A Second Chance

Chapter 18

"What do you want, mother? Just say it whatever it is you came here to say and leave." Edward says forcefully as we sit facing Elizabeth, his hand wrapped tightly around mine, while she looks disdainfully back at us.

I had forced my parents out of the room as I didn't want them to witness the spiteful attitude that I'm sure that evil witch was about to direct at us.

She glances in disgust at our joint hands, before muttering, "I can't believe you two are still trying to play house." She spits out hatefully. Then she directs her gaze at her first born, "Your brother hasn't even been dead that long and you're already shacking up with his slut."

"Enough!" Edward stands up towering over his mother. "I'm not letting you insult my wife in her own home, now get out!"

I know that Edward has always been standoffish and cold, but this is definitely the first time I've ever seen him so angry.

"You're kicking me out? For her?" Elizabeth has really lost her shit.

"I've had enough of your bullshit, and if you refuse to pull yourself together and act like a decent fucking human being, then you're not welcome here." He stressed pointing to the direction of the door.

Elizabeth's face had turned a dangerous shade of red and she pulled her Channel bag by the straps and headed out, but not before attempting to have the last word.

"I'm not going to stop trying to take my grandchild. You're not fit to raise my poor Riley's child."

"Are you out of your mind?" I finally find my voice. The woman was fucking crazy. How dare she threaten to take my baby away from me!

"No, dear. I just always get what I want and what I want is to make you pay for taking my son away from me." She replies. I cannot fathom that that is what she convinced herself of.

"Elizabeth, I did not take Riley away from you. We fell in love and got married. He was taken away from all of us and my heart broke when he died. I understand that you lost your son and that it must hurt worse than anything else, but that does not excuse the fact that you're trying to take my baby away from me." I rant back at her, hoping that on some level we could understand each other.

"Which will never happen," Edward grits out.

"We'll see." Elizabeth parts with those words destroying any hope I had that she might leave us alone.

I take a deep and shaky breath as the door to our house closes behind her.

"Hey, just breathe," Edward wraps his arms around me comfortingly. "I give you my word, she won't be allowed in here again."

"I should be used to her by now. I mean, I've known her forever and she's always disliked me, but now, this is different. Threatening to take my baby away is insane! I can't let her do that."

"We won't. There's no way for her to do that no matter how hard she tries, Bella. Even if there was a way, I'll be with you every step of the way, so you will never have to do this alone again."

"Thank you so much, Edward. I honestly don't know what to say, you've been amazing through all this and I know it must have not come easy to you. She's your mother after all." I look up at him and find that our faces are merely inches apart.

"You're my wife, Bella. You and the baby will always come first." Edward's gaze moves from my eyes to my lips and we both moves impossibly closer.

"Bella! Are you okay, sweetie?" Mom walks in closely followed by Charlie who's glancing between me and Edward suspiciously.

We untangle ourselves quickly and my face turns a deep shade of red as usual, even though I'm not a teenager who was just caught making out with her boyfriend. Edward's my husband, for god's sake! If I want to kiss him, then I'll damn well kiss him, and god I really want to kiss him.

"Bella?" Oh, right. My mom had asked me a question. What was that again?

Once again Edward saves me from looking like a complete idiot as I stand gaping in front of my parents.

"She's okay, she just might be in a bit of shock, from what just happened." He assures them.

"Oh, yes. We accidentally heard." Renee replies. Right, accidentally. Nothing is ever accidental with Renee.

"So, your dad and I have decided to go back home tomorrow." She shocks me with that announcement. My mom tends to have separation issues when it comes to me. When I first got married, she semi-moved in with me and Riley for two weeks until dad finally came over and dragged her back home, which is why I'm surprised she's leaving so quickly. This must be dad's idea. He can't stay away from Seattle for long. New York must be absolute torture for him.

"Your mother and I feel like you're going to be just fine Bells, so we think it's about time we let you two get on with your life and we should go back to ours." Charlie states as he looks between me and Edward again in approval, this time.

Now, I get it. Charlie is nothing if not the protective papa bear. He must've admired Edward's response against Elizabeth's onslaught and how he stood up for me.

I think that Edward just got Charlie Swan's seal of approval.

I can't help but recall how Charlie never really warmed up to Riley. Actually, as he walked me down the aisle at the wedding, he kept insisting that it wasn't too late if I wanted to make a run for it.

"Are you sure?" Edward responds courteously. "You're both welcome to stay as long as you want, of course."

"Yes, we're sure. It's time my baby leaves the next…again." Renee looks like she's about to cry, so Charlie takes her back to their room, before she starts hugging me to death.

"We better get some rest. We're taking the early flight back to Seattle, tomorrow morning." Charlie explains before they disappear upstairs once again.

"Come on, you better get some rest too, Bella. You've had quite a day." Edward puts his hand on my back trying to lead me to our room, but I dig my heals in the ground refusing to move.

