*FFN had another outage yesterday, so make sure you didn't miss chapter 19!
20.
"I don't like it." The picture of a displeased father, Carlisle sits across from me, his arms crossed. If we weren't having such a serious discussion, it would make me laugh.
"I don't either," Jasper interjects.
Beside me, Alice sighs. "Do you not trust my visions anymore?"
They spare her a glance but don't reply.
"That's what I thought," she muses. "I've seen … well, I've seen enough to know everything will be okay in the end."
"I wish you'd tell me what you saw, Alice," I plead softly.
She shakes her head. "I can't. I don't want what I've seen to influence any of your decisions. That would be interfering in your future. I won't do that."
It's my turn to sigh. "I just don't see what the big deal is. He's already been inside my apartment twice and everything was fine."
"It only takes once, Bella," Carlisle reminds me. "Especially since he's still a newborn. It's been less than five months since he was turned." He shakes his head. "It's too soon."
"Well, I disagree." In a huff, I stand. "He's my …" My voice cracks, and I fight back the turmoil rising inside me at the thought of them influencing me to stay away from Edward. I clear my throat and try again. "He's my husband. Changed or not, I know he won't hurt me."
"What if we were there?" Alice offers. "We could—"
I shake my head. "No. I think your presence is what's kept him away. If you can sense him, he can sense you."
"What if we're nearby?" Jasper counters. "A block or two? Close enough to help if you need us but far enough away he might not be spooked?"
I run a hand over my growing belly, feeling the flutters once again. The cold I felt last night still lingers, but in a good way.
With a rueful smile, I turn to my newly adopted family. "Please, let me do this my way. I think … I think he's scared. He's probably alone and terrified of what he's become. The fact that he came to me …" I swallow and lick my lips. "I need to be there for him. Please?"
"I still don't like it," Carlisle repeats.
Tonight, I've opened my window and crawled into my bed, my back against the headboard. Waiting. Nervous energy flows through my veins, and the baby must sense it because the flutters have grown stronger.
I place a hand over where I feel the movement. "You're the most loved baby in the world, do you know that, nugget?"
A cold gust blows through the window, causing the curtains to billow, and with it comes a familiar sensation.
He's here.
"It's okay, Edward," I murmur, knowing he can hear me. "I know what you are now. And I know you won't hurt me." My eyes sting. "Please come home."
My breath catches as he slowly climbs in through the window. Obscured by a black hoodie, he steps into the shadows.