Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.
** First of all, I lied. I'm posting this before another LRM chapter. Also, I am wordy! This chapter only covers one day.
Warning: Large doses of sappy ahead. Hope you enjoy it!
******************************************V&V**********************************************
Chapter 51 - Waterworks & Heartfelt Sentiments
I sat there stunned, not knowing what to say. "Are you okay Rose?"
Rose blinked, releasing the tears that had been pooling in her eyes so that they ran down her cheeks. "I feel weird. It's hard to explain. On the one hand, it's like I'm watching this happen to someone else." She took a deep breath. "On the other hand, I want to lay down and cry because the thought of what this could mean is overwhelming."
"Well, you don't know anything for sure yet. Your cycle may just be messed up because of all the stress, you know, from planning the wedding." I suggested, hoping Rose wasn't on the verge of freaking out.
She looked at me with a smirk. "Bells, I'll admit that I've been under a lot of stress. Since we returned from California, I've been busting my ass to finish up everything at WIRI in time for my departure in June, while at the same time preparing for the new job. And last, but certainly not least, the wedding. Every spare minute has been taken up with the wedding." She said as she played with the hem of her t-shirt. "I did the math. I'm four weeks late, I have no idea how I didn't realize this. What the hell is wrong with me?" She was close to tears again.
"As you just said, it has been a crazy few weeks." I smiled.
Rose smiled back, and as we looked at each other we both started to chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Soon the chuckles turned into outright laughter.
We were so loud that, after a couple of minutes, my brother stumbled in, still half asleep, to see what was going on.
Rose signaled with her eyes that she didn't want to tell him anything yet. "What are you two up to? I could hear your cackling all the way back in the bedroom. I'll have you know you interrupted an awesome dream starring me and three Victoria's Secret's models." Emmett said as he yawned and scratched his chest.
Rose tossed a throw pillow, hitting him squarely in the head.
"Hey Rosie! The best part was they all looked like you." He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her.
She laughed. "Go back to bed monkey man. I'll wake you in time for church." She said sweetly.
Emmett eyed her strangely. "O…kay." He turned and headed back to bed. As soon as he was gone, I jumped up and grabbed Rose's hand.
"We need to get you a test. Come on, let's go." I said in an urgent whisper.
Rose didn't budge. "No Bells. I'm doing this alone."
My buoyant mood immediately deflated. Had I done something to push Rose away? "Rose, I'm sorry I haven't been helping as much as I promised. It's just that your Mom intimidates me, and I've been so busy with school." I willed the tears back that were trying to escape. "I'll do better, just please don't shut me out."
Rose stood and threw her arms around me. "Bella, calm down. I want you to go with me honey. I completely understand about my mother, believe me." She sighed. "You're my best friend. But.."
"But?" I asked her sadly.
"But it would be entirely selfish of me to let you do this. Bella, think about it. Someone will see you with me, buying a pregnancy test." She whispered the last part.
"The paparazzi would have a field day. By tonight, it would be all over the internet that you were pregnant with Edward's baby. By the end of the week they'd probably claim it wasn't Edward's. You need to open your eyes Bella. Every move you make in public is being scrutinized. It's like being part of the fucking royal family."
I hung my head sadly. Rose was right. This was precisely the kind of thing I would have to avoid in order to be with Edward. Moments such as buying a pregnancy test with my best friend wouldn't be possible.
I really didn't care what the paps said about me any more, I was getting used to it. But, I felt compelled to spare Edward. Was it worth it? Absolutely. I would give up anything for him. I loved him that much. I smiled to myself, thinking how much he loved me in return.
I guess I could add 'unselfish' to my list of ten things.
The thought of being able to add to that damned list lifted my spirits a bit.
"You're right Rose." I said as I hugged her back.
Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. Rose looked at me, she was a little startled. "Who the hell could that be this early in the morning?" She questioned, as if I'd know the answer. I grimaced, not knowing how to respond. We approached the door slowly, hand in hand. Just before Rose looked through the peephole, we heard a muffled voice on the other side.
"Would you please open this door? I feel very conspicuous lurking out here in the hallway."
Alice.
Rose and I both grinned as she hastily pulled the door open. "Alice!" We exclaimed together. Within two seconds, Alice was engulfed in our arms. All three of us giggling like teenagers.
When we finally released her, Alice held up a bag containing several pregnancy tests. "Thank heavens for Walgreens' 24 hour service." She giggled before turning to Rose. "Let's go to Bella's apartment for this." She whispered conspiratorially.
