22

"Are you sure this is the house you want?"

Sighing, Bella nodded and looked at her father, who was standing next to her in the small front yard.

"It's going to be drafty. These windows aren't going to be sealed properly. And you know how hard the winters are here, Izzy."

"The windows are fine, Dad."

Charlie huffed and folded his arms in front of him. "Still think you and the baby should stay with me. I have plenty of room, and Jay's walls are already blue, so you won't have to paint them for my grandson."

"Are you kidding me? Jay's walls need to be repainted, Dad, regardless. If you moved the dresser, you'd be able to see the different shades of blue due to the paint fading."

Charlie laughed. "Suppose you're right there, honey." He looked down at her and grinned. "It is a cute house."

"I told you so," she quipped as a car pulled into the driveway behind her car. Taking a deep breath, Bella placed her hand on her belly as they turned to face Jessica and her seventeen-year-old son Michael. He was tall, lanky, and had shaggy blond hair and bright blue eyes. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets as he followed his mother to where they were standing.

"Mrs. Newton, Michael," Charlie said with a nod.

"Sorry we're late," Jessica said, though she wasn't late. Bella and Charlie had been early. "I didn't realize you and Mr. Swan were related, Izzy."

"He's my father," Bella said, gesturing toward him. "I didn't think about you knowing each other, either."

"Michael is a junior. Class president, captain of the football team, plays basketball and baseball, too," Charlie rambled on. "Heard you might be looking at Duke or North Carolina after graduation."

"Yes, sir. I'm hoping to get a football scholarship," he admitted, nodding. "But I don't want to jinx it, so . . ." Michael shifted his eyes from Charlie to the house and then Bella. "Mom says you're expecting a boy."

"I am," Bella said, rubbing her belly. "I can't imagine how hard it is for you and your mother to let this place go, knowing how hard your father worked on it."

Michael nodded. "He wouldn't want it to sit here empty, though. He . . ." With a shake of his head, he looked away and blew out a thick, emotional breath. "I'm going to come by in the summer and take care of the yard for you if that's okay."

"You don't need to do that. I'm sure I can manage."

Michael smiled as he looked back at her. "I'm sure you can, too, Mrs. Cullen, but I'm still going to, so don't worry about it. I'll make sure you know ahead of time, too. Just . . . just take care of the house, okay? Please?"

Bella nodded and watched as Michael turned and hurried back to the car, climbing inside. "Is he okay?"

"He's as okay as either of us can be given the circumstances. He's . . . He and his father were extremely close, and at the end, when Mike was so sick, he would take care of him when I had to work," Jessica paused, pressing her lips together. "I told myself not to cry today."

"Your husband was a good man, Mrs. Newton. A really good man," Charlie said, placing his hand on Bella's back.

"Yes, he was." Jessica dug the keys to the house out of her jacket pocket and held them toward Bella. "Well, now that all the papers have been signed, this place officially belongs to you, Izzy. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call me or my son. We . . . We hope you're happy here. You and your son."

Jessica turned and hurried to the car, climbing behind the wheel and driving away. Bella clenched the keys tightly as she looked at her father. "You knew her husband?"

Charlie nodded. "He was very involved in Michael's life. Pushed him in the classroom as much as he did on the football field or basketball court. He got sick at the start of Michael's freshman year and passed away that summer. The cancer moved quickly, and we worried about Michael; how he would handle losing his father so quickly. Well, there were tough moments, but he's a good kid, smart and tough. If he says he'll take care of the yard for you, he will, so don't bother arguing with him. Izzy. It won't do any good."

Bella smiled. "Fine, not like I won't have my hands full this summer."

Charlie laughed. "Yes, you will. Now, are you going to show me around?"

"I suppose so."

As they headed inside and she showed him the small, two-bedroom house, Bella found herself imagining what it would be like when her son was born. Blowing out a thick breath, she slid her hand along her belly, her eyes filling with tears.

"It's nice, Izzy. It's really nice." Charlie turned the corner from the hallway into the living room, stopping and frowning. "Are you okay? Are you in pain?"

"What? No, of course not," she whimpered. "I don't know. I just miss him a little more than normal right now. He would have liked this house, don't you think?"

