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not beta'd

storyline - Sultry

prompt - fence

The get together is being held at Edward's grandparent's home. Their house is in a suburban neighborhood so out of the way it almost feels rural. The backyard is huge, and at the edge of the property sits a large lake.

There are tons of people here, family and friends. We are here to celebrate a life, and to mourn its too-soon passing, but the mood is light. There are tables full of food and drink, and in the middle sits a small stand with pictures of Masen on it. Gazing at him as a child, I can finally fully forgive him. I had for the most part, but if I'm being completely honest with myself there were a few lingering feelings of hurt when I'd think about how it all went down. Those are gone now, though.

I'm left with a sense of peace, and gratitude. I am so grateful for my life and my love.

I keep close to Edward, and he keeps close to me, his fingers gently laced through mine. The weather is muggy and mercilessly humid, hot despite the overcast sky. I've heard that Seattle sees more rain than most US cities per year, and it's looking like today will be no exception.

I'm introduced to everyone as Edward's girl. It's simpler that way and anyway it's the truth. His family is welcoming and warm – just like he'd described. The rowdy kid cousins and drunken uncles and doting aunts are all here; it's like something out of a movie. In fact I'm so comfortable and relived, and so very glad I came to share this with Edward, that Tanya's sudden presence is shocking.

Before, I had only seen her in snatches – blonde hair, slight stature, shaky hands clutching damp tissues. But today I look her in the eye as she stares right back, and watch as her incredulity turns to anger. She's seen my picture and read my notes; she knows exactly who I am.

My stomach clamps down. Panicked, I squeeze the daylights out of Edward's hand, so hard he whips his head around, eyes wide. "What?"

"She's here… she's…" I trail off as he looks over to Tanya.

For a second I'm worried he'll drop my hand and go comfort her or something. And why shouldn't he? They were friends in high school, and maybe before.

He doesn't, though. He knows my concerns and thoughts, and he knew that if this very thing were to happen it would be important for us to stand together. No matter what.

Tanya is on her way over, the scowl on her face laced with hurt. At least, I think it's hurt: I don't know her well enough to tell. In a way, it's a relief – in a warped, weird way. I've been waiting for someone to be upset about my relationship with Edward because it's inevitable. This scenario makes sense, even though it's uncomfortable and I hate it.

"Hey, Tanya," Edward says, his wariness evident.

"Are you serious?" she answers, her bright blue eyes snapping between Edward and me. "Are you… how could you even bring her?" She glances down at our clasped hands. I'm holding on so tight I worry I'm hurting him. "How are you with her?"

Her hands are in fists.

"I'm with her because I love her," he says.

Tanya glances at me. "That's kind of sick."

I shake my head, not knowing what to say to that. "I'm sorry."

Even though I have nothing to be sorry for.

"You should be. I – "

"This isn't the place," Edward warns her.

A look around tells me that no one seems to notice our tense exchange, but I doubt that'll last. And anyway, he's right: this is neither the time nor the place.

Tanya's eyes fill with tears as she steps back, shaking her head. In this moment, I feel awful for her. Masen hurt and betrayed me, but I bet he really broke her heart. Whereas I healed and was able to fall in for-real love, she seems alone. And now Edward, someone she's known for years, is choosing me of all people. It's enough to screw with the sanest person's mind.

I want to connect with her, to let her know I understand and that if anything, we're on the "same side". Life isn't that cut and dry though and even though Edward has told me in the past that Tanya's a sweet girl, it would be naïve of me to think that we could ever be friends. Not after the way Masen played the both of us. Even if we were able to come to a place of mutual acceptance, that's all it would ever be.

And maybe just one year later isn't enough time.

Edward clears his throat. "Tanya."

"No," she whispers. She spins around and walks away.

My heart pounds. Adrenaline from the confrontation floods through my body, and I sink against Edward.

"Sorry," he says, pulling me away from the crowd, to where it's quiet. We walk to the fence that separates his family's land from the lake. He hoists himself up and then pulls me close, tucking me in to his arms.

"That…was both better and worse than I was expecting," I sigh.

His chin rests atop my head; I feel him nod. "Yeah."

"Do you want to go talk to her?"

"I've already talked to her, Bella. We spent a lot of time dealing with things and hashing them out last summer."

"Oh."

Behind us, a small creek feeding in to the lake gurgles, and overhead, the trees rustle and hush. The gathering is far enough that it's hard to really hear them. I watch them for awhile.

"It was bound to happen."

I look up at him. "What? Someone freaking out?"

"Yeah. But especially her freaking out."

I nod, because it's true. "I just… wish she could see me. See what this actually is. I know how it looks…how she wants it to look but it isn't like that."

"Preaching to the choir," he chuckles, squeezing my shoulder.

Turning, I press myself between his knees, wanting to be closer. We've maintained an appropriate distance all day, joined by our hands but not indulging in any other signs of physical affection. I need him now, though, and judging by how he lets me in and then holds me tight, maybe he needs me too.

"But it's okay, you know?" I say. "I'm glad I came. I needed this for me almost as much as I needed to be here for you."

"I'm glad."

"Me too."

"You know what I'd like?" Edward asks.

"What?"

"To go swimming later on, after everyone's left."

"I didn't bring a swimsuit," I say, wishing I had thought to bring one. I hadn't thought it would be that sort of trip.

"We'll go tonight," he says. "You won't need one."

He's sad today, I know. But that's the way things are, the sweet mixed with the bitter, the sad with the joyous. If we can find little moments of happiness, midnight swims and holding hands even amongst the memories of tragedy, it'll be okay.

just one more chapter of Sultry after this. but i have an idea for a bran new storyline i'm excited about ;)

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