Stephenie has it all. I just decided to play with her characters and add some of mine. I don't own anything you might recognize.
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Tissue alter for the second part of this chapter. It's gonna get emotional.
Just as Freddy was about to make the kill of the year, the laptop's power died and Abby started crying, but I had no idea why – whether she was upset she didn't see Krueger in action, or she was scared by the darkness.
I felt Edward getting up and not a moment later, he cursed loudly. "Why is the wall here?" he muttered making me laugh. While he was gone, I tried to calm Abby. I ended up giving her my phone as a replacement for a toy.
Edward returned to the living room with two pumpkins already lit. He placed them on some magazines on the coffee table and sat back on the couch.
"If I have nightmares, it's your fault," I mumbled looked at the hideous pumpkins. They had looked much better when they weren't lit.
"You craved them. They look really scary. Boo!" he whispered in my ear making me jump.
"Edward, honestly!"
"What?" he asked between snorts of laughter.
"I think Abby's more mature than you!" I told him as seriously as I could. She had stopped crying and fidgeting, being busy with my phone. Thank God for locked keypad.
"So what was it you were telling Billy?" I asked curiously.
"There's a campaign about the importance of sport in schools. They let us choose what school we'd like to go and I chose Billy's. Of course, I didn't think his high school is close to my old school." He sighed. "But it's not like it matters."
"It doesn't?" I repeated, not believing him.
"Exactly." Edward nodded seriously. After a few minutes he groaned, looking at me. "Just when I think it's finally where it should belong…in the past…something comes up and brings everything out. Why is that?" His head fell in his hands. "As much as they take those parts out of the memories they tell us, I remember. It's not like I can fucking just wipe it off. Just today, after you left, I stayed with Liz a few more minute while her cab arrived and when she left, she reached up to touch my face. I hate my reactions. I know I hurt her when I cringed and stepped away."
"Edward…" I whispered unsure of what to tell him, how to pacify him. There were no actual words to make this go away, not like it would ever go away. He leaned into me until his head was on my chest and his arms were around me. I kissed the top of his unruly hair, rubbing a hand over his back.
We stayed like that until Abby decided she wasn't getting enough attention and after exclaiming something in her language, she hit Edward's head with my phone.
"Fuck!" he yelped startled. I knew he had fallen asleep.
"Abigail," I groaned, snatching the phone from her hand. "Why would you do that?"
She started explaining looking really serious. I wished there was a dictionary to translate her words.
"You okay?" I whispered to Edward.
"I think she cracked my head," he muttered but a chuckle escaped him. "What was it now?" he asked still rubbing his temple.
"My phone." I bit my lip, turning his head to me to see the damage. He always ended up hurt; the only thing Abby did to me was pull at my hair.
His skin was just red, lucky not broken but that would be a bruise. My phone was harder than her toys.
Abby stood between us while I was inspecting Edward's head and wrapped her little arms around his neck in an apology. His hands went to her waist and then he stood, swinging her around.
"I don't think I can forgive you," I teased her.
She shrieked as Edward kept swinging her around. I was always anxious when he did it. That was until he turned her into a little plane, only holding her by the belly – then I went in a full blown panic attack. Like that moment.
"Edward, be careful," I whispered getting up and going to them.
"She's fine, Bella," he said amused, moving Abby under his arm. She kicked her little feet, laughing.
After they were done acting silly, we decided to call it a night. Just changing the diaper and clothes, we put her to bed before we went to our room. I was so tired that I fell asleep as soon as my head was on Edward's chest.
In the morning I woke up alone, but I could hear Abby's giggles from her room. Why were kids waking up so early?
One glance to the clock told me it was eight. Huh. That was the latest I had slept in a long time. Slowly, I rolled out of the bed and shuffled to Abby's room.
She was on her pink carpet with Edward, playing with her letter blocks. Cody was lounged near the heater.
"Morning, love," Edward greeted me readjusting his position and leaning against the dresser, locking his ankles.
"Morning," I offered, going to sit next to them. Abby gave me a block.
"I'm trying to teach her to put them in order, it's not working," Edward explained.
"She's still too little. Try teaching her that when she's at least one year old."
He scowled at me, reaching to switch a few blocks making Abby swat at his hand and put them how she wanted.
"Wait, stop," I whispered to him realizing she was trying to put them on colors.
After a minute, Abby had all the blocks arranged in little towers on colors. As if knowing what a huge step she had made, she looked up at us beaming.
"Oh, that was really great, baby!" Edward apprised her taking her on his lap. She smiled and turned to me so I took her from Edward and squeezed her in my arms. "Did you tell her about colors?" Edward asked still looking at the blocks.
"No," I admitted. It had been her idea. "Is the power back?" I wondered realizing it was still a little cold.
"No, and I called and they said it will be back by lunch time. She explained that something had gone wrong, but I didn't really understand." He shrugged. "You should put a few more things on you."
