I was terrified for reviews, like I literally cringed at the entire idea. But after a few I got a hold of myself, and its all good. I'm glad you all hated it so much that you loved it. Your guys' support is what keeps me going and the reviews just keep me writing this story. Descartes1, I agree with you completely, and that being said, I want to promise to everyone that Caitlyn's stay in Florida will NOT be long. I have decided that after the words just went for my fingers, Caitlyn is not staying long.
Thank you for reading/reviewing. Impossible-Twins made me smile with saying I'm good at doing evil.
Back to Bella's point of view.
The first night was the hardest. I couldn't sleep and spent most of the night going through the baby book I'd made for Caitlyn. She was the first of my responsibilities so my time wasn't really taken up. The cover was decorated with colourful and sparkly glitter with stickers, a picture of Caitlyn the day she was born. It was all pink and frilly; Alice would be proud.
The book is filled with pictures I took of Caitlyn for all these years of her life, most just repeats from different angles. They made me smile. Especially the picture of all five of us, like one big family, sitting on the trampoline. The twins were about seven months at this time and Melly was just over three, while Caitlyn was seven; all at that cute age, cute, happy, oblivious stage.
The album brought more unshed tears. I think I may have cried the entire night away.
I took the rest of the week off school and stayed secluded in the house, all doors and windows locked. The phone rang a few times but I didn't touch it. I didn't want to hear it.
The point in going to school was lost on me. Soon we wouldn't even have a place to live in or food to eat; what was the point of school now? I wouldn't be able to pay for college, make payments on an apartment, or do, well, anything. I had to get a job, too, which was on my list, that long, ever-growing list. If I didn't get a job that could support us all – and God forbid there be something I'm eligible for – before the talk of college, I was screwed. Jobs in Forks were limited, but jobs for people with zero experience were even more slim. And that was me, no experience.
When the weekend hit, there was also no contact from Caitlyn.
At first I was worried something was wrong, that maybe she was done for, but then I started to wonder if they were just busy. Busy doing what, I didn't want to think about. Just busy. So I waited.
And the wait just prolonged.
Edward stopped by after school every day to mostly drop off homework and maybe have to hold me while I broke down. I've been so weak in front of him now and he just stands there and takes it. I still didn't get him on some levels. Sure he had explained on many occasions why he cared so much, but I still felt dubious over this fact. Why would a new patron of Forks want to...
I could go through this a million times a day and yet I still couldn't wrap my head around it.
However, on Friday, Edward wasn't having it with my moping.
"You have to go to school," he told me firmly, following as I walked into the kitchen. He didn't quite realize that I was trying to get away from him.
I understood how he could care but not how it affected him. "I can't," I replied sharply, neglecting to say more.
His eyebrows rose. "Why not, Bella? You can't stay cooped up in this house like a prisoner. When was the last time you saw the sun?" he challenged.
My fist came down on the counter and Edward visibly jump. "Trick question! Forks doesn't get sun." He gave me a answer the damn question look. I sighed before turning around so I couldn't see his face. "I don't want to leave in case Caitlyn calls, and really? There's no point in school for me, Edward," I mumbled. "I won't even be able to afford this house much longer or even feed us all."
There was only so much money in the bank that could slowly provide for us. Maybe we would have to resort to living in a house lit with candles, huddled in blankets during the winter and surviving on minimal food. It could have been valid were the girls older. But they were so little, they didn't deserve this. They deserved the world and I couldn't even give it to them.
"Bella," he sighed, but didn't continue. When he spoke again, it sounded like he changed his path of words. "Why don't you come over tonight?" Edward suggested, his voice nonchalant. "You and the girls?"
I bit the inside of my lip. "I want to hear from Caitlyn," I argued lamely, tapping my long-sense chewed-off nails on the counter.
"That's not a good reason, Bella," Edward argued back, eerily calm. The calmness made me want to snap at him with force, but I decided against it because I knew he only wanted to help. "I want you to stay over so you don't have to be alone," he continued. My heart stopped at that moment. "At a time like this, I'm sure you don't want to think of everything, just please come over. I want to talk to my dad with you there. If you don't mind."
