Disclaimer: I looked and still have no claim to twilight, except for owning all the books and moves that have come out.
Got eclipse this weekend hope all of you did too!
Thank you blaze for being my beta you are doing a wonderful job.
Chapter 31
BPOV
"You made a rebel out of a careless man careful daughter; you are the best thing that's ever been mine."
I know that ring tone. I shoot up and run to my phone.
"Good morning." I smile and start towards the kitchen.
"Good morning love. You are in a rather good mood for not having coffee yet."
"How do you know I haven't had coffee yet?'
"Well, your alarm isn't set to go off for another ten minutes." he sounds so cocky.
"Uh huh. You know you sound like some crazy stalker." I giggle.
"Oh, Bella, my love" He laughs. "Anyway I called for a reason. I need a favor."
"Okay anything."
"Bella, I could be asking you to sign you soul over to me right now,"
"Well if you need it, have it." I shrug knowing he can't see but keeping y voice in a joking manner.
"Bella sometimes you are so strange." He laughs.
"Edward, what do you need?" I pull him back on track.
"Well I need to talk to Amanda, about Tanya." I take a deep breath in through my nose. "I was wondering if you could be there to help me with her and there is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about but I will wait until we can talk face to face."
"Sure, why don't you guys come over tonight? The boys will be going to Jake's so we will be able to devote all the, undivided, time we need to on her." I think that is the best way to handle telling a child your mother doesn't want you.
"Great, what time do they leave I don't want them to get upset that she is there when they have to leave."
I smile because he is catching on. "They leave right after school Jake is usually here waiting for us when we get home."
"Okay then I will stop by my parents place and let them know not to worry about Amanda tonight."
"Great I'll see you tonight. What do you guys want for supper? Better yet what's Amanda favorite dish she will need the comfort."
"Oh Bella, spaghetti is her favorite." He sounds defeated.
"Oh you poor thing, another Italian lover" I laugh.
"I know. What am I going to do?" he plays along.
"I'll cook for you and then we can talk to her after supper. Everything will be okay Edward."
"Alright, we will see you tonight, love."
"See you tonight." I hang up.
What a way to start the day, a phone call from Edward, it can't get any better. My alarm goes off, and I jump in the shower. I rush through the shower and wake the boys to start the day.
EPOV
I had to call Bella first thing, I didn't want to wake her too soon so I waited until I knew it was close to the time she would be up. I need her to help me with Amanda. They both seem to have an odd attraction to each other so I really think Bella will be a good person to have, helping me with this.
Now I lay here wishing beyond all hope that I didn't have to tell my six year old daughter that her mother doesn't want her.
How in the hell do you brake an angels heart? Where do you start? Man, I hope Bella has some ideas.
I decide I will not dwell on this I will handle it tonight. I get up shower and head down for my coffee. My mother is standing next to Amanda talking about school and Bella and the boys.
"Mom, I will be taking Amanda to school today and picking her up. We will be at Bella's tonight for dinner." It comes out more clipped than what I intend for it to.
"Amanda, dear, why don't you go say good morning to grandpa?" Amanda leaves and my mother turns to me. "Edward what in the world is wrong with you? You never speak to me like that."
"I'm sorry mom, I am just on edge. I'm going to tell Amanda about Tanya tonight."
"Well we will help you dear." My mom rests her hand on my shoulder.
"Actually mom, Bella will be helping me, but thank you for offering."
"Edward, do you think that is wise? Shouldn't she be around family for this?"
"Mom, her and Bella have this thing. I think that Bella is the right person for this task."
"Edward, I don't agree with this decision."
"Mom, I know you guys have helped me since Tanya left and I appreciate it, I really do, but this is my decision. Amanda is my daughter and I will decide what is right and wrong, that is my job." I try to keep my voice calm.
"Edward don't you think this is an awfully lot to put on her right now? Amanda will think Bella will pick up where Tanya was supposed to, and maybe Bella will feel obligated."
