I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. 8
(BPOV)
When I entered the house I felt as if a weight had been lifted of my chest. It felt good to get everything out and that he was patient and understanding with me. I believed him when he said he didn't blame me. He could've easily gotten angry and used the situation to try and take Masen from me.
I found myself not angry with him; I just felt incredibly hurt that he gave up on us so easily. His explanation for the real reason he broke up with me made more sense than the reason he gave me back then. He got scared and made a rash decision. I couldn't fault him for it, I had my own nightmares from Saving Private Ryan and The Notebook, but unlike him, I chose not to run from the possibility of losing him. I had wanted to hold on stronger. I had wanted him to fight for us back then, but he gave up. Even if his intentions were good, he had given up. That's why I had a hard time letting him in again.
"Daddy, I got the game. Let's play." Masen sat at the kitchen table with his feet swinging under him.
The board was laid out and there was a bowl of popcorn. Masen had a glass of water and cut up apple in front of him. Edward walked over and took the seat next to Masen.
"He said he was hungry. I hope that what I did was ok." Alice stood near-by.
"It's fine. I'm glad he's eating," I answered. I was pleased because he hadn't eaten too well in the past few days since he wasn't hungry.
"Mommy, you play too?" Masen asked. "And Auntie Alice." He looked back and forth between us.
"I would love to." I took the seat next to him across from Edward.
Alice sat next to me. Jasper stepped into the kitchen and headed to the fridge. Masen spotted him and opened his mouth then closed it furrowing his eyebrows.
He turned to me and whispered loudly. "Is he a mister or an uncle?"
"Uncle, is fine." I decided. After all he had done for us, he should be considered family.
"Uncle Japer, wanna play?" he asked.
Jasper paused with his root beer in his hand.
"I would love to but I think that game is for only four players. I could stay and watch." Jasper smiled and ruffled Masen's hair.
"Oh." Masen looked disappointed.
"How about you and I partner up and Jasper can still play," Edward suggested.
"Yeah." Masen scrambled off his seat and onto Edward's lap.
He turned his head and coughed slightly into his elbow, but he sounded much better than the past few days.
Jasper took his vacated seat. "What color am I?" Jasper asked looking at the set-up.
"I'm yellow," Alice declared.
Masen grabbed the green one. "Green," He announced.
"Bella," Jasper gestured for me to choose. I grabbed the blue and Jasper grabbed the red.
"Wait, we forgot about Uncle Em." Masen looked worried.
Jasper and Edward exchanged a look over Masen's head. Jasper shook his head and Edward frowned. I wasn't upset with Emmett like Alice was. Even if Emmett's advice did prompt Edward to break-up with me he didn't force Edward to do it, Edward still made the decision himself.
"Here's not here right now." Alice rolled her eyes. "Why don't you and your dad go first."
"Okay," Masen pulled a card and showed it to Edward.
Edward helped him find the correct space but allowed Masen to move the piece.
LB
The game was short, so we ended up playing three, two of which Masen and Edward won. Alice won the third. Then the guys brought Masen into the living room to checkout one of the puzzles that Alice bought. Alice and I stayed in the kitchen to make dinner. She was working a salad as I was frying up some homemade meatballs and had water heating to make spaghetti.
"I hope I made enough, if I remember correctly Emmett can eat enough for four. That is if he gets back in time. I wonder where he went, should we be worried?" I turned the meatballs so they would brown nicely.
I glanced over my shoulder at Alice when she didn't answer me right away. She sliced a pepper, a little too forcefully.
"Alice?"
"I'm sure he will be back later." She huffed, as she picked up the peppers and dumped in the bowl.
"I know he came up with the stupid idea, but it's not his fault they listened to him." The water came to a boil so I added the pasta.
"You're defending him?" Alice looked up at me.
"No, I'm just not blaming him for something that wasn't really his fault. I've been used as a punching bag for things that were out of my control too often. I know that it would be wrong."
Alice flinched when I mentioned 'punching bag'.
"To blame him would be scapegoating. Edward made the decision based on a suggestion and his own reasons. Of course, what they did still hurts but what they did wasn't to be malicious. It's not like Emmett or Edward could've foreseen what would happened to me. That's my own fault, I should've never gotten with Alec just because I was lonely." I placed down the pasta fork.
"But it's not your fault Alec was a lying snake." Alice moved on to cutting tomatoes.
"I know, I'm getting there." I turned the burner on for the sauce.
"You know, as much as I want to be mad at him, I guess you're right, in a twisted fucked up way, Emmett thought he was preventing us from being hurt, rather than causing us to be hurt. I wished I could see in to his convoluted mind to figure out why." She started tossing the salad so hard that pieces of vegetable flew across the table.
