[Text message conversation between Edward and Emmett]
Edward: Hi Em, are you free to talk more about this cabin idea?
Emmett: Sure thing bro. Ask away.
Of course I need to check the family is ok with the idea, so will talk to them tomorrow night, do you think they will be ok with it?
I already mentioned it to Rose. She's all for it. She said "Literally anything that gets them out of the house. I'll pay."
That's good I guess. Thank you. What's the fastest cheapest way to go about this?
Cheapest? Rose is paying dude!
No, that's not it. As kind as her offer is (or desperate to get rid of us).
It's both! So what gives?
Bella wants us to work and raise the money together. She knows how much I have in savings but she wants to feel like she contributed or something I think.
That makes sense.
Does it?
Yeah. It does. You don't know what it's like being poor, but I do. I mean, Bella isn't poor, but she is compared to you.
Can you help me understand a bit better please?
Well, growing up we all had to make sacrifices. Anything we wanted we had to go without something else and a lot of the time what we wanted was just out of the question altogether. Having no money, even after I was changed made me feel vulnerable. I didn't have as many choices as all of you and I didn't feel I matched up. Obviously that was dumb because look at me! I'm clearly the best Cullen!
You're one of a kind!
Damn straight! But back when I was a newborn I felt like I didn't have anything to contribute that was valuable, especially with you being so gifted and Carlisle and you all being rich. Even Rose had been rich, none of you had shared my experience growing up so it felt pretty shitty. You were all really kind and generous but I couldn't do anything to pay you back. I felt like a charity case.
I never realised. I'm sorry we made you feel so bad.
It's all cool now. No worries! I get it a lot better in hindsight. We're family, right? So we share. I just didn't feel like family right away, I mean aside from with Rose. It took a couple of years to adjust and making some of my own money, I felt ok about things after I got enough to invest like you guys and take care of Rose like she deserves.
I think the best way to understand it from Bella's viewpoint is to imagine you have no money at all. Imagine Bella had to pay for everything, all the gas, the parking costs, the movie tickets, literally everything you do together. Like that juice you gave her earlier. Imagine she'd had to pay for that even.
It would feel horrible.
Yeah. So that's why it makes sense for Bella to want to contribute. She doesn't want to be a kid having you pay for her like some sugar grandpa. Even if she's into that lol.
She always insists on paying for something, even if it's just the tip in the restaurant and the server loses out as I result. I mean, I don't tell her that, but I'd leave more than she does.
Bella is an independent woman bro!
And proportionally she's leaving more than you, if you think about it.
That's true. She's being more generous then.
I like her independence, I just want to look after her too.
Trust me- you do not want to fight her on this. You have to let her do it her way or she'll cut you off.
cut what off?
She won't be DTF anymore.
Jeeves told me about DTF before, and there's no risk because Bella and I are saving ourselves.
Well, whatever, she won't be DTS then (down to smooch)
WHAT?! SHE WOULD STAGE A SMOOCH STRIKE?!
THAT MUST NEVER HAPPEN!
NEVER!
If you piss her off she will cut you off man! If you try to take away her independence, you can say goodbye to Bella smooches. I have been down that road and have learned the hard way several thousand times now.
NOOOOOOO
Just let her be in charge.
No problemo. That is my prefered MO!
Yeah, We've noticed LMFAO (eggplant emoji)
Oh dear, sorry.
Carlisle seems to be having similar issues with self control since Esme went on sex strike.
HE IS WORSE THAN YOU!
DUDE- OUR BEDROOM RUG? IN TATTERS.
FUCKING TATTERS!
My word.
Should I advise him to pray on it, do you think?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY YOU SHOULD
Perhaps after he agrees to the cabin build
YESSSSSSSS. WE WILL ALL WANNA BE THERE FOR THAT BRO
Oh and Bella said that she will tutor you for the SAT
That is gonna be so much fun! Tell her to bring bubbles!
Um...ok...will do.
Anyway, just let Bella be in charge and it'll all be cool. She's a treasure bro, she's got a good heart.
She's the best.
Rose is getting frisky bro, I'd better go!
Thank goodness I'm at Bella's!
I'll think about the cheapest way to build and talk to you and Bella at lunch ok?
Thanks for the advice Emmett.
(eggplant emojis, rose emoji)
(vomit emojis)
Edward tells Emmett reviewers are the best
Thank you to my wonderful readers and the two best betas I could ask for: itsthatkindofanight & and wh1teow1 please show some love and read Moirai, a reimagining of Twilight for the new decade!