There Goes My Life

Chapter Fourteen

"Are you going to tell me why we're actually trudging through the mall when you could buy everything online?" Angela asked after taking a long pull of her strawberry smoothie as she slipped her cellphone back into her pocket.

Bella glanced over at her best friend and swiped Edward's credit card for Asher and Mia's stack of new school clothes, "gives me a valid reason to be out of the house," she explained. "Brianna's there, she's getting to know the kids."

Angela gave her a funny look. "I'm surprised you're not hovering and shit," she laughed at the look on Bella's face. "What? Don't give me that look, girl. You stress with change, plus you don't trust easily, that's a fact."

"Edward's there," She admitted with a shake of her head, "and it's important they bond with her before she's alone with them. I'll be with her the rest of the week until school starts." She said as she put the bags in the trunk of the small, four-door Subaru Edward had purchased from his brother.

She placed her latte in the cupholder, "so what do you think of her?" Angela asked as she put her cell on Bella's phone charger.

"Brianna, or Bri as she prefers to be called, I don't know. She seems very nice, and she has ten years of experience. She's worked for three other families who all gave her stellar recommendations. She's pretty, smart," Bella shrugged before putting the car in reverse. "Asher doesn't seem to care for her, but Mia likes her okay."

Angela admired her engagement ring, not looking at Bella as she asked her with a coy smile, "and do you like her?"

"I guess," she said as she came to a stop at a red light. Before Angela could dig deeper into her feelings, Bella quickly changed the subject. "I know just the place to go for lunch ... tacos," she headed for their favorite spot near Angela's apartment.

They settled in a booth with their cold drinks, and Bella let out a soft sigh of enjoyment as she sipped her fizzy Coke. It was the first soda she'd had in over a month as she had given up the beverage around Asher and Mia.

"So," Angela said softly, putting down her taco, "has Edward found anyone to do that laundry gig you told me about?"

Bella shook her head, "no, he got buried under another work project, and then finding the new nanny. But Esme's been helping us," she explained, "why?"

"If it's still something he's interested in, I could use the extra work. Ben got offered a promotion at work," she revealed, "but the thing is, we'll have to move to Omaha in February. Yes, his company has offered him a really nice moving bonus, but we're hoping to bulk up our saving a bit more."

Bella blinked at her, stunned, before forcing an excited grin. "That's, that's… great."

"I'm going to miss you too," Angela smirked a bit gloomily, "but don't look at me like that, you were moving first, bitch, all the way across the country. Need I remind you?"

Bella snorted back a sad chuckle as she tightly hugged Angela. "I'll talk to Edward and let you know." She sniffed and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall, "so back to happier news, how's the wedding planning going?"

Angela let out a long sigh. "Apparently I'm driving my mom insane because I refuse to spend more than few grand. You should have seen her face when I told her we found our dresses at a thrift shop. Luckily, my pops understands. He's recruited my uncle into doing the catering, and my great auntie is going to make the cake. I just want to go to the courthouse."

Bella chuckled, "so while we're talking about your wedding, I want to give you my gift now," she dug into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper.

"B, I told you," Her eyes widened, and she trailed off as she read the receipt. On it, Angela saw the name of the establishment, the date of her wedding, as well as the time that they had reserved. "You paid off my venue," she whispered.

"Don't make it such a big deal. You guys had if half paid for already. It's not even close to what you and Ben did for me when my dad died. I wanted to do this, I have the means to do it, and so I did. I love you, Angie. You're my soul-sister. Just don't expect a toaster at the wedding."

Angela laughed as she placed a few dollars on the table and followed Bella out of the restaurant. "You know how much I appreciate this ... everything."

"You better, just remember this when I drag you all over some town looking through thrift shops for my own wedding." She warned with a chuckle.

Angela snorted and rolled her eyes teasingly, "oh please when you get married to Edward, they'll be no budget. It'll be five-star hotels and a dress from some designer in Paris."

Bella face flushed, "I should never have told you about my crush."

"Crush," Angela tossed her head back and laughed. "You've admitted to more than a crush on Mr. Sexy Boss."

Bella shot her best friend a look of annoyance. "I'm fairly sure he doesn't feel like that about me."

"Oh, honey, that man sooo wants to take you to bang town," Angela rolled her eyes with a little smirk.

Bella narrowed her eyes playfully. "Bang town, really A?" she said dryly. "Seriously, Edward does not look at me like that. I'd bet it's more like a cross between his sister and a friend or whatever."

"Uh huh," Angela drawled unconvinced. "I better get home; I've got some work to do before tomorrow."

Bella nodded and smiled, "I'll call you later." She watched her walk towards her old apartment building before driving back to Edward's. Once there, she gathered the bags and headed up the front steps.

Her heart swelled with love as she heard Asher's voice before she opened the door. "Bella's back, she's back!" She caught him easily and swung him up into a tight hug.

