With this being a holiday weekend in the USA, I almost forgot today was update day. Thank you for reading, please review.
As always we need to send a HUGE shout out to the great group of girls who keep us readable: AWayWithWords, EdwardsFirstKiss, and LaPumkle, thank you so much for all you three amazing ladies do.
Parallel Parenting
Chapter 8
Edward POV
I walk the girls back to the car; Bella and I quickly help them get strapped in. Then wave at Jake as I get in on my side.
"Everyone ready to head to school?" I ask.
"Yeah," Cordie and Kassie say, only Cordie's voice is a lot clearer than Kassie's.
I start my car feeling worried about Kassie, who is still being oddly quiet.
"How was she last night?" I ask Bella who looks around at them and then back to me.
"In some pain. I will be glad when that part's over."
"You know if … if she's in pain during school, call me, and I will get my mom to pick her up …"
"I'm—"
"Bella," I interrupt. "I am not going to push you on this point, but know she'll be safe with my mom. She also feels badly about what happened to Kassie anyway and would want to help."
"Why? It was an accident," Bella says.
"I know, but she feels bad, and so does Alice. I hate to think of her in pain at school."
Bella sighs a little. "If the pain gets to be too much, I'll call you," she relents.
I give her a smile and nod. I pull up at the school parking near the front door. Both Bella and I get out and get our girls at the same time.
"I'll see you all at half past four?" I ask looking at Bella who nods.
"Have a great day, Princess," I say hugging Cordie.
"You watch yourself, baby girl, no jumping or playing sports for a while, at least for this week." I say hugging Kassie to me.
"I'll keep her safe, Daddy," Cordie tells me as she takes hold of Kassie's good hand.
"Call me at lunch, and let me know how she's doing," I say to Bella.
Bella thankfully, doesn't question my need to know if Kassie's okay. A part of me knows if the shoe was on the other foot, and Cordie was hurt, she would want to know how she was, too.
~PP~
I arrive at work and walk into my office. I've only just sat down when Tanya comes walking in.
"Well?" she asks as she places my coffee down, and then sits in the seat across from me.
"The weekend went well, up until Kassie broke her arm."
Tanya just looks at me. "What do you mean, she broke her arm? Is she okay?"
I nod but sigh at the same time. "She fell off the swing at Colton's party, and hit it just right. She's in a bit of pain and will be for at least this week, anyway. I hate seeing her in pain. It has really bothered me, and I'm still uneasy with her being in pain – to me it almost feels like it is Cordie who's hurt."
"They do look alike, so maybe that's why?" she suggests.
I shake my head. "It's more than that. In just a few days, Kassie's grown on me. I'd say I've grown attached to her just as quickly as I did to Cordie. She's here already," I say pointing at my heart.
"How does her mom, Bella feel about that?" Tanya asks.
"I think she's okay, mainly because she feels the same about Cordie."
I take my cell out and pull up my screen saver of Bella, Cordie, and Kassie all swinging on the swings together.
"Oh, wow! I can see now why you would think the girls were hers. The three of them look like a little family in that picture."
"Oh, I know, and this has to be one of the top ten cutest photos that I have."
"Do I detect a small amount of affection for Bella?"
"Yes; maybe a little. She's grown on me, too. She's more than what I first thought, in so many ways."
"How so?" Tanya prods.
"She's smart, caring, funny, and just about as competitive as I am."
"That could be dangerous," Tanya laughs.
"Well, we haven't killed each other yet," I laugh, too.
"The operative word is yet," Tanya smiles.
"I asked Bella to let me know how Kassie is doing today at school, and if she needs to be sent home because of the pain. When she calls, put her through right away. I don't care who's in here with me."
"Yes, Sir," Tanya says standing up. I watch her walk out, and start my day with my cup of coffee.
~PP~
It's not long into my day when there is a knock on my door.
"Come in," I say loudly knowing that as Tanya didn't buzz me, it must be Jasper.
"Hey," he says walking over to my desk and taking a seat in front of it. "How is Kassie doing today?"
I remove my eyes from my work and look at him. "A little quiet, and in pain, but she seems to be holding up."
"Do you know how much her medical bill is so far?"
This time I stop my work completely, and look at him. "What?" I ask him feeling unsure of why he is asking.
"Alice and I would like to take care of the bill; it did happen at our home. We feel very responsible."
"I don't think Bella is looking for you to pay for anything. I doubt she plans to sue you," I say sounding a little harsh.
"I didn't think that she was; however, why should she have to use her medical insurance when it was an accident at our home. Besides, Edward, that's why we have homeowners insurance."
I sigh a little as I start pulling my hair. There's a part of me that thinks this is a great idea. I know that Bella is worried about her insurance not paying out, or cancelling her. There is also the cost of the copay and deductible, plus the percentage she will owe that is not covered by insurance. She is likely looking to pay at least a five hundred dollar bill out of pocket. On the other hand, I know she might be pissed or offended by the offer. Then again, she needs to know this is a matter of an injury sustained on private property, and that Jasper and Alice's insurance will cover the bills.
"I will bring it up in our talk tonight, but if she says no, that's the end of it."
