*ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO THE LOVELY STEPHENIE MEYERS
Chapter 8
Bella's POV July
I woke up feeling very hot and barely able to move. I opened my eyes and let out a small laugh. My body was caged in two strong arms and when I went to pull away the arms pulled me tighter against his chest.
I figured since I couldn't move I might as well enjoy being so close to Edward. his face was at its most relax state and a small smile on his lips. He almost look like a little boy. No worries lines on his face and I could see the small scar on his lip from a dog bite when he was a kid and the indentions on his nose from wearing glasses that were to tight.
His eyes fluttered under his eyelids and I wondered what he was dreaming about. Was it about me and our future. Maybe about him and Masen. Possibly all of us together? What I would give to see into his beautiful mind and know how he views the world.
I sighed tucking my head into his neck and breathing him in. He always smelled so manly with a hint of his body wash and a slight cigarette smell from his coworkers. It was purely Edward and I loved it. I could live in off this smell and never grow tired of it.
Today Edward was going to take me and Masen to the zoo! It was both of our first time at the zoo here in Seattle and I think I might be more excited then my son.
Today was also my mother's birthday and I was having the same inner battle that I had each year. Should I call and wish her happy birthday? I haven't heard a word from my mother in three years and I didn't know if I ever was going to hear from her.
I wish Masen knew his grandmother, but I know that if she was to come back into our lives she would never be close to my son. I couldn't trust her not to hurt him or even worse. Call James and tell him about Masen. She thinks I was lying about everything, so I wouldn't put it past her at this point.
I honestly don't know how my mom has done this to me. My heart aches when I go more then one day without seeing Masen and I've gone three years without seeing her. Does she ever miss me? Ever think about me or talk about me. Renee calls Emmett a few times a year, but has never said anything about me and pre my request he doesn't say anything about me or Masen either.
I just feel like my mom doesn't deserve to know about us and be privy to our day to day life. She had her chance and she made her choice. But that doesn't mean I don't miss her. She was my mom and I probably will always miss Renee and she will always keep a place in my heart.
"Hey! What's wrong" I jumped at the feel of Edward's fingers tips on my face as he wiped away the tears that I didn't realize had fallen. "I'm okay! I was just thinking about my mom" I sniffed, working and failing at keeping the tears at bay.
"Would you want to talk about it" Edward asked me, moving to prop up on his elbow with his face resting in his palm. "It's a long story" Edward sighed and tucked a piece of loose hair behind my ear. "I've got time" He said with a shrug.
"After I found out I was pregnant with Masen, I kept it to myself for awhile. I wasn't sure if I wanted to keep him or give him up for adoption and I wanted to be sure on my decision before I started telling everyone." It still surprises me that I ever had the thoughts of not having Mase in my life. I wanted to give him everything and I knew that adoption could give him that. But the selfish part of me won out and I decided to keep my son and raise him alone.
"Once I was absolutely sure that I was going to keep Masen, I made my mom her favorite dinner trying to butter her up. But that didn't work. When I said I was pregnant she called me a whore and pretty much told me if I was going to slut myself out then I could raise the "thing" growing inside me" Edward face looked sick as I told him my story. His eye darkened with unsaid emotion.
"My beautiful girl. Is there no end to the hurt you have been put through? I'm so sorry you have been through all this baby" No man has ever looked at me the way Edward does. Love for me pours out of every pore for me!
"I'm ok now that you're here with me. I've got two amazing men in my life" I told him pressing a kiss to his lips as I pulled back he kept his eyes closed making a humming noise.
"I'm so incredibly in love with you, Isabella Swan" I gasped. "I don't expect you to say it back and I know it's way to soon, but I couldn't hold it in any longer. Everything time I look at you, my heart aches with love for you and I had to let you know"
"I think I love you too Edward" He breathed a sigh of relief and kissed my palm. "I'm pretty sure I have been since I first met you, but I didn't know what it was. I've only ever loved my son this much and know loving you is completely different and so fulfilling. You have made me so happy and we have only known each other for a month now, so I can't imagine what it will be like in a years time"
We both moved forward and wrapped ourselves up in each other and kissed till our lung burned from needed oxygen, but we kept our arms around one other, whispering how much we loved each other and how happy we are.
