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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From now, we kind of alternate between Edward and Bella until we have only EPOV, close to the very end. He decided to open up at the end, and Bella shied away. I bet everyone loves EPOV.
Before this chapter, you need to know that Edward stopped playing basketball at 30 yo, the year the twins were born. He continued med school and here we are... He's around 40 here. Enjoy!
EPOV
Working at the hospital's clinic was easier than being a doctor, but I hadn't chosen my field carefully. I should have thought a lot more before deciding to become a pediatrician.
The children were great, but the only problem was seeing them hurt or in pain. It was enough to endure to see my own kids in pain when they hurt themselves.
There was a knock on the door and monotonously I told whoever was on the other side to come it. Lunch break was almost there and I was ready to take that much needed break.
"Hey, you have one more patient. He's a little late," Lucy told me. She was my assistant and I couldn't have asked for a better person.
"I'll wait here." I shrugged, slouching in my chair.
"More coffee?" she asked with a smile.
"A ton," I mumbled. With a giggle she left, probably going to bring more coffee.
Sometimes, I wondered why I was really doing this. It wasn't for the money; God knows basketball helped with that more than I thought possible. If it were based on the money I had earned by playing, my kids wouldn't have to go to work, and probably their kids too. But I loved this and I'd always wanted to be a doctor. I appreciated Carlisle on a whole new level when I realized how hard it was to become a doctor.
"Coffee is served," Lucy said softly, bringing me back to my office. "You should tone it down. It's the third today."
"Only the third?" I joked, widening my eyes.
"I'm serious, Dr. Cullen."
"Me too," I said deadpanned. "Next patient is here," I added, seeing a man with a little boy just outside the door.
"You're not getting any more coffee until the day is over."
"Bye, Lucy!" I said cheerfully as they entered the room.
She huffed and turned on her heels, closing the door a little too loudly behind her. That's when I realized I had to drink that mug for the next five hours. Fuck.
"Hello…" I said, glancing at the paper in front of me. "Mr. Bowman."
He grunted, grasping his kid's shoulder and pushing him forward. "Just tell me what's wrong now. I swear he just loves to get in trouble," he told me upset.
"Kids love trouble," I told him seriously. "I have four and they're always up to something."
Mr. Bowman rolled his eyes, sitting on the chair. "Just go to him," he muttered to his kid.
There was something wrong with that kid. He looked almost afraid to come to me. I got up and met him at the corner of my desk. He was so small.
"Hi, little one. What's your name?"
"Jack," he whispered.
His dad groaned loudly. "Jackson, I told you to be polite!"
Jack bit his lip and tears appeared in his eyes, looking almost frantic to rectify the mistake. "Sorry, sir," he mumbled glancing at his dad. "I'm Jackson Bowman, Doctor."
I couldn't talk. Not even if I tried my hardest. What kind of parent does that? The kind that hates their child, a small voice whispered in my head.
"We're going to that bed over there so I can see what's wrong," I told Jack. "How do you feel?"
"Who knows what he ate? He has been sick for the past three days."
"And you just decided to bring him to a doctor?" I asked upset, helping Jack on the bed.
"I thought it was just a stomach bug." His dad shrugged.
I grabbed my stethoscope and as I arranged it, I turned to Jack's dad. "Did you give him medicine?"
"No, that's expensive. That's why I decided to bring him."
I wanted to punch him, but I refocused on the small kid. As I reached to lift his shirt, both of them jumped. Mr. Bowman started shouting at me of what was I doing and Jack clutched the shirt to his waist.
"I have to check him over, to make sure he doesn't have a cold or something," I said calmly, ignoring everything that was pointing to what I feared the most. "Lift you shirt a little. As much you want," I whispered to Jack.
His wide green eyes went to his dad then back to me, biting his lower lip. I shielded him from his dad's view as he lifted the side of his shirt watching me worried. I inhaled sharply and tried to ignore the purple skin. But it was difficult.
He shifted uncomfortably as the cold metal touched his warm skin but didn't say anything. "Breathe in deep, hold it, now breathe out," I instructed him.
There was definitely something wrong. He had a cold, if not something worse. I didn't like how he breathed.
"Again," I said, watching him in the eye. "How long?" I mouthed to him unable to stop myself.
After he let out his breath, he looked toward his dad that couldn't see much since I was standing strategically right in front of his son. "Always."
