Happy New Year everyone!

Thanks to Iris, Midnight Cougar, and SparklyMeg for their help. Big hugs.

Chapter 29

His invitation catches me off guard, but I agree to go with him the following Sunday. I love that he's already mentioned me to her, even though she may not remember. He's saying everything with his actions, and him wanting me to meet his mom is a huge deal.

Which is why I'm in a complete panic Saturday evening.

"Jess, you gotta help me," I whine into the phone. My room resembles the aftermath of a hurricane with clothes, shoes, and boots thrown all over the floor and bed.

She laughs, and if I could I would reach through the phone and wring her neck, I would. "Calm down! God… I've never heard you wound up like this before."

"I've never had a reason to," I defend. "The grew up with the only kind-of boyfriend I had, so I knew his parents. They loved me, so it was easy." I'm rambling. I know it, and I can't stop. "What if Edward's mom hates me? What if she totally loved Tanya and thinks I'm a bitch that's stolen her son from the woman he's meant to be with? What if—"

"Bella! For the love of God, calm down. And maybe take a valium."

"Ha ha. Did I ever tell you that I love your sense of humor?"

"Seriously. Calm down. Edward wouldn't put you in that situation."

"You've changed your tune."

I can practically hear her rolling her eyes through the phone. "He's growing on me."

"Really?"

"Don't sound so cocky. I mean, he's obviously trying to prove it to you. He's sent you the most beautiful bouquets of flowers I've ever seen, and he's surprised you with lunch on the days you've had back-to-back appointments, And that's just this week." She sighs. "He might've been a shit to start with, but he's trying to prove it to you, just like you asked him to. And if he's asked you to meet his mom, it's because you're important to him."

I can't help but grin. "So you're saying I should just embrace it?"

"Yes. Go meet his mom, enjoy it, and enjoy the late lunch you'll no doubt take on the way back to the city."

"Okay. But—"

"Wear one of you sweater dresses, leggings, and ankle shoes. Or flats, if you're lucky enough with a pretty day. You have lots of cute and semi-dressy ones."

"Thank, Jess." I pull out a fitted black v-neck dress with capped sleeves. Now that I've calmed down, I can see her reasoning.

"Oh, Bella? You might want to take a purse big enough to carry your toothbrush and some spare underwear."

ooOoo

The sun's bright in the cloudless sky, making it look deceptively warm. It automatically puts me in a good mood… until I step outside, where the almost-freezing air hits me and I can see my breath.

I jog quickly to Edward's car and practically jump inside.

"You okay?"

I shiver and run my hands up and down my arms. "It's freezing out there. I thought it was meant to be spring."

"You're in Chicago," Edward says, as if that's explanation enough. He fidgets with the dials, and warm air's soon blasting from the heaters.

"Thanks." I hold up my hands in front of them, almost warming instantly.

"You look beautiful," he says quietly, making me look at him. He smiles softly before his gaze roams my body. I feel it everywhere — from the way his heated gaze meets mine to the way it lingers as he looks at my lips. "I mean you always do, but…" He shakes his head. "Every time I see you, you blow me away. I don't think I'll ever get used to it."

I want to look away, but I can't. His words have me captivated, and the way he looks at me sets my whole body on fire.

"You look pretty good yourself." And he does. He's in black jeans and a green sweatshirt. It's casual but not too casual, making me glad I chose my black dress.

He leans over the console and cups my face with his hand. His thumb strokes my cheek, making me close my eyes.

"I really want to kiss you," he mumbles. His words are soft and quiet, but they echo throughout the car as if he's shouted them.

"Okay," I whisper.

I don't know who closes the distance between us, and I don't care. All I can think of in that moment is his lips on mine. Each kiss with him is different yet just feels right. The way his lips move softly yet persistent against mine, as if he's savoring each one. The way his fingers move from my cheek and trail up into my hair, where he grasps tightly, making me whimper.

He pulls away, and when I open my eyes, I'm met with his dazzling smile.

"Every time," he says softly.

My smile matches his, and I'm glad I listened to Jess and packed my toothbrush and spare underwear.

The blue skies stay with us as we leave the city. Silence fills the car, but unlike many other times between us, it's not tense or awkward.

"So, where are we going? I know she's in a home, but we never actually discussed where she is."