We finally pulled away when I heard a knock on the door. "Mama" Masen's small voice called out. Edward's whole face lit up and he jumped out of bed, and unlocked the door. "Mase a-roo! Good morning!" Edward scooped him and and carried him over to my bed tossing Masen in the middle making us laugh.
"Good morning, Mr giggle pants" I said to Masen poking at his sides making him laugh harder. "Stop mama!" Edward just stood by the bed watching us with the biggest smile on his face, he caught me looking and gave me a wink. "So Maser. You ready for the zoo? Gonna go see all the big bad lions" Masen frowned and shook his head.
"they not bad Eddie. Mama say thems nice" Edward apologized and told him that they were indeed very nice. "Why don't I make breakfast for everyone?" Both boys nodded and Masen yelled out his want for bacon and Edward was quick to agree with him.
Masen and Edward made themselves comfortable on the couch while I got to work. I quickly whipped up some pancakes with eggs and bacon and since I was already in the kitchen I started on some sandwiches that we could take to the zoo with us and save some money.
"Edward, Masen it is ready" Edward stood placing Mase on his hip and walked to the dining room settling Masen into his high chair then moving to take his seat next to me. "This looks great, baby" I smiled at him, feeling proud of myself. Wanting to spoil them, I made up their plates for them and serving it to them. "I hope you enjoy it. I know you don't usually eat like this during the week" He shrugged, shoving a bite in his mouth and moaned at the taste.
"It is so worth the extra hour in the gym" I laughed at him and helped Masen cut his pancake and tucked into my meal. It was actually quite tasty and I found myself completely clearing my plate, which seemed to make Edward happy. He was always telling me, that I was much to skinny and was going to tell Esme on me for not eating enough. He just doesn't understand how busy we mom are. I'm lucky if I even get to sit down and eat a hot meal.
After we all finish eating I went to clean up and Masen had finally talked Edward into taking him outside to play while I got everything cleaned. I could tell Edward felt bad to leave me with the mess, but I shooed them away, wanting my son to be happy. I could deal with all the cleaning if that meant they were having fun.
The kitchen and living room were clean when Edward walked in without Masen and gave me a smile. "He wanted to stay outside playing. But I'm gonna go home to shower and change and I will come back to pick you guys up" I pouted, not wanting him to leave. "Oh you poor thing" Edward pulled me close to him and sucked my bottom lip into his mouth.
"I'll be right back, my love. And then we will spend the whole day together" My hands found their way to their new favorite place. The hair at the nape of Edward neck and I rubbed his soft hair. "Ok, we will be waiting for you" Edward let me go and opened the front door, but he stopped and turned around. "I love you, my beautiful girl" I blushed and gave him one more kiss. "I love you too"
oooOooo~OCF~oooOooo
"Hurry Masen. We don't want to keep Eddie waiting, do we?" He shook his head violently, his curls shaking about. Edward was going to be here soon and Masen was taking his sweet time in the bath. He has just about five more minutes me to death!
"Mama, can I takes another bath when we gets home?" I nodded my head, not wanting to fight him on it. I helped Masen out of the tub and he decided that he was going to get dressed himself, so I left him with that and finished putting on my mascara. I peeked into Masen's room and saw he was struggling to get his shirt over his head and by now his shirt was soaked from his wet hair and not having dried it with the towel.
"Masen, can Mama help you?" He sighed and dropped his arms, feeling defeated. "Yes pwease" I smiled and moved over pulling the wet shirt over his head and tossing it behind me in the dirty clothes bin. "Let's get this mop on your head dry" Since I didn't want him to go out with wet hair, I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bathroom.
I had just plugged in the blow dryer when the doorbell rang. "Oh that's probably Edward" I told Masen, both of having getting big smiles and took off to open the door. "EDDIE!" Masen pretty much screamed At Edward, who just smiled and scooped my shirtless son. Mase wet hair was starting to drip down his back, effectively reminding me on our task.
"Edward, will you carry him into the bathroom, I need to dry his hair before it soaks your shirt" Edward laughed and followed me into the bathroom, telling me he wouldn't mind if Masen got his shirt wet. Edward sit my son on the counter and I flipped on the blow dryer and dried Masens hair.
Edward just leaned against the doorframe and watched us with a big smile on his face. He mouthed "I love you" to me, when he caught my eyes in the mirror and I mouthed back the same words to him. And I did. Him and Masen are my everything. Just what scares me is that one day Edward is going to wake up and realize that he didn't want to be with me anymore. I wouldn't blame him, but that doesn't mean it would not hurt, like hell.
