Author's Note:
Thank you as always for the reviews! Over 450 now! You guys are awesome!
I'll let you get back to it and see what's up next for our lovebirds.
I do not own it.
Chapter 17
BPOV
The days following Edward's and my declarations of love flowed along blissfully. Unlike before, when we first admitted to having feelings for one another and starting a relationship, this time we both knew we were all in. Neither of us had all the answers or knew exactly what the future held, but we were both confident we had one. Edward and I carved out time at lunch when we could, and spent most evenings with Maggie, always careful to keep our hands and lips to ourselves until after she was in bed. Halloween fell at the end of that first week and I hung out with Rose on her and Emmett's porch and passed out candy while Edward and Emmett took the kids trick or treating. They hit the houses in their neighborhood, then made a run to Esme and Carlisle's before coming back to help hand out candy to the remaining trick-or-treaters.
The only dark spot in an otherwise happy time was Alice. I was determined to not let her off the hook this time, but it just wasn't in my nature to write off our friendship without another word. Even if we hadn't been friends for so long, she was still Edward's sister and I wanted to do my part to heal the rift in his family. So, despite Edward's protests, I'd texted her a week after the fight, simply stating that we needed to talk. She hadn't texted me back for two days, and I'd nearly resigned myself to the fact that she wouldn't, so I was surprised when she finally called me instead of responding to my text. We'd spoken for only a few minutes, but Alice had apologized for making the accusations she had, especially about my marriage. The apology had left a little to be desired, but I knew it was the best I could hope for considering Alice's propensity for not admitting her wrongdoings. I'd ended the phone call feeling better about where we stood, but I was more than aware that we were nowhere near back to normal. Perhaps we never would be, but at least we were on the right track. I had no plans to let down my guard, though. I knew her well enough to know this probably wasn't an end to the drama.
Halloween had also pushed our game night back a week, a fact for which I was grateful. It gave Edward and I time to become a little more comfortable with where we stood in our relationship, and it had also given me the time and space to deal with Alice before we gathered with the group. It was my turn to host, so I'd texted everyone mid-week to confirm they were coming. Alice and I had only spoken the one time, so I wasn't entirely sure about her and Jasper, but she'd responded saying they'd be there.
I was nervous leading up to Friday evening, but Edward came a little early to help me get dinner ready and having a little time alone with him also helped settle my nerves. I was still grateful when Emmett and Rosalie arrived first, though. It was hard to be anxious around Emmett, and I'd been relaxed and laughing at his dramatic retelling of a work site blunder by the time Alice and Jasper had arrived. Once we were all present, we got dinner on the table and the evening moved along more smoothly than I'd anticipated. Alice was a little on the quiet side, but she joined in the conversation and didn't sit and pout or watch Edward and me with narrowed eyes all evening like I'd halfway expected her to do. After dinner, we gathered in the living room and pulled out Trivial Pursuit. As with any game we played, Emmett kept us entertained with his antics and we were all having a good time trash talking and ribbing each other over incorrect answers. We'd been playing for a while and I'd just finished my turn, so I decided it was a good time to run to the kitchen and get dessert. I confirmed everyone wanted a slice of the cheesecake I'd made for the occasion and walked into the kitchen, reminding the others to keep Emmett honest in my absence.
In the kitchen, I was plating the cheesecake when Edward walked up behind me and pressed me into the counter. He moved my hair over my shoulder and dropped a kiss on the back of my neck, then my lips when I turned in his arms.
"Figured you could use some help," he said against my lips.
"How is this helping me get dessert out?" I asked with a smile, not moving from the cage of his arms.
"Okay, fine, I had ulterior motives," he muttered, then kissed me again, deeper this time. Knowing we didn't have much time, and were running the risk of being caught, the kiss didn't last long, but it was effective nonetheless and I suddenly wanted everyone but him out of my house. I pushed him back with a sigh, knowing we needed to get back to the living room, but Edward leaned in one last time. I humored him by pressing my lips to his, lingering for just a moment, before we were yanked out of our bubble by a gasp.