Jasper just nods at me. "Alice has already called people and is having the ground under the swing set and play area switched out for that soft landing material. She was so upset that she cried half the night blaming herself. She said she should have known and had the soft landing material installed when we put in the swing set."
"Tell her Kassie's fine, and I don't think Bella is blaming anyone."
Jasper seems to just look at me. "Maggie sure was upset."
I shrug and hand gesture in a 'oh well, or so what' kind of manner.
Jasper smirks. "She was getting mighty angry when she saw you enjoying your lunch with Bella and the girls. She just about burst into flames when Alice said you all looked like a cute little family."
Before I can comment on the cute part, Jasper holds out his cell and I take it. I can't help the smile that breaks out across my face as I look at the screen. Kassie and Cordie are sitting close to each other, and across the table are Bella and I. I am leaning towards Bella who has a smirk on her face, and the girls are smiling at us.
"I want a copy of this," I tell him right way. "Better make those two copies," I add quickly knowing Bella will want one, too.
"I'll send it to you," Jasper pauses for a few seconds and then stands up "That is all I dropped in for, see you at lunch?"
"Yeah, maybe …"
Jasper tilts his head reminding me of someone who wants you to keep talking. "I asked Bella to call and let me know how Kassie is doing. She was still hurting pretty badly this morning, and had a rough day yesterday. If she's not doing better, she may need to leave school."
Jasper smiles a little at me "She really has grown on you—Kassie—that is."
"She has," I agree.
"Okay, well, I'll see you later at some point," Jasper states.
As soon as my door is closed again, I go back to work quickly becoming engrossed in it.
It's almost one before my phone rings. "Sir, Bella is on the phone for you," Tanya says.
I smile a little as I turn away from my computer to give her my full attention.
"Put her through, Tanya." I hear the soft beep and know the call is transferred. "Hi," I say with a smile.
"Hi, Edward, just calling to let you know both girls are doing well. Kassie's still in pain, but she doesn't want to leave school," Bella states but doesn't sound happy.
"Do you think she needs to leave?" I ask.
"I am stuck on the fence with that. I hate that she's hurting, but when she's here, she's just across the hall from me. Then there's the fact that Cordie and Kassie were so upset about being split up last night. I don't think I can handle both girls upset on my own, along with teaching the other students under my care." I can hear the faint embarrassment and shame in Bella's tone.
"I have to say I would agree on the not being able to handle two upset girls on my own. I know how upset Cordie is when she is away from Kassie. I cannot imagine that doubled and on my own either."
Bella just hums, but I'm hoping my words have brought her some comfort in the fact that I don't think any less of her or her abilities. I understand why she thinks it would be a lot to have on her plate. I am not sure I could handle it, and I deal with millions of dollars a day in a trade business that could bottom out in the blink of an eye. "Now, beside the pain, how has she been?"
"Just quieter than normal," Bella chuckles a little at that.
Her light laughter makes me smile more and worry a bit less. "Tell me what you find so funny?" I say hoping she will tell me.
"Cordie seems to be chatty today, even more so than yesterday. It's almost as if she's taking on all the extra energy Kassie normally uses and using it for her. It's like they have switched roles, so there is still a perfect balance between the two of them."
"I know what you mean; this morning she seemed to be more in a hurry than any other time. She was also very chatty with me, too. It must be a twin thing," I say.
"Or just a Cordie and Kassie thing," Bella says.
"I agree," I tell her.
Letting out a deep breath and closing my eyes, I hope that I don't mess up anything we have achieved by mentioning this. "Jasper talked to me this morning. He asked me to ask you about the payment for Kassie's hospital bills and doctor's appointments. As well as anything you have to buy, such as pain medication. Since the accident happened on their property, they intend to turn it into their insurance company. Alice is pretty upset, she even called a company to come out and put in soft ground padding under the play equipment at their house."
"Tell them no thank you." I can only hear a small change in her voice so I press on.
"What about letting them at least cover your out-of-pocket expenditures?"
"Again, I will have to decline."
I nod, not that she can see me. "Do you mind telling me why?"
"If it were Cordie that broke her arm at Colton's party, would you take it? Would they have even have offered?"
"No, and probably not," I tell her knowing she has made a good point. "However, Kassie and you are not at this point immediate family, and were at their home, at a party they were throwing, when she was hurt," I say knowing Alice will push this if I don't.
"Yes, maybe so, but Kassie is a child who seems to get hurt and fall all the time. It's just her luck that she broke her arm there."
"Okay, I understand, and I will let them know."
"Thank you," Bella says as her voice goes back to normal. I swallow and smile grateful that I did not put my foot in my mouth again.
"So, I'll see you at half past four?" I ask.
"Yes, I would hope so; you're my ride," she says with a lilt in her voice.
"Okay, see you then. Have a great day. Hug the girls for me. Bye."
"I will; see ya later. Now go make some decent trades," she laughs.
"Always do," I chuckle a little and end the call.
It is just past four when I leave and head to the school. Due to heavy traffic, I don't arrive until a quarter to five. I find a parking space and run toward the school, but stop when I see Bella bring the girls out the door.
"Hi," Bella says.
"Hi … sorry traffic was a nightmare," I say. "Hey, Princess, sorry I am running late," I say truly hating I was late to get her, knowing she normally gets worried.
