Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 107
Renee used her key to let themselves in once they returned to the Cullen house from their shopping trip. She walked ahead of her daughter and a few steps into the house, she turned around and gestured to Bella to be quiet.
Bella followed her mother's line of vision to find the sleeping form of Edward Cullen lying sprawled on the living room couch. He was gently holding Ella to his chest who also appeared to be asleep.
Bella sucked in a breath as she felt her world shift on its axis once again. The sight triggered the now familiar tremors deep within her core.
She wanted to crawl into the couch with them.
She wanted to put her arms around the slumbering father and daughter.
She wanted - no, needed- to be a part of that picture.
So very badly.
Tears of futility threatened her eyes and she forced herself to look away before she did or said something that might set Renee on the right trail to unearth the real reason behind her distress.
That wouldn't do.
She noticed Renee stealthily picking up the receiving part of the baby monitor and tiptoeing her way toward the basement stairs, and she knew she ought to follow.
She tore herself from the spot and made her way to her room, carrying the rest of the shopping bags.
"Good thing Edward is getting some shut eye. Between his work and being worried sick about Carmen and Ella, that boy hardly gets any rest at all," Renee said once they were in the basement.
Bella's heart lurched, but she continued to fold away her newly acquired possessions as if her mother's words didn't have any effect on her at all. At least she hoped she managed to create that impression.
But curiosity was burning like fire inside her and she desperately wanted to know more about him.
About his life.
His days.
His nights.
"He seems really good with Ella..." Bella said casually, hoping to keep Renee talking about Edward without sounding too eager.
"Oh, he really is," Renee confirmed enthusiastically. "Men usually are not as in-tune with kids, you know. It's not as intuitive for guys as it is with mothers. But Edward simply is. It's like he was born to be a dad. And a lucky thing too. Can you imagine how much worse it could be for Ella if he were clueless?"
Bella nodded. She had seen the evidence first hand how tender and loving Edward Cullen was as a father.
"It got to be pretty hard on him still. Good thing you're here to lend a hand, But I mean, he must miss his wife..." Bella prodded masochistically, then braced herself for the impact of the information.
It wasn't that Renee never spoke of the Cullen family before; she often did when they spoke on the phone. But Bella's view of things were dramatically different now. The Cullens were no longer faceless strangers to her. They mattered to her in ways she couldn't even begin to explain.
Renee sat down with a sigh, putting away the last of the day's purchases. "That boy is so devoted to his wife, it's just heartbreaking to watch. Of course, I've only been here for a few months, but from what I've seen, it's clear as day how much he loves Carmen. It's like if it weren't for Ella, he'd give up living too.
"Whatever time he isn't working, he's with Ella. I told him that I don't mind getting up at night when she cries, but unless he's covering the night shift, he wouldn't allow me to lose sleep either. He never goes out, or have friends over. I don't even know what to say or do... I mean, his parents call and they love him and all, but it's not like they can encourage him to go out and date," Renee said throwing her arms in the air to express the futility of her concerns.
"It's just so tragic," she added sadly, then sat silently for a few moments. She noticed the pain stricken expression on Bella's face and regretted delving into the morbid depths of reality needlessly.
"Puts all your little troubles in perspective, doesn't it?" she asked lovingly, brushing away a few stray hair from Bella's face.
The baby monitor came to life just then, signaling that Ella had risen from her nap.
"I better go upstairs. Why don't you rest a bit and maybe call Paul. Come and find me afterward. You could play with Ella and help me fix dinner later if you like," Renee said as she got up to assume her charge for the day.
Bella nodded, and waited until her mother left the basement.
Then she climbed onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow to muffle her cries.
Renee wasn't wrong. Her perspective had changed alright. In less than twenty-four hours her world had turned on its head. Part of her wanted to follow Renee upstairs so she could lay her eyes upon Edward Cullen again. The other part knew that putting herself in close proximity with the man would spell disaster.
She remained on her spot, torn and conflicted, until Renee came to fetch her for dinner. Calling Paul slipping her mind once again.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.
Just a heads up: I have surgery scheduled this month. It's nothing serious, but I will be out of commission for a while. Hope you'll still be here when I get back.
Much love!