I ground my teeth and took a calming breath. "Where else?"
"Everywhere."
"Fuck," I gasped, closing my eyes. I had a sudden urge to help him, to save him as I had been saved. "Sit tight," I said louder, going back to my desk to bring the sterilized tongue depressor. After a glance at Mr. Bowman, I went back to his son.
He looked like a convicted criminal. That look in his eyes rubbed me the wrong way.
"Open up," I whispered to Jack. His little eyes widened and he looked almost scared making me sick at the stomach. I didn't want to think of what memories I could bring to him. "It will take a second," I promised.
Slowly and cringing lightly, Jack opened his mouth. I grabbed the small flashlight from my coat's pocket and pressing his tongue down as I looked at his tonsils. He gagged and I left his mouth quickly. I really wanted to look better but I knew I'd hurt him.
"Open again and put your tongue out," I instructed softly, looking just with the flashlight. Sure enough, his tonsils were an angry red. "How's your throat, buddy?"
"It hurts a little," he murmured.
"Just a little?" I asked shocked. I remembered when Danny had a sore throat and the tantrum he threw. "What else hurts?" I asked, trying to understand what was really wrong.
"I feel warm and sleepy."
"And he threw up once or twice for the past three days," Mr. Bowman added, coming to us.
"Why didn't you bring him earlier?" I asked annoyed, pressing my hand to Jack's forehead. He was burning up. Before I could put a diagnostic, I saw something on his cheek and when I looked down, I saw it on his hand too. "I think I know what's wrong." Without realizing his dad hadn't allowed me to raise his son's shirt, I did just that and looked for what I wanted. There were tiny, red splotched on his stomach and as I lifted the shirt higher, I could see them on his chest too. "Did you see these?" I asked his dad.
He looked at me scared, realizing I could see the bruises too. "Uh, no. What's wrong with him?"
"He has chicken pox."
"I told you not to eat all the rubbish! Kindergarten is bad for you, Jackson."
Is he that stupid? "Mr. Bowman, he probably got it from some other kid. The disease is called chicken pox and it doesn't have anything to do with chicken," I explained.
"Oh, then you are forbidden to go to the kindergarten, Jackson," he snapped.
"No, please. I want," Jack cried, looking at me pleadingly. Away from home was the only time he wasn't getting hurt. I feel your pain, kid. "I'll be right back," I told them leaving the office.
Fuck my lunch break. I had to take this little innocent kid away from that monster. "Lucy, call the Department of Children and Family Services, immediately."
Her head snapped up from the computer and she choked up before coughing.
"Are you okay?" I asked worried, leaning over her desk.
"Just swallowed my gum. Again."
I rolled my eyes, wondering how her stomach functioned at this rate. "Will you call them?" I whispered.
"Yes. What happened?" Her eyes shifted between me and my office's door.
"Just call them. I need someone here now." As she started dialing, I went back into my office, sitting behind my desk. "I'll write you a receipt."
"Does it cost?" Mr. Bowman asked worried.
"Not much. I'm sure your son's health is more important," I told him more harshly than I intended.
"Well, you may have money, doctor, but I work at the sawmill!"
"The insurance will cover most of it."
He cursed loudly and I realized he didn't have insurance. Great. Fucking great. An idea came to me and I felt proud of it. I wanted to pat myself on the back.
"How about I make you a deal?" I asked smirking.
He eyed me warily. "What?" he spat.
"I pay for his medicine," I informed him, looking to Jack who had brought his knees to his chest was watching us interested, absently scratching his hand. "Don't scratch it," I told him softly. "I'll bring you something to soothe the itch."
"Are you fucking with me? You're going to buy him medicine? Do you think I'm fucking stupid?" Mr. Bowman yelled.
"I always do what's best for the kids I treat. You don't have money, or insurance. I really like Jack and I want to make him better," I told him calmly.
His eyes flashed when I said that I liked his kid. Of course, in his twisted mind he was the only one to like his kid and touch him. I swallowed the bile that had risen in my throat.
"Do we have a deal, Mr. Bowman?"
"Bring the medicine. I want to see it for myself," he demanded.
"You'll have to wait here. Can you do that?" I tried not to smile as my plan worked perfectly.
He nodded and took a seat in the chair while I got up, grabbing my wallet and the receipt before leaving after winking at Jack. He reminded me of a scared little boy that acted just like him. He reminded me of…me.