"It's okay, Daddy," she says with a smile. "I'm okay with Kassie."
"How are you Kassie?" I ask turning to look at her.
"I'm okay. I feel a little better," she answers, but I can tell she's still in pain.
"She's being super brave, and I think that Cordie drawing on her cast helped. Did you show Edward what Cordie drew?" Bella says but her tone is a little strange. I bend my knees so that I can take a look at Kassie's cast. I smile yet again seeing the wolves that Jake drew for her. I move my eyes seeing a good drawing of a butterfly, and then there are hearts and stars clearly drawn by a child.
"Which one did you draw?" I ask trying to see any difference in the hearts and stars.
"The butterfly," Bella says slowly making me look at her and then back to the butterfly.
"You drew that?" I ask stunned and happy.
Cordie nods at me.
"The butterfly is amazing," I tell her.
"It is really good," Bella seems to put a lot of emphasis on the word really.
I stand back up. "Why don't we all get in the car, so we can meet with my father? Are you girls looking forward to spending the night at my parents' house?"
"Yes, you will love it there, Kassie; we will have a lot of fun," Cordie says.
Kassie nods and the girls walk in front of us to the car holding hands.
I look at Bella. "What was that about the butterfly?" I ask her quietly.
"Does Cordie draw often?" Bella asks ignoring my own question.
I shake my head. "No, this is the first time. She's never wanted to paint or use markers and things at her school last year, or at the childcare center. She's always been afraid of getting dirty or marking up her nice clothes. And again, why?"
Bella takes a hold of my arm, and with a quick check on the girls who are standing by my car talking, she turns back to me. "Edward, that butterfly is amazing; she has a lot of skill. The details are amazing, and even more so now that I know that she hasn't taken any classes or has been interested in drawing."
I just look at Bella still unsure of what she's getting at.
"You hear of children who are considered a natural genius and are gifted. In music, they are often referred to as a maestro."
I nod at her to go on, because I'm still not positive what she is getting at.
"With Cordie, I think you are dealing with a true artistic prodigy. Her talent for detail at this age shows how skilled she is in drawing. The drawing she drew on Kassie's cast was done without any reference either. She was not looking at anything else; she simply drew it from memory. She has a serious gift for art, Edward."
"You really think she's gifted?" I ask proud of my daughter.
"Yes, or I wouldn't have said it," Bella tuts as we start to walk again. "You'll need to come in tomorrow morning with me and see the other painting she did today."
I look back at the school wishing she had told me about this before we had walked away.
"You can't see them today because they're wet, and my room has been locked."
"Fine; tomorrow then," I say.
I open Bella's door, after we put both girls in their seats and buckle them in. The ride to my home is nice, the girls fill me in what they did at school, and I was even happier hearing that Cordie seemed more relaxed than she has been.
When I pull up at my home, I see that my father is already there. "Sorry, Dad, traffic was a nightmare; I was late at picking everyone up."
"You are only ten minutes late, Edward, it's not the end of the world."
I chuckle, feeling somewhat nervous.
"Girls, why don't you go play in Cordie's room, though no running around today?" I say knowing that we have to do this without them being in the room. They walk off and I lead Bella to my living room.
We take a seat and look at my dad who seems to merely look back at us.
"Well?" I ask just needing to hear him say it.
"No surprise, they're full-blooded sisters—twins."
Bella and I look at each other and seem to both move in for a hug at the same time.
"Thank you," Bella says after she lets me go.
"I agree, Dad, thank you."
"I brought you both a copy." he says and hands one to each of us. "I have also sent copies to Jenks, just to keep him informed on what's going on. For now, I am sorry but I need to leave; I have a long shift at the hospital."
"Even knowing this would probably be the outcome, I also feel a weight has lifted off my shoulders. It's almost like I can breathe and relax about them developing a bond," Bella says.
"You have no idea how much I agree with you, Bella."
"Tia—my old family social worker—has gotten in touch with me. She's been looking into everything. I have an appointment for Friday; the only time she could meet is a quarter to five. It's at the DCFS building on Randolph Street, will you come with me?"
"I will be there," I stop and smile a little. "Does this mean that Kassie is okay with staying with my parents for the night?"
"She is, but Rose wants to meet up with us around six for dinner. She said to invite Jasper and Alice, too. I told her that it would be up to you."
"You know, I think after what we have just gone through, and will be going through in the next coming weeks that sounds like a good way to relax and recharge."
"Okay," she says.
"Okay," I say with a smile, "and if we go to my favorite bar afterwards we can play some pool."
"That's a definite. I love playing pool."
I stand up and run my eyes over her. "Say we make it more interesting and put a small wager on it?"
"We'll have to set up some rules. I don't want you cheating and claiming you really won, when I wipe the floor with you."
"I agree, except you're going down. So, how about best out of three wins fifty bucks?"
"Fifty bucks, and bragging rights," Bella counters.
I stick out my hand and Bella takes it. After she shakes my hand, I pull her up out of her seat. "Let's drop in on our girls, and then we can make dinner."
"And while we cook, we can decide on what to tell them?"
I nod at her. "Somehow I think they may only hear that they are really twin sisters and not care much about anything else."
