A/N:
These characters don't have totally canon personalities so they may seem a bit different at times. For instance, Edward and Bella have a baby out of wedlock in this fic, where in canon they did not. Also, in this chapter it's mention that this Edward likes to read something that canon Edward probably never would. It's fine. It's part of this story. So is the way Alicem acts in this chapter.
And please remember, Anthony is not fully human. Hybrids in this story generally don't sleep at nigh. They also don't tire easily and have a lot of energy. Anthony is also a baby and communicates mainly by crying, but again, that does not tire him out like it would for a human baby.
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My Airpods were in my ears and I was listening to a song as I stood by my window gazing out into the forest. It was 4AM and I had been pacing around my room with a baseball in my right hand and a glove on my left, playing catch to pass the time. But I got momentarily distracted and had stopped. From the other side of the room Anthony's breath sputtered. I turned to him, he was in the middle of my bed, propped up in his sports themed Boppy pillow. His face was splotchy red and his eyes were and puffy since he had been crying less than 20 seconds ago, which was why I had my Airpods in.
As Taylor Swift's Don't Blame Me came through my Airpods I slid my phone out of the front pocket of my jeans, and skipped that song, but I also glanced at my son. His eyes were locked on me. Once a song I actually enjoyed listening to was blaring through my earbuds, I slid my phone back in my pocket, and went back to tossing the ball up in the air and catching it. All the while I walked around my room drowning myself in music and pretending I had everything under control.
Anthony growled, trying to get my attention. A surge of unsureness jolted through me. Did he need something? Was he going to cry again? I turned and my eyes met his. With his big green eyes on me he was taking in my every move. His mind suggested he enjoyed watching me, and may or may not want me to get closer; he was undecided. I wasn't about to go to him. No. Not yet. Because he did not want to be held or touched; he had had too much of that, therefore I was keeping my distance.
The song ended and one of my favorites Pick Me by Alec Benjamin came on. I quickly began to lose myself into the music. Humming along to the song I went back to pacing around my room as I played catch by myself.
Listening to music calmed me down. It made me feel at peace but in no way was I trying to avoid my son. That was not the reason for me having my Airpods in my ears. Normally the music I was listening to would not have been for my ears only, and I didn't intend for it to be that way. However, my little guy screamed his head off when I had the music pouring out of the speakers that were hidden in the walls, about a minute after we entered my room. Music seemed to darken his already horrible mood. Therefore, I had grabbed my Airpods and turned it on for me.
Over the song that I was listening to I heard a grunt come from my son. Once again, I looked his way to find that his big eyes had a curious gleam as he watched me. I studied him and noticed his chest heave. His breath was heavy. I hoped it was from his recently have shed tears, and not a sign he was going to break into a fit of sobs again. At least he was appearing to be more content than he had been minutes ago. I was very relieved he was finally becoming peaceful.
He was tired, I could tell, but was fighting his sleep the way no human baby could. He did have two very, very short naps in my mother's arms after she fed him. However, two short sleeps that were under ten minutes each were not enough to refresh anyone; he was very cranky.
His mood became worse after 3 hours of being held nonstop by everyone, not to mention Alice changing his outfit every 10 minutes and taking countless pictures of him, a switch flipped inside his brain. Unfortunately, that invisible switch inside his mind ignited a screaming fit. Alice was very startled since she had no warning it was going to happen when she had him on her lap; she had been putting a pair of baby cowboy boots on his tiny feet and immediately froze. The expression on her face was comical to me. Though my humor was short-lived when my son became very loud and my spiky haired sister placed him in my arms. I was definitely out of my wheelhouse and didn't have a clue what to do. Which prompted my family to step in and come to my rescue.
My mother and Rosalie did their best to calm him down, but were unable to. Even Jasper tried and failed. Carlisle and Emmett attempted a few things while Alice put her two-cents in. Nothing worked. My parents and oldest siblings had their suspicions that Anthony's tantrum of sorts was from him missing his mother. However, it was only a theory. None of my family knew what was the matter or how to make him feel better, but I did. Well, I didn't know what was wrong right away. It took close to a half hour for my son's mind to become readable to me. Once I saw the images in his mind I explained to my family what was wrong. He was not used to so many unfamiliar people hovering and doting on him. Nor was he used to his surroundings being so loud, with all of us talking and a television on in the background. He was over-stimulated and had enough; he wanted to be in a quiet place with one person.
Unfortunately, the person he wanted was not here. If it wasn't the middle of the night I would have gone and picked Bella up. However, it was the middle of the night, and she was human. This was the time most humans slept, which was why I resisted the urge to call her. The last thing I wanted to do was wake her when she needed sleep.
