite the short-of-one-seat car, I agreed – after putting both car seats in. Caitlyn took a few steps toward the Volvo, but didn't get too close. She had ridden in the vehicle before, but maybe she was just a little off-balance with this happening again.
I stepped out and met them halfway, picking up Melly. She laid her head on my shoulder, still under the weather.
"Why's he here?" Caitlyn asked curiously.
"We're going to visit the Cullen family," I said slowly, still unsure of this myself. It was one thing that there was school tomorrow, but a whole other that they all that scheduled bedtimes so they weren't unbearable.
"Why?"
"Just for a visit," I shrugged. "No reason, I guess." I felt short of words after Edward's and my conversation, but I tried not to feel like nothing but a little sand bag. I wasn't really feeling for anything right now, maybe a little emotional. Like I was holding something back.
"Are we going to get in trouble?" Caitlyn whispered, like we were sharing a secret.
I shook my head, and even though I laughed, I wondered if we would get in trouble. Even the interval between Renee and Charlie and us, I was still feeling like we were about to tread hot water. "Its all good, Caitlyn," I said confidently. "You won't be in any trouble." However I couldn't be so confident about myself.
As I buckled Melly in the back seat – poor child was so sick – Caitlyn asked, "Where am I supposed to sit?"
"Don't whine," I drawled, running a hand through Melly's hair before closing the door. I turned to my little sister. "For now you sit on my lap. When we pick up the twins I'll sit back there with Melly."
"But I'm not—"
I pulled her into the car before she could continue to complain, sitting her on my lap. Edward attempted to say something to her, but she totally pulled the silent treatment. All I could do was shake my head at her. Edward only needed a little refreshment to where the babysitter lived, which I gave up instantly and pointed out streets. I ran in while Melly and Caitlyn stood outside of the car.
At least Melly didn't give Edward the silent treatment.
I gathered the twins and their bags, buckling them into their seats. With these four girls nothing was easy, or be a walk in the park. Everyone was talking at once, Melly and Caitlyn arguing, and the little ones flailing their limbs. It was hectic, and on the outside it may have looked funny or entertaining; to me it was a pain and hurt in weird ways.
Emma and Sophie sat on either side of me, and I cradled Melly in my lap.
Caitlyn sat in the passenger seat beside Edward.
"Caitlyn called me a mean name," Melly whined.
"When?"
"When you were getting them." She pointed to Emma and over her shoulder at Sophie.
I looked up over at Caitlyn. She had a slightly guilty look on her face. "What did you call her, Caitlyn?" I said firmly. She didn't respond, only looked out the window. "Caitlyn, I asked you a question. What did you call her?" I glanced at Edward, worried I was making myself look psychotic.
Yet Caitlyn wasn't offering up any information. It was really ticking my patients. "Melly, she didn't mean it," I said quietly, running my fingers through her hair. "She's just having a bad day, okay?"
"But it was mean, momma." I looked down at her, shocked she would say that. When was the last time Melly called me her mom? She looked up at me pleadingly, innocent. "Bella?"
"I...Caitlyn, please say sorry."
She turned a fraction to her sister. "Sorry," she mumbled, turning back around. Her attitude really was starting to make me want to argue with her about it, but I resisted.
Did I really need to make myself look any more like an incapable teenager dealing with family issues already? Didn't think so.
There was chatter on each side of me which filled the silence of Edward nor I saying anything. It kind of felt awkward with all the quiet and squeaky voices, but I was too trained on other thoughts to try to fill the void.
What would his family think of me? Here Edward is, bringing a friend who is toting four young girls around. What would cross your mind if you saw a sight like that? I was only partly concerned about the girls' behaviour – as I saw it as a reflection on me – but I had more faith in the two younger ones then Caitlyn and Melly. Hopefully Caitlyn would get her things together and straight out.
I leaned forward, close to Edward's ear so no one could hear. "Are you sure about this?"
"Sure, why not?" He sounded like this meant little.
"Just making sure," I mumbled, sitting back and holding tighter to Melly. After a few more seconds of prodding at the thoughts, I announced, "Everyone will be on their best behaviour tonight no matter what, with the exception of the babies. Melinda. Caitlyn."
Caitlyn said, "I know."
"Can't I just go to sleep?" Melly asked, that curious tone in her voice she always had.
"Instead of being good? I don't think so."
No matter what happened tonight, I didn't care. All I wanted was for the Cullens to have the most positive impression of me and the girls, just so I could feel like I really was doing something right.
Eek! *hides* Short!