"I'm not putting a wager on that one," Bella snorts. "That would be an easy win."
We walk into the playroom and I am happy to see that both girls are sitting at the table drawing.
"Are you two having a good time?" I ask walking in and joining them at the table.
"This is such fun Daddy; why didn't you tell me?" Cordie asks.
I look at Cordie who seems a little over excited.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you," I say as I tilt my head to look at what she's drawing.
I am a little taken aback that she seems to have drawn all four of us. Whereas, some of it is childlike, it seems to be extremely well drawn for her age. My eyes move to Kassie's drawing. She, too, is drawing all four of us. Her drawing is good, too, but if I am being honest, I would say Cordie's is much better. Comparing them you would assume one was the teacher, and one was the student.
"This is an amazing drawing of all four of us," I tell Cordie hoping she can hear the praise in my voice. "Yours is good, too," I say looking at Kassie.
"Yes, but Cordie's is much better than mine," Kassie says looking at me with a smile not seeming to care.
"But you're better at gym," Cordie says.
"Yeah, you're better at English," Kassie replies.
Cordie chuckles. "But you're good at math."
"Yes, we're all good at different things, and you two are very lucky that you seem to have a knack for art and sports, too," Bella says with a sigh ending their debate of who is better at what.
Bella picks up one of the colored pencils and starts her own drawing on a fresh piece of paper.
I take a hold of my own pencil and start to color in the shapes she draws. "How about we order pizza, so all four of us can keep coloring?" I ask.
Cordie and Kassie ask for the same kind of pizza, and I order a small one for them to split. I order Bella and me a large vegetable pizza to share with the addition on meat on my half.
"Mommy and me had a drawing done at Six Flags. It looks a lot like us," Kassie tells us not looking up from her paper.
"No way; we had ours done, too," Cordie says.
Bella snorts loudly and I turn to her. "That explains what he said when we had ours done. He told me we should have had one drawn with all three of us."
I smile. "I have his email address. If you give me your code, I could ask him to draw one that combines both drawings in one for us?"
Bella stops what she's doing and looks at me. "I would like that, and I'd like a copy if he can make one."
I wait for about half hour after I ordered pizza to get the girls to wash their hands and meet Bella and me at the table. I just get downstairs when the doorbell rings. I pay the pizza delivery boy and walk into the kitchen.
"I grabbed napkins and drinks," Bella says and I nod placing the boxes down.
I walk to the sink and wash my hands. We all sit at the table and work together to make the plates.
"You know you two look a lot alike?" I start off and the girls nod at me as they eat. "Cordie, you know that I adopted you, and what that means, right?"
"Yeah, it means you were very lucky, and you got to pick me."
I smile and nod at her.
"Kassie, you know that our mom and dad also picked you, because they wanted you."
Kassie smiles and nods. "Yes, and then you became my mommy, because they went to heaven."
I grip Bella's hand hoping that this talk is not going to make her too upset. I love my parents dearly and I have no idea what I would do if I lost one of them, never mind both at the same time.
"Yes, and once we knew that you two looked so much alike, we started doing research. During our investigation, it has turned up that you two," I pause looking at Bella.
"Are blood sisters—actually twins," Bella says.
Both Cordie and Kassie just look at us.
"What do blood sisters mean?" Kassie asks.
"It means that your birth mom and dad were the same. Since you are the same age, it means you are twins and you were born around the same exact time. Your mom had one baby in Illinois, and that would have been you, Cordie. Then a few hours later, Kassie was born in another state. We are still looking into everything so we can give you exact information, but for now that is what we know," I tell them.
The girls merely look at each other and smile. "Does that make you my mommy now?" Cordie asks excited while looking at Bella.
"Yeah, and, Teddy, are you my daddy now, too?"
My mouth opens and I just seem to look at them. I never thought they would come away with that from this conversation.
"Well ... ah," I stutter out.
"No, Kassie, I am your mom, and Cordie, Edward is your dad. In order for me to be Cordie's Mom and Edward to be Kassie's Dad, we would each have to adopt you both first." Both girls open their mouths and I know what they will say in response to Bella's statement, but Bella doesn't give them the chance to ask anything else yet. "Before you ask, that's something that would only happen if Edward and I were married. However, I love both of you dearly. I may have just met you, Cordie, but I want you to know that you can come to me—if you wish—whenever you need something. As you get to know me better, if you decide to think of me as a sort of mom, that would be fine by me as long as your Dad is okay with it."
I nod in agreement. "Yes, I agree completely, and that same goes for you and me, Kassie."
"Can we tell people that we are best friends forever and twin sisters?" Kassie asks me.
"Yes," Bella and I say together.
"If you both have any questions, we will be happy to answer them as best we can," I tell them.
"How did we not know about each other?" Kassie asks looking at me as if I have the answer.
"Well, Ceecee, that is one thing we're not sure about, but we are looking into it," I tell them. "No matter what though, we want you both to know that we love you both, and you two will always be in each other's lives from this second on."
"Yeah!" Cordie yells jumping up and down. "We can share a room!"
I frown looking at her. "Share a room?" I ask.