I thought back to what Edward said about Emmett and Rose.
"According to Edward, Emmett said he broke up with Rose, but Rose told us she broke up with him. Any idea who was right?"
"Rose broke up with him. She had talked to me a few days before she actually did it." She walked over and placed the bowl on the table. Maybe Emmett did it because he was hurting. I sighed heavily and added the meatballs to the sauce.
She moved on to setting the table as I finished dinner. I called out to the boys when it was on the table. They entered. Masen was riding Edward's back looking tired but happy.
They plopped down at the table. Masen looked at his size plate then at Edward's and Jasper's then back at his own smaller portion.
"I want that size, please," he asked politely, pointing to his father's plate.
I couldn't help but chuckle, since I doubted he would even eat all that I gave him. "Eat that first then I can get you more."
"Don't forgot to save room for ice cream." Alice took a seat.
"Oh yeah, I forgot." Masen beamed. He grabbed a strand of spaghetti with his fingers and placed it in his mouth. He sucked it up, the strand wiggled around smacking him lightly in the face leaving tomato sauce on his cheeks.
"Masen," I started to scold, he turned to me with lips puckered and wide eyes knowing that he had been caught. I fought the urge to laugh. "Eat it right, please, use your fork." I scolded gently.
"But it's too slippery. It falls off see." He tried to scoop some with his fork with little success.
"Try it this way." Edward suggested. He twirled his fork spinning the stands around it before bringing to his mouth.
Masen tried to copy him and Edward reached over to help him. Alice cleared her throat, causing me to break my stare and look at her.
"You too, Bella. Eat everything or no ice cream," Alice teased. She had made a couple of comments earlier about how she was concerned about my weight too.
"Yes, ma'am." I rolled my eyes and started to eat.
We made small talk over dinner. Jasper told us about his parents' ranch that was just outside of Houston and promised to teach Masen how to ride a horse. We found out Alice had been working as a personal shopper in NY. Her biggest client was away in Europe for the summer, so she decided to take a vacation as well.
Once we were finished, Alice helped Masen make his own sundae. He carried it back to the table himself all proud. He placed it on the table and turned to me.
"Look, Auntie Alice gave five cherries," he stated proudly as he climbed up into his chair.
"Auntie Alice is going to spoil you," Jasper chuckled.
She shot him a look before heading back to the table.
"Well, that an Aunt's prerogative, I'm allowed to spoil him." She sat down with her own treat, a chocolate covered banana.
Jasper's eyes were glued to it as he watched with interest.
"What is that?" he asked curiously.
Alice licked the tip and grinned at him. "This. What does it look like?" she asked innocently.
"Uh, well…" Jasper looked at Masen out of the corner of his eye.
"A banana!" Masen yelled out.
"You're right, you're so smart, Masen." Alice winked at him. "They come chocolate covered with and without nuts." She smiled cheekily as she gave it another lick. She glanced at me and smiled evilly. "Want a lick, we could share." She held it out.
Before I could respond, Edward started having a coughing fit. He put his water glass down roughly and started to smack his chest.
"Daddy, you sick?" Masen asked in concern.
"I'm fine, it just went down the wrong pipe," Edward's voice was rough.
"How?" Masen looked confused.
"Ahh." He looked at me for help and I just raised an eyebrow. "Drinking too fast, little buddy. Mary Alice, don't play with your food." He shot her a pointed look; she just smirked back at him.
"Ok," she looked Jasper right in the eye as she bit off a chunk and swallowed it whole. Jasper's mouth dropped opened and he paled.
"Hmm, the outside is yummy, but the inside doesn't tasted like candy like they said," She clucked her tongue.
I couldn't help it, a giggle escaped me and I slapped my hand over my mouth to control my laughter, I shook as I held it inside. The identical looks of horror on Edward and Jasper's faces were hysterical.
"Then don't eat it. At least you tried. Right, Mommy?"
The best I could do was nod.
"You're right again, Masen." Alice stood up and tossed the treat in the garbage. "At least I tried," she stated pointedly. She glanced one more time at Jasper. "We cooked, you boys clean." She walked out of the room. The silence was deafening after she left.
I glanced at Masen who managed to get ice cream in his hair.
"Come on, time for a bath." I tried to wipe him with a napkin.
"I want Daddy to give me a bath. You said next time." He reminded Edward.
"I did," Edward looked around the kitchen trying to decide what to do first.
"Go ahead, I can take care of the clean-up." Jasper spoke, his voice gruffer than normal.