"Make sure he doesn't leave and if the DCFS comes, tell them to wait right here," I told Lucy as I passed her desk.
On my way to the hospital's pharmacy, I had an urge to call Bella and tell her that I was about to do the weirdest thing ever. There was a line at the pharmacy so I had time to talk, if only she answered her phone. After her voicemail came, I swallowed a few times before saying it. "Hey, it's me. Just letting you know that I'm about to do a stupid thing. I hope you won't hate me. Love you," I whispered, hanging up.
On my way back, I got sidetracked by Dr. Greene and we talked for about half an hour until I said I was on a mission. With a chuckle, he wished me good luck and left. He had no idea how much luck I needed. And guts.
The woman outside my office screamed social worker from her appearance. Her tailored suit and arranged hair, the briefcase. Everything; even her stilettos. I swallowed and approached.
"Dr. Cullen, this is Kate McGee, from the Department of Children and Family Services," Lucy explained.
"Hello, Mrs. McGee," I greeted her taking her hand and shaking it.
"Edward Cullen, I know," she said with a smile before I could say my full name. "You're one of my favorite basketball players ever."
I felt my ears turning red. "Uh, thank you."
"What happened that determined you to call?"
With a heavy sigh, I explained everything and told her that I'd go in and give him the medicine then…I'd make sure to check the chicken pox while she stepped in as an old friend. It was a horrible plan.
The scene that greeted me erased the previous plan from my mind. Jack was still on the bed, hugging his knees and crying violently as Mr. Bowman was standing next to him, just buckling his belt. The bag with the medicine slipped from my hand, lucky there wasn't anything to break.
Mr. Bowman looked shocked at me while Jack surprised us both by running to me and clutching to my leg. I picked him up, making sure to open the door so Kate would know it was time to step in.
"What were you doing?" I asked through greeted teeth.
"Just asking how he was feeling," Bowman tried to defend himself.
Jack whimpered in my ear, clutching to me tightly. Fuck. What has he done to the poor kid?
"Is there a problem?" Kate asked, stepping inside.
I gave her a look that said 'just get him before I kill him' to which she nodded, advancing to Mr. Bowman.
"And who are you?" he snarled.
"I'm someone who'll make your life hell," she said sternly just as two cops came inside. I hadn't even thought about calling the police.
"What have you done, Jackson?" he yelled. "I'm going to kill you!"
"No, I'm going to kill you if you as much as look at this kid. He hasn't done anything to you!" I yelled.
I felt Jack squirming in my arms and let him down mindful of the beast on the other side of the room. He gagged and I realized he was going to throw up, but before I could grab the trash bin, he threw up on the floor.
We all looked in terror at the white stuff coming out of his mouth. It looked like only one thing. Semen. I saw red and lunged at Mr. Bowman but one of the cops grabbed me.
"He's just a child!" I shouted. "I'm going to kill you, you fucking animal!"
"He's mine and it's his fault my wife died! If he hadn't been conceived, she wouldn't have died giving birth to him!" Bowman yelled back.
"It's not his fault!" I snapped. "It's your fault! If you didn't want him, you should have been careful. And you should cherish him for being part of your wife!"
"You don't know what you're talking about!"
"I do!" I hissed. "I've been in his place, many years ago. I think I understand him better than anyone in this room. Though, I never had to endure such tortures," I added, trying to lunge at him again, but the cop held me tighter, which was a good thing probably. I would have killed that monster.
It had finally come to the day in my life that I could say I was grateful for what Ed had done, or hadn't done is more like it.
When the police finally took him away, Kate wanted to take Jack with her.
"And what do you think you're doing?" I asked harshly as she went to take him from the bed where I had laid him
"I'm taking him to the center."
"No. I'm taking him home." The words spilled out of my mouth before I could process them. What was I doing? I was insane.
"Really?" Jack whispered, sitting up.
I opened my mouth and before I could ask, the door opened. I looked up ready to tell Lucy to have the next patient wait, only to see Bella there. She looked distraught. My message. Who knows what she thought?
"Hi, love," I whispered going to her side.
"Are you sure, Dr. Cullen?" Kate asked, ignoring we had company.
"Yes. Do I have to sign something?"
"There will be a process and the judge would have to decide it," she explained.
