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PROMPT: Timing

Continutation of Prompt 3: Help Me Pack

"Riley!" I shouted up the stairs. "Come on, bud!"

"I'm coming, mom!" he shouted back, followed shortly by his feet pounding as he hurried across the room.

As I waited, I took a second to look around the house I had called home for the last twelve years. It had served us well. Riley had taken his first steps just mere feet from where I was standing now. He'd said his first word in the kitchen (it was mama). He'd thrown up all over the stairs when he was five and broke his wrist in the front drive. This house was steeped in memories.

But now it was time for us to go. To move on. Forward.

The pounding of Riley's feet on the stairs made me smile as I watched my son shrug on his coat and backpack. He had dark circles around his eyes from having a bad night's sleep - he was excited. Ecstatic to be heading to the small town of Forks.

I'd thought about it. Taken everything into consideration. And I couldn't deny Riley his father, not now Edward would be in our lives. And he'd changed. I'd seen it first hand. He'd been flying out every weekend to spend as much time with Riley as possible. He'd opened up a college fund for Riley and insisted on giving me a lump sum of back payment for child support. It was more money than I had ever made in my life. But Edward was adamant. He and Emmett had sat down and worked it out. Emmett. God. That man.

Ever since I'd seen him at the camp where Riley had gone for the summer, he'd invaded my dreams. He'd caught my attention right away - how could he not? The ripped muscles, long tied back hair and myriad of tattoos? I was smitten. Then he'd turned at me and smiled. His eyes were so blue, darker blue on the outside and lighter blue towards his irises. And his smile… Jesus. It was wide and gentle, dimples cradling each cheek.

My heart had thudded hard, my mouth had gone dry, and fuck me, my previously shrivelled and dry pussy had flooded with moisture.

It had lasted three seconds.

Just until Bella had called me over and introduced me to her boyfriend, Edward. Who also happened to be the father of my child.

It was my best-kept secret. I hadn't told anyone for twelve years. My parents had badgered me, begged me to tell them. I hadn't. Edward had been up and coming on the football scene. I'd met him at a party, we got drunk… and I'm pretty sure you can work out the rest. After finding out I was expecting, I'd gone to a party I knew he'd be at. I saw him with girls draped over him and a line of coke on the table. That second, I'd made my mind up. He wouldn't get near Riley.

But there was twelve years ago. A lot had changed since then. Edward had become sober, become a world-famous pianist, and started a camp for kids who were musical. He'd changed.

Telling Riley about it was the hardest thing I had ever done. He was so angry with me. So upset. Bella had been understanding. She and Edward hadn't known each other, and to be honest, neither had Edward or me. It was just sex. I knew they'd worked through some issues, and God, the look on my sister's face when she had found had nearly killed me.

But now, everyone knew. Riley had met his grandparents and aunts and had been down to Forks twice. Seeing the joy on his face was undeniable. Hence the reason I was packing us up and moving to a strange town.

I'd quit my job and had decided I wanted to go back to school and study. I wasn't too sure of what, but I had a while to figure it out. We'd be staying in a hotel for the next few months whilst I found a house and Riley got used to his new life. He'd be attending the local school, and Edward and I would be having shared custody of him - an idea that terrified me slightly. I'd seen him every day of my life, and now for 7 days at a time, he wouldn't be with me. I'd be lying if I said it didn't make me feel a little nauseous. I knew he'd be safe with Edward, but it was an adjustment. For so long, it had just been me. Me and Riley. Bella had helped out when she could, but I had needed to parent her too. It turned out I was more mature than our flighty mother and emotionally stunted father. They'd parted their separate ways when we were kids, leaving us flying back and forth across the country for most of our childhood. I didn't blame them but knew how I felt. I learned how difficult it had been to know that one parent was always so far away. I wouldn't do that to Riley. He would get stability. He would get his mother and his father.

"All ready?" I asked Riley, letting out a breath. It was difficult not to be a little sad. My baby had grown up here.

"Yeah!" His smile was huge, his blue eyes lighting up. He may have inherited Edward's unruly bronze curls, but his eyes were all me. "Dad said he's going to be waiting at the airport when we get there!"

I smiled at my son. "I have a feeling he won't be the only one."

Everyone in Edward's family was thrilled to find out about Riley. Me… less so. His mother couldn't stand me. She hated me and my very existence. She accused me of trying to keep Riley away from them. She told me I was an unfit mother. I half expected her to demand a paternity test–I mean, I did one for Edward to prove I wasn't lying. He never said I was, but it made me feel better. But coming from her, it would be an insult. Most of the time, I managed to ignore her. But it was still difficult.

A horn sounded from outside, and Riley jumped. "The taxi's here!" He ran outside, leaving me alone again.

From my back pocket, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out, expecting a text from my sister. Bella had tried to come down and then fly back with us. But it was pointless. She was already in Forks, having moved there a month ago; why come here to fly back?

What greeted me was a text from Emmett.

Excited to see you.

Fuck.

No.

I had a house to find, a son to settle, a university course to decide on… oh, and Riley kept going on about a dog! I didn't have time for Emmett. As much as I wanted to.

They say timing's a bitch… I think she's a cu-

I hope you enjoyed this. I can't lie. This is one fic that I am SO excited to turn into a full-length story, and I hope it'll be something that you like too. If you are interested in potentially beta-ing or pre-reading, let me know!