Masen's hair was all nice and dry, feeling silky smooth, so Edward offered to take him into the bedroom and help him finish dressing. "That would be great! He needs a new shirt, because he got his first one all wet" I said with a laugh. "You can get another one out of the closet, if you don't mind" Edward nodded and leaned forward giving me a small peck, grabbing Mase off the counter and carrying him to the bedroom.
"Edward, you're going to spoil him, carrying him around like that all the time" Masen knew that his Eddie would always carry him, wherever he needed to go. "Hey, I'm just trying to catch up on the three years I missed out on carrying him around" I just shook my head and went back to getting myself ready.
Everyone was finally ready and I finished packing the diaper bag with our sandwiches I had made and I filled up Masen's sippy cup slipping it into the side pocket and putting the strap over my shoulder. Edward was waiting for me by the door with Masen on his hip. "You ready gorgeous?" He asked me, taking the diaper bag off my shoulder and placing it on his. "Yep"
Edward carried Masen to my car while I turned my back to them and locked up the door. When I turned around Edward was putting Masen in his car. "I didn't even see you switch the car seat. When did you do that" I asked Edward, opening up the passenger side and smiled, finding the diaper bag in my seat. He knew me so well. I liked to keep the diaper bag here and not in the back seat just in case I needed anything.
"I didn't" Huh? I finally looked up at Masen and saw he was in a sleek all black Graco four in one car seat, strapped in perfectly with a cover on the bottom to protect the Volvos leather seats. I had wanted that seat so bad for Masen when we switched from the infant, but it was almost four hundred dollars and I didn't have that kind of money, well I still didn't have that kind of money and now he had it, all thanks to Edward.
"Edward!" He looked up at me with a shocked looked, he was completely confused by my behavior. "Did you not want me to get him one? I can take it back Bella. I just thought it would be easier for days like these" I moved over to Edward and threw my arms around him and gave him a kiss, pouring all my love for him into my kiss. "Thank you Edward. You didn't have to do that, but it would be so much easier to have two seats"
We parted and went to our sides of the car. Edward immediately grabbed my hand and pushed the button and the smooth sound of the engine though the car. "Edward that car seat is way to much! That thing is almost four hundred dollars" He just shrugged and kept his eyes on the road in front of him.
"It's nothing Bella. I did research and this was the safest one on the market and I wasn't going to have anything but the best for him and I would really like if you would let me get one for your car as well. Alice told me that you had wanted this one when you got Masen his car seat" Damn it Alice, Edward doesn't need to spend his money on me and my son.
"Sweetheart that is so nice of you, but that is just to much. Masen car seat is very safe, it's just more affordable" I felt guilty that I couldn't get Masen the nicest things, but I was going my best. "Bella! That's not what I meant and you know it. I know you would not put Masen in anything that was not safe" He sighed trying to find the right words. "I just want you to have everything you could ever want in life. If something as little as a car seat would make you happy then I would do it. I would do anything in my power to make you happy"
I placed a kiss on his palm and just looked at him for a few seconds, before quietly saying. "You can buy him one" I wasn't sure if he would even hear me I said it so quietly, but of course he did. "Thank you, baby. Why don't you pick out the color you like the best and send it to me, and I'll order it. Or even better let Masen pick if you wanted to"
"I Pick what?" Masen asked from the back seat, reminding both of us that he was here, I'm sure. "A big boy seat, buddy" Masen got excited to be included and I felt a little better about Edward buying it for Masen. I wouldn't deny my son anything.
oooOooo~OCF~oooOooo
After our hour drive we finally pulled up to the Seattle zoo. Masen was so excited and we hadn't even gotten out of the car yet. "Masey, remember to stay by me or Eddie and do not run off without us. You could get lost and we would be so sad if that happened" Masen nodded, and I noticed that Edward looked worried. I guess he's never had to worry about a kid running off. "That's such a scary thought, Bella. I don't know what I would do if that happened" I agreed with him. That would be absolutely terrible.