"Thanks. Okay lets go, but I think I might need Mommy's help." He looked at me pleadingly.
"I'll be right there." I stood to bring my plate to the sink as Edward carried Masen up the steps. Jasper was still sitting at the table frozen to his spot. "You okay?"
"Yup," he nodded. I glanced at the fridge at a photo that Esme or Carlisle must have forgotten they placed there. It was Edward in his uniform looking very handsome, however, while he was smiling his eyes looked troubled with dark shadows. I remembered the day he told me he was joining. He was so nervous to tell me.
It was a snowy day in February and I was over Edward's house to 'study' after school. I was on my stomach on Edward's bed with my legs dangling in the air. I was watching Edward as he kept looking blankly at his CDs tugging at his hair, signaling something was bothering him. In fact, he had been acting that way the past few days and he was starting to make me nervous.
"Edward?" I called softly.
"Huh?" he turned looking caught off guard.
"You've been staring at your CDs for ten minutes. Is everything alright?" I asked in concern.
"Yeah, sorry," he grabbed a CD. "Debussy?" I nodded and he slipped it into his player and set the music to low.
He came over and sat on the bed running his hand through his hair. He looked over at me and gave me a small smile before clearing his throat.
"We need to talk," his voice was quiet and nervous. I sat up and crossed my legs.
"Is it bad?" I bit my lip nervously afraid he was about to break up with me.
"No…no… not at all. At least I don't think it is." He grabbed my hand and kissed it, his thumb started to play with my ring. "I'm so nervous what you're going to think, I'm making you nervous. I'm sorry, love."
"Just tell me, please." I let out a breath and sat up straighter.
"I've decided not to go to college next year." He started, then paused gauging my response.
"Okay, so what are you planning on doing?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I giving it a lot of thought and I've decided that I'm going to join the Marines and serve our country after graduation," he explained as he squeezed my hand a little tighter. I paused a little, letting it sinking in that the man I loved was planning on putting himself in harm's way.
"I think it is very brave of you and I'm proud of you." I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"So you're not upset?" he looked relieved.
"Why would I be?" I leaned into him. He wrapped his arm around me.
"Rose didn't sound too pleased when Emmett told her." He started nuzzling my neck making me squirm.
"That's Rose. I'm just glad that you're not dumping me," I admitted.
"Never, baby, you're mine forever, remember. I'm never letting you go." He kissed me sweetly before he deepened the kiss.
"You okay, Bella?" Jasper startled me out of my thoughts. I pulled my fingers away from the photo.
"Yeah. Do you need some ice water?" I teased him.
He scowled at me causing me to giggle rather than to be worried I was about to get hit. I knew and trusted Jasper enough, that I knew he would never raise hand at me.
"Funny. Get out of here so I can clean up," he ordered, his lips twitched.
I mock saluted him before heading for the stairs.
LB
After Edward had finished giving Masen a bath and he had to go to his room to change his own clothes. I guess I should've warned him that he would mostly wind up as wet as Masen. I was tucking Masen in when we noticed one of his friends were gone.
"Mommy, I left Hoppy downstairs." He looked worried. I kissed his forehead and stood up.
"I'll go get him. You wait here, I'll be right back," I promised. When I reached the main floor I was surprised to see Edward downstairs. But even more surprised to see Emmett was back by what looked like by Police escort. Jacob Black, who had taken over for my father, was here. He was the son of my father's best friend and was several years older than us.
"What's going on?" I asked, finding the frog by the puzzles where Masen had left him.
"Bella, could you please go back upstairs with Alice and wait for either Jasper or me," Edward asked, his voice sounded uneasy.
I looked closer and that's when I noticed Emmett was drunk. I tensed up and nearly jumped out of my skin when Alice touched my elbow. She mumbled an apology but didn't let go.
"Do you guys want me to stick around?" Jacob asked letting go of Emmett.
"We should be fine. Thank You, Jake, for bringing this idiot back and keeping an ear out for news about Alec for us," Jasper answered.
"No, problem. Call me if you need anything." He nodded his head.
After Jacob said his good-byes and started to leave I turned for the stairs.
"Bella, wait, I need to talk to you," Emmett slurred and stumbled forward.
I let out a small squeak and backed away tripping over puzzle pieces. Instantly, Jasper placed a hand on his chest. Edward came closer and stood in front of me.
"I think you need to go sleep this off," Jasper strongly suggested.
"I need to talk to her." Emmett insisted as he tried to pull away. "I'm not going to hurt her. I would never lay a hand on her or Masen. I'm not like my bastard of a father. I just want to apologize."