Edward and I jerked apart when we heard the sharply indrawn breath. I turned my head and was equal parts panicked and relieved to see Rosalie. I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks, mortified at being caught and scared that our secret was out. Edward's voice pulled me from my thoughts.
"Rose, I- we, um, please," he stammered.
Rose just raised an eyebrow and smirked at his clumsy plea and said, "I won't say anything, but maybe the kitchen with Alice in the next room isn't the best time or place?"
"Yeah, guess not," I said and shot a grateful smile at her, then added quietly, "Thanks, Rose."
She gave a quick nod then grabbed a couple of plates of cheesecake and left the room. Edward dropped his forehead to mine for a second then stepped back.
"Guess that was pretty reckless," he said, and I nodded, grabbing a couple of plates and waiting on him to do the same.
Back in the living room, we officially paused the game, and all settled down with our dessert and chatted while we ate. I probably shouldn't have been surprised when Alice brought up Tanya, but the evening had gone so well, and I was so preoccupied with what had happened a few minutes before in the kitchen that she caught me completely off-guard.
"Bella, we need to visit Tanya this week," Alice said when the guys started talking football. I hesitated for just a moment, allowing my brain to catch up to the abrupt change in topic. It also gave me a second to decide how to respond. I had no desire to go, and I was over allowing Alice to shove Tanya down my throat, but I didn't want to get into this in front of the group.
"We'll see, Ali, I'm not sure I'll make it this week," I hedged, hoping she'd let it go for now. That was clearly wishful thinking, because Alice immediately arched her brow and leveled me with a glare.
"I wasn't really asking, Bella," she said. "You've neglected our friend enough, so don't even try to get out of it."
"I have not neglected her, Alice, and I don't really want to have this conversation right now. I'll check my schedule and we'll talk about it later," I said firmly, trying to avoid a fight. I was aware that the others were all tuned in at that point and I hoped we could move on with the evening. That still didn't appease her though, and she didn't give up easily. Since demanding I do what she wanted didn't work, Alice turned on the waterworks.
"You have to come," she said, tears welling in her eyes. "I just can't stand that Tanya is being forgotten."
"Alice, no one has forgotten Tanya," Edward said wearily.
"That's not true. Bella never wants to go anymore, and I know you and Maggie only see her once a month. She's all alone all the time and nobody cares," Alice wailed. I noticed that Rose and Emmett looked somewhat uncomfortable, and Jasper looked decidedly annoyed. They were all aware this was about to turn into a repeat of the same argument we'd had before. I started to jump back in and try to calm her down before things escalated, but Edward spoke again before I could.
"You only go once a month, too, Alice, so what is the problem?" he asked.
"The problem is that she's your wife, Edward. It doesn't matter how often I go, you should be there every day," she retorted. Her tears had dried up and her voice had taken on hard edge.
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, then said, "Alice, I'm not having this conversation again. How often I visit Tanya is none of your concern and if it's so important for someone to be there more often, you can go. How do you know I only go once a month anyway?"
"I just know," she snapped defensively, causing Edward to raise a brow at her. Under the pressure of his stare, she defiantly raised her chin and said, "Fine, I got one of the nurses to show me the sign in logs, okay? So, I know you don't go as much as you'd like everyone to think. It's bad enough you're neglecting your wife, but you're also depriving her of access to her child."
I saw Rose shaking her head out of the corner of my eye, but my focus was on Edward and Alice. Edward was livid and his voice was low and dangerous when he spoke.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Alice?" he asked incredulously while rising to his feet. "I don't know where you get the nerve to check up on me, but this has gone too far. I don't care what you think of me or how I spend my time, but you will not dictate how I raise my daughter. You seem to have forgotten that Tanya has no idea if anyone is there or not. As tragic as it may be, that is a fact, and I will not traumatize my child any more than I already do just to appease you."
With that, Edward stalked from the room, and I jumped a little when the back door slammed a few seconds later. I started to go after him, but Emmett stood up and laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I'll go, Bells," he said quietly, then followed his brother out of the room. An uncomfortable silence reigned for a moment but was broken by Jasper.