"And you shouldn't keep Abby on the floor, Edward," I muttered.
*RA*
On Thanksgiving Esme invited us back home and we agreed, but in the end we couldn't go because Edward had managed to get sick. After apologizing for what felt like a hundred times to Esme, I decided to prepare the meal just for us.
I had bought only the turkey's legs knowing the whole bird would have been too much just for us and after finding a delicious recipe; I shoved the tin in the oven and prayed it would be okay. I prepared Edward's tea and went to our room where he was bundled up in three blankets with the laptop in front of him and a box of Kleenex in hand.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, putting the tea next to him.
"Like fuck," he mumbled. "Dad called earlier and said they're coming here for Christmas."
"Oh! Really?" I was surprised.
"Yeah. Mom misses us." He shrugged, grabbing a Kleenex.
I touched his forehead and realized he was burning. "Drink the tea. I'm going to see if Abby's awake."
"When is this going to end?" he moaned, blowing his nose.
"When you'd finally listen to me and go to the doctor. I'm giving you what I think it's okay, but a doctor would know better, pre-med graduate," I hissed to him.
"But you are doing great. I mean, Sylvia said the same things."
I groaned in exasperation. Not again. "Sylvia's a nurse! You need to see a doctor! Don't you want to get better? You already missed three games and I'm sure you want to hold Abby again."
"Oh, you're bringing the heavy weapons," he chuckled. "Fine, I'll see someone."
I looked up at the ceiling. Thank God. After a week of whining, he agreed. "Call Sylvia and ask her. I'm sure she knows of a good doctor." I kissed his warm forehead before going to the door. "And drink your tea."
"Yes, mom," he muttered.
Since he had gotten sick, I banned him from leaving the room so Abby wouldn't get whatever he had. Surprisingly, my almost non-existent immune system hadn't gotten whatever he had and I was grateful for that.
I stayed with Abby for the next few hours, checking on the roast every now and then. Whenever Edward needed something, he called or texted me, which I found really funny, but I knew he couldn't shout.
"Yes?" I answered amused, at the phone.
"Is lunch ready?"
"No!" I answered laughing. "Turkey takes time."
"Can I eat in the kitchen today? Please?"
"I'm not so sure," I whispered watching Abby arranging her toys in a circle. "I think Abby's trying spiritualism." I laughed.
"What?" he rasped.
"She just made a circle of her big toys and now she's making another one of her smaller toys. You have to see this. I'm expecting incantations any moment."
He chuckled. "I really miss her. Please? Lunch?" he begged. "I feel better."
Sighing heavily, I agreed. "Okay, but the second you sneeze, you're quarantined again," I threatened him just as the doorbell rang.
"Are we expecting anyone?" he asked, having heard it too.
"No, of what I know. Did you tell Sylvia to come over?"
"She didn't answer. I left her a voice mail. Go and see who's at the door."
I hung up and went to the door with one last amused look at Abby's magic circles. After unlocking and opening the door I was surprised to find Elizabeth with Ed there. We hadn't told them why we decided to stay back.
"Hello," I greeted them, stepping aside.
"Good morning, Bella." Liz smiled at me, hugging me. "How are you sweetie? You look tired."
"I'm okay." I shrugged.
After they took their coats and shoes off, I led them to the living room. In the big circle was a teddy bear and in the small circle was a cube. Interesting. I wished I knew what she was thinking.
"What is she doing?" Ed asked curiously.
"I'd tell you if I knew." I shrugged. "You should have said you were coming. There's not enough food," I mumbled.
"Don't worry, Bella. We brought some. Why didn't you leave? I'm sure Esme would have loved to have you all there."
My phone buzzed from the table. Who is it?
I typed a reply quickly. Ed & Liz.
"Where's Edward? I know there isn't a game, not like I had seen him in the last few," Ed said.
Oh. I hadn't thought of that. They watched the games. Crap.
Before I could answer, I heard the bedroom door open and I panicked. He couldn't come here. He couldn't be near Abby. But it was too late.
Edward appeared in the living room's doorway with a blanket over his shoulder, his hair tousled and as pale as ever. His eyes were sparkling due his fever and he leaned against the jamb trying to smile.
"Hi," he whispered on a hoarse voice.
"Edward!" Liz cried out and rushed to him. She started firing questions at him and I was sure he was too exhausted to ever answer, just letting her talk.
"It's just a cold," he mumbled after some time. "I had worse that's why I'm not worrying."
"Go back to bed," I told him sternly. "And I don't care if you had worse! You had Carlisle around that time, now you don't."
Pouting, he shuffled back to the bedroom with Liz in toe. I sighed, turning to Ed who was gaping somewhere behind me. I turned around, frowning to see Abby on her feet looking at the door.
No way.
She was finally going to walk.
Now, when Edward couldn't see it.
"Edward!" I shouted, hoping I wouldn't scare her.