"Decide what?" I groaned. "His dad is going to prison and I won't allow you to take that kid to some home. He's been through enough already," I growled.
"You have to talk to your lawyer and we'll discuss this on Monday. Here is my number." Kate offered me her business card.
I reached in my pocket and gave her mine. "What happens with Jack until Monday?"
"If you want it, he can stay with you. I can authorize that, but on Monday you will have to appear with him in court."
I nodded and after a short goodbye, she was gone. And I had to face Bella.
"What just happened in here?" she asked confused.
"Uh, you see…" I looked at Jack who was watching us with a new light in his eyes. That's what gave me courage to say it. "I saved him from his father. I want to adopt him."
Bella's brown eyes widened and she became really pale. "Edward," she whispered, grasping my forearm. "I…I just…we…"
"I know I should have asked you. I know we're already crammed, but we'll figure something out." I pleaded her with my eyes. If Jack got in the system, I was afraid of what was going to happen to him.
"I'm pregnant, Edward," Bella whispered.
"Huh? What?"
"I'm pregnant," she repeated, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed. "Really? How? We were careful."
"It happens, but I just came from seeing Marcus to confirm my suspicious…uh, I have to be extra careful this time around," she mumbled. "I'm not twenty any more." She gave a nervous chuckle.
"That's what is worrying me," I said softly, gathering her in my arms. I looked at Jack above her head and he was busy scratching his arm. "Uh, I can't believe what I just did."
"You did what you felt and knew was best. Do you really want to adopt him?" Bella asked, touching my cheek.
"Of course! What kind of question is that?"
"Then we're adopting him. Can I meet him?"
She was something else. It reminded me of why I loved her so much. My brave, little Bella.
With a quick, but full of all my love for her, kiss I led her to the bed.
"Jack, I want you to meet someone."
He looked up at me smiling. He smiled at Bella, showing his little teeth.
"This is Bella, my wife," I explained.
"Hi, Bella, Dr. Cullen's wife." I loved that teasing tone. He knew he could be himself with us.
Sitting next to him, I wrapped my arm around his shoulders. "Would you like to come with us? We're going to take care of you."
"I won't have to go back to Sir Bowman after I'm better?" he asked.
Sir Bowman. That sadistic son of a bitch! "No, kiddo. Never. You'll live with us, and on Monday we will talk to a judge. If you want, we can talk to him or her about making it more permanent."
"I'd like that," Jack said happily.
Bella sat on his other side taking his hands in hers. "How old are you, Jack?"
"Four, ma'am."
Four. I exchanged a horrified look with Bella above his head. I hoped Jack's dad was going to rot in prison.
"You're such a big boy," she praised him, stroking his hair. The fear from the beginning for being a mother was gone, and now Bella was a natural at being a mother. "Do you want to come with me? You'll get to meet our other children."
Jack looked at me, then at Bella, worried. I nodded. "Sure, buddy. Go. I have to stay here for another few hours."
"Can I stay with you? Please?" he begged me.
"Okay, but you have to be quiet. Can you do that?" I asked. He nodded solemnly and I stood walking Bella to the door. "I'll put the rollaway in the twins' room, when I get home."
"Okay, I have to tell the kids that they're going to have a new sibling."
"Two," I corrected her with a smile and touched her stomach.
"Two. I really hate you, Edward."
"I love you too." I winked and kissed her forehead.
"Why don't you carry a baby for nine months then tell me how it is?" she retorted rolling her eyes. "Oh, before I forget." Bella took a step back. "Emmett called to tell me that his friend finally found a few houses. He said he'd email the information."
"Great! We really need to move now, more than ever," I said seriously.
"A castle sounds good," she giggled.
"Anything you want." I kissed her brow, squeezing her arm.
"I was joking, you crazy man."
I chuckled and shrugged. "You know I'd do anything you want."
"That comes to my advantage most times." Bella kissed me quickly before she opened the door. "I have to get the kids from school."
"Last chance. You sure you don't wanna leave with Bella?" I asked Jack. He nodded and I turned to Bella kissing her again. "Be careful."
"Are you obsessing again?" she moaned.
"I just love you. Go."
Jack was really good for the next few hours. Lucy bought us lunch because after Bella's visit I realized it was past two o'clock. I should have frowned upon her lunch choice – KFC – but the look on Jack's face as he ate made me change my mind. He was going to have to eat special meals for a few weeks until the chicken pox was over. Lucky all my kids have had it, there wasn't going to be a problem.