"Mom… I have spoken with Bella and she has agreed. She knows I expect nothing but support from her."
"Fine," she snips "if that's what you want. You're right she is your daughter and it is your decision." She stomped out of the room.
I know my mother is hurt by my decision, but I really think this is important that I have Bella there. Some part of me thinks that if I am going to make this work then I need to do this with Bella. I think my mom is just being her over protective mama bear self. I understand I wish she would understand I think this is important for us.
I gather Amanda and take her to school. I get a smile and a wave from Bella as she drops off her boys.
BPOV
I wave at Edward while he drops Amanda off at school as I drop the boys off. As I get back in the car I hear my phone ringing, it's Esme.
"Hello"
"Bella dear, its Esme." She sounds upset.
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes, I understand Edward is bringing Amanda to your house tonight to talk about her mother."
"Yes,"
"I don't think that is a good idea." She snaps at me.
"Okay…and why do you think it is a bad idea?"
"Because, she will look to you to pick up where Tanya has dropped the ball."
"Esme, I understand your concern. I am only trying to help. If you are that uncomfortable with not being there then, why don't you come over too? I will be happy to feed everyone then we can all sit down and talk to her about this I think the more people she has around her the better. She will need a large support system." Yes I choose to ignore the comment about me picking up where Tanya left off.
"I don't know if Edward will agree with that idea, Bella. When I suggested he have the conversation with us there he strongly disagreed."
"Esme, I know your son, maybe not as well as you, but I do think that maybe he felt you where trying to interfere with his way of doing things and when it comes to Amanda he can get a tad overly defensive. If he wants me there and you tried to talk him out of it then he will push harder for it to be done his way. I do understand none of you know me that well, but I do want you to know I am in this for the long hall and I love Amanda like I do my own boys. I think the way Tanya is thinking is ludicrous but I promise you I mean her no harm in anyway. I want to make things easer on her. I think by not excluding me but just adding you to this equation Edward will come around and if you like I would be more than happy to talk to him about it."
"Bella, we would love to be there. I am sorry if I came off rudely. I just don't want to be pushed aside." She sounds like she is starting to cry.
"Esme, you will always be her grandmother. I would never dream of taking that away from you or her. I think you should be involved with this for that reason as well as the fact that you have been helping raise her this long. I do need you to understand something though. If a time comes where Edward and I decide to move in together or who knows get married we will need plenty of space to give this a shot. That is not saying you will be shoved out, but one thing you need to understand about me, I take my responsibilities very seriously. I will not allow for someone to attempt to shove me out. I hope you can see by my compromise right now that I will work with you but I will not be spit on. Alright"
"Bella all I ask is do not shut us out."
"That will never happen. I can assure you of that. When…if that time comes I will be more than happy to work with you." She is crying now.
"Thank you Bella."
"You are more than welcome Esme. I will talk to Edward at noon and let him know I requested your presents this evening. Dinner will be at five."
"Alright"
"See you then. Good bye Esme."
"Good bye dear." At least I am back to being dear again.
I know that she is worried about losing her family but at the same time she can not be so mean to me. I am not one to be treated like that. I tried to stay polite and still get my point across and I hope I did. I guess I will find out when tonight comes.
I walk into the hospital looking at my watch it is ten after twelve Edward should be at lunch. I head straight for the cafeteria. I spot Edward right away it is hard to miss he is practically screaming on his phone. I walk over and rest a hand on his shoulder.
EPOV
"Tanya this is ludicrous, she needs you. How can you do this to her?"
"Edward, I don't want to be a mom. I can't handle it."
"Damn it Tanya. You need to rethink this."
"No Edward, I don't want to be a mom. In fact as soon as I am in Paris I will be getting my tubes tied. I don't want children."
