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A Question of Friendship 30 - Closure
"Edwa-"
"Don't talk just take a shower and come out when you're done." Edward said gruffly folding a towel over the warmer "Bella's stuff is on the top shelf mines on the bottom use whichever." His voice softer that time. Tanya nodded but didn't look him in the eye as she turned her back to him stripping off. Shutting the door he pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh before rounding the corner to his family and wife to be "Shall I get the target now or do you want some practice shots first?"
"She's a stripper?" Bella's voice was calm and confused a big difference to what he expected.
"Yes and not a very good one by the looks of things." He replied dropping into the brown tube chair.
"Emmett." Rosalie growled lowly knowing exactly how her brother had come across his ex "Is he at home?" He nodded "Excuse me while I go kill my boyfriend." She pressed a kiss to her mother and sister in law's cheeks before leaving. Esme took the vacant space next to Bella on the couch.
"What do you plan to do with said Stripper?" although his mother's voice sounded as gentle as always, he could feel her disgust. Like a little boy again he squirmed uncomfortably.
"Truthfully? I have no idea. She hasn't even told me how she's gotten into the situation she used to be a legal secretary."
Bella's brow crinkled as she thought "Emmerston and Sons wasn't it? They went into administration about two months ago…" Edward watched as his mother's eyes softened. It didn't matter what Tanya had done now; Esme wouldn't leave her worst enemy in the gutter. She didn't have to speak a word as Bella spoke for her "When she gets out of the shower I'll speak to her; maybe some girl time might help."
"Girl talk?" he snickered expecting her grimace before her face morphed. She glared softly
"You're not out of the woods Edward don't push it." he nodded immediately.
Tanya stared between Bella and the clothes that she'd laid out for her. She knew she wasn't worthy of neither Bella or Edward's kindness but took it all the same.
"I was the same size before these two came along." Her smiled nervous as she patted her stomach "There's some more in there if you need them…" Esme and herself had packed a bag while Tanya showered. It sat by the door full to the brim of all sorts of clothing and some toiletries.
"Why are you being so kind to me after I left Edward?"
"I'm not sure" Bella shrugged "but I can't see anyone in this state. What happened?"
Tanya fidgeted with the towel covering her "I worked for Emmerston and Sons as their secretary until a few months ago when they went out of business. Everyone else collected redundancy pay but mine never came. It turned out I broke certain terms in my contract after I broke up with Edward. I was in an absolute state for a few months." Bella nodded but held her tongue; something Charlie had taught her to do "I lived off my last wages for the first month or so but I got kicked out of my flat and the only place hiring was the new strip club." She was a proud woman and Bella only just caught the sniff of the sob Tanya was containing.
She rubbed her arm softly with a smile "You won't be going back there ok? Dry your hair, get dressed and come find us in the living room."
"Thank you Bella; for everything."
Bella nodded shutting the door behind her and walking straight into Edward's chest. He pulled her into a hug kissing the top of her head.
"How bad is it?"
She didn't pull back but didn't lean into him either; making it clear she was unhappy at housing his stripper ex "She's in desperate need of a job or some money to get her back on her feet."
"Do you reckon she has somewhere to live still?" He asked pulling back with a sigh; he was definitely sleeping on the couch.
"I think so it's a case of paying her rent bills and affording to eat." Bella swallowed. That idea terrified her, to be in a situation so hard to get out of. She remembered that Tanya's family lived in Alaska and the price of a one way plane ticket to get back to them was expensive enough. She followed Edward into the kitchen determined to at least make the girl something to eat while he shifted through his briefcase before pulling out a chequebook. The pair we're quiet as she cooked a grilled cheese and ham sandwich for Tanya. Next to it she placed a cup of cocoa as the bedroom door opened. Dressed in jeans and a white shirt Tanya looked at neither but slid into the seat that Bella patted.
"I hope you like cheese and ham?" She nodded taking a bite immediately having not eaten all day, it was gone in moments as was the cocoa. She didn't tell them but the club wouldn't let her eat anything in case she was bloated before her dance "I can make anot-" Bella started but Edward cut her off.
"Here." He said catching Tanya's gaze pushing a cheque towards her "This was originally left to you in my will but I can see you're in desperate need for it." Both women's head's snapped up to his face in shock.
"T-This is five grand." She stuttered hands shaking as she held it.
"That's how much I was leaving you. I'm not going to like Tanya I'm still upset with you but I need to forgive and forget. Bella and I have more important things going on and my mind needs to be clear for that. I'm giving you this cheque and I'm putting in a good word for you at my work; we need a receptionist. Apply tomorrow and I'll see what I can do but other than that I have nothing left to say to you." He stepped around the counter and into the master bedroom picking up her repacked bag "Take this, the cheque and leave." Shakily she got to her feet as he opened the door "Good bye Tanya and for my sake keep yourself well and out of trouble." She was silent as she stared at him but shakily she hugged him muttering a thank you. He didn't return the hug just pushed the bag into her arms and shut the door behind her.
"Are you ok?" Bella asked after cleaning the grill pan. Edward had been sat on the couch face in his hands for a while. She knew he had needed his space and left him to it until now.
"I think so." He replied after a second "Are you?"
"I'm not happy." She said honestly moving to sit next to him, immediately she was pulled into his arms "But I'm more worried about you."
"Don't be. I knew one day I'd have to see her and say goodbye I just didn't imagine it to be this complicated."
"That's our lives Edward; they've always been more complicated than usual." Both chuckled softly before he placed a chaise kiss on her lips.
"Very true, do you forgive me?"
"For tonight yes but tomorrow we need to talk." She sighed "I want to know about this will you haven't said exists." He shifted forwards with her on his lap and with some struggle managed to get up with her in his arms. She gulped a little; his strength was depleting and that was beginning to worry her.
"Tomorrow we'll go out to breakfast and talk about it." He promised walking into their room and setting her on the bed.
"I can get those…" She said as he started to remove her shoes.
"Let me do it, kind of making it up to you." He smiled and so did she but it was strained; she could see how much weight he was losing. Edward was getting worse so suddenly his need to help Tanya made sense. He was making sure they had closure.