Elusive Reality - Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

London, England - 2004

Edward and I were inseparable. As the weeks went on, I found it more and more difficult to be away from him. We spent nearly every night together. Lately he had been working full time for his father and there was nothing I enjoyed more than watching him get ready and all dressed up in a suit. He was so handsome. I watched him every morning, usually from his bed. This morning was no exception.

I was completely naked beneath the sheet that covered me. Edward walked softly around his room, putting his watch on, looking for his shoes. He was always so careful not to wake me, although he knew I was watching him.

When he was completely ready, he finally turned to look at me. I was smiling back at him. He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Do you have any idea how fucking beautiful you are?” he asked quietly.

I grinned and shook my head before sitting up and wrapping my arms around his neck as he kissed me.

He sighed heavily when we parted. “I wish I could stay here all day with you.”

“I wish you could, too.”

Edward kissed my forehead and his hand lingered in mine momentarily before he got up. “I may be late tonight. I have a late conference call.”

“Okay. Have a good day, Edward.”

He smiled and blew me a kiss before he disappeared. When I heard his front door close, I got up and into his shower. I loved showering behind him. It smelled just like him and the bathroom was already warm.

When I turned the water off some time later, I was surprised to hear the bathroom door opening. I heard a female voice, “Hey, handsome, I was hoping you weren’t finished yet.” The shower curtain pulled open and I shrieked loudly. I grabbed the towel that hung nearby and clutched it to my chest. The curly redhead and I stared blankly at each other.

“Who the hell are you?” she yelled.

“Who are you!” I yelled back. My heart was racing. Edward was a dead man. I had woken up and showered here on countless mornings and never had I encountered this. The red haired vixen was dressed professionally, but somewhat provocatively. She was fuming.

“Where is Edward?” she asked, hands on hips.

“He’s at work. Will you move so I can get out of here?” I asked.

She stepped back. I wrapped the towel around myself and stepped out of the shower. “How did you get in here?” I asked. Edward always locks the door behind him.

“I have a key,” she snarled.

I nearly choked. I didn’t have a key. “So, who are you, to him?” I asked tentatively.

“I’m just an old friend.”

“With a key to his flat?”

She nodded her head. “Why are you here if he isn’t here? Are you his bitch from last night? Did he let you stay and shower? That’s nice of him.”

I wanted to punch her. Hard.

“I’m his girlfriend.”

She burst into laughter. “Edward doesn’t do girlfriends, sweetheart.”

I had had enough. “Really? Because he’s done me on that bed every single night for the past four months!” I said as I pointed towards Edward’s room. “Give me that key and get the hell out of here!” I started pushing on her shoulders.

“Four months?” She started pushing back. “I’m not giving you anything!” She lunged at me and that was it.

It was an all out girl fight, complete with hair pulling. I was no match for her and I was completely naked and fairly banged up when Edward and his friend/neighbor, Jasper, came running through the front door a few minutes later.

“What the fuck?” Edward demanded.

“Told ya so,” added Jasper.

The redhead and I were still going at each other on the floor, when finally, Edward pulled her off of me. “What the hell is going on?” Edward asked.

I was beyond furious. I couldn’t see straight. “I’ll tell you what the hell is going on, Edward!” I screamed. “This bitch tried to crawl in the shower with you this morning, except she found me!”

Edward’s eyes grew large. “What? Victoria, how did you get in here?”

Victoria started to stutter.

“She has a key!”

“What?” Edward asked as he looked at Victoria. “A key? How do you have a key to my flat?” He turned to me. “Bella, please, we have guests,” he said softly as he handed me my towel. I completely forgot. Every inch of me turned bright red. I was so embarrassed. Tears filled my eyes and I turned around and went into Edward’s room, slamming the door behind me. I could still hear them talking.

“Victoria, what the hell? You can’t just come in here whenever the hell you feel like it. Give me that key and tell my sister to fuck off.”

“I just thought, you know, for old times sake...”

“Well, you thought wrong. We never were, and even if we were, we are not anymore. Don’t call me. Don’t show up at my flat and don’t lay a finger on my girlfriend.”

“I cannot believe she’s really your girlfriend. You need variety, Edward. She’s not even that attractive.”

