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 23

Favorite dish

"Mommy, come..." Chickee tugged my hand and pulled me into the hallway. "Daddy and I have finished my room."

I stopped at his door and looked: his little bed had been replaced by a single-sized one and there was no more Batman anywhere, but dinosaurs of all kinds.

"It looked beautiful," I said.

My son started dancing, but not in a haphazard way but in a different way with better, practiced steps. I would make a note and tell Ang not to show him so much TikTok.

"I'll sleep in my own room now," said my boy, "and I'll make a space for Leo for his crib."

I stroked his hair and smiled at him when he lifted his face, looking up at me. He was a taller boy now and his conversations had become more judicious.

"Are the jellies ready, Mom?" he asked me before darting out of the room.

I exhaled resignedly.

Edward was watching me with a smile.

"Have you noticed?" I asked him, "At what point did my baby grow up?"

He sighed as he picked up his tool from the floor and threw it into his special box for storage. He sat up and I noticed that his physiognomy had significant changes. He was no longer the skinny guy but had a worked-out body, he looked appetizing, very much so.

And it wasn't that I hadn't noticed it before. It's just that now he looked better with that new musculature.

"When we least expect it, he'll ask us for permission to go on his first date."

"Hey, no," I furrowed my eyebrows. "My baby won't date until he's old enough. Maybe twenty-one."

Edward started laughing. It was an infectious, carefree laugh.

"You didn't wait twenty-one years," he mockingly accused me.

"Because you wouldn't let me," I replied mockingly.

"I couldn't do it. I didn't want anyone to beat me. Your first date would have to be with me."

"You were my first in everything," I confessed what he already knew.

His smile widened on his lips as he walked beside me.

"I know," he murmured. "What else is there left to do?"

We left the room at a slow pace. He took the toolbox to the garage and came running back to my side.

"The desserts are ready, the decorations, the tables and chairs" I listed. "We just need to make the bags with sweets."

"Let's finish, I'll help you," he offered.

We left all kinds of goodies on the table. Chickee, Edward and I were in charge of filling each bag in a matter of two hours, at which time Angela and Ben arrived to help us with whatever was needed.

The yard was ready and organized for tomorrow's party.

"You still love him."

It wasn't a question, but a statement from my friend. I shrugged my shoulders and continued to spread the green cream on the cake. I would decorate it with a big dinosaur in the center.

"It doesn't matter anymore," I whispered, seeing out of the corner of my eye that Edward was still talking in the living room with Ben. "To each their own and that's fine."

"I'd believe you if you didn't have those eyes of love every time you see him," Ang commented. "Your eyes light up and your expression automatically changes, Bella. And I'm sure that heart hammers hard for him."

I laughed.

"You're a witch!" I joked, throwing some cream on the corner of her lips, she easily ate it. "I can't lie to you," I mumbled, "I like his body."

Ang rolled her eyes.

"You like everything."

"Yes. It makes me..." I bit my lip, "imagine things."

"I'll be honest with you. I like the way you treat each other now, especially the maturity you have to move forward always prioritizing your son. I am really proud of both of you."

"It cost us a divorce and several therapy sessions," I replied." It is ironic that we had to let go to be able to be well, but it was necessary. Today I see him well, there is peace in his eyes, and I am grateful for that. It makes me happy to know he is well."

"Bella, have you ever thought that one day a woman will appear in his life?"

I concentrated on sliding the cream very gently. Of course, many times my mind has betrayed me and sent me to places I don't want to go, one of them is to see him with another woman.

Just imagining it made my heart ache. I would have a hard time accepting that he fell in love with someone else and would probably end up getting married and starting another family.

I knew that sooner or later the day would come, and I would end up crying until I was dehydrated.

"I don't like to think about it," I said.

"Why don't you take that step?"

I looked up. Ang was laughing excitedly showing her perfect white teeth.

"You're not thinking I should win him over, are you?"

"I can assure you that if I didn't see those dull eyes he's looking at you with, I wouldn't be proposing that you conquer him again."

I exhaled as much air as I could. My baby kicked inside me and made me caress my round belly.

"Besides..." she added teasingly, "you're not going to tell me that those necklines you wear are because you're hot," she laughed.

"Hey, my boobs have grown along with my belly."

"Uh-huh..." she rolled her eyes briefly. "So, will you do it?"

I glanced over to where Edward was still on the couch.

"Do you think wearing clothes that are too tight is enough?" I inquired.

Angela started laughing loudly, so hard that the men turned to look at us with strange faces.

Edward stood up and approached us.

"Bells, do you need anything else?" He scratched the back of his neck.

"It's all in order, thank you. Will you stay for dinner? I'm about to serve."

He put the cell phone in his back pocket and his shoulders slumped.

"No. Well... I, uh, plan to attend a..."

"I cooked brisket," I told him just as his gut protested for food. "Your favorite dish."

"Come on, man, don't be a pest," Angela urged, patting him lightly on the arm.

Edward seemed to hesitate as he looked down at the plate of food I had just served him, focused on my eyes. He smiled slightly at me and decided to sit down to dinner with us.

"Did you have an engagement?" I tried to ask.

Edward shook his head slightly as he tasted the first bite and made those noises of pleasure when he tasted the appetizing brisket.

"No. I had nothing to do," he replied.

I held his gaze for longer than necessary... Was it still time for us?

I smiled internally. Maybe my friend's idea wasn't so crazy.

I wanted to try because I loved him.


Alright, what do you think about Angela's idea? I'd like to read your opinions on this. Sending virtual hugs!

Thank you for reading 3