That being said, I made the choice to bring him into my room where it was just the two of us. The first several minutes were tough on my ears; he would not stop crying. He had been very upset and I was a nervous wreck and I wasn't sure what to do. My mother wanted to help, but my father reminded her I needed to do this on my own. Figuring out how to stop my son's crying when he did not want to be held or even talk to was not easy.
Over the years I had heard from peoples' minds that babies enjoyed music. Hoping that was true I had turned on my stereo and turn the volume on low. It didn't take me long to figure out that music was not going to brighten my son's mood. He began screaming at the top of his lungs, drowning out the song that had been playing. In quick movements I shut off the stereo and tried bouncing him the way my parents had. It had quietened him down when they did it, but it had the opposite effect when I did it. Wonderful.
He was not happy and I had no idea what to do. So, I placed him in his pillow and took my Airpods off my desk. Then I went over to my shelf and grabbed my ball and glove. I paced around my room tossing the ball in the air and catching it as I listened to music, trying to drown out the sound of him working through his emotions so loudly.
Parenting's new for me. It was something I had no time to prepare for. I was thrusted into it; therefore, I wasn't sure if letting him cry it out was right. All I knew is I did not know what else to do. At least he was quiet now; he was also very interested in the items I held.
A thought began to form in my mind as I stood at my desk and removed my earbuds. It was a small idea that thrilled me.
"Anthony," I spoke my son's name as I spun around. "What would you say if I taught you about baseball? Would you like that?" I held up the glove and ball in my left hand to show him what I was talking about.
Anthony made no noise, he sat very still and rapidly blinked.
Taking that as a yes, I grinned. I felt excited about sharing my knowledge of the game I loved with my son. Long ago I had tried to do that with Bella, but it did not go as planned. Hopefully I will have better luck with Anthony. Since trying to teach his mother about America's favorite pastime was a lot more chaotic than I had anticipated. Back then, I did not fully comprehend how much of a disaster magnet she truly was. She's not the type of person who could be told about the game and learn it that way. No. To fully comprehend it, she had to physically play the game while I explained it to her. It appeared simple and harmless, yet, it ended up to be a nightmare. Who knew teaching Bella how to play baseball would result in a trip to the ER? Not only was that the day she broke her ankle and got two other injuries, but she also discovered she had an allergy to bees after she fell on one and it stung her on her elbow.
Shaking that memory away I focused on him.
"First lesson in baseball," I crossed the room and stood before him. "This is a baseball and this is a baseball glove." I held them up for him to see.
Anthony's eyes were huge with excitement. He happily grunted and reached his tiny hands out.
"Do you want to hold the baseball? Or do you want the glove?" I asked.
His only response was to narrow his eyes and stare at me.
Both. He wanted both. I know because I could read his mind.
"Okay." I said as I sat on my bed beside him. Very gently, I placed the ball in his lap and glove beside him.
Happy as could be, he smiled crookedly at me. He slapped both of his hands on the ball and babbled away. He really liked the baseball, even though it was much too big for him to hold. All he could do was hit it with his palms, and that is exactly what he did.
Even though he was occupied with the baseball I knew I had his undivided attention. I spoke his name and his eyes met mine. Immediately, I went into teaching mode. I spent the next 20 minutes educating him on baseballs, bats, and gloves. As well as strikes, line-dives, and pop-flies. Despite him being an infant, he was able to absorb everything was saying.
Grabbing the ball to explain and demonstrate what a bulk is, I stood up. Anthony stuck out his bottom lip in a pouty way. His hands clenched into fists as his lips quivered and he tossed his head back, and opened his mouth. I stood still as he began to cry, his chest heaved, and fear ran through me like a rushing river. No one told me babies have rapid mood swings - happy one minute and emotional the next. I always assumed teenagers were the only ones that went through that, but here we were.
"Anthony, I wasn't taking this from you." I held up the ball I had removed from his lap, showing it to him.
He did not hear a word I said. All he did was sob, tears pouring down his cheeks while images of his mother ran from his mind to mine. Of course, he missed her and somehow me removing the ball from his lap made him want her. He would have to wait till morning. Then he could go with me to pick up his mother who would spend the day with us.
Anthony howled, bringing me back to the here and now.
Deciding our lesson was over, I placed the baseball back in his lap. I had hoped that would calm him down; it did not. Running my hand through my hair I went over a checklist in my mind: He wasn't thirsty, he had a clean diaper, wasn't tired, and did not want to be held. Not sure what else he could need; my eyes roamed around my room, landing on my nightstand. Right where a yellow pacifier laid next to a book with a picture of a gorilla and a half moon in the background.