Tears poured over my cheeks and my nose ran.

“I find her very attractive. Now, GET OUT!”

I could hear Victoria stomping out of the flat. I didn’t even want to deal with Edward right now. I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

“Thanks for calling me, Jasper. Sorry for the disturbance. I owe you.”

“No problem, man. Glad I could help.” The main door closed. It was quiet, except for Edward’s footsteps coming closer.

I was still on the floor, but I scooted a little farther away from his door so it wouldn’t hit me when he opened it, which he did a moment later.

“Bella...”

I shook my head. “Just leave me alone, please.”

“Bella, I can’t. Baby, I’m so incredibly sorry. I had no idea. My sister must have given her a key. I told you she was a bitch.”

I pulled my legs into my chest. I wrapped my arms around my knees, buried my head, and continued to cry. I felt Edward's arms around me before I heard him move. He was rocking me back and forth.

“Bella, I really had no idea. Please, believe me. You know I would never....I mean, I spend every waking moment with you. I wouldn’t even have had time to see her.”

My head shot up. “Ugh, Edward! I get it. I know you didn’t cheat on me.” I wiped at the tears flooding down my cheeks. “I’m crying because it hurts and I’m terribly embarrassed. Your friend just saw me completely naked, as did your ex-bitch and she said I wasn’t attractive!”

Edward laughed momentarily before I shot him a warning glance. “It’s not funny.”

He tried to hide his laughter. “I’m sorry, Bella. Why would you care what she thinks? Of course she’s going to say that. She just learned that you could keep me, and she couldn’t. I think it’s obvious that I’m attracted to you. You’re beautiful, even with tear stained cheeks and a snotty nose.”

I laughed for just a second before I wiped my face with the towel.

Edward moved a strand of my still wet hair behind my ear. “Tell me what hurts,” he said softly.

I relaxed a little. His touch felt so good. “Everything.”

“Well, if you can’t be more specific, I’ll have to do a full body inspection to make sure you’re okay,” he teased, as he pulled at my towel.

“My right elbow and wrist. Both of my knees, and my head.”

Edward took my right arm. I yelped in pain. My wrist really hurt. “Does that hurt?” he asked.

“Obviously.”

“Sorry.” He continued up my from my wrist, to my elbow. “You have a little cut here,” he said. He opened my towel to examine my knees. “And some scrapes and bruises on your knees. Where does your head hurt?”

“Everywhere. I think it’s just from all the hair pulling.”

Edward tried not to laugh before he started touching my wrist again and I tried not to grimace. “Can you move it?”

I shook my head.

Edward sighed. “I think you might want to get it checked out.”

I pouted.

Edward helped me up. “Come on, I’ll get some ice to put on it and I’ll dry your hair for you.”

I smiled. He was going to dry my hair. I think I loved him.

I sat on the edge of his bed, dressed in a t-shirt and sweat pants while Edward dried my hair. He massaged my scalp while he did so and it felt amazing. It almost made me forget about the shooting pain in my wrist. He brushed my hair out when he was finished. He was gentle and careful not to pull.

“I need to make a few calls. I’ll be right back.” Edward disappeared into his office.

He returned a few minutes later. “Okay, I’m all yours until 3:00 p.m. Let’s get you to the doctor.”

~

I cried the entire way home. I sat in the car and cried while Edward stopped at a hardware store. I cried when he tried to buy me breakfast. I cried when he helped me out of the car and into my flat.

I had a fractured bone in my wrist. I had to wear a cast for four weeks. It was my right wrist. I needed that wrist. I needed to be able to type and write and carry my books.

I threw myself on my bed. I felt Edward sit down on the bed next to me. He started stroking my hair. “I’m really sorry, Bella.”

“It’s not your fault, you didn’t know. I can’t help it that I’m a fragile wimp.”

Edward laughed. “You’re not a wimp. You’re strong and brave, and I love that you fought for me and believed me.”

I sighed and rolled over to face him. “You better get to work. I’ve ruined enough of both of our days.”

“I’m going by my place first to change the locks. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”

“I’m okay. I’m just going to rest.” I yawned.