When six approached, I started wrapping up, ready to head home when Lucy poked her head inside and told me I had a last minute appointment. I hated those. The kid usually was with their mother and she was a bitch.
"We're almost ready to go home," I told Jack, shaking his shoulder. I was happy to see him sleep for two hours.
He rubbed his eyes, watching me confused for a few minutes then a blinding smile appeared on his face. I grinned back and kissed his head. He was too cute for his own good.
The door of my office opened, banging to the wall making me think of Emmett. He was the only one to make so much noise when he entered a room. But of course, it couldn't be him.
"Edward!" I looked up and saw Sylvia with her youngest who was wailing loudly. "What's happening? She's been like this the whole day."
I frowned, advancing to them. Emily had inherited her mother's lungs. I always thought of wearing ear plugs when she was around.
"What hurts?" I asked, focusing on Emily.
"She said her ears are hurting. Do you know what's wrong? Please, Edward! I don't know where to go. Nathan thought it was nothing, and I just got home and saw her. I knew something was wrong."
"Breathe, Sylvia." I rolled my eyes at her. "Put her on the bed there," I instructed.
"Oh, you have a patient. I feel bad," she mumbled.
"Not quite. It's a long story, but Jack's coming home with me," I explained, taking my otoscope out and titling Emily's head so I could look at her ear.
"I don't understand," Sylvia murmured, raising an eyebrow at me.
"I rescued him from his father. I'm adopting him."
"I have to say that you are insane. You've already turned the laundry room in a bedroom and half of the garage too."
"Sylvia, let me worry about space. She has an ear infection," I added.
"Oh, no! Is there something to cure it?"
I tried not to laugh. "No, there's not," I said as seriously and low as I could. Only for her. When her eyes widened, I truly laughed. Such nurse she was. "Only fucking with you. You're a nurse, you know how a doctor treats ear infections!"
"Edward, I swear to God, I'm going to send Bella parts of your body if you scare me like that!"
"Details, details," I teased her, patting the top of her head.
Her red, long nail jabbed into my chest. "If you fuck with me again, I'm seriously going to kick your ass!"
"I haven't fucked you since high school. Why would I start now? I have no desire to cheat on B- Ouch!" I yelped as the evil woman twisted my nipple before punching my shoulder.
"You've been warned, Cullen."
"And you're Satan's spawn," I muttered going to my desk.
"Don't insult Mommy!"
I almost tripped over my chair as I burst in laughter. "She has your personality," I said amused.
"That she does," Sylvia said proudly.
As I wrote the prescription for Emily, I heard her talking with Jack and realized he was sick.
"Shit," I hissed. "Sylvia, has she had chicken pox?"
"No, why?" she asked, her voice dropping as she realized what was going to happen. "Oh, no!"
"I'm sure we'll see each other soon. I'm sorry I didn't think earlier, but…" I shrugged.
"Perfect. I'm going to take the leave from work. Two weeks of bliss," she said excitedly.
I laughed, surprised she wasn't really upset.
We left together, and after arranging for Sunday brunch together, I led Jack to my car. He clutched to my hand looking around wide-eyed. There were so many similarities between us. I remembered vividly of the day Esme took me with her and I met my two crazy siblings. Jack was in for a big surprise. I hoped he could handle my rascals. Bella was probably right; they all took after me, although I never destroyed the house. Maybe once or twice.
I opened the door of my XC90 and helped him climb inside.
"So big." I heard him musing.
"Not big enough," I muttered. It was true. The seven seats weren't enough for us, lucky Bella insisted to keep my old car.
After I buckled him up, I slid in the driver's seat, put the phone in the doc then arranged my handsfree and called Bella. Looking at Jack through the rearview mirror, I could see he was still looking around amazing, taking everything in as I started driving.
"Hey," Bella answered. "Are you leaving?"
"Hi. Yeah, I just left."
"Can you make a detour to the store and buy some pre-cooked food? I don't have time to cook. I just realized what hour it was."
"Sure. Anything specific?" I wondered.
"No, whatever you get is fine. I'm going back to learn history," she mumbled. "It's much more complicated than I remembered."
"Really? You shouldn't complain. I always end up helping them with Math. I never liked Math," I moaned.
"But you know it," she retorted. "I'm coming! Hold on!"
