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 32

At home

"Yay," Eric ran to meet us when we opened the door, wrapped his arms around Bells' legs and then gave me his arms to carry him. "Where were you? You didn't sleep at home, why?"

I exhaled. It was a long story he didn't need to know. What was exciting was that his lexicon had improved a lot in the last few months, as he had near-perfect pronunciation for a boy his age.

I tousled his docile brown hair with my fingers.

"We have news," said Bells as I kissed his cheeks.

Our son smiled in that impatient way that said he needed to know more information; he twisted his little fingers together.

"Leo cried in the night," he told us a little worried, "and woke me up, you weren't in bed. Aunt Ang came in, gave him a bottle, and put a clean diaper on him. I couldn't help because I was too sleepy."

I made him look at me. Bells and I had picked up that Eric at his young age worried too much about subjects that were not for a child.

"It's all right," I told him, "you're a child who will sleep as long as his body requires. Aunt Ang was taking care of both of you, so you don't have to think you were wrong to go to sleep."

Her brown orbs glowed, perhaps to remove guilt.

"I gave him his bottle today," he articulated excitedly, "Aunt Ang helped me."

Angela was holding Leo in her arms. She had a complicit smile for us.

"You had a good time, eh?" she murmured jokingly, "everything was in order here and these little gentlemen were very well-behaved."

Bells came over and held Leo in her arms, cooing him. Our little guy was still devouring his fist with great hunger and desperation.

I ran my knuckles across his soft, chubby cheek. Leo rolled his green eyes at me; he knew he knew me and didn't hesitate to smile in that boisterous way.

"Thank you for everything," Bells left a kiss on her friend's cheek. "I am indebted to you."

Angela looked at us in that giggly way that spoke volumes as she pushed the frame of her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"You owe me a coffee," she replied as she slung her purse over her shoulder and looked at me. "You'll have to lend me your girl for an afternoon."

"No promises," I said.

They laughed and Eric laughed too; I set my son on his feet and watched him run to the couch: he was coloring a book with crayons.

"I'll need details," Angela said to Bells before leaving.

We concentrated on the chores at home. There wasn't much clutter, but what little there was we got it back in place in less than an hour, we also took on the task of cooking together.

We were eating dinner after a warm shower we gave the kids. Bells and I were still thinking about how to broach the topic with Eric.

"Chickie..." Bells caught his attention. Eric was still amusing himself by eating asparagus and mashed potatoes, leaving the steak aside. We need to tell you something pretty.

"Dad's staying home," she continued, "He's going to live with us from now on."

Eric alternated glances between his mother and me. He didn't seem to understand what he was hearing.

"Would you like me to live here?" I dared to ask.

Eric shook his head in affirmation.

"I like you to be here and sleep with us," he said, as he continued to eat and smeared mashed potatoes on the corners of his lips.

"You won't have two houses anymore," Bells added.

Perhaps that sentence was key because now we had his full attention. He opened his eyes wide; there was surprise, doubt, happiness. All together and unprocessed.

"I won't have two houses anymore?" he asked in his loudest voice.

"No, not anymore," I whispered.

Eric got down from his chair, raised his arms and jumped up and down on his feet. After his euphoric celebration, he ran to me, throwing himself into my arms.

"Will you take me to school," he asked.

"I will," I promised.

There was no more explaining to do. Eric at his young age understood that I would live with them, he didn't understand if his mom and I were a couple again. Because he just wanted to be with me, watch movies and play with me.

That night it was impossible to get him out of the room. His excitement was so exponentially high that he slept through the night just listening to the books I read to him.

That was also the first night Bells and I made love in the living room of our house until dawn surprised us and our son did too.

"Why are you here?" I heard his soft voice.

I rubbed my hands over my face and Bells covered her nakedness with the blanket, both of us still lying on the floor.

"Why don't you have any clothes on?" he continued his questions, "and why does Mommy have bruises?

Bells quickly covered her neck with the blanket. Of course, not before giving me a reproachful look and leaving a gentle nudge on my side that made me laugh and cough at the same time. I pursed my lips, I had to show seriousness to my son.

"Well... we fell asleep," I said as if it were nothing. Eric was still attentively watching his mom's face, "We watched TV all night."

"Ah," he murmured happier. "At night talk to me to watch TV with you, ok?"

"Of course, my love," answered Bells.

Now it was me who looked at her reproachfully, she shouldn't lie to him. Bells shrugged her shoulders and smiled at me. It was Eric who approached her with more curiosity.

"What do you have here, Mommy?" my son pressed a small mark I had made on his mother's neck.

Bells covered the mark with one hand and didn't hesitate to give me a dirty look. I gave her a wink.

I cleared my throat.

"Eric..." I said, "It's time to pack a bag because we're going to the beach."

"To the beach?" he asked doubtfully.

"Yes, we're going on vacation," I revealed.

He came back again with that typical dance of excitement and happiness. He started shouting around the room while in the background you could hear a squeal from Leo who had woken up.

Before Bells went to him, I put my arm around her slim shoulders and kissed her temple.

It was strange that I had been here for three months and barely felt at home.

This was my home and what I missed the most.

The noises and cries of my son, as well as waking up with my wife.

At last, I was truly with my family.

Aww, they're all together now, aren't they adorable? Thank you so much for your support and reading.