“Okay.” He kissed my cheek. “Sweet dreams. I’ll come by as soon as I get finished with work.”

I nodded my head before drifting off to sleep.

~

My mom had called later that night just before Edward had arrived. I was still speaking to her when he knocked on my door. I let him in, and motioned for him to sit down.

“Mom, I know, but Thanksgiving is not a holiday in London. I have class. I can’t come home.”

“I don’t care if Jake wants to see me. We are not together anymore, Mom.”

I rolled my eyes and looked at Edward, while my mother continued. “Are you hungry?” I asked quietly, ignoring my mother.

Edward nodded his head. I went to the kitchenette and began to heat up some left overs from the take out I had gotten earlier.

I sighed. “Okay, Mom. I promise I’ll come home for Christmas. I just can’t make it for Thanksgiving. I’ve got too much going on. Listen, I’ve got to go, I have a friend over. Tell Dad I miss him. Love you.” I hung up before she had a chance to respond.

“So, your ex wants to see you?” Edward asked.

“He always does, it’s not a big deal. His dad and my dad are best friends. My dad insists on me marrying him.”

Edward’s eyes got large. “Oh great, so your father will never like me.”

I laughed. “He’ll get over it. Eventually.”

I fed Edward, and in exchange, he helped me with my homework and typed up a business plan for me before putting me to bed.


***Author’s Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoyed. We pay Bella a visit at the psych ward in the next chapter....more to come next weekend.

Twitter: @ AllOrNothingKR

Facebook: AllOrNothingKR at gmail (dot) com.

***CHAPTER 9 - CLICK HERE***

Elusive Reality - Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

London, England - 2004

The following day we slept until the early afternoon. It was raining loudly outside. My flat was warm. Edward was warm. He was smiling at me when I opened my eyes. He took my breath away.

Before he kissed me, I slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom to shower. I didn’t realize how sore I was until I walked. It was a feeling I wasn’t used to, but I like it.

I showered and dressed before returning to the main living area. Edward wasn’t in bed where I left him. It only took me a moment to glance around my tiny flat to see that he wasn’t there at all. My heart immediately sank. He left. Oh God.

Just as I began to feel sick to my stomach, he came through the door, soaking wet. He held up a cardboard holder with two cups of coffee and pulled a bag of bagels out from under his arm. “There was a line,” he said, as he shook the rain from his hair. He was laughing.

I took a breath for the first time in nearly a minute. I think he saw the relief on my face.

“What’s wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nothing.” I smiled, trying to convince him.

“Oh. Oh no. You thought I left.”

I shook my head, trying to brush it off.

Edward set our breakfast down and took his coat off. “I should’ve left you a note or something, I’m sorry. I wasn’t expecting it to be so busy. I thought I’d be back before you got out of the shower...” he continued rambling.

“Edward, it’s no big deal. Really, I’m fine.”

His eyes met mine. His expression turned serious. “I saw the look on your face. I’m not going to do that to you, Bella.”

“I know, Edward. I’m sorry.”

We talked over breakfast and I stupidly brought up the fact that we probably shouldn’t have unprotected sex again until he got tested, just for my own peace of mind.

Edward laughed at me. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Bella. I don’t mean to laugh.”

“Why is that so funny?” I asked.

“Because, it’s a little late now, don’t you think? I mean, if I had anything, I’m pretty sure after last night, it would be all up in you.”

That made me laugh. “Shut up. I wouldn’t normally do that. I mean, I shouldn’t have. I should’ve thought about it first, but I’ve never had to worry about it before, it was just Jake and I.”

“Well, I’m clean. Just so you know. You don’t have anything to worry about. I don’t normally have unprotected sex either.”

I raised a brow at him. I didn’t believe him.

“I’m serious,” he continued. “Occasionally, with regulars, but not often.”

My eyes got wide. “Regulars?”

Edward laughed. “Well, not regulars anymore.”

I tried to laugh, but it honestly made me nervous.

“Bella,” Edward said seriously, “I told you, you’re the only one I’m with right now. You’re the only one I want. Besides, I was tested recently. I’m clean.”

“Why did you get tested? I mean, did you have a symptom or something? Did you think something was wrong?”