He reappeared in the doorway and a smile broke on Abby's face as she put a foot in front of the other and another until she made five steps and lost her balance. I caught her before she fell.
"Why would you choose to walk when I can't hold you?" Edward groaned.
I kissed her head, hugging her tightly. She'd wanted to do it for some time now, but never actually had the courage. Until that moment.
Abby squirmed out of my arms and went back to her crawling…to the doorway. I knew Edward was dying to hold her after a week of isolation so he stole my scarf from the hanger to his left and wrapped it around his face, crouching to welcome her in his arms. I hadn't seen Abby smile so big the whole week. She clung to him sighing quietly.
"How did you get sick?" Liz asked worried.
"It's cold outside and I was warm after practice or a game… It didn't take much," Edward answered, rubbing Abby's back. "I really wanted to head back home, but…Esme said she'd be here on Christmas."
"Oh, it's good you said you have plans. Lizzy wanted to invite you over for Christmas dinner," Ed explained.
"You can come here, I guess," I told them. "If you had said something, I would have bought one turkey, not just the legs."
"I told you that there's no problem, sweetie. Mine stayed the whole night in the oven. I brought the breasts. They're really good for cold sandwiches," Liz told me. "How did you cook the legs?"
I took her to the kitchen, telling her about the recipe I had found while Edward went to the couch and passed Abby to Ed. At least he was responsible. I really didn't want to think of what I'd do if she got sick. I couldn't think of that.
Lunch was quiet until right before desert when Ed cleared his throat and wondered if we could say what we were grateful for. I thought it was obvious for everyone, and I dreaded what they had to say. After a lot of hand motions between Edward and Ed, Edward groaned and cleared his throat.
"I'm grateful for having such an amazing family," he whispered, covering everyone in that. He smiled at me, grabbing my hand.
When no one continued, I realized it was my turn. "First, thank you for helping us so much," I told Liz and Ed. "And, I'm grateful for having Edward and Abby."
"Thank you for accepting us back in your life despite everything that had happened. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. The gesture showed how wonderful you are, and how stupid I was," Ed said in a rough voice, his eyes never leaving Edward's. "As I told you once, you have the power to destroy us if you choose you don't want us around you or your family," he added with tears in his eyes.
Liz only nodded, silently echoing her husband's words as tears flooded her eyes. I had no idea I was crying as well until a sob ripped through me and I lunged to hug Ed. Something I never thought I'd do. He was redeemed in my eyes. His words were so soulful, spoken from the heart. He truly regretted what he had done. Of course, it didn't mean that the memories would simply disappear, but it was good to know he regretted his actions. After separating from him, I saw Edward hugging Liz on the other side of the table, whispering to her, probably trying to make her stop crying. She only seemed to cry harder.
Edward looked up and held his hand out for Ed to join them. "Dad."
That was my undoing. I excused myself from the kitchen leaving them alone for a few minutes while I collected myself. I couldn't help but think how many other children had been like Edward and how they'd never forgive their birth parents, how they'd reject them for life. What Edward had just done proved how good he was, what a great heart he had, how truly beautiful he was – inside and out.
When I felt his arm around my shoulders, I turned into him and sniffed loudly. I couldn't seem to stop crying.
"Shh, Bella. I think that had to be said, don't you?" he whispered in my ear. I only nodded. "Try to stop crying. You're scaring Cody," he said amused.
I raised my head to find the dog in front of me watching me weird with his head cocked to the side. I smiled through my tears before looking up at Edward. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't stop crying."
"It's okay, really. I never expected him to say that. It surprised me." He kissed my forehead. "Shall we go eat desert? Liz brought apple pie."
I giggled and kissed his stubbly cheek before getting up. "Are you feeling better?" I touched his forehead with the back of my head. The fever was down finally.
"A lot." I was sure that he didn't mean just physically, but mentally too.
"Thank you, Bella. You're so good for my boy," Liz whispered, hugging me just as I stepped into the kitchen, which brought a fresh round of tears in my eyes.
"Mom, I just calmed her," Edward moaned. "Let's see how good that pie is."
She patted my cheek and went to the counter. I slumped in my chair and Edward scooted closer to me, bringing me to his chest. I caught Ed's eye across the table and he gave me a big smile, so similar to Edward's when he was mischievous. The more time I spent around them, more similarities I found between them and Edward.
Just as Liz set the pie plates on the table, Abby gave a loud and long wail. I should have known she wasn't going to sleep for long.
"I'll get her," I told Edward, scrambling to stand up. "You stayed around her enough."
"But I'm better," he protested quietly as I left the kitchen.
Abby didn't need anything. I knew she'd love to come back with me so I took her to the kitchen, mindful to keep her away from Edward's cold. I knew that it being a cold and not the flu, the worst should be over by now, but I was still cautious.
I'm sure some of you wouldn't agree with this, but I wanted them to make peace. Ed more than proved he isn't that bad and what happened so long ago was only his bad, horrible, reaction to almost losing everything.
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