Rose nodded, and followed us through my door. I grabbed the tampon box from her. "You may not need these, but I still do." I chuckled.
Alice and I sat on my bed while Rose was in the bathroom, peeing on several sticks. When she came out, she sat between us, Alice holding one hand and me holding the other. We passed the next few minutes in silence.
"It's time." Alice announced after looking at her watch.
Rose turned to us. "Come with me?" She said timidly. I'd never known Rose to be timid about anything.
As expected, all three tests had positive results. Alice squealed in delight. "Oh! I'm so excited! Bella, we're going to be aunts!". She said as she clapped. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face at that thought.
The expression on Rose's face was difficult to read.
Eventually, she shook her head. "I don't know how to be a mother. Suppose I'm terrible at it?" She rasped out as she sat down on the bed again. "I mean, I've never been around kids before. Emmett and I talked about wanting children, but I always imagined it as something in the distant future. I'm scared to death of this."
I patted her arm reassuringly. "Rose, you always succeed at everything you put your mind to. I've never met anyone as tenacious as you. You're going to be great."
"That's right Rose. You'll be a wonderful mother. You also have a fantastic extended family, if I do say so myself." Alice said with a giggle. "This child will be so loved and well cared for."
Rose looked unconvinced. "I literally don't know what I'm doing though. Suppose I were to drop the baby on its head?" She blurted, a horrified look on her face.
"Well… I guess then the baby will act like its father." I said with a smirk.
Rose and Alice guffawed. "So, you take a parenting class." Alice suggested. "You know Rose, you already take care of Emmett, an infant should be a piece of cake." She added.
We all laughed again.
Suddenly Rose looked at Alice questioningly. "Alice, what are you doing here?"
Alice grinned. "We flew in last night for Mother's Day. I knew I'd see both of you later today, but this morning I woke up and was compelled to get my tushy over here immediately. Well, after stopping at the drug store of course. I didn't even take the time to dress properly."
I hadn't noticed what Alice was wearing until that moment. When I looked down at her, I could see a pair of frilly satin pajamas peeking out from under a chartreuse trench coat. The piece de resistance were the fuzzy pink high heeled slippers.
I haven't seen shoes like that since I stopped playing with Barbie dolls.
Rose and I both started to giggle.
"Just understand that I must really love you Rosalie to leave the house looking like this." Alice said with a smile.
And with those words, Rose began to cry again. "Damn hormones." She muttered. Alice sat there rubbing her back until she regained control.
Alice left soon after, reminding us that we'd see her later that day. I wasn't sure when or how, but knew better than to bet against her.
Rose decided that she was going to wait until after church to tell Emmett the news. She hugged me goodbye before heading back to her apartment.
I sat on my bed and took a few minutes to absorb what had happened. In my mind's eye, I could see Emmett and Rose with their beautiful little baby. It would be the perfect mix of them both. I imagined Charlie bursting with pride over his first grandchild. The Whitlocks too would most likely be beside themselves with happiness.
And me, I would be Aunt Bella. The thought sent a thrill through me that I'd never felt before. This was my brother's child, and Rosalie's who was dearer to me than any sister could be. And, although I would probably never be as cool as Aunt Alice, it didn't matter, because this child would love me despite all my flaws. Love me as, at that moment, I realized I already loved him or her.
-V&V-
My biggest challenge this morning would be to keep my poker face around Emmett. He was very good at wresting secrets from me.
This Mother's Day weekend had been a mixture of both heartbreak and happiness. My emotions were all over the place, and my nerves were frayed.
I needed Edward and his quiet calming influence. Unfortunately, he was filming and I wouldn't be able to speak with him until later. Last night our skype time had been very brief. He was filming until very late, so he didn't wake up as early as he usually did. We only spoke for a few minutes before he had to leave for the studio.
He let me know that he'd interviewed an older couple to be caretakers for the Oxford house. As Edward described them, I knew they would be perfect. He didn't want to hire them until he'd spoken with me, so I gave him the verbal go-ahead.
I also told him a little about my therapist appointment, deciding to go into greater detail when we had more time.
After dressing for church, I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to find my brother standing there smiling. "Come on Bellaboo, Rose needs to run some errands, so it's just you and me this morning."
"Oh, okay." I stuttered as I turned to grab my purse.
Shoot. I was counting on Rose as a buffer between Emmett and me.
All the way down to the car Emmett studied my face, while I in turn, wouldn't look him in the eye. The Archbishop's sermon was about mothers in general, and the Virgin Mary in particular. It didn't make me sad though, because every time he mentioned motherhood, I thought of my best friend, and how much joy this little baby would bring to our lives.