"Go, learn some history," I urged her chuckling. I could almost see her scowl.
"Bye," Bella muttered and hung up.
The store was relatively empty, just like I liked it. I could look for whatever I needed without bumping in mindless and idiotic shoppers. Rolling through the aisles, I realized Jack needed clothes for the winter because I was sure he didn't have much. Maybe Kate would let me go to his apartment and see what I can take from there.
Buying the pre-cooked meals was easy. It reminded me of college and how I lived on them when I was sick of the fast foods and restaurants on campus. Since I was at the frozen products area, I grabbed some ice-cream too knowing that was one thing Bella loved when she was pregnant, then rolled the cart to the check-out area. On the way there, I saw Jack looking at something, his neck craning. Following his gaze, I realized he was looking at the toy area.
"Did you see something you wanted?" I asked, stopping the cart.
He looked at me worried, his lower lip trapped between his teeth. He was scared to tell me what he wanted. If I get my hands on that bastard, I'm going to kill him! I promised myself.
"You can tell me, Jack. Do you want a toy?" I asked gently, directing the cart that way.
"Um, no."
"No?" I really wanted him to realize he could tell me what he wanted without being scared. "Do you like this?" I pointed to a shaggy, brown teddy bear.
Jack shook his head, looking at his lap, refusing to show me what got his attention.
"Maybe this?" I insisted, grabbing a superhero figurine. "Or this?" I kept showing him different toys until he finally raised his head.
"I don't want anything. I'm not allowed," he whispered so softly I would have missed it if I wasn't bent over him.
Taking a calming breath, I put my hands on his shoulders making sure I had his undivided attention. "Listen to me, Jack. From now on, you're allowed to have things. You may not get everything you want, but within reason Bella and I will do what we can to give you everything. You don't have to be afraid to tell me what you want. If you can't have something or aren't allowed to do something, I'd tell you nicely. I promise," I told him on a soothing tone. "Now, tell me what grabbed your attention earlier."
His eyes searched mine before he turned his head to look around and when he spotted the desired toy, he pointed a finger in that direction. Cars. I should have known.
I covered his finger with my hand while stirring the cart there. "It's not nice to point. If we can avoid it, we do. Okay?"
He nodded solemnly. "That one. The black one," he told me.
"This?" I picked the sleek sports car closest to him. Jack nodded vigorously. "Okay. Here you are. Don't open it until we're out of the store." I put it on his lap and finally went to the check-out.
In the car, I opened the box and gave him the toy car before driving home. As I got closer, I kept wondering how everyone would react toward Jack, and more importantly how would Jack react.
He was still reluctant to be himself. That glimpse of his personality when he greeted Bella was gone, and he had closed in himself. I expected him to play with that car, or ask questions, but no, he simply stayed there clutching the car in his hand, looking out the window and chewing on his bottom lip; from time to time he'd look at me before turning his head toward the window again.
"We're home," I announced to him after parking in the driveway. We exited the car and I grabbed the bags of food. "Come on, no one will bite," I urged him to walk ahead of me toward the back door.
"It's your night, not mine!" I could hear one of the twins yelling. Great, they were fighting again.
"I set the table yesterday!" Danny snapped.
Jack had stopped walking and was looking wide-eyed at the net door and the silhouettes from the inside.
"Just do it already! Dad should be home any minute!" Oh, that was so nice of Abby. She'd learned that being a big sister was great because she could make her younger siblings do what she didn't want…until we found out about it. I idly wondered where Bella was.
I opened the back door and all the shouts stopped as I guided Jack inside with a hand on his shoulder.
"Good evening," I offered in greeting. "What's going on in here?"
"Mommy told him to set the table and he made me!" Tommy – or was it Willy? I wasn't sure – whined loudly.
"No!" Danny shouted. "She said 'whoever's turn it is, set the table. And add another person' so stop making me do it!"
"Abbs?" I gave her my bags. "Just shove the trays in the oven at three-fifty for an hour," I instructed. "And guys, we need to talk before dinner, okay? Family meeting. Living room."
Everyone nodded as I led Jack to the hallway and we took our shoes off. Cody appeared next to me, nudging my leg with his muzzle and barking loudly.
"Hey, Cody." I scratched his head a little before looking at Jack who was hiding behind my legs. "It's okay. He's friendly."