"I know we have lots of rooms and Bella and Kassie can have one each, but we want to share. I just knew you would move in!" Cordie gushes and I yet again have my mouth hanging open.
"That's not what your Daddy meant," Bella quickly says. "Kassie and I cannot just move in here, Cordie. We have a lease at our apartment, and it does not end until five months from now. For now, Kassie and I will stay in our apartment," she adds.
Both girls stop jumping up and down and just slump back into their chairs. I have to bite my lip to stop myself from pleading for Bella to just agree to move in like the girls clearly want. I know it's not right to give them everything they ask for, but—this—what they're asking for feels so reasonable. They are siblings and should be together. Thankfully, Bella carries on talking.
"So let's just wait until the next five months goes by, and we can talk about this again then."
I let out a breath knowing this gives us some breathing space and time to think.
"Okay," the girls say together. They are still not happy, but I know we have to think things out before jumping into anything.
~PP~
Bella POV
The week has gone by so fast, and what an eventful week we have had. Tuesday, Edward came into the school in the morning and I showed him Cordie's painting. I think he was stunned, but he was obviously very proud of her. Since then, Cordie has been drawing every day in class. The girls seem to have accepted the fact that they're sisters and not just friends. They also are not shy at all about telling everyone who'll listen that they are twins. Every student has heard, and some of them haven't really understood. Because of children not understanding the situation, several parents called in, wanting to know what was going on. Emmett sent a note home with each student. The note highlighted that the school had two students who had been adopted by different families, but turns out they were twins. He went on to say things were well between the two families, and he would be grateful for their help in quashing any rumors. He also explained that the school hoped people would understand that the girls and their families needed time to adjust.
It has worked somewhat. There are still some small amounts of chattering going on. Some parents have tried learning the girls' names and ages, but so far we've maintained a level of anonymity.
All of Kassie's and my spare time have been spent with Edward and Cordie. On a daily basis, we all grow closer to one another. I feel very at ease with Cordie and Edward, and I trust him with my daughter. I am sure that's why I am looking forward to tonight. Or I guess it could be because this will be my first real night out in four years, without a child. I am a little uneasy about it, only because I am leaving Kassie with Edward's family. I don't know them as well as I know him, but I trust Edward, and I know that he wouldn't leave the girls with them unless he knew they would be cared for properly.
"I'll call you at nine to say goodnight," I whisper to Kassie as I hug her. "Remember to be good, for Esme and Carlisle."
"I'm always good," Kassie states.
I pull back and just give her a look as if to say 'no, you're not.'
"Okay, I'm mostly good," she says.
I chuckle but nod, knowing full well Kassie is a good girl; she just tends to be very outspoken and calls it as she sees it. Blood relation or not, I think she got that from my father.
"Teddy," Kassie says moving to Edward, who was saying his goodbyes to Cordie.
"Yeah?" he says smiling at her.
"Will you look after my mommy, and make sure she stays safe?"
Edward looks at me with a raised brow but nods at Kassie.
"Thanks, Teddy. She doesn't like being on her own, so you'll need to sleep over," Kassie says in attempt to whisper, but I hear her loud and clear.
"Kassie, I will be fine," I say with a huff.
I cannot believe she is telling him my secrets.
"Don't worry, baby girl, I will stay over with her," Edward says with a wink.
"BeeBerry," Cordie whispers as I hug her. "Please stay with my daddy; I don't want him to be lonely, too."
I shake my head but her plea wins me over. "Fine. I will do that, just for you," I tell her and she hugs me closer to her.
"I love you," she says.
"I love you, too, and you, too, Kassie," I say this time hugging both girls.
Edward takes his turn and we wave to his parents who have stayed quiet as we said our goodbyes.
"Ready to go meet Tia?" I ask Edward.
"Yes," he answers.
I nod at him. I need to find out how all this happened.
Edward and I walk into the building side-by-side.
"Hello, I am Edward Cullen, and this is Isabella Swan, we are here to see Tia Mac, she's meeting us here." Edward says in an authoritative voice that makes the woman behind the glass blink at him.
"You'll both need to sign in," the woman stutters still looking at Edward.
Edward signs his name and then hands me a pen, and I sign mine.
"We'll just sit over there and wait," I tell the woman who still seems to be frozen.
"I wonder what the hell is wrong with her." I mutter to Edward and he shrugs at me.
"Bella," Tia says walking toward us. I stand up, and she hugs me. "You must be Edward," she says offering her his hand as she lets me go.
"Yes," Edward says taking her offered hand and shaking it.
"They have given us a room just down the hallway to use. Follow me," she says opening a door.
Tia leads us through the building and into a room with a table with stacks of paperwork, and four seats.
"I would first like to apologize about what has happened; this is of course, unknown to any of us, until it was brought to our attention by you. DCFS and DSHS have agreed to reimburse you for the paternity testing you had performed." Tia stops and seems to pause, going through paperwork.
Tia goes through the same information that Carlisle has already given us only adding the time of drop offs. Cordie in Illinois at 11:24 a.m. and Kassie in a small town called Dillon Montana around 11:24 p.m.