Seeing the pacifier made my dead heart leap. I was sure that the artificial nipple was what he needed. There was no doubt in my mind that he would relax if I gave it to him. As fast as I could, I moved to the other side of the bed and picked up the pacifier, placed it in his mouth, and like magic his crying stopped. Amazed with how it relaxed him, I sat on the edge of the bed. He rapidly sucked on it as I caught his thoughts. He was thinking of a dark room and his mother reading a book to him as she cuddled up to him. He was used to the nighttime routine Bella had for him. She had explained it all to me, but I wasn't doing a good job of following it.
Trying to do what my son needed, I got up and turned off the light. Then I reached for the book and laid on the bed beside him. He was still moody and did not want to be held, so I left him in his pillow as I read to him.
The book was short, it was over in a few minutes. However, he demanded I re-read it every time I got to the ending. Reading to him was a nice quiet activity that kept him calm. I ended up reading the book 429 times - straight in a roll. Even though I had had enough he wanted more. However, I couldn't read that book for another second. My mind was feeling like oatmeal. I shut the book for the last time and he stared at me with sad eyes.
"It's hard to imagine that's considered children's literature." I mumbled to myself as I sat up. Placing the book back on my nightstand I wondered how many times Bella had read it to him, and if she actually enjoyed reading it or not. Because I didn't.
Anthony fussed. The sound was muffled by his pacifier.
"I know what you want but I'm all done reading. No more Goodnight Gorilla, the gorilla went to sleep." I told him.
He kicked his feet on the bed as he stared at me. He wanted his way and I was not about to give in. Not for this. I could not read Goodnight Gorilla again. I knew Bella read other books to him but this was the only one she sent with him. Of course, I had books of my own. But I wasn't sure if he would be interested in what I found intriguing. Books like Ghost Deer, The Hardy Boys, Eragon, Monster's Proof or She Drives Me Crazy.
Yeah, especially not the last one. Same sex romance for young adults would not be appropriate for an infant. Sure, the books I read in that category were very PG and not graphic at all, since I didn't care for personal details about fictional characters love lives. But still, I would definitely not be visiting that type of fantasy world with my son. The fact that I liked to indulge in lesbain romance was my personal fetish – it wasn't something I shared with anyone. Only two people in this world who knew I read those type of books: Alice and Bella.
Unfortunately, both of them knew about it for different reasons. Alice knew about my curiosity because she "saw" when I made the decision to read a romance book. Though thankfully, she plays the blind eye and never brings it up. Otherwise, I would be deeply mortified. A guy born in 1901 was not suppose to enjoy stuff like that; it wasn't proper. And Bella was aware about my fetish because she was the one who checked the book out of the Forks High School library. The book she borrowed had been about two girls having an unspoken attraction for each other, and she had been curious to read about it. But she had also been bashful about such things and never opened the book. However, one night in her room while she slept curiosity got the better of me and I ended up reading it. By chance she woke up in the middle of the night and caught me reading it; I was embarrassed but she saw it as a good sign about me exploring modern sexuality. She was fine with it which made me feel better about it. Ever since then I read those type of books every now and then.
Anthony snorted, never taking his eyes off of me. His thoughts let me know he was unhappy with me; he wanted me to read his book to him again.
I shook my head at his thoughts as we sat there having a staring match. Ninety-nine seconds later, there was a knock at my door. Not being able to hear the approaching thoughts startled me, causing me to jump. Anthony appeared surprised too as I turned to my door and called, "Come in."
The door opened and my son's heart rate picked up. I turned to him just in time to see the alarmed expression on his face. He looked like we were being ambushed as his uncles and aunts stepped in.
Alice skipped across the room, dragging Jasper by his hand like a ragdoll. She let go of him and flung herself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug.
"What are you doing?" I asked, almost toppling off the side of my bed. If I wouldn't have balanced myself on my elbows, I would have been on the floor. My mother would not have been happy in the least if I made a dent in her hardwood floor.
"Oh!" Alice let go of me and stood up. She looked embarrassed as she said, "I forgot you can't read my mind."
That was a lie, of course. We are vampires and are unable to forget anything. Why she wasn't telling the truth was beyond me.
"No. I can't." I was unamused with her behavior as I sat straight up.
Jasper eyed me, noticing the irritated expression on my face as he stepped forward.
"We -all of us- were leaving and wanted to come say bye to Anthony." He explained the reason for this spare of the moment group visit.
"That's fine. Just please don't pick him up, he doesn't want that. And I don't want him crying again." I warned everyone.