"He would." Charlie walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Bella rolled her eyes. "Well, I've already paid for it, so . . ."

Charlie smiled. "Fine, fine. Jay's offered to help you move in this weekend."

"Okay." She looked at her watch. "I've got to go. Heading into Minneapolis this afternoon."

"With Rosalie?" Charlie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No," she replied slowly. "Edward, actually."

"Izzy," he mumbled, shaking his head.

"He's going to meet with their sister. He asked if I would go with him. I couldn't say no."

"You could have," he quipped.

Charlie hadn't been happy to hear how Esme Platt had ambushed Bella at his house. She suspected he was worried she would run away in the middle of the night again. No matter how often she reassured him she was in Woodbury to stay, he doubted her. Not that she blamed him. She did leave in the middle of the night, and it took ten years and the death of her husband to return.

"I know you blame him for the accident, Dad. For a long time, I did, too. But . . . It wasn't his fault that Jake died and I got hurt. I shouldn't have gotten in the car that night. Jake should have ignored the dare, and neither of them should have been drinking or smoking pot. But they did, and I did, and as much as I wish we could change what happened, we can't. Just like I can't change the night Carlisle died, no matter how much I wish I could."

"No, I know. I just . . . Edward was reckless, Izzy. Not just that night, but a hundred before and probably after."

"He's been clean and sober for almost ten years, Dad. He got clean for me and Carlisle because we cut him out of our lives. He changed for us and for himself, but mostly because he'd lost us. Ever since I got back from New York, he's been there. And so have you and Jay, so please don't misunderstand me," she added when she saw him beginning to get defensive. "But he lost his brother, and I guess we've kind of bonded over that. I just . . . He needs me to do this with him, just like I needed him to go to New York with me."

Charlie sighed. "Fine, fine. I guess you're an adult and can do whatever you want, Izzy. But be careful. Just be careful."

"I will, I promise."

After locking the house, Bella dropped Charlie off and headed to the Oasis. Edward was waiting for her outside, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of a denim jacket he'd had since they were in high school. He wore it all the time, and she'd been the only other person he ever let wear it. He pushed away from the building when she stopped and unlocked the doors.

"Fuck it's colder than shit outside," he swore when he climbed inside.

"Why were you waiting outside?"

He frowned. "I'm, um, a little nervous, and there's a lot of booze inside, so . . . Thought it was safer if I waited for you out here."

"I'm nervous, too."

"You are?"

Bella nodded. "But she deserves to know you, Edward. She deserves better than to be lied to."

"He called me this morning. Dad, I mean. He called this morning asking about you."

"Me? What would he be asking about me?"

Edward shrugged his shoulders before reaching behind him and pulling on his seatbelt. "My guess is he's hoping you'll give him Carlisle's life insurance. Motherfucker only cares about money."

"Well, he's not getting it. I've already spent it."

"You have?"

She laughed before she drove onto the highway. "I used most of it to pay for the house, which you need to come see, by the way. Got the keys this morning. It's officially mine."

"Nice, Izzy."

She smiled. "The rest I've put into a savings account to open my studio after the baby is born, and I'm ready."

"I can help, you know? With bills or whatever. Lawn care, maybe?"

"Someone has already beat you to it, Edward."

"Your dad?"

Bella shook her head. "The son of the lady I bought the house from has given me his solemn vow that he will mow my yard all summer long."

"He did, huh?" Edward nodded. "Big commitment to make six months ahead of time."

Bella glanced at him, noticing the way he was staring intensely out the front window. She smiled. "Are you jealous of a seventeen-year-old boy, Edward?"

"Yes," he admitted, turning his head toward her. "But not in the way you're implying, of course. I want to be the man taking care of your house for you, Izzy."

Bella inhaled a sharp breath as she looked away.

"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

"Didn't you?"

"Maybe, but I'm not trying to pressure you into . . . into feeling anything for me. I hope you know that."

"I do," she murmured but then added. "I do have feelings for you, Edward. I do, but I'm not ready for more. I just . . . I just need some time to sort my life out. For me and my son."