"Her nursing home's just outside Northbrook. We're lucky to have found her such a nice place. The staff's amazing, and it's right by the water. She's always loved the water."

"It sounds great," I agree. "How often do you see her?"

He sighs. "Not as often as I'd like. Every Sunday, if I can, and maybe once or twice during the week. Emmett goes when I can't, but I assume that'll be stopping for a bit when the baby arrives."

"I'm sure it means a lot to your mom that you go as often as you do. Does she… um… How bad…?"

He doesn't answer for a while, and I wonder if I've overstepped. We drive on for a few minutes before he speaks again.

"She has her good days and her bad days. Right now, the good outweighs the bad, but the doctors have told us it's only a matter of time. It's… just a waiting game."

I hate that we're in the car and I can't pull him in my arms like I want to.

"I'm sorry, Edward."

He reaches over and squeezes my hand. "I know. It's just… It's probably one of the worst things to happen to someone, you know? She's been through so much with Dad, and she's still so young. I hate this already, and it's worse 'cause I know this is something she won't get better from."

"Well, at least we have now. We just have to make the most of it."

Smiling at my words, he quickly looks at me. When he looks back to the road, his smile's disappeared. "I'm glad she's going to get to meet you. I just wish it was sooner."

ooOoo

About forty minutes into the drive, Edward turns off the main road and onto what I assume is the driveway to the home. It's picturesque, like something from an old movie, and as it gets closer, I can see why they chose this place for her. On the right-hand side, I can see the water in the distance, with a small path leading down to it. The other side's adorned with gardens, which some of the residents are already taking walks through with their aides.

"It looks so nice, Edward. Peaceful."

"Yeah." He smiles. "She likes that."

We don't say anything else until we arrive. Edward parks close to the front entrance and comes around to open my door.

Now that we're here, the nerves have returned. I quickly run a brush through my hair, try to smooth out my dress, and pick some imaginary fluff off my tights.

What if she doesn't like me?

What if she loved Tanya and wanted them to get married?

What if she accuses me of moving in on Edward, putting her stay here in jeopardy?

Edward sensing my nerves, helps me out of the car, and pulls me close. "Stop worrying. She's going to love you. She already does."

"I'm not nervous."

He looks amused. "No? Then why are you fidgeting like a rabbit caught in a trap?"

I roll my eyes. "I am not."

"Stop worrying." He takes my hand, and we start towards the front door. "She wants to meet you. She has since I told her about you."

Step by step, the nerves fall away, and I realize he wouldn't have brought me here if it wasn't important. Each day she spends here, his mother's a step closer to completely forgetting who he is. This is important to him.

The least I can do is give him the support he needs.

ooOoo

Inside, we sign in at reception and are told she's sitting in the conservatory. Edward smiles and squeezes my hand, making me look at him, wondering if her being in there means something.

"It means she's having a good day."

He leads me down a long corridor before we reach the conservatory. It's much bigger than I imagined.

In one corner, there's a small group of residents seated around a large TV watching an old black and white movie. The majority is watching the movie, but there are a few people who are sitting and gazing off into the distance, which tugs at my heart. In another part of the room, there are tables set up with the residents playing some sort of board games. Some guests have visitors with them while others just watch on longingly.

Edward tugs on my hand, and we make our way over to a table by the window, occupied by a lone woman sitting reading a book. As we approach, she looks up and smiles.

"Edward." His name falls from her lips in a soft whisper, but I can hear the emotion in it. She stays sitting, and I can see the slight tremor in her hands.

"Hey, Mom." He lets go of my hand to hug her before turning around to me. She watches him expectantly, the smile on her face leaving.

"You brought her?"

He nods. "Yes. This is my Bella." He takes my hand again, pulling me toward them. "Bella, this is my mom, Esme."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Cullen."

She shakes her head at me. "None of that. It's Esme."

I lean down to hug her. "Okay. Esme it is."

She gestures at the two empty seats at the table. "Please sit." She pats the seat closest to her. "Bella, you can sit here."

Edward grins as he pulls the chair out for me and then takes the other seat. "You're okay sitting in here, Mom? It's a nice day outside. We're starting to see the beginning of spring."

"I'm okay here. It's still a bit too chilly for me. Now..." She looks at me. "Tell me."

I look at her and then Edward. "What do you want to know?"