"Ali, what were you thinking? You have taken this too far. When the hell are you going to let this go?" he admonished angrily. Alice didn't respond, just rose to her feet and started for the front door. "This conversation is not over, Alice," Jasper said as he stood and followed her, but Alice ignored him as she stopped and turned back to me.
"You're not getting out of visiting her this week, Bella, so just suck it up and let me know what day you want to go," she snapped.
"Why is this such a big fucking deal, Alice? You back out all the time on me and I go by myself. Why is it so important that I go every damn time?" I asked in exasperation.
"Because, like I've said before, I'm not the one that needs to remember Edward is married," she said coldly then slammed out the door. Jasper walked over to me and pulled me into a hug.
"I'm sorry, Bells. I'm trying, but she is stuck on this," he said tiredly.
"I know, but it's not your fault, Jas. Thanks for trying to talk her down, though."
Jasper only nodded, then turned to follow Alice out of the house. I turned and sank back down on the couch, closing my eyes for a moment, before opening them and looking at Rose.
"Do you think she really knows?" I asked quietly.
"No, I don't think she knows," Rose said. "If she did, she wouldn't just toss her speculation in your face, she'd be out for blood."
"Yeah, you're right. I apologize, by the way, for dragging you into this," I said, and Rose snorted a laugh.
"Well, I'll admit, I was a little shocked when I walked into that kitchen, but I'm not upset and your secret is safe with me," she said reassuringly. "You and Edward both look happy, so that's all that matters. He deserves it considering all he's been through and so do you. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that Tanya was no saint, so I'm just glad he's found someone good for him."
"What do you mean?" I asked, wondering exactly what she knew about Tanya, but before she could respond, Edward and Emmett came back inside.
"Babe, I think it's time we head home," Emmett said to Rose, then walked over and pulled her to her feet, smacking her ass as she stepped in front of him.
"Bells, let's have lunch this week," Rose said with a pointed look in my direction.
"Sounds good, I'll text you and we'll figure out when," I said as I walked them to the door. After a round of goodbyes, they were gone, and Edward and I were finally alone.
EPOV
I let out a sigh, a mixture of relief that the evening was over and lingering frustration at my sister, then picked up a plate and rinsed it before placing it in the dishwasher. Bella was showing Emmett and Rose out after the latest showdown with Alice, but I knew she'd be along in a minute. I wasn't sure what to think about my sister at this point, and I was more than a little nervous about Bella's reaction. We'd just started to get our footing in our relationship, and I was afraid this would set us back. Bella and I had both felt more secure, regardless of the circumstances, since we'd declared our love to each other, and I didn't want her to change her mind.
I heard Bella's soft footsteps approach and felt her arms snake around my waist from behind. I smiled a little in relief that she wasn't pulling away from me and shut off the water, then turned in her arms. I looped my arms around her waist, and she rested her head on my chest. We stood there, content to just be in each other's arms for a minute, then Bella broke the silence.
"Well, that's not exactly how I expected tonight would go," she said without lifting her head from my chest to look up at me.
"In a good way or bad?" I asked.
"Both?" she responded, sounding unsure. "I guess I was braced for Alice to attack right out of the gate, and it's good she didn't, but I never expected to get caught. I must say though, I'm so fucking glad it was Rose and not Alice."
I chuckled a little at that. "Definitely. But overall, I think the night could have gone much worse."
"Yes, it could have, but thankfully it didn't. Rose isn't going to say anything, so I'm not going to worry too much about it. Anyway, are you okay? I know Alice upset you," Bella said, looking up into my eyes, concern etched into her face.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I mean, I'm frustrated at her actions, but more than anything, I'm just so confused. I get that she has this attachment to Tanya, unhealthy as it may be, but that shouldn't eclipse her feelings for her entire family."
"I don't get it either," Bella said, squeezing me a little tighter. "I've seen the uglier side of Alice regarding Tanya many times over the years, but this is so much worse. I hate that I'm the cause of this drama that your whole family is getting dragged into."