"Fine! Then you sign away all your rights and so help me god don't you come back. I don't want you anywhere near her. I will mend her broken heart, but you are never allowed to break it again." I feel a strange sense of relaxation come over me. I brush it off and continue with my call. "I am serious Tanya; one time, I see you anywhere near her…" I feel a hand touch my shoulder. I look up and there is Bella. "You know what, just leave her alone, and have a good life." I snap my phone shut and turn around.
Bella takes me in her arms and holds me for a second. "It will be okay Edward. Come on lets go out to the parking lot." When we get out there we sit on a bench and I lose it, I start sobbing uncontrollably for my daughter. Leave it to Bella to take it all in. "Shh….shhh….shhh it's alright. She will be okay." She starts rubbing small circles between my shoulder blades. "Calm down Edward…calm down. It will all work out."
Then it hits me. "Bella what are you doing here?"
"Edward, I am everywhere." She smiles innocent like. I wait for her explanation. "I came to talk to you." She smiles.
"About what?"
"Tonight… I spoke with your mother about this and I invited them to join us."
"Bella, my mother just has what I call mama bear syndrome. Please don't feed it."
"Edward, this will be hard for Amanda and your parents have been there since the beginning. She needs as much support as possible. I had a long talk with you mother today. I really think it will be beneficial to Amanda to have them there. I know she is your daughter but you have asked for my help and if I didn't help you all the way, it would be pointless."
"Well, you just hop on that soap box there, love." I snuff a laugh.
"No its just if am going to do something, I do it all the way. Otherwise there is no point in doing it in the first place."
I can't help it I have to kiss her, so I do. I take her face in both my hands and I kiss her firmly. "If you are okay with my parents being there tonight then so am I, and you are right, the more support for her the better."
She smiles and nods. "Now, is there anything you want to get off your chest?"
I sake my head, "I think you got the picture. How much did you hear?"
"Well…" she takes a deep breath, "I think the whole cafeteria knows you will be having her sign away parental rights and if she comes near your daughter she will have hell to pay." She half laughs.
"Am I doing the right thing here?"
"Edward, I can not answer that for you because I would never think of giving up my kids. James was stripped by me and the courts, Jake still has his. I have never been where you are. What I can tell you is I will do whatever you need me to do. I will support you in whatever you decide. You are the one who has to do this."
"Thank you Bella." But I wonder, to myself, what happened to get James stripped of his rights. It has to be something pretty bad. Then I remember something about Charlie asking if she told me about James. I have figured out this James guy did something pretty bad but I am not totally sure what that is. I want to ask Bella but I don't want to dredge up bad memories for her.
We wind up running out of time so she walks me back inside and leaves, letting me know she will see me tonight.
BPOV
I put on a burnt CD from my case and start a pan of water to boil. I walk away to set the table and make everything presentable for Edwards parents and double check the house to make sure it all cleaned up. I really am trying to show his parents that I am a good person.
When 'I'm Yours' by Jason Marz comes on I grab my spaghetti spoon and start singing ad dancing in my kitchen.
"Well you done, done me and you bet I felt it
I crank it up as loud at it will go.
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
Now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
And nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some"
I have totally toned out everything, thinking I am alone, so why not cut lose.
"So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours"
I stop to stir the noodles and open the Jar of sauce and add my usual spiced to it myself and return to jamming out to the song.
"But I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find that the sky is yours
Please don't, please don't, please don't
There's no need to complicate
Cause our time is short
This oh this, this is out fate, I'm yours!"
I don't realize that I have an audience until I am done and the song ends. Out of nowhere I hear laughing and clapping.
"Wow you rock Bella." Amanda giggles.
"Yeah, I have to agree." Edward pipes in. my face just grows hot.
"Ya know I think your right, I need to start locking that door when I am home alone. How long have you two been standing there?"
"Since the beginning pretty much." I turn around and hide my face behind a curtain of hair. "Oh love, come on you where great. If I knew it would have been dinner and a show I would have been more prepared." Edward laughs.
"Ha, ha, not funny I didn't know you where there."
"Well, I called out but you where clearly not focusing on us showing up."