My siblings would be coming back after sunrise, they always did. But still, they wanted to say goodbye to him. I was sure this was an excuse to see him again. One by one, they said goodbye to Anthony, Rose kissed his cheek, Jasper patted his head, and Emmett tried to teach my infant how to do a fist bump. Alice was the last to approach my son and I had to scold her for attempting to pick him up. Sometimes she just doesn't listen.
"Sorry." She said. "He's just too cute not to hold. Well, thank you for my real-life dress up companion, he's better than a doll. When the sun comes up I'm going to buy baby formal wear and he and I are going to have so much fun. I plan on buying props and taking so many pictures of him in different poses dressed in a tux. I'm also going to open his own IG and TikTok accounts. He's so adorable he'll have tons of followers in no time."
"What?" I didn't understand what she was saying. Did anyone? I didn't think so.
Alice was often difficult for me to understand when she regressed in her mind, like she was doing now. She was acting like an overexcited school girl rather than her actual age of nineteen. She was also definitely acting far off the mark from the one-hundred-twenty-three years she has existed.
"What part did you not understand?" Alice asked me.
"All of it." I admitted.
Snickers and giggles erupted from the peanut gallery in the room. So maybe they had understood what Alice had rattled off. Or maybe they just found it funny that I couldn't anticipate what she might do or say. I couldn't be sure since I was unable to read their minds.
"Edward, listen closely," Alice spoke like she was talking to a 3-year-old. "When the sky goes from dark to light" -she pointed out the window trying to add emphasis to her words- "I'm going to go buy your son casual and formal attire for his photoshoot."
My eyes darted from my son who was staring at everyone, to my hyper sister. She was slightly bouncing on the balls of her feet. She was too happy to stand still and that concerned me.
"He's a baby!" I pointed to my son who was now touching the glove that was next to him. "Who doesn't need fancy clothes. That's no concern to him. Nor does he need a social media account of any kind."
"I disagree." She placed her hands on her hips. "He's getting evening wear for his IG and TikTok."
I pinned her to the wall with my stare. "No. Absolutely not to both of those things. Bella and I are his parents and we make decisions for Anthony. Not you! Understood?"
She rolled her eyes. I glared at her.
"Edward!" She exclaimed. Her tone was half exasperated, half demanding.
"Alice!" I spoke her name in the same tone she had mine as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"Oh, come on. Have a little fun and let me make your baby Instagram and TikTok famous." She whined, sounding like a spoiled little girl.
I shook my head no. "My mind is made up, Alice. No social media for him and that is final."
My words were firm. I hoped it would put an end to this madness. Of course, that was wishful thinking. Alice did not relent, nor did I. We openly disagreed for several more minutes. Our siblings were quiet until Emmett made a comment about how Anthony would look like a tiny lawyer in a suit and tie. Jasper corrected him, saying my son would look more like a boss baby, just like the character in the animated movie Boss Baby.
I peeled my eyes away from Alice and stared at Jasper, deadpan.
"What?" He shrugged. "He is a boss baby. After all, he bosses you around and you let him."
My only reply was to blink. Seriously?
Jasper laughed, Anthony sucked on his pacifier, and Alice rambled off more nonsense about unneeded baby clothes and social media accounts. This was crazy. Nothing I said would make Alice see things my way. Feeling helpless I glanced at where Emmett and Rosalie stood by my open door. Maybe they would be able to help.
Emmett turned to Rose. He was wrapped up in the drama that was my life, and was paying no mind to me. "Told ya, Babe, this would be hilarious to witness," he loudly whispered; playfully, japping his elbow in Rose's right rib.
Rosalie shook her head. Her gaze landed on me, and her eyes caught mine. An understanding flickered in her golden irises. Then she looked at our sister and rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Alice, Anthony is a baby not a baby doll. You cannot dress him up all the time. Sometimes you just have to leave him in the clothes he's wearing, even if you don't like them." She said in a motherly tone.
"That won't look good on his TikTok and IG." Alice huffed.
My arms where cross over my chest and I was shaking my head no. Anger was bubbling up inside me. I did not approve of my newborn baby being on any social media accounts for millions of strangers to gawk at his photo. I knew my way of thinking wasn't the norm and my siblings didn't share it. My point of view about not befriending strangers over the internet and sharing photos of my child's life with them came from the time I lived on my own. Those few years I hunted the worst humans imaginable changed my outlook on humanity. I knew the minds of criminals too well. They are like chameleons in a way, hiding in plain sight, pretending they are trustworthy when they aren't. Now add the fact that they are now able to hide behind a keyboard, and my anxiety was going thru the roof. Those type of individuals where not the kind of humans I wanted looking at my child's photos.
"No." I growled out the word.
Before Alice could say a word Emmett did.