"Stop right there," I said, bringing my hands up and cupping Bella's face, forcing her to look at me. "This is not your fault. This is on Alice. She has no reason to actually believe there is anything going on here, but she's determined to make Tanya look like a victim, no matter what. I just don't want this to come between us."
"It's not going to," Bella assured me and pushed up on her toes to kiss me softly. "I told you, I'm all in, Cullen. I love you and I'm not going anywhere."
"Thank God, because I love you, too and I'm not going to let you go," I said and kissed her soundly. "Now, forget about my sister and let's get this mess cleaned up so I can take you to bed."
I sat up straight and rolled my shoulders to work out the tension. I'd been hunched over my drafting table all afternoon, struggling to get all the client's demands into one cohesive design. It was easier said than done, but I'd figure it out. I just needed a break. Aiming to take that break, I stood from the stool I was perched on and walked around behind my desk and dropped down into the chair and propped my feet on the desk. I reached up to rub my temples, trying to ward off the headache that had been brewing all day. It was only Monday afternoon, and the week was already dragging. After Friday night's drama, the rest of the weekend with Bella and Maggie had been great. Even if we had to be discreet around my daughter, I loved seeing her and Bella interact. Maggie loved Bella and I knew the feeling was mutual. Bella never tried to overstep, but she naturally fell into a motherly role and Maggie ate it up. Seeing them together though, was hard at times. I hated that Maggie had missed out on having a mother, but at the same time, deep down I was glad I didn't have to share her with Tanya. That's not to say I would have wished Tanya's fate on her, but if I'd had the chance to divorce her and coparent, I can't imagine it would have been easy.
Seeing Bella with Maggie also reminded me that I had to figure out a way to be free from Tanya. I wanted Maggie to have a mom, and I wanted that mom to be Bella, but I couldn't take the steps I wanted with the woman I loved until I was free. I just had no idea how to go about it. Divorce was the only option, of course, but was it even possible to divorce a woman in a coma? What kind of asshole would do that? The same kind that would cheat on her, I supposed, but I wouldn't change that, so I guess I was that kind of asshole. Maybe it was selfish as hell, but I felt like I'd given up enough of my life for a woman I didn't love and who hadn't loved me or honored our wedding vows.
With that thought, my mind circled back to the bullshit with my sister. I'm sure Alice would be more than happy to remind me that I wasn't honoring those same vows now. Hell, she seemed determined to inform the whole fucking world of that fact even though she didn't actually know it was fact. At least I was pretty sure she didn't know, and Emmett had agreed with me when we'd spoken Friday night out on Bella's deck.
I slammed out the back door and stalked outside onto Bella's deck, then stood staring into the darkness with my elbows braced on the railing. I couldn't believe Alice had talked a nurse into showing her the sign in logs to check up on me and Maggie! How dare she tell me how to raise my daughter? She thought Tanya was so fucking perfect and even if I told her the truth about our marriage, I doubt she would have believed me. I'd tried to do the right thing when Tanya was in the accident by not dragging her through the mud and telling everyone about the affair but look where that got me. I was trapped in a marriage I didn't want, unable to move forward with the woman I loved, forced to drag my daughter into a place that made her uncomfortable on a regular basis, and my sister was determined to destroy our entire family.
I heard the door open and close again, softly this time, and looked back over my shoulder to see Emmett. He stood beside me quietly for a few minutes, and I wondered if he was trying to give me time to calm down before telling me I should apologize to Alice. That wasn't going to fucking happen, so he could save his breath.
"I hope you're not out here to tell me I was too harsh with Alice. She's crossed too many lines lately in her blind allegiance to Tanya and I'm not letting her off the hook," I said harshly.
"Nah, man, I just came out here to see if you're okay," Emmett said as he bent forward and braced his elbows on the railing, adopting the same pose as me. "I happen to agree with you. Alice has always been a drama queen, but this is crazy, even for her."
Her behavior was crazy, yes, but I wondered what he would think if he knew Alice was right. I figured he'd find out soon enough because Rose would tell him, so I decided to beat her to the punch. I looked over at my big brother, staring into the dark backyard like I had been, and waited for his reaction when I spoke.