Edward laughed at me again. “Yeah, Bella, I grew a third a nut and thought I should get it checked out.”

I launched part of my bagel at him. He continued to laugh and I did too, but I really wanted to know. Who just randomly goes and gets tested for STDs unless they have a reason to?

“I’m serious!” I said.

“I know, I know. Really, to be honest, I just did it last week. For you.”

I was confused. “Huh? For me?”

Edward nodded his head and looked down shyly. “I mean, I figured we were headed in that direction. I just wanted to be sure. I won’t lie, I’ve been around the block. I didn’t want to risk anything with you.” He looked up at me. “You’re too perfect. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t have any slut funk.”

I thought it was endearing what he said, what he did, but when he said slut funk in that cute fucking accent, I laughed so hard I nearly choked on my sip of coffee.

Edward laughed too.

~

Two weeks later, after practically being inseparable, Edward convinced me that I had to meet his parents. I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.

“Isn’t it too soon?” I asked.

“Too soon for what?” Edward responded from his kitchen.

“I mean, I don’t know. We’ve only been seeing each other for a couple of months. Not to mention, your dad is practically famous.”

Edward laughed. “Are you nervous about meeting my father?”

Although he couldn’t see me in the living room, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Bella, he’s seriously the nicest, most humble, guy you’ll ever meet. They’re driving me mad about meeting you.”

He came around the corner and joined me on the couch, handing me a soda. He was helping me study for an exam. Edward was incredibly smart, and kept that fact hidden very well.

“You’ve told them about me?” I asked.

Edward scoffed. “Of course I have. I can’t seem to get you off my mind lately.”

I turned my head towards him and raised an eyebrow in question. He grinned his perfect fucking smile. Seeing him smile always has the same effect on me. I feel like I cannot breathe, and like the world has been lifted off my shoulders.

He nudged me. “Come on, Bella, you know I like you.”

I smiled. “I know you do. I like you too. I guess I’m just nervous.”

“Don’t be. My parents are amazing. My sister is a bitch, but she’s out of town, so that’s a bonus!”

I giggled. The thought of meeting his parents really scared the shit out of me. It felt too soon, it felt like it made us go from casual to serious in a heartbeat. But Edward was serious. Serious is what I wanted. I couldn’t share him.

Edward’s hand covering my knee knocked me from my thoughts. “Hey, are you alright? I mean, you don’t have to meet them if you don’t want to. It’s just...they’ve never known me to have a girlfriend, so they’re curious.”

I swallowed and looked up at him cautiously. “They’ve never met your girlfriends before?”

“Bella, I’ve never had a real girlfriend before.”

I couldn’t, for the life of me, understand what he saw in me. Why me? How did I get so fucking lucky?

I exhaled a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “What if they don’t like me? What if I’m not good enough? I mean, I’m just a middle class American girl.”

“Don’t be silly, Bella. Please?”

I sighed.

“Please. My mother would be so proud of me.”

“Proud?” I asked.

“Yes, that I’d bring home such an intelligent and beautiful young woman.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, Edward. You’re so dramatic.”

Edward laughed. “I am not being dramatic! God, I wished you saw yourself the way I did.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll meet them,” I agreed.

Edward grinned and jumped right off the couch to go call his mother. He was the cutest fucking thing I’d ever seen. It made me nervous to meet his parents because, what happens after that? I’m only here nine more months. I was already so unhealthily attached to Edward. I didn’t understand how he couldn’t see all the problems lying ahead for us. We never talked about it. We just dove in, head first.

~

The following weekend, Edward picked me up promptly at 5:00 p.m. We were having dinner at his parents’ place at 6:30 p.m. I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t know what to wear, and went back and forth for a long time before I decided to just go out and go shopping. I didn’t want to be too dressed up, but I didn’t want to be in my usual jeans and t-shirt. I settled on a nice oyster colored lace pencil skirt that hit just above the knee. I paired it with a white blouse and ballet flats. It was nice, yet slightly casual.

I wore my hair down and curled it to the best of my ability. I even put on a bit more make up than usual. I looked like a lady. I think that is what I was going for.

“You look fine. If you don’t hurry up we will be late.”