I still couldn't look my brother in the eye. Eventually I realized that he thought I was acting weird because it was Mother's Day, and not because I was hiding something.
I'm okay with that.
On the way home, he tried to get me to talk a couple of times. I said very little, and tried to smile. He seemed reluctant to let me go to my own apartment, but there was no way I was going to intrude on their special moment.
"Go spend some time with Rose." I instructed, before hugging him and closing the door behind me.
I was anxious, I was excited, I was nervous, and I was bursting at the seams to tell someone. But I realized I had to behave and wait. So, I changed into a more comfortable dress and exchanged my heels for flats. If I was really going to see Alice later today, it wouldn't do to be dressed in jeans and a t-shirt.
After changing, I straightened up the apartment and checked skype to see if by some miracle Edward had gotten back to the suite. No luck.
I was thumbing through a magazine when Rose slipped quietly into my apartment. I looked up to see a strange expression on her face.
"Rose?" I questioned "Where's Emmett? Did you tell him?"
Rose smiled a little. "Yes. While you were at church, I went out and purchased a tiny Seahawks jersey. I placed it and one of the pregnancy tests in a gift bag. He was stunned when he opened it." She said with a quivering lip. "Then he kissed me and told me how happy he was. After that, you know Emmett, he got excited, talking about all the cool cartoons they would watch together." She giggled. "He was also very sweet, saying that if the baby was a girl, he hoped she looked just like me." Rose smiled.
She walked over and sat next to me on the couch. "Then he got quiet for a long time. He looked at me strangely, muttered 'It's Mother's Day', before jumping up, and heading for the door while explaining that he needed to 'take care of something.' I won't lie, I'm very confused." She said, shaking her head.
"Maybe he just needs a little time alone." I suggested quietly.
"I don't know." She said as she nervously bit her lip. "I know how hard this day is for him, I probably should have waited to tell him."
I offered her a cup of coffee or tea. She got a worried look on her face. "Bells, I know nothing about being pregnant. I have no idea if I'm supposed to avoid caffeine."
"Well then, let's check. I said as I went to get my laptop."
We found out that caffeine intake during pregnancy was discouraged. Most obstetricians asked expectant mothers to limit their intake to one cup of coffee per day.
We were both engrossed in all the rules and suggestions that came with expecting, when my door suddenly burst open. I looked up and couldn't see who was standing there behind the large vase of pink roses, but I recognized the voice well enough.
"Babe are you in here?" Emmett boomed.
Rose jumped from the sofa rushing over to Emmett. He handed her the flowers. "Oh monkey man, they're beautiful." She announced with tears in her eyes. She sniffed at them, and then tried to reach around them to kiss him. I took the flowers and placed them on the coffee table.
"That was so thoughtful Emmett." Rose said with her arms around his neck. "I was afraid that you were upset over Mother's Day, and that's why you left." She said with a sniffle.
"No babe, of course not, I'm really happy. From now on this day won't remind me of something bad." He took a breath and let it out as he cupped her face with his hand. "I'm always going to miss my Mom, don't get me wrong, but from now on this day is going to be about you." He smiled as he wiped her tears away. "I realized that this is technically your first Mother's Day, and I needed to make it special, that's why I ran out."
"The florist was all too pleased to help me after threw a bunch of cash at him." He chuckled.
"They're perfect Emmett." Rose whispered. "I love you so much."
Wow, I never realized how thoughtful and sweet Emmett could be.
"Rosie, you've given me the best gift of all. You're the mother of my child. I can't tell you how much that means to me babe. After you said yes to my proposal, I thought I couldn't possibly love you more, but I was wrong." He said before kissing her sweetly.
My gosh, all these years I've underestimated him. He's almost as sweet as Edward.
Rose was a blubbering mess.
"Oh!" Emmett's face lit up as he remembered something. "I almost forgot. I bought you something else."
He reached into a bag hanging from his wrist and pulled something out, handing it to Rose. I could tell from where I stood that it was a t-shirt. As soon as I heard Rose chuckle, I knew I'd given my brother too much credit for being sensitive and mature.
Rose held up the shirt so I could see. There printed on the front in bold letters was one word: MILF
Emmett wiggled his eyebrows at me, while Rose blurted, "I am so wearing this shit today!" I cringed as I thought about her having to explain the acronym to her parents.
"Rosie, you know I'll be expecting the DILF shirt for Father's Day." Emmett announced with a laugh.