"Yeah, it's crazy, but what if I told you it was true?" I asked.
"Told me what was true?" he asked, glancing at me in confusion.
"Alice's accusations. What if I told you she was right, that Bella and I are together?"
My usually boisterous brother merely raised his eyebrows in question and surprise. "I take it that wasn't a hypothetical question?" I just shook my head. "Well, I guess I would say that I'm happy for you if you're happy."
"I am happy. With her," I qualified. "Not happy with the situation but Bella is worth it. Hell, she's worth more than this, but I can't give her up."
"Yeah, the situation is fucked, but I get it. You haven't been happy in a long time, bro, so if she makes you happy, then I can't argue with that. Just be careful though, man. More than just you and Bella stand to get hurt," Emmett said.
"Right now, I really don't care if Alice-,"
"I'm not talking about Alice," Emmett interrupted. "I know you and Bella and Maggie hang out a lot and I know neither of you would do anything on purpose, but Maggie's already attached…"
"Yeah, I know. But just so you know, Em, this isn't just a fling or casual sex. I love her," I said.
"Well, then I'm happy for you, little brother," he said, then stood and clapped me on the shoulder before turning to go back in the house.
"Do you think Alice really knows?" I asked quietly, turning back to the yard.
"Nah, there's no way she knows. I'm not even sure how seriously she takes her own suspicions, she's just painting Tanya as the victim, I think. She's always done that. But no, I don't think she knows. If she did, she'd be breathing fire," he said with a snort. "Now come on, let's get back inside. It's cold out here."
I was broken out of my thoughts when I heard another set of feet thump onto my desk. I raised my head up to see Emmett mirroring my pose from one of the chairs on the other side of my desk.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I came to ask you the same thing, bro. How was the rest of your weekend with my homegirl, Jelly Belly?" he asked and waggled his eyebrows. I was relieved when a glance over his shoulder confirmed he'd shut the door. He'd tried to keep his voice down, but Emmett didn't do quiet very well.
"It was good," I said and told him about our weekend and asked about his. It was nice to be able to talk to him and not have any secrets.
"You heard anything out of our sweet little sister?" he asked.
"Sweet, my ass," I laughed. "But no, nothing. I hope she stops this shit soon."
"Yeah, same here. I can't stand the way she's treating Bella. Even if she did know the truth, they've been tight since they were little. That kind of history should count for something," Emmett said.
"You're right. I think that's what shocked me the most when she started this crap a couple of months ago. But I've learned a lot the last few weeks, and Alice has apparently been putting Tanya first for years. I knew that on some level, but it goes way deeper than I ever realized," I told him. Emmett just shook his head and sat quietly for a moment. I knew he was struggling with Alice just as much as I was, even if he wasn't directly in the line of fire. After a moment, he plunked his feet back on the floor and sat up, reaching for a folder he'd laid on the chair beside him and we got back to work.
The week continued to drag on, and by Wednesday morning, I was convinced time had stopped altogether. Work had been crazy, and I hadn't gotten to see Bella in two days. I knew for now this was going to be the norm for our relationship, but I didn't have to like it. I was in the middle of tweaking a design for a particularly difficult to please client when my phone rang. I groaned when I glanced down and saw my sister on the display. I nearly didn't answer, but I couldn't avoid her forever, so I finally swiped to answer the call just before it could go to voicemail.
"Hello," I said.
"You need to come with me this afternoon to visit your wife," she barked into the phone. I rolled my eyes at her abrupt demand.
"Why, I'm doing fine, sister dear. Thank you for asking," I said sarcastically.
"Edward, I didn't call to play games. I'm serious. I'm visiting Tanya this afternoon and I expect you to be there."
"Oh, then by all means, let me drop everything and run right over," I snapped. "Seriously, Alice? You call and make demands without even an apology for the shitty way you've treated me and your fucking best friend lately? You really are delusional if you think you get to decide when and how often I visit Tanya. I'll tell you one last time. It's none of your business, so back the hell off."