“I’m coming!” I yelled from the bathroom. I applied a final coat of clear lip gloss and headed out.

We took Edward’s nice shiny volvo across town to the Cadogan Square area of London. His parents lived in a very nice area and had an extremely large flat. I was in awe of my surroundings as Edward led us up the lift and into a beautiful reception area. I could hear footsteps approaching.

“Edward! Darling is that you?” A petite dark haired woman came around the corner with a warm smile on her face. She immediately pulled Edward into a hug and kissed his cheek. “You look so good, honey. I never see you anymore.”

Edward gently pulled her from him and looked at me. “Bella, this is my mother, Esme. Mum, this is Bella.”

Her smile widened as she looked me up and down. She suddenly embraced me and I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so they just hung awkwardly at my sides.

“It’s so lovely to meet you, darling. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Oh, thank you. It’s nice to meet you too.”

Edward’s mother hurried us through their large flat and into the kitchen where Edward’s father was. Everything in their home was white and clean and immaculate.

“You must be Bella!” A tall sandy blonde haired man turned to me. I knew his face already. I had googled him. Carlisle Cullen. CEO and President of Cullen Enterprises.

I was momentarily speechless. “Yes sir, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“Call me Carlisle,” he said as he extended a hand. I shook it firmly before Esme whisked me away for the grand tour as Edward called it.

Dinner was later served in the most beautiful dining room I had ever seen. The walls were ivory and all the accessories were some similar shade. The dining room table was dark mahogany with large leather wing back chairs. The table was much larger than all of us, but we all sat at one end. Carlisle was at the head of the table with Esme on his left and Edward and I on his right. They served veal parmesan that was to die for.

Although the Cullens were wealthy beyond imagination, they were surprisingly very down to Earth and funny. Esme showed me pictures of Edward as a child and I couldn’t help but laugh. He wasn’t always sex on legs. He definitely had his awkward moments growing up, but he was a very cute little baby. I saw photos of his sister as well. She was stunning, and had been since the day she exited the womb. She was in law school. I wondered why Edward said she was a bitch. I mean, she did look like one, but still. Her name was Rosalie. Based on the photos, I think she was slightly younger than Edward. They had both gone to prestigious private schools growing up. All of this was foreign to me. I felt uncomfortable when they asked about my childhood. I explained that my father was a cop and my mother was a nurse. The Cullens seemed to think those were very admirable professions.

Esme and Carlisle were a joy to watch. You could tell they were still very much in love. They were constantly touching and looking at each other. It was so unusual to me, as I never witnessed such affections from my parents.

As the night wound down, Esme and Carlisle were cleaning up in the kitchen. Edward had been reading on the couch, but had since fallen asleep. I kneeled down next to him and brushed my fingers through his hair. “Time to wake up, Edward. You have to drive us home.”

Edward’s lips parted into a grin and he pulled me from the floor, into his lap. He kissed me softly at first, but it quickly turned into a heated kiss, before I finally pulled away and shoved at him. “Not here,” I warned.

Edward laughed and kissed my cheek. “They like you.”

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

I nudged him playfully and found my lips against his again. A moment later I heard his father clear his throat from the entry of the large room.

I immediately felt my cheeks heat up as I turned around to see his mother and father standing behind us. I immediately removed myself from Edward’s lap and apologized as I straightened my skirt.

Esme and Carlisle both laughed. “No need to apologize, dear. We were just going to see if either of you cared for dessert. Esme made a wonderful pecan pie.”

Edward was off the couch in a split second. I swear his stomach was a never ending black hole. I was stuffed, but stole a bite of Edward’s pie, foregoing a piece of my own. Esme was quite the cook. After dessert, Edward and I decided we needed to head back.

Esme was hugging me again. She was such a warm person. She smelled good too, like a mother. “It was so lovely to meet you, darling. I can already tell that you are good for Edward. Don’t let him run you off.”

“Mum!” Edward scoffed.

I laughed. “It was nice to meet you, too.”

“You’ll have to come back and see us very soon,” Carlisle added.

I nodded my head.

“You’re welcome anytime,” Esme concluded.

Edward and I drove back across town mostly in silence. I think he attempted to speak to me a few times, but I was lost in my thoughts.