"Hey Kiddo, how was today?" She asked, setting Mia's bags on the stairs.

He grunted and let his head thud against her shoulder. "Oh," she chuckled softly in understanding, "how much trouble are you in?"

"Butt load," he muttered into her neck, she had to force herself not to laugh at his blunt honesty.

Edward stepped into the hallway with a soft frown, "Asher James back to your room," he ordered firmly.

Bella placed him back onto his feet and gave his shoulder a small squeeze. "Go on, I'll come up and see you in a minute," she promised. Asher turned his sad pouting eyes on her but to no avail. "Go, those eyes won't work with me."

"Fine," he huffed and stomped back up the stairs.

Bella hung up her purse and keys in the entry hall, "rough day?"

Edward grunted and ran a hand through his hair. "He's trying to run her off. I've never seen him act like he has today."

She smiled sympathetically. "He'll adjust, but it's going to be a tough month. His entire routine is changing. A new nanny, starting school, only seeing Jake on Saturdays. That's a lot."

He nodded, "Mia and the twins are napping, figured we could go over the schedule with Brianna."

"Sure, give me a minute," she said, as she unlaced her yellow converse and put them in the cubby by the door before following him into the kitchen. "How's today going?" She asked Brianna with a grin as she grabbed flavored water from the fridge.

"Really well," Brianna's voice was honey sweet. Big blue eyes, sandy blond hair and she wore a yellow t-shirt underneath a plum cardigan. Bright. Cheerful. Bubbly.

Edward leaned against the counter. "Let's talk about the new schedule. Brianna, I know you're a bit apprehensive about how you'll do everything, but I'd like to reassure you that won't be the case. Rarely will you need to watch all four children at once."

Brianna nodded in surprise.

"School holidays and days when there's no school being the exception," Edward explained. "The majority of the week your primary focus will be the twins. You'll have Mia in the mornings until eleven, and all day on Friday when there's no preschool. Also, your schedules will overlap with Bella's."

Bella smiled and set down her glass. "I've arranged my classes, so I'm out by one and two depending on the day of the week. I'll be picking up Asher and Mia from school and bringing them home or to their afterschool activities."

"The cleaning service comes on Monday and Thursdays. Starting next week Jake, Mia's tutor comes on Tuesday in the morning to take her to story and game time, and on Friday, they'll be doing a three-hour session."

"And how will Mia get to school, will I be taking her?" Brianna asked, taking notes.

Edward rubbed his chin and grinned. "And that brings us to my parents. About eighty percent of the time, my parents will take her. I'll let you know ahead of time when they're unable. Carlisle and Esme will be coming over to meet you," he trailed off trying to remember what day they were planning their visit.

"Friday," Bella cut in helpfully.

"That's right." He shot her a grateful grin.

Brianna nodded, "it all sounds very manageable. I do have one more question. Would you mind if I took the twins to the park about once a week to play? They'll swing, and we can go on walks in their stroller. I have a few friends who are nannies too, and we like to meet up at the park. It gives us a bit of adult time to look forward to while getting the kids out of the house."

Edward shrugged, "I don't see why not," he agreed as his phone rang. "Sorry, I've got to take this." He stood and stepped out of the room as he pressed the phone to his ear. Bella couldn't help but watch him go or help notice how handsome he looked in his dress slacks and how well they fit his rear. Her mind spiraled to thoughts about his workouts and how his muscles moved under his shirts.

She rubbed a hand over her face and turned her eyes back to her glass. It wasn't her fault Edward looked like a cross between a Greek god and a movie star.

"I'll get them," Brianna's soft voice cut through her thoughts as Braxton cries reached her ears.

She snapped her head up and smiled gratefully. "I need to talk to Asher," she remembered and followed Brianna upstairs.

Bella knocked a few times before stepping inside Asher's room. "What's going on, Ash?"

He fiddled with his Lego figures and shrugged, refusing to look up at her as he continued pouting. Bella sat on the edge of his bed and ran her fingers through his brown locks. "Cat got your tongue love?"

Asher wrinkled his nose as he rolled onto his back so he could look up at her. "No! I don't like her, and I want her to go away. Far, far away."

"Oh," Bella said simply as she continued to run her fingers through his hair. "Why don't you like her?" She asked her voice gentle and inquisitive. "Is she mean to you?" She dropped her voice and whispered playfully. "Is she not helpful and kind? Is she secretly a vampire?"

Asher rolled his eyes and snorted unamused. "No, she's nice and pretty, but I don't like her, and I want her to go. Make her go away."

Bella scooped him up into her lap and hugged him. "You do know you won't see her that much, right?"

"I won't?" He frowned, his brows wrinkling in curiosity.

Bella shook her head and smothered back a smile. "Nope, most of the time you'll be at school, then I'll pick you up, and we'll come home."

"Then she'll go home?" He asked turning his hopeful green eyes on her.