"I'm willing to give you as much time as you need, Izzy. I've waited a long time for you to see me as someone other than Carlisle's wayward brother. I'll take whatever part of your life you're willing to give me."

Unsure how to respond, Bella simply reached over and turned up the radio.

—RtW—

Twenty-eight minutes later, Bella parked in front of the café. While Esme and Garrett agreed to meet them, they didn't want them to come to her townhouse, something Bella could respect. So, they decided to meet at the café. Public and safe, Esme told Bella when she called. Protective, Bella thought. Again, it was something she could respect. They'd already invaded her life enough as it was.

"Didn't think I'd be this nervous," Edward muttered, causing Bella to look at him. He was staring into the building, where they could see Esme and Garrett sitting in the same booth she had always sat in during her stalking.

"Sure you did."

He tore his eyes away and looked at her. "What if . . . what if she doesn't want me in her life, Izzy? I already lost my brother."

"She might not," Bella admitted. "But you won't know until you try. She's really sweet, Edward. Kind and generous. You deserve to have at least one good person in your family."

"I have you. I don't need anyone else."

Bella inhaled a sharp breath.

"Sorry."

"Don't keep apologizing. I'm still getting used to you being so open with your feelings."

"Me too," he confessed before closing his eyes and inhaling through his nose and out between his lips. "Okay, okay, I'm ready."

Bella laid her hand on his, causing him to open his eyes and look at her. "I'm not leaving your side."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Together, they exited the car and walked inside. Garrett and Esme were immediately on their feet, her eyes locked on Edward's.

"Thought you were going to chicken out," Esme quipped, folding her arms in front of her. "I would introduce myself, but from what I've learned, you've known about me for a while."

"I have," Edward admitted. "Can we sit?"

Esme gestured to the booth before she slid in, followed by Garrett, who gave Bella a look first. Edward slid into the other side first, grabbing Bella's hand and tugging her next to him. Putting her on the outside would keep him from bolting, she thought.

Garrett wrapped his arm around Esme, clearing his throat before saying, "I'm Garrett. Just so you know."

"Sorry," Esme whispered.

"It's okay, babe." Garrett winked before his eyes flickered to Bella and then Edward. "It's nice to finally meet you."

Edward nodded. "You too."

Esme placed her hands flat on the table. "When did you find out about me?"

"Right before you started undergrad."

"Around the same time your brother . . . our brother started paying my rent. Did you know he was doing that?"

"Not until Izzy told me a few months ago."

Esme looked at Bella for a moment before turning back to Edward. "Did . . . did Dad tell you about me?"

"Um, no," he admitted. "After my mom died, Dad split and left me to take care of everything. While searching through their papers, I found your senior picture and letters from your mother to him. Wasn't hard to put the pieces together."

"She wrote him love letters?"

He nodded.

"Sounds like her," Esme groused. "Why didn't you come to me then?"

"Honestly, I was dealing with a lot. I don't know how much he told you, but I'm a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. It's been almost ten years since I've used, but it was hard enough to get through one hour to the next after my mom died . . . I guess I figured you were better off without me."

"Better off without you? Don't you think that's a decision I should have gotten to make for myself, seeing as it's my life you're talking about?"

"I mean, of course, but . . ."

"It's hard for him to rely on family," Bella said, shifting in the booth so she was leaning toward Edward. "Carlisle . . . He cut Edward out of our lives before we left for New York. He blamed him . . . for things that weren't his fault, and I let it happen."

"So why didn't you tell me?" Esme asked, shifting her attention to Bella. "You knew the night you went to the pub, didn't you? That's why you left Garrett such a generous tip. You thought you could buy us off."

"No. I mean, yes, I knew. I'd just learned about you, about how Carlisle was paying your rent, Esme. I needed to learn who you were — try to understand why he never told me about you."

"Did you ever find out?"

Bella hesitated before saying, "Yes."

"You did?" Edward asked. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because if I tell you, you're going to be upset."

"I don't care. Tell me."

"Okay, okay." Bella took a deep breath. "Your father threatened to come after me if Carlisle didn't take responsibility for her."

"He what?" Edward seethed through clenched teeth while Esme expressed the same two words in shocking horror.