We arrived back at my flat and Edward came in with me. I immediately went to change into my pajamas and then returned to the living area to see him standing by the door.

“Are you not staying?” I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Do you want me to?” he asked uncertainly.

“Of course, I do,” I answered, closing the space between us.

“You were just so quiet on the way here. What were you thinking about?” he asked softly as he played with my hair.

I looked down and away from him. Tears betrayed me and I tried to hide them. I didn’t know what my problem was. Edward placed a finger under my chin and lifted my head. Our eyes met.

“Bella, what’s wrong?”

I wiped at my eyes quickly and shook my head. “It’s nothing, really.”

Edward just looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

“Your family, they’re just so perfect and warm, and inviting. They’re everything my family isn’t.”

Edward pulled me into a hug and rubbed little circles on my back. “Bella, they can be your family, too.”

I smiled, and squeezed him tighter. Contentment was my only conscious thought.

***Author’s Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing! More to come soon. <3

Twitter: @ AllOrNothingKR
Facebook: AllOrNothingKR at gmail (dot) com

***CHAPTER 8 - CLICK HERE***

Repentance - Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Edward and I married when Molly was six months old. We had a small ceremony at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle. We only invited our closest family and friends. I never imagined a wedding with so many babies. Alice and Jasper named their son Jackson Alexander Whitlock. He was part of the wedding. Jackson was carried by Jasper, who was a best man and Alice carried Molly. Emmalie was a flower girl. Fortunately, there were no temper-tantrums and everyone was surprisingly well behaved. Of course, Jackson and Molly slept through most of the ceremony, only waking when people started clapping at the end.

My dress was strapless and fairly simple, but elegant at the same time. I wore my hair mostly down and wavy with only a small portion pinned back. Edward looked handsome as ever and when the doors opened and I started down the aisle, he was the only one I saw. We recited our vows and Edward promised me and our children the world. I already felt like I had it all.

Our wedding day was perfect. Our wedding photos were perfect. Our children were perfect. The day couldn’t have gone any better. It was a perfect start to our forever.

~

The following year, after Edward and I married, we moved to Portland, Oregon to be closer to his parents and to get out of the city. Edward finished up law school and was preparing to take the BAR exam. He already had an Associate position lined up at the DA’s office in Portland.

I was still finishing up my PhD, but in the meantime, I was teaching a class of second graders at a local elementary school. Most days I really enjoyed my job. Although we left Seattle to get a fresh start and move away from bad memories, somehow, a little piece seemed to follow us, but I didn’t mind.

I knew it on the first day when I looked over my roll sheet for my new second grade class. Cooper Stallings. Cooper was a lanky brown haired boy that grossly resembled Christopher Stallings. Although they had similarities, Cooper didn’t quite have his father’s good looks. Cooper was thin and had big glasses. He stuttered sometimes and didn’t always look clean.

I confirmed that he was Christopher Stallings’ estranged son by speaking with his rather young mother at parent teacher conferences. Cooper and I had a really good relationship. He got picked on a lot for being quirky, but I always stood up for him and took care of him. I didn’t like the fact that his father took my son, but I appreciated the fact that he didn’t have the heart to harm him and returned him to me safely. The least I could do was protect his son in return.

I wasn’t sure what Cooper’s home life was like, but I imagined it could be better. I think his mother struggled a lot, but she was doing the best she could. Cooper often only came to lunch with a peanut butter sandwich. On those days, I would buy extra lunch and tell him I was too full to finish, so he could have my left overs. His eyes always lit up. Cooper was my favorite student.

~

Eventually, Edward and I moved to a moderately sized home just outside of Portland. It was the first home either of us owned and we were so proud of it. Edward painted and did things around the house on the weekends while I decorated and worked on the curb appeal.

Molly was a quickly growing toddler. She was so beautiful. She was the apple of her daddy’s eye and anything she wanted, she got. Edward treated her like a princess. I got the greatest joy from watching them interact together.

Edward had been out with Molly for their daddy/daughter time one Saturday afternoon while Masen and I had been to his soccer practice. We returned home shortly before Edward and Molly and were getting ready for dinner when Edward and Molly came bounding through the door, excitement apparent in Molly’s little voice.