Emmett then led Rose over to my sofa and pulled out his cell phone. "Babe, we need to call Pops."
We all sat on my sofa as Emmett dialed Charlie's number. "Hey son." came my father's gruff voice.
"Hey Pops" Emmett answered "I'm sitting here with Rose and Bella, and I've got you on speakerphone."
"Emmett, you know I hate that shit." was Charlie's response.
"I know, I know, but I've got to tell you something important."
"What is it?" Charlie still wasn't happy.
"Well, old man, Rose and I found out today that we're making you a Grandpa."
There was dead silence for a long moment before we finally heard Charlie clear his throat.
"Well, that's really something." He said in a small voice.
Emmett grinned, it wasn't often that he was able to surprise Charlie.
Charlie cleared his throat again. "Rose?" He queried.
"Yeah Charlie?"
"Congratulations honey, I know you'll make a great mother."
"Thanks Charlie." Cue the Rosalie waterworks, again.
"Emmett?"
"Yeah Pops?"
"I just want you to know that a child is a big responsibility. My wish is that this child be as big a pain in the ass to you, as you are to me." Charlie guffawed. We all joined in.
After the laughter died down, my Dad spoke again, "Son?"
"Yeah Pops?" Emmett answered with a grin.
"Congratulations, I'm happy for you." Charlie said quietly.
We all smiled.
"I'll let you in on a little secret." Charlie continued.
"What's that Pops?"
"I'm pretty happy for me too." Charlie answered.
Cue Bella waterworks.
-V&V-
Never bet against Alice. Ever. Never ever.
I reminded myself of this fact as I rode in the hummer, on my way to the Cullen's house. It had all been arranged. The Cullens had invited Colonel and Mrs. Whitlock to Mother's Day dinner so that Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett and I could celebrate together. If Rose and Emmett's news hadn't changed my outlook, this day might have been torture.
I loved spending time with Esme and Carlisle, and I was thrilled to see Jasper and Alice again, but Mrs. Whitlock could get on my nerves on my best day.
As soon as we arrived, I realized that my future in-laws had to be the coolest parents in the world. I based that opinion on the fact that as soon as they saw Rose's shirt, they both chuckled, and then congratulated her.
Esme stage whispered to Rose, "Carlisle gave me one of those for my last birthday" to which my brother proceeded to laugh his ass off.
Colonel Whitlock raised an eyebrow, but Mrs. Whitlock remained clueless. I took secret delight in the fact that she kept trying to figure out what MILF meant, and that Rose had no intention of telling her.
Before dinner, Esme led me away to the music room. "I want to show you something." She told me with a smile. "Edward loves this room." She announced softly as she drew my attention to a table in the center of the room upon which was a large flower arrangement of pink and red roses, accented by Calla lilies. It was so lovely, and something told me that it must have come from ...
"Edward?" I asked her questioningly.
Esme smiled. "You know his tastes well Bella." She said as she patted my hand. "Read the card."
I read the card, written in Edward's hand. The message to his mother was sweet and touching, and very Edward.
I looked up at Esme whose eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "He's always had quite a way with words." She whispered. "He phoned me earlier you know."
My ears perked up at this. Esme smiled again.
"He sent a message that, no matter how late you got home tonight, he wanted to 'skype'," Esme said while making little air quotes with her fingers.
I giggled.
"Bella, I want you to know how much I appreciate your coming here today. I'm aware of how difficult this day is for you and Emmett. Having my children around me today helps to keep my mind off of how much I miss my own mother." She said softly. "So thank you."
She was including Emmett, Rose and I with her own children and Jasper. I could feel my throat tighten at her words, and realized that Esme and Carlisle had already become very dear to me, a second mother and father. I hugged her in response, and we walked together back to the living room.
-V&V-
"I'd like to say something." Emmett declared as he stood, moments after dinner began.
I cringed a little, hoping that he wouldn't do anything embarrassing.
"Carlisle and Esme, I hope you don't mind if I take this time to make an announcement."
"By all means Emmett, please do." Carlisle replied in his most gracious tone.
"First of all, I'd like to thank you both for having us here today. Even though Rosie and I aren't related to you by blood, we consider you part of our family."
So far so good.
"Thank you Emmett." Esme answered. "We feel the same way dear. Once Bella and Edward are married, our bond will be even stronger."
Emmett smiled at her meaningfully. "I also wanted to officially announce, for those of you who haven't already figured it out" he grinned "Rosie and I found out today that we're expecting."