I playfully slap his chest. He bends down to kiss me and Amanda disappears. Only a few minuets into enjoying a little privet time someone clears their throat. We both look over and there are Edward's parents. If I thought I was embarrassed before it's nothing compared to now. I go to pull away and Edward grabs me closer. Esme looks a little of set by it but Carlisle looks amused.
I finish up supper and we sit down to eat. Dinner is oddly quiet; the only thing that stops me from screaming "What the fuck!" is Edwards hand on mine under the table. Even Amanda is unusually quiet.
Poor girl, the tension must be killing her.
When we are done I quickly clean up, while thanking the gods for such a simple meal tonight. After I am done and I check to make sure everyone is doing okay I finally sit down as Edward calls for Amanda.
Amanda runs into the room "Yeah dad."
"Sweetheart, sit down, we need to talk."
She sits down and waits for someone to start. Everyone looks at each other, waiting for some one to start.
"Well Amanda, it involves your mother." I manage to keep the sneer from my face.
"What about her? Is she okay?" the fact that she worries about her mother and what we have to tell her breaks my heart.
Edward takes a deep breath and I take his hand to show him I am here supporting him.
EPOV
"What about her? Is she okay?" the fact that she is still worried about this woman after how she has treated her shows her innocence.
I take a deep breath and prepare myself. Bella takes my hand and I feel the strength I need to continue. "Amanda, your mother is moving to Paris."
"I'm staying here though right." Panic appears in her eyes.
"Yes, you are."
"Okay, when will she be back?" she relaxes a little.
"She isn't coming back sweetheart."
"Well I don't want to go there to see her." she is getting angry now.
"Amanda honey, you won't see your mother… anymore." I can not look at her so I bow my head.
"I knew she didn't love me, you lied." She shrugs but her eyes start to water.
"Amanda I think she does love you she just doesn't know how to be a mom so she is entrusting me with…"
"Dad I am not stupid. She doesn't want me." The tears spill over.
Bella pats my hand. "Amanda, I don't know what to say about your mom, I never met her but I will tell you if it is true and she doesn't want you than she is missing out. I know because I am getting to know you and I love you, so does your dad, grandma and grandpa. You are loved by anyone who matters so look at all of this," Bella motions around to all of the adults, "and if you need anything we will all be here. No matter what. You are a wonderful girl, and it is her loss not yours."
"Yes, dear, Bella is right." My mom chimes in.
Amanda is all out sobbing. Bella gets up, picks up Amanda and holds her while she cries. "B…b…but…w….w…why?"
"We don't always know why people do things darling." Bella continues to hold and console my little girl. Thing strange thing is, it doesn't bother me, actually I like it.
"W…w…what" She hiccups in her sobbing. "about …a mom… for me? I…I…I…need a mom too."
"You have your grandmother right there, and you will have me." My parents and I jerk our head to look at Bella.
Amanda looks at her funny and asks still hiccupping, "So you won't leave my dad?"
Ok have you ever needed a life line? Well, that's where I am at right now. I am literally hanging on every word Bella is about to say, because if I know Bella, as well as I think I do, she will never give a child an empty promise.
Bella takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. "Honestly, it is too soon to tell, but I have no intention on going anywhere. As long as your family wants me I will be here. Even if I am not dating your dad I will do all I can to stay his friend and I will never close my door to you. You are like everyone else and have an open door policy too." Bella smiles at her warmly and I can see light coming back into Amanda's eyes. "Listen to me, no matter what I will always be here for you to talk to, and help you the best I can, I will never leave you out in the wind. I promise."
Amanda's eyes sparkle "Seth says you don't make promises, because you think a promise is like a heart easily broken, and can never be fully mended."
"That is true, so when I make a promise I will do everything in my power to make sure I keep it." Bella smiles brightly.
"Oh Bella, I want you to be my mom. You are so awesome." Amanda wraps her arms around Bella.