Edward found a close-ish parking space and he jumped out and started unbuckling Masen. Seeing as he had him covered, I put my phone back into the bag and put both straps on my shoulders. A diaper bag that's a backpack is a life saver at times like these. "Mama, can you feeds the girafthes here?" I laughed. "I don't know son. And it's giraffes not girafthes" Edward laughed this time, now understanding what Masen was meaning. Masen talked exceptionally well, but he still struggled with a few words, but he's not even three years old yet.
Edward had apparently already purchased our tickets online and had them printed. "Kids under 8 get in free! So it's just our tickets" he said all excited. I nodded and waited for him to hand the woman our tickets, before I asked.
"How much do I owe you?" Edward looked at me with hurt written all over his face. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing, Bella. When you are with me, you don't need to worry about money" I just sighed and stayed quiet, not wanting to ruin our day. "We will talk about this later, Mr Cullen" Edward just winked at me and grabbed my hand. Pulling us over to the map.
"So I was thinking we could just start with the bird exhibit, to our right and just make the full circle to back here. I've only been here once and if I remember correctly it is laid out to make a full circle back when you start with the birds" I just nodded, trusting him to lead us the right way. "Can I gets down, Eddie?" Edward looked at me and I nodded, letting him know it was fine with me.
"just stay close to us and don't run off" Masen nodded and reached forward to grab my hand, then started opening and shutting his hand in Edward direction. "I hold you to Eddie" Edward gave Mase his hand and we all walked to the bird exhibit. "I had a bird when I was a kid" Edward told Masen, as he held him up to see inside to glass cage.
"Really! I want a birdie likes Eddie, Mama" Oh God. I shot a glare at Edward, but I kept the smile on my face to show I wasn't really upset. "I don't know about that just yet baby. We're going to have to wait till you are a little bit older. How old were you Edward?" He sir Masen down his eyebrows in a frown as he tried to remember.
"Eleven or twelve, I think, but I'm not sure. I need to ask my mom" I laughed, trying to figure out what Edward must have looked like when he was a young boy. With that copper hair and green eyes, he was probably very handsome.
"Mama! Look, look it's the lions. Rawr" He had his fist in a claw and was swiping it through the air making me and Edward laugh at his antics. "Rawr!" I said chasing Masen around, i caught up to his quickly and scooped him up in my arms and "bited" his neck. "No Mama! Stop! I supposed to get you!" His face was scrunched up and getting redder. He was starting to get tried and was apparently over me. "Oh I'm so sorry, Mr lion. Want to do it again?" He nodded, wiggling for me to put him down.
I placed him on his feet and he put his hands back into claws and chased me around this time. "Help me get Mama lion, Eddie!" Edward jumped in and caught me, pulling me close to him and pressing my back against his chest. "I got you" He whispered in my ear, placing kisses on my neck. Masen ran into me and wrapped his arms around my legs.
"We got the Mama lion." He cheered jumping up and down while still clinging onto my legs. "Oh man! I guess I just wasn't faster then you big lions!"
We somehow managed to pull Masen away from the lions and stopped at the park that was in the middle of the zoo. It was quite cool and Mase loved it. I pulled out the cold cut sandwiches I had made and handed Edward his. "Oh thank you baby. You didn't have to do that" he tore open the wrapping and bite into it. "It was no problem. I figured we could save some money by eating something homemade" He just shrugged, his eyes telling me that I didn't need to worry about such things with him. But thankfully Masen came running up to us, wanting a sandwich too.
"I got you a peanut butter and honey sandwich with no crust" My son's eyes light up and he grabbed the sandwich and quickly tore into it, telling me how yummy it was.
After we ate and Masen play he was pretty much ready to go home and desperately needed a nap. So much so that Edward ended up carrying him to the car and he fell asleep on his shoulder. He looked so cute, his little face squished up against Edward strong shoulder and was fast asleep. I just had to take a picture of the two of them, that I knew was going to be my iPhone screensaver.
Edward was looking at the camera with a big smile on his face. His cheek were red from being in the sun all day. His bright green eyes were shining bright and full of love for the child on his shoulder. It was times like these that made me realize that I had made the best decision for me and Masen. My son was getting to experience what a father was like. A real man who has stepped up just for him and loved him with everything he had.
Hello people of the FanFiction community! I hope you are all doing well and is having a good 2023 so far.
Sorry that this was definitely a shorter chapter then what I usually post, but I just felt like this was a good place to end it. The chapter was very fluffy and had my heart full, so I hope you liked it just as much.
Till next time ~Jade
*Please review!!