"Why would he do that? How do you know?" Esme asked, and Garrett tightened his arm around her, pulling her close. "Tell me."

"Carlisle kept an online journal, and I was reading his entries, trying to understand why he kept you from me. One of his entries, dated about six years ago, talks about your father coming to him, telling him about you, and demanding he financially support you. Carlisle tried to refuse, but he threatened to come after me if he did, so . . ."

"And you never knew?" Garrett asked. "Didn't you wonder where that money went?"

"He'd set up a secret bank account, one I never knew about until he died."

"Wow," Garrett scoffed.

"You didn't understand who he was, what he overcame," Bella argued. "He and Edward . . . they were neglected and abused by both their parents. While their mother chose to drink her feelings, their father thought they made good punching bags. So maybe you could try to understand for just a second why he might have been a little guarded."

"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean any disrespect, Izzy. But he wasn't the only one with a piece of shit dad."

"Never said he was," she quipped.

Garrett opened his mouth to respond, but when Esme placed her hand on his chest and shook her head, he shut his lips.

"Look, I . . . I didn't know he had another family until about a month ago, either. I wasn't prepared to find out that Dad had this whole other life out there. I mean, he was never an attentive father, but . . ." Esme paused. "My mom talks about him all the time and tells me he was the greatest love of her life. She says this in front of my step-father, too. I just . . . I don't understand any of it." She looked at Bella. "You haven't cashed my check."

"No, I haven't." Bella slipped it from her back pocket, unfolded it, and laid it on the table. "I'm not going to, either. This money . . . it's not mine."

"I won't be bought."

"And I'm not trying to buy you." Bella slid the check toward her. "I don't understand why Carlisle did things the way he did, but I know that family was important to him," she cried and felt Edward wrap his arm around her shoulder. "He made mistakes; a lot of them, and so did I. He wouldn't want you to give up your dream, put school on hold, or anything because of him and his secrets. So, please, take your money back. I had already paid next month's rent. That should give you time to find a new apartment or figure out what you need to do. I hope you'll let Edward into your life, Esme. He's . . . He's worth it."

Slipping out of the booth, Bella rushed out of the café and over to her car. She leaned against it and looked back, finding Garrett following her.

"Come to gloat?"

"No," he said. "I, um, I thought they might need a minute alone. She's been anxious about meeting him."

"So was he."

"I didn't tell her."

"Then who did?"

"Her old man," Garrett said with a roll of his eyes. "Guess he'd just learned about Carlisle's death and thought she should know, too."

"How kind of him."

"I'm sorry. About his passing, I mean. I'm sorry."

"Thanks."

Garrett leaned next to her. "She said you live in Woodbury?"

Bella nodded.

"Never been there, myself. I'm from Kentucky. Came here for school. Stayed for her."

"Are you in medical school, too?"

"Oh, God, no. I'm not nearly smart enough to be a doctor." He laughed. "I am a culinary student."

"Awe, that's why you work two jobs."

"That and I've heard shelter and warmth are important. I'm trying to talk her into just moving in with me, saving herself a lot of money in rent and shit, but she's afraid she'll end up like her mother, you know? Dependent on a man to always take care of her."

"That's very considerate of you, but have you thought that maybe depending on someone else and then losing that person is devastating?"

"Can't say I have."

Bella bit her lip as they looked back at the café, watching Esme and Edward leave the booth. They both hesitated before wrapping their arms around each other and hugging.

"Guess it went good, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

As Edward left the café, Garrett hurried inside, wrapping Esme in his arms. Bella unlocked her car and slid behind the wheel, waiting for Edward to join her. He put his seatbelt on before placing his clenched fists on his knees, his eyes closing.

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know." He looked at her. "Can we just not talk about her right now? I just . . . I just need a minute to process everything."

"Yeah, of course."

Bella started the car, pulled away from the curb, and headed back toward Woodbury. When she reached to change the radio station, she heard him sniff, and looking over, she saw the tears on his cheeks. Unsure of what to say, she simply placed her hand on top of his and let him cry.

Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews! Big thanks to Sunflower Fran for being an amazing Beta and friend! See you next Wednesday!