"When Cordie arrived at the hospital, she was given an ID badge, and called Baby Jane Doe. However, when she was placed under Edward's custody, her tag was changed to read Baby Cullen. The same holds true for Kassie, with the exception that the closest hospital that had a NICU bed available in the state was not a hospital the attending physician liked. He contacted the Montana CFS, and instantly received permission to transport Baby Doe across state lines. That doctor took her to the hospital he worked for in Oregon, and she was admitted there as Baby Jane Doe. I was contacted the next day, and the involvement of your parents was initiated. When they agreed to adopt her, the name was changed to Baby Swan. According to the records, the girls weighed the same, were the same length, and eye color was listed as blues, those things along with the times are ironic. Before the actual adoption, it seems strange, but both girls had their eye color reversed. It is almost as if karma was trying to tell us something. I find no ties whatsoever between the doctors, hospital staff, or case workers in either state. I work in Washington, but a friend of mine in Oregon—where Kassie was located—contacted me, and I initiated contact with your parents. I handled the adoption in Washington, and the social worker in Illinois is now retired, but according to everything I could find, there is no way there was prior knowledge of either girl having a twin."
I feel my heart starting to take off. "With the error in the eye color on file, does this mean Kassie's adoption is invalid?" I blurt out.
"No, the eye color is only provided as a formality, and furthermore, a child's eyes can change color all the way up until they are three years old. The court has established both girls as the girls you each adopted, and those adoptions are valid."
I let out a breath and grip on to Edward's hand needing something to help hold me together.
"Now, this is the hard part. I believe that someone recently was checking into at least the Illinois adoption, but I'm not sure who. I have opened an investigation to try to determine who opened the files. I'm not sure why they were accessed, but I will find out."
"What do you know about the father?" Edward asks.
I turn my head to him, and I can see that he is worried, and trying hard to hide it.
"Before any adoption can progress, we look for the father. Since both girls were left at a Safe Haven drop, neither parent was ever officially named."
"Is there a way to try and find the parents?"
"I can't discuss anything about what is known or not known about the birth parents, only that the mother willingly left her child, in this case, both girls in a Safe Haven location. Though it was done in separate states, that information is guarded, similar to a medical record. I will tell you that the birth mother's name is not even known by the courts, as the children were brought in under the Safe Haven act, they are or were born as Jane Does."
I sigh but nod at her.
"Bella, no one can take Kassie from you, you legally have her one hundred percent."
"If the father didn't know or agree about the adoption then, he has rights doesn't he?" Edward hisses at Tia.
I feel Edward tighten his grip on my hand but I can't seem to do anything other than panic.
"Yes, the father would have rights, but it would be a needle in a haystack with this type of case. Besides, with the research I have done since Bella contacted me, I am ninety-nine percent sure the father of the girls is dead."
"How?" Edward asks.
"Again, I am unable to say. I know this has all been a huge shock, and as far as I am concerned, this is the combined fault of both states. I will find out if there is anyone to blame, and they will be dealt with. As of right now, you are these girls' parents, and you have my complete support."
Edward and I shake Tia's hand and then walk out. As soon as I am out of the building, I have to bend down as I calm myself.
"Bella," Edward says bending down on his knee to hold me to him.
"They —" I stop and shake my head. "There is a part of me that's scared that the father will walk in and demand that he see them. I have this pain in my chest. This desire to scream no, you don't know him, he could hurt her. But then there's the guilt of what if I am taking something great out of her life?"
"I think he has to be some sort of a douchebag," Edward states.
"What if it were you?" I ask him. "If you met some girl, and had some great intense heat, and you took her home. Then six years later you find out that she was addicted to drugs, and that she had twin girls that were yours. Wouldn't you want them, want to see them; wouldn't you fight for them?"
Edward just looks at me. "I have always worn a condom."
I glare at him.
"I wouldn't take someone who's clearly addicted to drugs to bed anyway. Why would I ever have relations with that sort of person?"
"That's not the point," I huff.
"Not everyone that takes drugs is bad. Drug addiction is not always soley their fault. What if the mother had been abused? My dad once helped this woman whose boyfriend started hanging with the wrong people, and became a heroin addict. It took only two months for him to change completely. She was ready to leave him, but he went nuts, beat her, tied her to their bed, and then injected her with heroin. She was addicted within days. She lost her job, her friends, and her family. Within six months she was selling her body to make money to feed both of their addictions. That wasn't her fault, the drugs took over, and it wasn't by her own choice. What if that happened in the case with our girls? What if it happened to you and you found out that someone you had sex with had your babies and gave them up. Even if it was ten years later, wouldn't you want to see your children?"
Edward drops his head down, as he grips my arm tighter. "I would fight to see them— yes."
I nod at him. "That's my point. That is what I am worried about."
Edward cuts me off by hugging me. "Let's just stop worrying, and together we'll take it as it comes."
Edward keeps rubbing my back. "We still have some time before our therapist appointment; why don't we get a coffee?"
"I think I need more than a coffee," I say.
"That's later tonight, Bee."
I chuckle a little and wrap my arms around his neck. Right away his arms wrap around me in return. I feel his soft lips close to my ear. "Come on, Bee, I swear we're all going to be okay." Edward slowly moves us to a standing position, and as he pulls back, he winks at me.