There was silence for a few seconds before Mrs. Whitlock started. "Expecting what? Because if you say a baby, I will be very displeased with you Rosalie."
"Of course it's a baby, mother." Jasper sniped.
"Oh my Lord. How do you expect to fit into your gown? Have you thought of that?" Mrs. Whitlock exclaimed as we all sat there, stunned. "Why weren't you more careful?" She said as she started to fan herself with a napkin.
Alice glared at her. "Mother Whitlock, let me worry about Rose's wedding gown."
"That's all well and good Alice, but I am kind of at a loss for what to say. All these people coming in from out of town, and my daughter will be as big as the side of a house, flaunting her out of wedlock pregnancy. It's going to be very embarrassing to say the least."
"Now you hold on right there Lillian" Esme had reached her limit. "A baby is never an embarrassment. You should be supporting your daughter right now, showing her how much you love her. Instead, you choose to say hurtful things at a time when she needs you most." Esme huffed. "If you ask me, you're the source of embarrassment, not Rose and Emmett. Shame on you." Esme's flushed face showed her anger.
I was shocked, but pleased that someone stood up to Rose's crazy mother.
"Don't lecture me Esme. My daughter knows that I love her." Mrs. Whitlock shot back. "It's just that with the wedding, and Rose starting her new job, a baby is the last thing she needs right now."
I couldn't believe this bitch.
I looked at Rose. Her head was down and her shoulders were shaking from her sobs. Emmett had his arm around her, speaking in her ear, comforting her.
I wanted to stab Mrs. Whitlock with my salad fork.
"You're out of line Mother." Jasper seethed. "I cannot believe that even you would stoop this low. Are you proud of yourself? You managed to reduce a pregnant woman to tears. Congratulations. Please excuse me Esme, Carlisle, but I find that I've lost my appetite." Jasper stood and left the table, Alice trailing after him.
"Francis Jasper Whitlock how dare you use that tone with me."
Mrs. Whitlock shouted after him. A moment later, Rose and Emmett followed Jasper and Alice out.
"Well I never." Mrs. Whitlock declared as she watched them leave.
What happened next left the rest of us in stunned silence. Colonel Whitlock slowly stood, placed his napkin on his plate and turned to his wife. Speaking is a low authoritative tone he said "Lillian, I have stood by long enough and allowed you to behave in this manner. You have managed to make a spectacle of yourself here today, and upset these fine people. You will immediately go out there, find our daughter and apologize."
"But…" Mrs. Whitlock stared at him with wide eyes.
"Did I stutter?" He asked.
"No, but…" She tried to speak again.
"Lillian, those are our children. The two people that we love most in this world. One of them is now expecting a child of her own. I refuse to let you drive her away from us. You will fix this now, or you will find yourself more alone than you ever imagined. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Frank." She whispered, still in shock.
He glared at her. She still hadn't moved. "Well? What are you waiting for?"
With those words Mrs. Whitlock was on her feet and through the door as fast as lighting.
Colonel Whitlock sat back down and continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Wow.
Everyone returned to the table about ten minutes later. Mrs. Whitlock remained fairly quiet throughout the rest of the meal. Not surprisingly, Colonel and Mrs. Whitlock left as soon as dinner was over. Mrs. Whitlock went out to the car first, and I noticed that the Colonel lingered in the front hall for a few minutes with Rosalie. He spoke quietly to her before pulling her into a warm embrace. When Rose rejoined us in the living room, she was smiling.
"Well?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity any more.
"Well what?" Rose asked with a smirk. She knew exactly what I was asking. "I should probably ask you what happened after we left the dining room Bells. My mother never apologizes."
I briefly explained what her father had said to her mother as Emmett, Rose, Alice and Jasper sat there quietly listening. Jasper was the first to speak. "I'm not surprised. Our father is a quiet man, but no one should ever confuse that with weakness."
Rose shook her head sadly. "I don't know why I expected her to be nice today. I should have known better. Appearance is everything to her. It didn't used to be that way, but it is now."
Rose had told me the story once. Mrs. Whitlock came from a very respectable, well-off southern family, the Hales. When Rose and Jasper were small, Mrs. Whitlock's brother committed a crime, the details of which Rose never shared with me. The local community turned against the Hale family when their lawyers were able to reduce the penalty to what amounted to a slap on the wrist.
Mrs. Whitlock lost every single friend she'd had since childhood during that time. The main reason being that she wouldn't speak out publicly against the Hale family. Truth be told, Lillian Whitlock believed her brother should have been punished to the full extent of the law. She didn't make any statements or grant any interviews because she wanted to spare her children from being in the public eye. She was shielding Rose and Jasper.