With a painful thud, my heart started to beat normally again as I whirled around to face him. "Your not going to tell him, right?" I demanded unsteadily. Edward's hand reached up to my face and brushed a piece of hair out of my face as he nodded slowly. He wasn't agreeing with my silent plea. "But Edward! You can't! I'll—I'll—"
"What happens will be debatable, Bella," he said, still calm. Not uncaring but more comforting. "We just need to talk." A smile spread on his face. "Not to mention that you haven't met my mother and she would really like to know who this girl is."
I raised my eyebrows. "This girl?"
"You," he replied with a small smile. I think he even knew that he was breaking my resolve. "And Emmett really wants to see his little girls." Edward rolled his eyes at the comment and I had a feeling his mind headed back to where mine did: the virgin-ears—virgin-children comment. Despite the creepiness of it, it still brought a smile to my face.
Emmett was such an idiot.
"Um..." I hesitated. Now I really didn't want to say no. Not for the fact that Emmett wanted to occupy the girls and hopefully give me a break, but for Edward's mom. I really did want to meet this woman that raised such a...gentlemen. You didn't see many guys like Edward these days, no one...that really cared about anything but getting in girls' pants. And I was pretty positive that wasn't what Edward wanted.
"Bella?" he pressed.
"Right. I, uh, I guess we could...spend the night," I replied awkwardly. Even in my very clean mind the words sounded, well, dirty. Dirty in a sexual way that made me increasingly uncomfortable. I rushed to tag on, "It would be good for the girls...and all."
Edward smiled and I saw his own apprehension. "It will. I know Alice is looking forward to it, and my dad's been wondering how you're all doing. So...yeah," he finished, scratching the back of his neck. The words and gesture only added to the awkwardness of the situation that I half-wondered why or how this would change how sad I was feeling.
Fortunately, and at the mercy of the blood in my cheeks, Melly chose that moment to make an appearance. "I'm thirsty," she said. I reached up on the counter to retrieve her cup that was still half-full with apple juice. She took a sip before giving a sour face.
"Something wrong with it?" I asked, confused.
"Yuck," she spat, wiping the back of her hand over her mouth. "There a reason I didn't drink it."
"Of course," I muttered, realizing my mistake. It is Caitlyn that loved apple juice – not Melly. The thoughts left a taste of metal in the back of my throat. "Um, why don't you go play and I'll bring you out something in a few?" I suggested, suddenly feeling a mix of sadness and confusion. She left with a single protest – that Edward go play with her.
Vaguely I heard him tell her to wait a few minutes but the words never registered. I got caught back in that web of longing. What was Caitlyn doing right at this moment? Was she missing me and he girls? Did she want or need to come home? How safe was she in Florida, if that's really where they were? Questions flew past before I could even think them through.
It was an automatic response to think of the worst about what was happening across the US as I stood there, waiting, wondering. I prayed she was okay. If not completely okay then her being alive would suffice for that. All I wanted was to know she was safe. If Caitlyn called me at that moment, in a fury of scared and upset, I would have her back here as fast as I possibly could, whether I used my minimal college fund to buy a roundabout plane ticket to get her back here – I would do it in a heartbeat.
I just needed to be told when.
"Uh, Bella," Edward nudged me. "Why don't you go pack and I'll watch them?"
"Uh, yeah, sure," I mumbled, turning away and headed for the stairs. With my foot on the first step, I turned around to face Edward and asked, "Do you really like kids? I mean, I get that you've been around them, watched them for a bit, but..."
Edward shrugged, clearly amused. "I don't mind them. I know I don't want them for a few decades, but," he broke off laughing at my wide-eyed and shocked expression. "What?"
My eyebrows pulled down in confusion and thought. "I kind of pinned you as one of those...eighteen-hundreds guys, you know? Like all manners and big families and...well, loving kids." I shrugged but moved up the stairs before I could hear his response to my perception.
I wanted to cut this in half a little for you guys, just so I had something to post to you guys. I hope this makes you feel better after that last scary chapter. I'm glad you all somewhat...enjoyed – using the word loosely – the last chapter, and hopefully this one made you all feel better. The next few chapters should be quite...happy per se. Some sadness aside but not perfect happiness. I'm sure you all will enjoy. *insert winky face*
I have a question for you guys: What would you do in Bella's situation? Take the question however you want it, but what would YOU do?
If you guys get me to 265 reviews, I will update the day I receive said number. If everyone who put this on alert reviewed, this chapter would have 143 reviews. Just saying.
Love, Glitter 3