"Not now. Not like this," Edward stated firmly.
"I'll talk to him," I said quietly.
Edward shot me a look saying he disagreed.
"It should be my decision. Alice, can you take this to Masen and stay with him." I handed her the frog.
She hesitated but agreed reluctantly.
Emmett tried a third time to step forward but he was thwarted. With how he was acting he reminded me almost of when Alec showed up drunk and I would get beaten. However, I never had a reason to fear Emmett before, so that's why I decided to listen to him.
"Emmett, I will listen to you but you need to take a seat on the couch or something." I crossed my arms in front of my chest and hoped my shaking wasn't obvious.
Emmett stumbled to the couch and sat roughly on the couch.
"Bella, you don't have to…" I raised a hand stopping Edward.
"I want to hear what he has to say. Emmett, what do you mean like your father? I thought he died when you were a baby in Desert Storm and you were raised by your grandmother."
"It was easier than the truth. I'm not sure where the old man is. Last I knew he was in jail. My father went to Desert Storm alright. My mom left him and dropped me off with my grandmother when she met someone new. He came back a destroyed man. The first time he hit me all I did was spill a glass of milk. My grandmother threw him out and told him to get his shit together and if he ever laid a hand on me again, son or not, she would have charges pressed. He left, and hunted down my mother and killed her and her new lover in cold blood."
I covered my mouth with my hand feeling empathy for him. "I'm so sorry, Emmett, that's terrible," I said softly, feeling sympathetic of his abusive father, but he started to look more tortured.
"I've done something really bad. Something I don't think you'll or Edward will ever forgive me about." He tugged at his hair and pleaded with me.
"I already know that it was your idea about having him break up with me. Edward didn't have to listen you, so I don't blame you for it."
He shook his head. "I done something worse," He said in broken whisper.
"What did you do?" I asked in confusion.
"Shit, Emmett, tell me you didn't," Jasper snapped.
I looked at Jasper and then Edward who looked as confused as me. Suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks.
"Oh, god, Emmett, you…please tell me it wasn't you?" I pleaded that I was wrong.
He wouldn't have.
"I'm sorry," He begged.
My heart clenched in my chest.
"It was you," That's when it clicked with Edward. "You, asshole, I'm going to kill you. You had no right keeping her letters from me." He bellowed, his fist clenched at his side and his face was red with anger.
He took a step towards Emmett and Jasper blocked his path.
"Out of my way, Jasper." He tried to shove Jasper away, but he stood firm.
"Calm down, Edward. I don't think violence is the answer."
Edward made another attempt to get around him. Jasper grabbed him again and Edward struggled against him.
"Think of Bella and Masen. I think they've both seen enough violence to last a life time," Jasper beseeched again.
Edward's shoulders sagged slightly and he glanced over his shoulder at me.
I involuntary flinched away at the anger that brewed in his eyes. Edward's eyes saddened before he turned away from me. He pinched the bridge of his nose then tilted his head towards his feet. His other hand remained clenched so hard at his side that it was trembling.
"I'm sorry," Emmett spoke again.
"Don't speak to her," Edward growled without looking up.
Emmett's mouth slammed shut.
"How….why…I don't understand why you would do this?" my voice shook with emotion. My mind was still trying to wrap around his revelation.
"I didn't know what was in the letter, I thought it was a 'Dear, John' letter. I didn't want to see Edward hurt or you hurt? I was trying to protect both of you. I've seen how it could change a person. I didn't want to see that happening to any of my friends. So I sent it back thinking if it was important you would try and write him again," his voice was broken whisper.
"Why would you think that I would hurt Edward in a letter like that?" I accused. "I would never have done that to him." I yelled without waiting for an answer.
"I DIDN'T THINK ROSE WOULD EITHER. BUT THE BITCH BROKE MY HEART WHEN SHE DUMPED ME, CAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO BE WITH A GUY IN THE MILITARY. SHE DECIDED TO MARRY SOME GUY WHO WAS GOING BE RICH LIKE HER DADDY! SO EXCUSE ME FOR TRYING TO PROTECT YOU BOTH!" he hollered making the walls shake.
I shook as I stumbled backwards into the wall. I slid to the floor keeping my arms around me. My breath was ragged and I closed my eyes for a moment trying to calm myself.
"Watch how you speak to her," Jasper's voice was low and dangerous. "She doesn't deserve to be talked to like that."
Emmett looked ashamed and he surprised me when he started to cry.
"I'm not her. I'm not Rose. You had no right to assume shit," I hissed, glaring at him. I felt so betrayed. The advice was one thing, but the letters were another.