"Sorry little sis, that's his kid." Emmett said to her as he pointed to me. "You have to be respectful of his wishes."
Relief washed over me. It was nice to have support.
"But it would be so much fun to post his picture and get tons of likes and followers for him." She said in a dreamy way.
"You're not using my child for your nonsense." I blurted out in disgust.
"Maybe go out and buy a bearded dragon and put the big lizard in a tiny cowboy hat." Emmett suggested in a serious tone.
"What? Why on Earth would I do that?" Alice stared at him like he was crazy.
"Human's on the interwebs love animals dressed in people clothes." He shrugged.
"Sounds like a plan, Em. Anything else to add to that?" I urged my oldest brother to continue. So far, I liked his idea.
He grinned, happy someone liked his suggested. "Word on the street is small animals in clothes are gold on YouTube." Emmett explained. "So, why wouldn't it be the same for the other social apps as well? You should try it, Alice. Oh! Frogs wearing hats are great for catching a big fan base too. So are snakes. I bet human's would go crazy over furry hamsters sitting at a tiny picnic table eating miniature food."
Alice pouted and Emmett guffawed. He found too much humor in her reaction. Before he could say anything off-putting Rose grabbed his hand and pulled him with her as she left my room. That left me and my son with Alice and Jasper.
Jasper stood beside his wife. He placed one hand on her shoulder and the other under her chin, lifting and turning her face up for her eyes to meet his. "Alice," He spoke in a peaceful tone. So much emotion was in her name. "Rose is right about that, Anthony is a living, breathing baby, not a plaything. You'll have to tone it down with the dress up."
"Way down. And no opening TikTok, IG, or any other accounts for him. I mean it." I warned her. It bothered me how she wanted to have my baby son be her fashion model on social media.
Alice sighed, but didn't say anything.
"Also," Jasper went on, still maintaining eye contact with her. "Emmett is right in regards to social media; Edward and Bella have the final say. They're Anthony's father and mother after all. What they says, goes."
Jasper stopped talking, he and Alice were quiet for a long beat. They stared into each other's eyes having a conversation only they could hear. Anthony's hands remained on the glove as he eyed his uncle and aunt with intense curiosity. He noticed there was a silent exchange of words between them. For a moment he looked at me and I shrugged. I couldn't explain what was going on. This was just one of the many things I couldn't explain about these two.
"Fine. You're right, Jazzy." Alice was the first one to break their moment of silence.
"Good." Jasper smiled, taking her hand and getting ready to leave my room.
Before they crossed the threshold Alice let go of his hand and turned back towards me. There was a mischievous glint in her eyes as she happily shouted, "He's still getting a suit and tie!"
Simultaneously, Alice ran out into the hall and Anthony spit out his pacifier. Tears rolled down his face as he shrieked. He did not like her high-pitched voice.
"Dammit, Alice!" I growled in a frustrated tone. Why did she have to make him cry when it took so long to calm him down?
"Sorry, Eddie," Jasper apologized and added, "See you in a few hours." With that he shut the door.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow." I replied. He apologized once more before walking down the hallway.
Was he apologizing for Alice's insane behavior? Or was it because she made my baby cry? I was not sure. All I knew was that my son was weeping again. I lifted him out of his pillow, cradling him to my chest with his head on my shoulder. He screamed bloody murder right in my ear! That was painful and had me spouting words that were not suitable for him to hear. Adjusting him so his face was nowhere near mine, I came to the conclusion that holding him was not going to quiet him down. That was evident as his hollering became louder. Not knowing how to comfort him because he didn't want me, I placed him back in his pillow. I tried to sing to him, though that just made things worse.
Seconds turned into minutes and his bawling became unbearable. It was hurting my eardrums. If he cried like this at the shelter every night, I now had a better understanding as to why staff and residents complained. This wasn't pleasant.
"I really need to get your mother to come stay with me." I said aloud. My words were more for me than for him. I really needed to talk her into living with me. I was sure that would be best for the three of us.
Anthony gave no sign that he even heard me; he tossed his head back and shrieked. I swore I heard a flock of birds outside my windows scatter from a nearby tree. Even the wildlife outside couldn't stand to hear him cry. I didn't blame them.
"I know, Anthony. I know you miss your mother, I do too. Don't worry though, we'll see her soon." I avoided saying the exact amount of hours we would be picking her up. Because he was too little to care about such things.
Anthony screamed.
"Are you tired?" I questioned hopefully, gently patting his leg.
He kicked my hand away, which was meant to be a comforting touch, but he didn't see it that way. He screeched loudly, letting me know not to do it again. He was blubbering uncontrollably, and I could tell this was going to be the longest night of my existence.