The appointment with the therapist, Mary, goes well with both Edward and I giving her a score of seven out of ten on the criteria we developed. We get to Edward's house and it's almost six in the evening.
"If you want to freshen up, and dress in the room you stayed in before, I'll go to mine?"
I nod at him, and walk to the room I slept in the last time I was here. Thankfully, I shaved, and washed my hair this morning. I put my hair up in a messy bun and turn on the shower to warm up. As soon as the warm water rushes over my shoulders, I let out a sigh. After a few relaxing moments, I scrub away the sweat of running after my class and the stress of the day. When my skin feels clean and has a nice honey smell from the body wash, I get out. I take my hair down and style it. I apply a light coat of makeup, and cover my body in a nice smelling lotion.
I packed the underwear that Rose said I had to wear tonight and put on my black dress. I look in the mirror happy that the lotion I used makes my skin glow.
"Not too bad looking," I tell myself with a smile. "I have to say, Rose, that you're right; this dress does make my legs look longer," I say as I turn and glance at my backside in the mirror. Looking at my watch I see it is only half past six. "I look decent, and in less than thirty-five minutes." I stop my pep talk, and make my way back down to the living room. I find Edward standing there, in black jeans, a dress shirt and a leather jacket.
"Hey," I say and he spins around, but his mouth drops open as his eyes keep scanning me up and down.
"Wow … you look—" he stops, and seems to go back to looking over my body. "Fuck me, you look amazing," he blurts out making me chuckle.
"I'll take that as a compliment and not as an offer for sex."
Edward smirks at me. "You could take it as an offer for both?"
I just look at him.
"What, I already told you, it has been five years, Bee."
I snort shaking my head as I walk to him. "Such a whiny thing to say, 'it's been five years,' boohoo, I could go longer without any complaints."
Edward holds out his hand and I take it. "I'm sure you could, but in all honesty, you look amazing."
I can't seem to stop my face from heating up, but it has been a long time since anyone paid me any sort of compliment.
We barely make it to his front door when the cab he booked earlier pulls up. I get in as Edward locks the door to his house.
When we arrive at the restaurant, we see Alice and Jasper standing with Rose and Emmett.
"Hi," I say hugging Rose close.
"How's Kassie doing?" she asks.
"Much better, still needs pain meds, but seems to be in less pain."
"Told you, Love, that she was back to normal," Emmett says. "I knew the second she was asking about being back in gym class that she was feeling better."
"No gym until her arm is healed," Edward tells him.
"I know that," Emmett says.
"I am so happy she's doing better," Alice says sounding guilty. "I am so sorry she was hurt while in my care."
I look at Edward, and then back to Alice. "She was in my care, Alice, I was there."
"I know that, but she was our guest," Alice says and sniffs. "I just hate that she was hurt."
I gently rub Alice's arm. "She's fine, Alice, don't stress out about it. If she had been jumping on a trampoline that didn't have a net, and you were showing her how to do somersaults and she banged her head, then I would say you should feel guilty," Bella says.
Alice just looks at me but I turn my gaze to Emmett.
"Wouldn't you agree, Emmett?" I ask Emmett.
"Come on, it has been a freaking year, Bella," he mutters. "And you know I still feel bad about that."
"Emmett McCarty, a trampoline needs to have a net," Alice lectures him.
"I know," he says again. "Can we just go in and eat?" he pleads.
"We can," I say stepping forward, but get pulled back.
I turn to Edward who still has a hold of my hand, and is not moving. He is, however, glaring at Emmett.
"Edward," I say softly.
"She ... he ..."
I see the pain in his eyes. "It was an accident, Edward."
"He should have known that it needed a net," he almost growls.
"He did, and was putting one up, but she wanted to get on, and he didn't want to tell her no," I explain.
Edward just shakes his head. "Sorry, just ..."
I nod at him, feeling a little emotional after the day we've had, not to mention being on edge. "I know, me, too."
Edward simply looks at me and smiles.
"Let's get something to eat."
The meal goes by quickly with Edward saying that he wanted to pay for me, and I could treat him to lunch tomorrow. I agreed only if I could pick where we went, and smiled when he agreed.
We move to the bar Edward had talked about, and after enjoying a few drinks, we decide to start our games of pool. Edward and the boys head to the bar to get us more drinks as us girls grab two of the six pool tables.
"I say we play two couples against each other on one table, and the other couple not playing can play against each other on the other table?" Alice says but I pout.
"Edward and I have a wager going on between us," I tell her and she just smirks.
"You'll have time when Rose and Emmett are playing Jasper and me."
I nod and start to set up the table for Edward and me.
"Here," Edward says as he hands me a drink.
I take a sip and hum. "Take it easy," he says into my ear. "You're a little out of practice, and this is your fourth drink. I don't want you blaming being drunk on me wiping the floor with you," he says.
I square my shoulders and cross my arms at my chest to show him that I am not intimidated by him. "I say loser has to take a shot?"
"I don't think you can handle it, and I would feel bad for making you take three shots in a row."
"Fine, we both take a shot before each game?"
"Fine," he says walking back to the bar.
"You did tell him you won the pool tournament in Forks, right?"
I shake my head at Rose. "He never asked," I smirk.