She smiles again, but it doesn't reach her eyes this time. "Everything… while I can still remember."

ooOoo

We spend the next few hours talking about nothing and everything. She tells me stories about Edward as a child, getting frustrated when she can't remember the details she wants to. We quickly skim over those moments and tell her how we met. Tanya never comes up in conversation, and the more time I spend in Esme's company, the more comfortable I feel.

Shortly before our visit's over, Edward excuses himself for the bathroom.

"Honey, on your way back, can you bring me some water?"

"Sure thing, Mom." He winks at me, causing me to grin, and walks out of the conservatory.

"You love him."

I turn to face Esme who's watching me with a soft smile.

"I... uh…"

Love?

"I can see it in the way you look at him, in the way he looks at you."

"But… but… It's only been—"

She shakes her head, leans forward, and takes one of my hands in hers. I glance down, hating how small and frail her hand looks.

"Time doesn't matter, not these days. The days of courting and chaperoned visits are over. We don't need months or years to know when we've found our other half."

"He makes me feel…"

She smiles, but this time, it's sad. "I'm glad I met you now, Bella. I'm only sad I haven't known you longer."

I fight the tears I can feel forming. Now I see why Edward brought me here. The more time I have with her now, the better.

Because soon, she won't remember us.

"I'm really sorry, Esme. It's a terribly shitty disease."

She chokes out a laugh and wipes her own eyes. "It is, but I'm grateful for every good day I have now. You'll come back?"

"Try and keep me away."

She squeezes my hand. "I'm glad he has you, you know."

"I'm glad I have him."

She leans forward. "Can I tell you a secret?" She's whispering but has a smirk on her face that's almost identical to her son's.

"Of course."

"I like you much better than that bimbo."

ooOoo

The nursing home becomes a blur in the distance as we drive back to the city. I smile, leaning back in my seat. "Maybe next time we can take her out to lunch."

His hand snakes across the console and settles on my lap. The heat from his touch sears through my tights, and all I can think of is whether his hands will go higher.

"Is that a yes?"

"I really want to kiss the shit out of you for that comment. Touching your thigh's the closest I can get, and even then, it's not enough."

Gah.

"You do?"

"Bella, you don't understand how much you coming here meant to me. I wanted you to get to know my mom while she's still… her." He sighs, almost wistfully. "And you do not only that, but you sat and talked to her — really talked — and listened. I don't know anyone who's ever done something like that for me."

I place my hand on top of his. "Then you've known some really shit people."

ooOoo

We stop for lunch at a diner on the outskirts of the city.

"A diner?" I grin, 'cause I'm always going to remember our date-that-wasn't-a-date. And I love that he clearly does, too. "What? No romantic restaurant this time?"

He rolls his eyes as he takes his hand in mine. "I was just trying to impress you." He shakes his head and looks down, hiding his face from me. "God. I was such a mess."

I stop walking, pulling his hand so he stops, as well. "I don't need anything like that." I reach up on my tip toes and briefly kiss him. "I just wanted you."

His answering smile sets off the butterflies in my stomach, and he pulls me back in for another kiss. "Wanted?"

"Don't worry. I still want you," I murmur against his lips.

He playfully swats my ass. "Good to know, Miss Swan. Good to know."

The look he sends my way kicks my heart into overdrive, and I feel like I have fire rushing through my veins.

Once inside, a young waitress greets us and takes us over to a booth, handing us our menus.

I glance over it quickly before putting it down.

"Now, do I want to assume you're having a chili cheese dog? Or is it a cheeseburger? Or is that strictly reserved for your Friday nights at O'Neills?"

I lean back in my seat, tangling my feet under the table with his. "I think this is a chilli cheese dog kind of day."

He grins, puts his menu on top of mine, and reaches over the table to take my hands. "I like the way you think."

One chili cheese dog and an Oreo sundae between us later, we leave completely stuffed.

I pat my stomach and groan. "I shouldn't have done that. I think the sundae was overkill."

"But it was so good."

I nod. "It was."

Edward opens the passenger door for me. "Where to now?"

I link my fingers through his belt loops. "Let's go to your place."

ooOoo

Thank you for reading!

Fic Rec: Not Your Type by MissWinkles - What on earth could a grumpy, hipster hating Edward have in common with an ink-covered, sarcastic Bella? A late-Christmas present one shot turned ficlette. Short chapters. Fluffy. Silly. Really, what else would you expect?