"No, wait. I don't really feel like resting. If anything, I feel more hyper than I've felt in a while. Let's do something fun." I suggest and Edward looks at me like I've lost my marbles. He has a point. I don't think I've ever spoken so excitedly in the entire time he's known me. I'll gladly blame it on the pregnancy hormones, like I tend to blame everything these days.

"Okay, then. How about something a little less taxing than the swimming lesson you had this morning, we can just watch a movie if you like…" He offered, shoving his hands in his pockets, like he was asking his crush out on a date.

It was adorable!

"I'll get the popcorn!" I announce excitedly as I float to the kitchen.

I could hear Edward chuckling behind me and it made me even happier that I could draw a laugh out of him. It always felt like he was doing everything he could for me, while I was barely giving him anything in return. Maybe getting to him to smile or laugh every once in a while would be enough…for now.

We settle down a few minutes later as Edward pops in one of the movies from his huge collection and as the opening credits begin to roll I lay my head on his shoulder comfortably and he pulls a small chair closer so I can rest my legs on it, since they had been swelling a lot recently.

He does it so easily, almost without thinking, that I find myself staring at him in astonishment.

"What?" He asks when he notices my crazy wide eyed look.

"Uh, nothing, just watch the movie." I order him.

He gives me his half grin, which means he knows that I was staring, which also means that my face must have turned a thousand shades of red by now.

I quickly turn back to the TV and we continue to watch in silence for a while.

Slowly, my hyper active state begins to settle down and my eyes begin drooping and my head bobs forward as I try to fight off sleep.

As I drift off into dreamland, I faintly feel Edward putting his arm around me as I rest my head comfortably on his chest. If I was more conscious, I probably would have been insanely embarrassed at how I was acting around him.

I don't know how long I had been asleep, but I know that I feel so warm and relaxed that I'm reluctant to open my eyes or move even an inch.

A weird light keeps flashing into my eyes annoyingly as it brings me out of my dream state. I start to notice that I'm actually lying down on something firm and incredibly warm. My eyes flutter open slowly and the first thing I notice is the smartphone shoved in my face. The next thing I notice is my mother, holding said smarphone and manically taking pictures.

"Mom? What time is it? What are you doing?" I mumble as I gradually start to grasp what's going on.

"Oh, sorry honey, I didn't mean to wake you. You two just look too adorable for words! I had to take a picture to commemorate the moment." She winks.

"Us two?" I ask stupidly, and then I turn my head to where my hand is resting on Edward's chest. Edward's chest! Wait a minute; I was practically lying on top of Edward on the couch! His arms were still wrapped snuggly around me as he continued to sleep restfully and thankfully unaware of my mom's antics.

I try to get over my shock and move out of Edward's arms without waking him but to no avail as he only wraps his arms around me even tighter and starts waking up.

Shit!

He opens his eyes unhurriedly and smiles as he sees me so close to him.

"Good morning," He mumbles. I almost smile back before we're interrupted by my mother's squealing.

Dear God.

"Oh hey, Renee. Are you guys leaving now? I can drive you to the airport." Edward offers, still not making a move to let me go and not even looking a little bit embarrassed at being caught in this position.

"Oh, no! You two stay just the way you are. Charlie already called for a cab and its right outside waiting for us. I just came to say goodbye." She waves hilariously, grinning ear to ear.

Dad comes in at this point and when he spots Edward and me in our sleeping position, he raises his eyebrows but makes no comment.

Thank god for Charlie.

"Renee, the cab's waiting with our luggage; we should go if we don't want to be late." HE grumbles.

"Okay, I'm coming, let me just hug my baby girl first."

Edward finally lets me go and I move away from him enough so that mom can wrap her arms around me and squeeze the air right out of my lungs.

"Mom, can't breathe." I wheeze out.

"Oh, don't be so over dramatic and move away so I can hug my son-in-law." She takes a step towards a now panicked Edward. Since he cannot escape, Edward endures mom's choke hold with as much grace as he can muster until she finally lets go.

"Take care of my little girl, Edward. She's all yours now." She winks again. Seriously, what's with all the winking!

"I will. You don't have to worry, I promise." Edward stands now shaking hands with my dad, who looks please at his words.

We say our final goodbyes and see them off and as I turn after closing the door, I bump into Edward's chest, which seems to be all over the place right now.

"Uh, sorry." I look anywhere but at his face.

"Hey, look at me." He pulls my face up until my eyes finally meet his. He's smiling at how shy I've suddenly become around him.

"Good morning." He says, greeting me properly since we didn't really have the chance to do that due to my mom's early morning wake up call.

"Yeah, hi. I mean, good morning to you too." I stutter and I feel like slapping myself silly. Get a grip, Bella!

"Did you get a good sleep?" He asks, still lightly gripping my chin as though he's afraid I'm going to make a run for it, if he let's go for even a second.