Bella shook her head once more. "Well, no, she'll help me with the twins for a little while, so I have more time for you and Mia. But most evenings she'll go home before dinner time."

He chewed on his lip thoughtfully before letting out a long sigh. "I guess that won't be too bad then if it helps you."

"It will," she assured him, placing a kiss on the top of his messy head.

He grunted. "Then I guess she can stay."

"Good," she chuckled and handed him a set of fresh clothes. "Now that's settled, go get dressed and brush your teeth. We need to go meet your teacher tonight."

He perked up and rushed towards the children's bathroom. "Oh yeah," he turned back towards her in his doorway. "She's not coming, is she?"

"No, and this is your last warning ... be nice, please." She stressed the last bit and shooed him out of the room to get ready.

She then went to Mia's room to gently wake her from her nap. "Rise my sunshine," she rubbed Mia's back until the little girl was fully awake and removed her thumb from her mouth. She handed Mia her teal glasses. "Good nap?"

"Mmhmm," she mumbled into her pillow as she stretched. Like a flash of energy, she scrambled down, "I gotta potty." And off she rushed.

Bella followed her out to the hallway, as Asher rushed by her. "Bella where are my shoes?" She groaned and took a deep breath.

"I'll help him," Edward called up as if he could feel her irritation from below.

She helped Mia brush her teeth, then combed through her hair and braided it. "What would you like to wear?"

Mia tilted her head and looked in her wardrobe thoughtfully. "My airs-lane dress Yaya make me," she pointed to her blue twirl dress with an airplane print.

"That's a perfect choice," Bella agreed.

"Backpacks," Edward called from the living room as he strapped Braxton and Holden into their infant car seats.

Bella zipped up Asher's skeleton dinosaur backpack after double-checking his supplies list. She passed it off to him and then skimmed through Mia's unicorn backpack and chuckled as she helped her put it on. "Look at you, big girl," she praised as Mia twirled in excitement.

"I'll get Hold," Bella offered as Edward hoisted up both car seats from the couch. "Those carriers are getting heavy."

Edward shook his head, "I've got them, let's go." Bella held open the front door and motioned Mia and Asher out as she hit the unlock button on the SUV. "Asher, help Mia buckle," she called after them as they rushed down the steps and into the Escalade.

"We'll see you tomorrow," Edward called to Brianna with a small wave goodbye.

She paused at her driver door and nodded her head. "Have a good night."

"That was the quickest we've ever been out of the house," Bella teased as Edward pulled out of the driveway.

Edward smirked and gave her a quick side-glance. "It'll be nice to have an extra pair of hands."

"Oh, speaking of an extra pair of hands," Bella said remembering her conversation with Angela earlier. "Are you still interested in someone to help tackle the laundry?"

Edward nodded as he stopped at the stop sign. "Well, my friend Ang, she's looking for a bit of extra work."

"It wouldn't be a regular or steady thing, probably twice a month, maybe three," Edward reminded her.

"She knows, she just hoping to bulk up her savings," Bella reassured him with a smile as she unbuckled when they reached the school.

Edward rubbed a hand over his mouth as he waited for the trunk lift to open as he paid for the parking space. "Then sure, have her come over whenever she has a free day this week. I'll leave a check for her in my office." He popped open the double stroller as Bella lifted Braxton from his car seat and strapped him into it as Mia and Asher climbed out of the car.

Bella took their hands as Edward placed Holden into the stroller and started down the street towards the school.

Bella felt like she was holding her breath as she watched Asher take in his classroom, his hand clenched around hers, tight and sweaty as he huddled against her, scanning everything.

They set their package of Lysol wipes on the counter. "Looks like you're going to have lots of fun in here, I'm so jealous. I wish my school was this much fun," Bella stated, pointing out his name on his cubby.

Asher perked up and shot her a smirk. "Come check out your desk, Alligator," Edward called him over to put his things away as instructed on the whiteboard.

She felt her shoulders relax as she watched Asher become enchanted with his teacher, giving Mrs. Acord an eager nod, as she lifted Holden from the stroller and fed him.

Mia was Asher's opposite. She entered her colorful and bright classroom with confidence that marveled everyone. Gone was the nearly silent girl they had taken in eight months ago. She let go of Edward's hand and shook her teacher's as she introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Mr. Ricco," he shook Mia hand with a warm grin. "Can you tell me who you are and a little about yourself?"

"I'm Mia, and I have another teacher, Jake. He's a boy too, and he's teaching me to reads and do maths. That's my Edward, Bella, and my brothers. I have three of them, and that's too many," she pointed to her family as Mr. Ricco showed her to her name at a table with a small chuckle.

Author Note...

Thank you, Sunflower Fran, for beta'ing.

This chapter was brought to you by lots of Mickey Mouse on repeat, a dirty house and my husband 'babysitting'.

Thank you for reading and please leave a Review!

Hugs and love,

- Emily