"I'm sorry," he pleaded one last time, but I shook my head unable to answer.
"I think it's time for you to sleep it off. Come on." Jasper grabbed Emmett by the elbow and yanked him to his feet. He practically shoved him to the door that went down to the rec. room.
I remained on the floor and cried. I always thought of Emmett as a good friend but I couldn't understand his actions. He said he did it to protect us, but all it did was hurt us. I sniffled and was aware when Edward knelt down near me but still gave me some space. He held out a tissue box when I looked up. I took one as I took a few deep breaths to calm down. I was sure Masen probably heard Emmett's yelling and I should check on him. Thankfully, Alice was with him.
"Are you alright?" Edward asked softly. He seemed more in control of himself, but I could see that he was still very upset.
"I'm angry and very hurt. Even though he explained, I can't understand why he would think that of me." I replied reaching for another tissue my hand was still shaking.
"I don't either," Edward answered sliding the box of tissues towards me in case I need any more. "You're not like that. Emmett's an asshole, it's his fault you and Masen got into so much danger," Edward fumed.
"No. Alec isn't his fault." I surprised myself in answering. Edward looked ready to argue. "He couldn't possibly have known about Alec. Even if you got the letters Alec could have still entered the picture. I can't blame Emmett for that. I have been blamed and beaten for things that weren't my fault. I can't in good conscious blame someone else for something that wasn't their fault." I reasoned as I twisted a tissue in my hand.
"I can." Edward gruffed.
"But it wouldn't be fair. I don't blame you for Alec either."
His eyes met mine quickly, I saw regret and guilt fill his eyes again. I realized he was blaming himself for Alec. We held each other's stare for a few minutes.
"Why are you defending him?" Edward frowned. He broke the stare to look at his hands that hung loosely between his bent knees.
"I'm not. Not really, anyways. I'm just putting the right blame where it is due. I am however incredibly hurt and angry that he interfered and tried to keep us apart. Even if he claims his intentions were good." I scowled.
"Are you going to be able to forgive him? Because right now, I don't think I can," Edward asked without looking up. I wasn't sure if he was talking about Emmett or himself.
"I don't know. I'm still very angry at the moment," I answered honestly. I stood up, my legs feeling slightly shaky still.
Edward jumped up and reached out a hand to towards me and then just as fast dropped it. I gave him a timid smile realizing he was trying to help me.
"I need to check on Masen to make sure that Emmett didn't scare him with his yelling." I started heading for the stairs. "Are you coming?" I asked.
Edward looked at me looking very torn. "I think I should calm down before he see me this upset. I'll be along in a minute." He answered after a moment. He sat down again, this time in the chair and put his head between his hands.
I touched his shoulder giving it a light squeeze before heading up the stairs.
LB
When I reached the third floor I entered the guest room Edward was using first. I wanted to wash my face with some cold water before Masen saw me. I entered the bedroom and Masen was knocked out in his bed with a pair of earphones on his head and book on his lap.
"It's a book on tape. I thought it might distract him," Alice spoke up softly sitting on the edge of my bed.
"Thank you, Alice, you really do think of everything." I went over and took the earphones off his small head. "So he didn't hear anything?" I asked as fixed his position to sleep better.
"I don't think so. The only thing I heard was when Emmett started screaming. By then Masen was already out like a light." Alice stood and stretched.
"I'm going to get Jasper so we can retrieve the car that Emmett had to leave behind when Jacob brought him home. Try and get some sleep." She gave me hug a before skipping out of the room.
A/N:
So as many of you know and figured out, Emmett was guilty of sending back a letter. No he didn't do this to be malicious or jerk. He wanted to save everyone what he thought would more pain later. What was Rose did to him really messed with him. And no he's not working for or with Alec.
Some want to blame him and Edward for Alec, but as Bella said they had no idea of knowing Alec would show up next. She leveled headed enough not to scapegoat.
Part of why Bella is being so accepting of Edward. She wants to stay cordial so he doesn't try to take Masen away from because of the last four years.
Jacob is a friend/acquaintance that's all he's not a threat in any form.
There was some fun in the chapter too. At least, Alice did getting a dig in on Jasper. Don't worry her joke went way above Masen's head for him to get.
Thank You For All Reviews
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Preview:
As soon as Masen spotted the treehouse he dropped my hand and broke out into a run.
"Masen, wait up." I picked up my strides to keep up with him. I was afraid he would try to climb up and fall before we can get there. I didn't need to give Bella a reason to kill me for not bringing him back in one piece.
We caught up just as he reached the base. He waited patiently looking up trying to see through the hatch.
"May I go up now," he asked.