Cody went to sniff him and Jack seemed frozen until he tentatively raised his hand to touch the dog. Realizing, nothing bad happened, he kept stroking Cody's fur.
"I'll be right back. This is the living room, you can watch some TV," I told him, gesturing to the running TV. When wasn't it on?
I found Bella in our bedroom with the other twin. They were on the bed focused on something in front of them. Probably the history homework she was talking about.
"Hi!"
Their heads shot up and they smiled at me. The twins were looking so much like Bella, it was scary; both with brown eyes, chestnut hair, small noses and really white skin. As Bella loved to joke, the only thing they got from me was their gender. It was probably true.
"Hi, Dad! Come, see what Mom did!" twin unknown exclaimed. I should be ashamed that I couldn't distinguish my own kids, but they were identical in every way. I hadn't discovered something to make them different, not yet, and they were seven already.
"What did mom do?" I asked approaching the bed and leaning over Bella's shoulder. Oh, it was painting hour. "Is that a duck?"
"NO!" Bella groaned loudly. "Why does everyone keep thinking it's a duck?" she mumbled.
"Because it looks like one?" I joked, kissing her forehead. "What should it be?"
She glanced at me. "His teacher is crazy. She made them draw then paint the part when the duck becomes a swan from the Ugly Duckling."
"So, that's swan?" I asked, looking back at the painting.
"Yes! I looked over a hundred pictures to make sure it's right."
"Well, the neck should be longer. And swans are white," I said thoughtfully.
"Yeah, the white paint is dry and Will did his own alone, using the whole white from his tube. Tommy's swan will be special," Bella told me sternly. "There are grey swans, I'm sure."
"After they fell in the dirt," Tommy muttered. At least now, I knew which twin this was.
"Oh, let's go have that family meeting. I left Jack with Cody," I told Bella. "I'm not sure what to say."
"It was your idea, honey." She kissed my cheek. "You'll figure it out. I'll be there, though."
I found Jack in the living room, on the couch, and Willy next to him. They were talking.
"Why did you stop?" Bella asked from behind me.
"Look," I whispered, wrapping my arm around her shoulder and bringing her between me and the door jamb. "They're talking. I hadn't made the introductions yet."
"They're kids. They make friends fast, you know that."
"No, Bella. Not him. Must I remind you that it took me months, if not years to actually grow comfortable around Alice and Emmett?"
"He's four. I'm sure he's more reluctant, yes, but he's still a kid. You were older."
She had a point, but I still believed that was a huge step for Jack.
Soon, we were all gathered around the room as I stood near the TV set looking at everyone. How should I start? How much could I tell them?
"Uh, so…this is Jack." Great start, Edward. I wanted to punch myself.
"Hi, Jack!" a chorus of voices said loudly making me laugh. It sounded like an AA meeting.
"Well, you see… Today…" we gathered here… Yeah, right! Fuck! I had no idea what to say.
"What your father is trying to say, is that Jack here could become your sibling if everything goes well. His father can't take care of him anymore, and we don't want him to end up in some home for kids without any parents," Bella told them. She was so much better at this shit than me.
"He has chicken pox." Will pointed out.
"That's why he visited me at work, and I heard of his problem and decided to help," I explained.
"Oh, he doesn't have anyone else?" Abby asked, looking truly moved by the whole thing.
"No, Abby," I answered. Kate was going to give us all the details about him on Monday. "We want to adopt him. What do you guys say?"
Everyone but Tommy raised their hands. That surprised me, and I could see that Bella was equally surprised.
"Tommy?" she asked softly. "Don't you want this?"
He shook his head. "No, he can't have my bed."
I fought against my smile. He'd slept in the same bed as his twin since they were born. The other bed in the room was unused.
"He can have my bed," Will said dismissingly. "I sleep with Tommy anyway."
I looked at Tommy as he mulled on that before nodding, and giving Jack his widest smile, "That works."
I had this idea since we were somewhere in the middle of the story. Its time has come!
Two more chapters to go. Next Friday's chapter is a future outtake I wrote for Fandom 4 Children and it coincides with June 1st, the date we can post so that chapter would be found here in the main story and as a one-shot. I think. :) Check the banner for it on my FB group.
Although, I have two more outtakes I'm working for and I have no idea when they'd be done. My dear characters won't talk to me anymore.
MORE! I'm going to post a new story soon so stay tuned.
See you on Monday!