"Yes, of course I did." I quickly reply and then immediately regret it. "I mean, it was fine." I shrug nonchalantly, or at least attempt to since I'm sure I looked like a pouting three year old at the moment.

"Huh, that's strange, you seemed pretty comfortable to me." His hand has now moved to me hair moving it from my face and he catches one strand wrapping it lightly around his index finger.

"Actually, you were so comfortable that you wouldn't let go when I tried to get you to lie down on the couch by yourself." He grins mischievously.

"I did not!" I vehemently deny although I do not remember anything after I dosed off.

"Yes, you did. In fact, if I recall correctly, you asked me to lie down with you because I was very 'cuddly' as you put it."

By now my eyes had grown twice their natural size as I stare up at my husband as though he'd gone mad.

While I'd been too focused on my inner monologue, I had been walking backwards and now my back is against the door, while Edward stands, towering over me.

"Do I make you nervous, Bella?" He asks softly.

I could barely breathe, let alone answer him back. When he sees that I've lost my ability to articulate coherent words, he leans down and touches his lips to mine.

All I can say is that the moment our lips fused together, everything seemed to have titled on its axes.

My arms move of their own accord and I wrap my hands around the collar of his shirt pulling him even closer. He moans loudly and hoists me up so that my legs are wrapped around his waist and he carries my entire weight in his arms. I've never felt so turned on in all my life.

What the hell was happening to me? Just a second ago I couldn't look him in the eye and now I was practically humping him against the door and pulling his shirt open while he takes my top off.

The thing is…I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now.

When we finally come up for air, I'm already in my bra and short skirt, while Edward is completely shirtless.

"Do you…Do you think we should…go upstairs?" Edward asks hesitantly.

His words are like a bucket of ice water thrown at me in the middle of a scorching hot day.

"I…Edward, I'm not sure…"

"It's alright," He interrupts me before I can finish, understanding my hesitancy and choosing to not pressure me further. Part of me was actually disappointed that he was such a gentleman.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be all over you like that. I just got carried away." He ran his fingers through his hair nervously and picked up his shirt that was now discarded on the floor next to us.

"It's fine, Edward, please. I got carried away too, you know." Suddenly realizing my state of undress, I grabbed my top against my chest trying to cover whatever I could.

"I uh should probably get ready for work. I have a very important meeting this morning and then a business dinner tonight, so I might not be back until later tonight."

"Do you need breakfast first? I can cook up something real quick." I offer right away.

"No, there's no need," He smiles. "I'll just have a quick bite at the office. Come on, you're shivering. We'd better get you up there before you freeze." Edward ushers me up to our room and I get dressed as he takes a quick shower.

When he emerges in his charcoal suit and matching tie, I have to keep my knees from wobbling. There's just something irresistible a man who fills out a suit perfectly. There's just something about Edward in a suit that is irresistible…period.

He came up to stand behind me as I sat at the vanity combing my hair. He wordlessly took the comb from my hand and started running it through my hair silently.

"Aren't you going to be late for work?" I ask quietly.

"I can spare a few minutes." He smiles at me in the mirror. "I was thinking, would you like to join me tonight at the dinner that I mentioned?"

"Are you sure? I though you said it was a business dinner."

"Of course, I am. It won't be too formal and boring; you don't need to worry about that. We'd actually be meeting with one of my closest friends; Demetri Petrov and his wife Aliana. I've already told them that I got married and they can't wait to meet you, so this will be the perfect opportunity." He explains. "So? What do you say? Will you be my date?" He leans down speaking next to my ear and sending shivers down my spine.

How could I say no to that?

"Yes, I will be your date." I nod as I lay my hands on one of his as it rests on my shoulder. "What time do you need me to be ready?"

"I'll come pick you up around six, is that alright?"

"That's perfect."

"Great, I'll see you tonight then, Bella." He kisses my cheek softly. He gives me one parting wink before leaving the room.

I hear his car leave the driveway a few minutes later and it feels like I already miss him.

The house is always too quiet and cold whenever he's not here. I hope that will change after the baby arrives.

"Your mommy can't wait to meet you, little one." I speak directly to my tummy, like a crazy person but I couldn't care less. The pregnancy books say that an expectant mother should always speak soothingly to the baby and that even before it's born; a baby always recognizes its mother's voice. I choose to believe that.

My stomach starts grumbling a few minutes later and I suddenly remember that I hadn't had much to eat since the bowl of popcorn I devoured last night.

I head back down to the kitchen and attempt to put something together, but I'm interrupted as the doorbell rings suddenly.

I smile as I run to answer it, since it can only be Edward. Who else could be visiting us suddenly and this early in the morning too?

"Edward, did you forget…something?" I stutter as I open the door only to be met with a face that I thought I'd never have to see again in this lifetime.

"Hello, Bella."

I stand there unmoving and contemplating whether I should shut the door in her face.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" She asks.

"Jessica, what the hell are you doing here?" I grip the door handle so tight, it might break off.

This should be interesting to say the least.