Bella laughs lightly then whispers in Amanda's ear. I look at my mom who is crying but also as confused brow. My dad is smiling like a child that knows a secret. Me…me I want to know what the hell she said because what ever it was Amanda turned into a whole new child. She was back to be light hearted and happy again. Mark my words I will get to the bottom of this.
"Alright now, we have to deal with grown up stuff so go on to the toy room. I just bought 'The Little Mermaid' for you." Amanda doesn't have to be told twice she is gone.
When Amanda is out of sight Bella looks back at all of us. My mother is still looking shocked and confused my father still looks pleased and I have no idea what I looked like. I can tell you I have such a rush of emotions I really think I might cry.
"What?" Bella asks looking scared that she messed up. No one says a word and you can see the nervousness full her up. "Did I do something wrong? You guys looked like you needed help, I am so sorry if I overstepped."
"Do you realize what you just promised my granddaughter?" My other asks in a clipped tone.
Bella shoots right back at her. "Yes, Esme, I do and I meant every single word. I will be here if she needs me. That little girl in there…"
She is interrupted "BELLA" Amanda hollers.
"In the left side door, second shelf, fifth from the right"
"Thank you"
She focuses back in on my mother. "I know she needs a mother and I know you live there but she also knows that you are Edwards mother and to where as she trust you to tend to her needs, she also knows that if she has an issue you will take it to Edward. Sometimes she just needs someone to listen to her. To be on her side, she is a girl and Esme do you remember how much you needed your mom when you where a young girl? I do, and I will be there for that. I will be for her what my mother was to me. Her best friend, her confidant, an overseer, a protector, and someone who will never walk away, for her security. If this upsets you, well, I am sorry but honestly if you truly are concerned about her happiness and what helps her life run a little easer than you will go about this on HER terms. That's all I am trying to do."
"You are not family." My mother drops her head.
"Not yet." I spit at my mother. Now it's my turn to have everyone stare at me. "I mean in time of course, that's my plan anyway." I shrug one shoulder. Bella just looks a little leery of my words.
"Well then, I suppose that it then." My mom stands up.
"No, that's not it, because you are still sour about this and I will not head to bed tonight fighting with you. You are her grandmother, as I said earlier today, I will never interfere with that. She will still needs you and I will only be there if she asks for me. Esme, I respect you as a woman, and as Amanda's grandmother, why can't you have that same decadency for me as someone who loves her too and wants to help you make her happy."
"Bella, I don't want to lose her, and I think I am to you." That is the last thing my mother says as she runs out the door like her ass is on fire. I start to fume.
"Bella you handled that well, all you can do now is give her time. You are someone new coming in and Amanda talks about you a lot at home, and our son is quite smitten with you, she feels like she is loosing her family. As soon as she sees she isn't all will be fine. I assure you." That is all my father says and he, too, leaves.
"Edward I am so sorry, I didn't mean to…" I stop her by grabbing her face and kissing her.
"Bella, my mother needs to learn I will move on, and she has to be able to let go. This is in no way your fault. You where amazing tonight, you helped my daughter almost instantly. I will always be grateful for that. Speaking of which what did you whisper to her…again?"
"As I said last time, if she wants you to know she will tell you." Bella smiles innocently.
"BEELLLAAA"
"On top of the T.V"
I feel my brow scrunch and Bella must have seen it too because she answers my unspoken question "She wanted the remote" She smiles warmly "Lets go watch a movie you guys can crash here. She will pass out on the couch in there she was pretty emotional so you might as well stay."
"You sure, I don't want you to think…"
"I don't say you were getting laid. I said you could sleep here." the tone in Bella's voice told me she was joking, but dead serious.
I laugh and nod "Okay, love, lets watch a movie."
Okay way longer than what it was supposed to be sorry but Amanda had to be told and I couldn't cut it in half. What do you think was Bella to forward with everyone tonight? I know I broke a child heart but I think I mended it well enough for now. Leave a review and tell me what you think.