"I will not back off until you act like a decent husband and put your wife first!" she yelled.
"You have no idea what you are talking about, Alice," I said wearily.
"Then explain it to me. If you're such a saint, enlighten me on how I have it all wrong and you're husband of the year," she snarked.
"I don't owe you an explanation, Alice, especially after the way you've acted lately. So, since you clearly didn't call to apologize, I have work to do, and you are keeping me from it. I'll talk to you when you come to your senses," I said and reached down to end the call. Before I could, though, Alice got my attention again.
"Wait!"
"What, Alice? I really am busy."
"Yes, yes, I know. So busy you can't visit your wife or take your daughter to see her mother. And I realize I can't make you, but I can take Maggie. So, I'm going to pick her up from school and take her to see Tanya."
"The fuck you are," I growled. "You will not pick up my child without my permission. And again, it is not your place to decide when or if she sees Tanya."
"Edward, it's important for her to see her mother. Tanya needs her!" she cried.
"Tanya doesn't need her. Tanya is all but brain dead, Alice. That may be harsh, but it's the fucking truth. She doesn't know if Maggie is there or not and it's not your place to force Maggie into a situation that makes her uncomfortable," I said through clenched teeth.
"She wouldn't be uncomfortable if you took her more."
"Whether that's true or not, I don't have to justify the way I raise my daughter to you. Now, back off and let this go, Alice. Goodbye."
I disconnected the call before she could say anything else and then ran a shaky hand through my hair. Alice just continued to push this and was spiraling more and more out of control. I hated what I was about to do, but I wouldn't put Maggie at risk, so I picked up the phone and dialed her school. I spoke to the secretary and the principal both to make sure they understood that Alice and Jasper Whitlock needed to be removed from the list of people authorized to pick Maggie up. I didn't want to lump Jasper in, and I knew he wouldn't do anything on his own, but I couldn't take the chance Alice would send him under the guise that I'd asked for one of them to pick her up. My next step was harder, but it had to be done. Resigned, I left my office and walked down the hall to my mother's. I'd tell Emmett and Rose, too, just so they were in the loop, but telling my mother that my sister was not allowed anywhere near Maggie was not going to be a pleasant conversation.
Later that evening, Maggie was settled in front of the TV while Bella and I cleaned the kitchen. Bella had come over for dinner, but we hadn't been able to talk in front of Maggie, and I was anxious to tell her what had happened with Alice that afternoon.
"So, Alice called this afternoon," I began hesitantly. I wanted to talk to Bella, but I knew she would be upset.
"Oh? I'm guessing by the tone of your voice that she didn't call to apologize and make everything better," Bella said and turned to lean on the counter, facing me.
"Not exactly," I said, leaning on the island across from her. "She called to demand I visit Tanya this afternoon."
"Ah. That doesn't surprise me. She's been texting me all week nagging me to go tomorrow, but I'm holding firm. I'm not going this week."
"Knowing what I do now about the way Tanya treated you, the way they both treated you, why did you ever visit her as much as you did?" I asked, genuinely curious as to why Bella had put up with Alice and Tanya as long as she had.
"It was just easier to appease Alice than to fight her on it, and it wasn't like they treated me badly all the time," Bella shrugged. "But anyway, you didn't go with her either, which I'm sure thrilled her. So, what happened? I know she didn't just accept no for an answer and move on."
"Yeah, definitely not," I snorted, then took a breath to gather my thoughts. "She threw what a shitty husband I am in my face and then tried to guilt me into taking Maggie. When I refused that she said she would pick her up from school and take her to see Tanya herself." Bella gasped, but I continued. "I told her in no uncertain terms she would not take Maggie anywhere and that it wasn't her call when or if Maggie and I see Tanya. Then I called the school and informed them Alice is no longer allowed to pick her up. Jasper, either, just to be safe."
Bella's brow was furrowed in concern and frustration, then I watched her expression morph into sadness, and she crossed her arms and hunched her shoulders. "Edward, this is tearing your family apart. I don't want to, but maybe it would be better if I just got out of the picture for a while."