She barks out a laugh and walks away.
Edward comes back and hands me one of the eight shots he has. He looks me right in the eye, hands me one, and holds out his own. "Count of three?" he asks.
I nod.
"1 ... 2 ... 3 ..." we both say and then down our drinks.
"Lady gets to break first," Edward says.
I give him a nod. Leaning over the table, I wiggle a little as I line up my shot. On the break, I sink two solids. My eyes go to Edward who looks stunned. I wink as I move around the table to where the white ball landed. "Excuse me," I say and bat my eyes.
Edward takes a step back. I smile and bend over the table and wiggle my ass knowing that it will touch his legs. Before I can take my shot, Edward leans over me.
"Shame, you're so small, a few more inches taller and you may have just given me some well needed action."
"Well, looks like you're shit out of luck, and will have to wait another five years," I chuckle back as I take my shot. He flusters me enough that I accidently pocket one of the stripes.
"Looks like I am up," he smirks.
I bat my eyes, and look down at his groin, before looking back to his eyes. "No, I highly doubt that," I wink.
Edward just grins back at me. "Get that ass a little higher next time, and I will be."
I chuckle as he moves to take his shot. I am disappointed when he pockets the next two balls.
Edward moves around the table so that he is in front of me, he leans over and then wiggling his butt, making me bark out a laugh.
"Anything you can do, Swan," he says making me raise my brow in acceptance to his challenge.
I fix my dress making sure my cleavage is more pronounced, without Edward noticing. I make sure Edward is across from me when I take my next shot. I watch as his eyes land on my breasts that are just about bulging out onto the pool table.
"Like what you see?" I ask as I take the shot.
"Very much; it's a shame your dress is covering the best parts."
Looking back up at Edward, I see he has unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.
"Like what you see?" he counters.
"Very much so, Cullen," I coo back at him, pocketing the next ball.
I move around the table making sure my ladies are giving Edward a perky hello. As I lean over the table, I can feel a tingling feeling that seems to start at my ankles. It's like someone is touching me running their hands up my leg, caressing my ass, before moving slowly up my body, and into my hair.
"Are you taking the shot, or standing there, Bella?" I turn to see Edward is gazing at me intently
"Just taking my time. Playing pool is not hard, but it does require concentration. You must make sure you have a firm grip on the base of the stick. However, you must make sure that it will easily glide through the fingers of your other hand. You have to make sure the way it moves is a smooth stroke." I play with the pool cue making sure he knows just what I am talking about. "You need to line it up and hit the spot just right, with enough force to get the reaction you want." I tell him hitting the white ball. "Hitting the spot right will cause a chain reaction, and when that happens you score." I say just as the ball falls in the pocket.
"Why do I get the feeling you've played this before?" Edward asks with an arched brow.
"What game are you asking about?"
"Both." Edward growls.
I merely grin moving to take my next shot. Before I can take it, Edward is leaning over me again. I can't help but lift my ass a little higher so that it's in the right area.
"Now, that's exactly where your ass is meant to be," he growls in my ear. His hands slide down my arms to my hands. "Just so you know I always hit the right spot. I even find some spots that people aren't even aware of."
I'm not sure if it's his touch, his voice, or more so because I haven't been touched by a guy in so long, but I'm feeling turned on. "Maybe you used to, but it has been a long time."
"Oh, no worries, Miss Swan, just so you're aware, I can hit the spot more than once."
Turning my head enough to look at him, I smile. He keeps staring at me, and I smirk. "Well, I assure you that I can also hit the right spots, too."
A light moan escapes him, and something taps at my ass. I smirk knowing that I am affecting him, just like he is affecting me.
At least I do not have a telltale bulge.
I raise my brow and flick my eyes down and then back up, giving him a look to say I know he's hard.
"Oh, sweetness, I don't care that you can tell, because I know that I am affecting you, too. You're not as good at hiding it as you think you are, and I know I can win this game."
"Wanna bet?" I say coyly.
Edward grins at me. "I was hoping you'd say that," he says.
I take my shot missing.
"Oh, it looks like I am up," he says.
I look down and twirl some hair around my finger. "That you are," I say in a sexy voice.
Edward walks away from me as he goes to take his shot. I lean over giving him another look at the girls. "Don't think you'll pocket this one, you're too far left," I whisper close to his ear, still using my sexy voice.
Edward misses by a mile making me grin widely at him. "I told you so," I smirk.
"That you did," he says moving closer.
I press my body against his before I move around the table to take my shot. I feel Edward behind me, and this time I spread my legs a little. Just like I knew he would, he steps closer. As he moves against me, I press my ass back against his groin. When I hear a muffled groan I grin.
"Ever had a body shot?" I ask as I line up my shot.
"Yes, a long time ago," he answers.
"Would you like one?" I ask, as I sink my last ball.
Edward's eyes roam all over me. "I'm game, but only if you take one in return."
I keep my eyes on him as I take my last shot. "Oh look, I win. I think it should be fair that I now get to choose where you take the body shot," I say.
As Edward's eyes move back to the girls, I know just where to have him take the body shot that will have me winning more than just this game.
A/N: How do you suppose this new competition between them will pan out? Something tells me, things are about to get hot in here.