“Momma! Masen! See what Daddy got me!” I could hear her bouncing towards us in the kitchen.

Masen jumped down from his bar stool at the kitchen island and ran towards the foyer.

“Oh my gosh! No way!”

“It’s not just for you, Molly. It’s for everyone,” Edward corrected.

I didn’t hear Molly’s response. I came around the corner to a foyer full of giggles and slobbery wet faces. A puppy. A little chocolate colored fluffy puppy.

I gave Edward a questioning look and signaled for him to come to the kitchen while the kids played with the puppy.

“Edward! A puppy is a big deal. We’re supposed to discuss things like that!”

“I know, babe, but you should’ve seen her face light up when she saw him! I promise I’ll help take care of him. Come on, it won’t hurt to teach Masen some responsibility too. It will be a good thing, I promise.”

I sighed. “She has you wrapped around her little finger so tight...”

Edward smiled. “I can’t help it.”

He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my lips. Just as I was beginning to not want to let him go, we heard Molly scream and Masen laugh.

We both ran into the foyer. Molly started crying.

“What happened?” I asked.

Masen was laughing so hard he could hardly speak. “He pooped on her!”

Molly stood in the foyer in all her three year old glory with a dark brown watery stain on the front of her pretty pink shirt.

Edward burst into laughter.

I hit him in the arm. “Don’t laugh at her! Clean her up!”

Edward continued to laugh as he tended to Molly.

“Masen, why don’t you take the puppy out back.”

Masen ran off through the back of the house with the little brown fur ball following closely behind him.

~

A few months later, Edward returned home from a stressful day at work. I could tell he was in a bad mood, but he tried not to let it show.

I was making dinner while Masen played with Bear in the backyard. Molly was coloring at the kitchen table. Since the day she got pooped on by the puppy, she wanted nothing to do with it. Bear was officially Masen’s and Molly got a kitten. Some days, it felt like a zoo around our house.

“Edward, you okay?” I asked as he moved around me in silence, attempting to help with dinner.

Edward nodded his head. “Had an interesting day. I’m supposed to give you this,” he handed me a folded piece of paper from a yellow legal pad.

“What is it?” I asked as I opened it up.

“I prosecuted Christopher Stallings today. Drug possession, again.”

I read the scrawled messy script on the page.

Miss Bella,

I got to see my son last month. He told me all about you and all you done for him. I’m real sorry for the trouble I caused you and your family. I know I’m not the best person, and I get in a lot of trouble, but I love my boy. Thank you for watching out for him.

Chris

“Wow, that is interesting.”

Edward nodded his head. “I don’t get why he just won’t clean himself up and get some help. He doesn’t seem like that bad of a guy, but he’s always doing stupid stuff.”

“It’s all he’s ever known,” I sighed. “I just hope Cooper doesn’t end up like him.”

Edward placed a hand on my hip and pulled me to him. His lips brushed across mine. “With people like you in his life, he won’t end up like his father.”

I smiled up at Edward as Molly yelled, “Ewww!” from across the kitchen. She thought kissing was gross. Edward told her it was and that she should never do it. She believed him.

Edward and I laughed before separating to finish up dinner.

~

Edward and I had been through a lot together. We dealt with some things that felt bigger than us and out of our control. There were many days that I thought I couldn’t do it anymore. I felt like I’d never have the life I thought I would.

Although I never planned on a marriage, a house with a big fenced back yard, and 2.5 children by the time I was 30, I was damn glad it turned out the way it did. Even if it all started out rocky, Edward and I had a beautiful family and a lot to be grateful for. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel lucky to have him in my life. He caused me a lot of pain and hurt in the beginning, but he saved me in the end and gave me a life and a family that I never imagined could be so perfect.

***I know I promised this forever ago, but unforeseen circumstances got in the way. I’m truly sorry. I hope you all enjoyed the story overall. I know it isn’t for everyone. Thanks for hanging in there with me and thank you for the reviews. <3

Of course, don’t forget to check out my next story - Elusive Reality - on FF and my blog.

Twitter: @ AllOrNothingKR
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