"No, baby, that's not better for anyone, other than Alice, maybe. And I really don't give a shit right now about what is good for Alice. Maybe that's harsh, but she's gone too far."
"Yes, she's gone too far, but-," Bella said, but I placed a finger over her lips to stop her.
"I know what you're going to say, but it doesn't matter if she's technically right. She doesn't know we're really together, and even if she did, it doesn't give her the right to treat us like this. Alice is a grown woman, and she needs to act like one. She doesn't get to throw a tantrum and get her way."
"I just hate what it's doing to your family and that I'm the cause," Bella said, leaning forward and resting her forehead on my chest.
I rubbed her back and said, "Baby, you are not the cause. This is on Alice. And we know for a fact that Em and Rose are on our side, and my parents are too, even if they don't know the whole story. Please don't take this all on yourself."
Bella stood back up straight and nodded, biting her lip. She looked like she was about to say more, but we heard Maggie coming our way. We both turned and watched as Maggie skidded into the kitchen in her socked feet.
"Daddy, Bella, you should have seen it!" Maggie exclaimed and then launched into a funny tale from the show she'd been watching. When she was finished, I glanced at the clock and realized it was time to get her ready for bed.
"Alright, little girl, it's time for a bath then bed for you," I said, scooping her into my arms before she could take off. This was our usual routine. I announced bedtime and she found any excuse to put it off.
"I'll finish up these dishes, then I'll get out of your hair. Maggie, give me a hug and I'll see you this weekend, okay?" Bella said, reaching for her.
Maggie launched herself from my arms into Bella's and hugged her tightly. "Bella, I don't want you to go home. Will you give me a bath and read my story tonight?"
Bella glanced at me, and I nodded with a shrug. "Alright, I think we can swing that," Bella said.
"Yay! You gotta see my bath toys! I have a fish that really swims," Maggie chattered as Bella carried her toward the stairs.
"Mags, you run on up to your room and get your pajamas while Bella and I get your bath going," I said, and Bella set her on her feet. Maggie took off up the stairs and I turned and pulled Bella into my arms.
"Thank you for staying," I said. "She loves having you here. And so do I."
"I love being here, and I love her, Edward. I know I'm not her mother, but I really do enjoy spending time with her," Bella said softly and kissed my lips briefly. "Now, are you helping with bath time or am I just meeting you on the couch after she's in bed?"
"Mmmm," I kissed her again. "I better help so we can get to the couch quicker. Maggie will delay as long as possible and you're a sucker."
"I can't help it, she's just so cute," Bella grinned, then added, "Just like her daddy." I laughed and swatted at her butt as she walked up the stairs in front of me.
After we got Maggie bathed and settled down for the night, we curled up on the couch with a glass of wine. Bella would need to head home soon, so I pulled her halfway onto my lap trying to make the most of the time we had.
"What are your plans for Thanksgiving? I can't believe it's only a couple of weeks away," I said as we sat quietly together.
"I'm going to Forks," she said. "I assume your mom is doing the usual at their house?"
"Yeah," I confirmed. "You're always invited, you know. I wish you were going to be there."
"Edward," she said, turning in my arms enough to look up at me. "I'd love nothing more than to be there with you, but I think it's probably best to lay low for a while. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of avoiding everyone forever, but me being at a big family dinner with Alice is probably not the best idea. Hopefully she'll calm down soon, but I don't think any of us want another showdown on Thanksgiving. Besides, I haven't seen my parents in a while. I really do need to go to Forks."
I nodded, knowing she was right, but that didn't make the prospect of spending the holiday without her any easier. It did, however, strengthen my resolve to figure out the steps to be free for her.
Author's Note:
Oh, Edward…he had the perfect opening to tell Alice the truth and he didn't take it! No way she would have believed him and it would have just started even more drama, but still…It will come out soon, though!
Also, just a reminder…Tanya is not completely brain dead…she is breathing on her own. She is not on life support, but she will not recover or ever regain consciousness.
Next up, we'll finally meet Bella's family! Let me know what you think!