DISCLAIMER: The story doesn't belong to me; the characters are property of S. Meyer, and the plot belongs to Annalau Thank you so much for letting me share your story in English!

Gracias Laura, por darme esta oportunidad!

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Chapter 18

Two strangers

Edward arrived at fifteen o'clock sharp.

He greeted me with a weak smile and went straight to our son; he held him in his arms filling Eric's flushed cheeks with kisses before heading to the kitchen and starting to cook.

I watched them from behind the counter. Edward was chopping each vegetable while my son was stealing the carrot bits pretending to cook alongside his father.

I also heard him telling him a story about the peas and my surprised boy kept eating more and more interested.

I understood that this was a way to open Eric's appetite and make his time in the kitchen more interesting.

Once the soup was ready Edward sat down next to him, helping him eat.

"Why don't you eat too?" I set a steaming bowl on the table. "You must be hungry."

Edward turned to me and stopped paying attention to our son. Instead, Eric wasted no time, held the spoon himself and began to eat on his own.

I smiled. My boy loved his father's vegetable soup.

"No need," he replied after a few seconds. "I ate before I came here."

I put on my best face and nodded. Why was everything so complicated?

"Well, if you change your mind, you know you're home," I muttered, leaving them alone and heading for the laundry room.

I was tired of crying. I didn't want to do it. Not again.

I exhaled slowly through my mouth and held the lump in my throat as I blew out some air with my hands.

"Bells..." I heard Edward speak seconds before he opened the door. He looked at me, his face was worried. "Are you all right?"

I denied, wiping away my tears.

"Why do you hate me, Edward?"

"I don't hate you. It is you who must hate me for what..." He kept silent and averted his gaze from me.

"I told you that if you didn't want to be in this pregnancy I would respect your decision."

"I won't leave you alone," he said. "I am responsible too and I want to be... Just give me time. I don't know how to approach you, how to treat you."

"And you think I do? Today I didn't even know how to talk to you to ask you to come and cook for Eric."

"What happened to us, Bells?" he asked, running a hand through his hair. "Why did we suddenly become two strangers?"

"I don't know," I mumbled, disappointed, "but it hurts so much."

"The healthiest thing to do is to start from scratch, don't you think?" He mentioned, "Try to go slowly, meanwhile I... will start therapy next week."

"Have you been bad?"

"Please, Bells," he took a step towards me. "I hurt you and I won't live long enough to repent and get your forgiveness."

I looked away and he snorted angrily. I didn't want to talk about it, it was painful, and I had kept that day deep in my memories.

"Do you realize?" he continued. "We don't talk, we're holding back too much because it's more comfortable for both of us and in the end it won't be good for either of us, Bells. We can't go on like this."

"I still don't understand how little disagreements ended up throwing us in different directions."

"You insisted on doing everything your way."

"And you insisted on not supporting me," I replied haughtily. Then I regretted it, took a deep breath, and knew we could no longer argue or hold anything against each other, I looked into his eyes. "I admit that I am responsible for pushing you away and that you ended up tired of me. You have no idea how sorry I am for my neglect of you, I swear I'm working on making up time with my baby. Although..."

I can't get you back.

"We both made mistakes Bells."

I bit my lip.

"Mommy…" chick's voice alerted us, "Where's Daddy?

"Here, champ," Edward came out of the laundry room and carried him in his arms, "do you want dessert?"

My boy said no, leaning his head on Edward's shoulder. There was no need to ask him to put him to sleep, Edward took it upon himself to lull his light body to sleep until our baby was completely asleep.

I cleaned up the kitchen in the time Edward spent it in the room that was ours and I now shared it with my boy.

"He'll have a good nap," he said as he returned to the kitchen. I looked out the window and saw that it was just beginning to get dark. "I've got to go, Bells. I need to wash up."

"I poured you some soup," I shrugged my shoulders. "It'll be easier just to heat the food in the microwave."

He dragged the square bowl full of vegetable soup.

"Thank you. I promise I'll bring the bowl back tomorrow," he smiled shyly at me. "If Eric needs me, don't hesitate to talk to me or if you need me. I'm always available for both of you."

"It will be normal," I articulated aloud. Edward's eyes were still fixed on me. "I mean, is it normal to feel self-conscious?"

"Maybe it is," he exhaled. "I hope this feeling passes soon, Bells. I don't feel comfortable treating us like two strangers either."

"I hope so too."

I walked beside him towards the entrance, our steps were slow, and it made me think that we both wanted to continue our conversation. He opened the door and turned to look at me.

"Is there a problem if I keep the house keys?"

"Not at all," I assured him feeling an inner glee.

"See you soon, Bells."

"Good night, Edward. I'll see you."

Suddenly a throat clearing startled me as I looked beyond the door.

"Where are you going, Edward?" Dad asked from under the threshold.

Edward and I shared a glance before focusing on my father's face.

It was time to tell him the truth.

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