It was a very difficult time for her, and she never fully recovered from the psychological damage caused by the whole ordeal. The family name being tarnished, the visits home to Georgia became fewer and fewer.
From that time on, appearance began to mean everything to her. She became obsessed with her children becoming successful, with no hint of scandal touching their lives.
"She acted exactly like this when Emmett and I moved in together. Do you remember Bells? I didn't speak to her for six months. She never apologized, she just phoned me one day and picked up our relationship as if nothing had ever happened."
"My father has stood by for years, patient and tolerant while mother became more and more out of control." Jasper added quietly. "He loves her very much and witnessed first hand how the ordeal with her brother broke her. When she goes too far, he steps in and reminds her of what's important, just like he did today."
Be that as it may, I still didn't like Mrs. Whitlock. She had managed to make Rose feel like shit on a day when she should have been happy.
"So what happened when she left the dining room?" I asked.
"Nosey." Rose said accusingly as she winked at me.
"I wouldn't let the old battle ax near Rose at first." Emmett butted in. "I met her in the hall and told her she had a choice to make. I said that Rose and I had our own family now, and it was up to her whether she would be allowed to be a part of it." Emmett was still upset. "I also told her that if she ever shows up at our place and speaks to Rose the way she did today, I'd toss her out on her ass."
I grinned at my brother. He gave me a small smile.
Rose spoke then. "She apologized to Emmett, Alice, Jasper and then to me." Rose took a deep breath. "Her biggest fear is for her children to suffer public ridicule. She explained that to me, and said how sorry she was, and how much she loves me. Of course I forgave her." Rose added softly.
My heart clenched as I realized that I wished I had my mother here in any capacity. Even if it was only to fight with her.
Carlisle spoke then. "I think sometimes you kids believe that just because we're parents, we are incapable of making mistakes. This incident today is proof that parents aren't infallible, we make errors in judgment all the time. The key is to learn from them, and move on." He smiled. "Something Emmett and Rose will become well acquainted with very soon." He added.
I watched as Esme and Alice disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later they reappeared with a tray of champagne flute glasses. "Because of Rose's condition, the glasses contain ginger ale." Esme said with a smile.
We each took one as Carlisle spoke. "Emmett and Rose, being parents can be frustrating, infuriating, and sometimes frightening, but for every hour of lost sleep and every frayed nerve, you will be rewarded a hundred fold with unconditional love. As soon as you hold your child in your arms that first time, you will wonder how you ever lived without them. So, congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of parenthood."
We sipped our drinks, Rose cried, Esme cried, Alice cried, and yes, I cried.
Papa Cullen sure has a way with words. Now I know where his son gets it.
I was overwhelmed with feelings of love and gratitude toward Edward's family, and I wished more than ever before that he was here to share this day with us.
There was something I needed to do, so while everyone else chatted, I slipped away to the music room.
I approached the flower arrangement, picked up the card, and read Edward's note again.
Mother,
Thank you for never giving up on me.
I am happier now than I have ever been, and owe it all to my family's continued love and encouragement,
which was my guiding light through some very dark days.
I wish I could be there with you to celebrate.
Please know that you're in my thoughts today.
I love you Mom,
Edward
There was enough space at the bottom in order for me to leave a note of my own. My handwriting wasn't as beautiful as Edward's, but my sentiments were just as heartfelt:
Thank you for accepting me into your family. I can't express in words how much that means to me.
Thank you for raising Edward to be the wonderful man he is today.
I look forward to the day when I can call you 'Mother'.
I love you too,
Bella
*******************************A/N**************************
A/N I'm sorry there was no Edward in this chap. He will be in the next one, promise. This chap was already running long, so I didn't want to rush his time with Bella.
Lillian Whitlock has baggage, as do we all. It's an unfortunate and sad reality that innocent family members of criminals are often branded by society as undesirable citizens.
There's a short back story I wrote about Lillian Hale Whitlock's criminal brother, but decided it didn't need to clutter this chapter. We all have relatives we aren't proud of. We cope as best we can, and I wanted this chapter to be, for the most part, optimistic. I hope I succeeded.
Story rec: 'Parma High' by Lady Gwynedd (on fanfic). My hubs is a teacher, and I particularly enjoy all the day to day crazy that goes on in the school setting. The author has a lot of great stories, so check them out. (Tell her I sent you).
You know what I want from you. You just know. Laters..