WANING MOON CHANGING TIDES

Chapter 8: Time Alone

~Edward~

A chilled breeze blew against my face as I jogged through the forest. My mind was busy thinking of a thousand things all at once, while I kept track of the scents coming in from the breeze. Early this morning, before Carlie was even awake, I left the house knowing that it was better for me to be away from Bella and our daughter for the day. Several people from the Quileute Tribe were going to be with Bella and Carlie to celebrate Thanksgiving, and the last thing I wanted was to add hostility with me being there. Bella didn't need that, and neither did our little girl.

The sudden smell of tangy warm blood assaulted my senses, and with little thought I went from jogging into a sprint. A few hundred yards ahead, in a small open field, some Deer were eating the grass there not yet aware of my approach. The beat of their heart drew me to move even faster, though the trees and plants around me remained solid. I was aware of everything, even when the big buck was able to figure out that there was danger. Before he could start to retreat, I leaped in back of him just as he kicked off, catching him around his back while I brought him down to the ground. Only a moment later his blood was running down my throat, sating me for the moment while I tried to focus only on the moment, pushing all of my thoughts away.

After bringing down a smaller deer, and disposing of the carcasses, I began to head back toward Forks to the Cullen family home where Carlisle and Esme would be waiting. I felt bad leaving so abruptly earlier. After sitting in my room for an hour my restlessness had driven me across the border into Canada. Running had always felt good to me, though this time running felt wrong. Being away from Bella was more difficult with each time I had to leave. What she needed was time to figure things out, that much was clear, but not knowing what our future held, became more and more difficult to endure.

It was a little past noon when I arrived at the river's edge. With ease I jumped over the running water, landing on the other side. Esme was in her garden preparing it for winter. My mother loved growing beautiful flowers and plants and was quite good at tending to them. I knew that it brought her peace when Carlisle was away at work, and was beginning to understand my family a little better. Before Bella came into my life, when one of them would grow unhappy being away from their mate, I'd always think of them overacting even with my ability to read their thoughts. I could never understand how they could be so wrapped up in someone else. Now I knew how they felt all too well.

"How was your hunt?" Esme wiped her hands on her work jeans before walking over to me. When she was close enough she hugged me, and I hugged back feeling comforted by her embrace. I was no longer a boy of seventeen even though I looked like one. I had seen more and done more than any mortal my age, and yet having her hug me eased my turbulent thoughts for a moment.

"It was quite, and what I needed."

We parted as she smiled at me. "I'm glad you were able to get away, and I know that it is difficult being away from Bella and Carlie." Esme was trying to hide her thoughts, very much eager and ready to see Bella again, and meet her only grandchild.

"You will get your chance."

Before she could respond my phone began to play Claire De Lune, and as Esme went back to her garden, I slid the call piece into place. "Bella?"

From the other end of the phone I could hear many things. There was a game on the TV, and several of the men there were mumbling about how it was going. It reminded me of Emmett and Jasper only my brothers often placed bets, coming up with outrageous pay outs for the victor. I could hear Bella talking to Sue, and another woman's voice I didn't know. That caused me to realize that Bella was not the one on the other end. "Carlie?"

"Daddy, go away, not tell?"

"You were still asleep, and I didn't want to wake you. Does mommy know you have her phone?"

As I said that Esme glanced at me.

"Mommy baken, and Jake watch game, not playen me. You come see me Daddy?"

As she talked, Jacob seemed to realize that Carlie was talking on a phone, and I heard his approach to where ever it was Carlie was hiding. "Hey Cutie, who are you talking to?"

"No have it, mine."

I couldn't help but chuckle as Esme walked beside me able to listen to the conversation. Carlie began to laugh before I heard the phone being taken away from her and a second later the call ended. How she had managed to dial my phone was a mystery.

"It sounds like she's missing you."

I knew how she felt, "Yes, though I'm not sure how she reached me."

"Little ones are very curious and she likely dialed you on accident."

Wanting to give Bella a warning that Carlie at one point did call me, I dialed the house phone getting the woman I loved on the second ring. "Hello Bella."

"Edward," she said quietly as though she were trying to hide the fact it was me. That bothered me slightly, even though I knew why she was whispering.

"Are you aware that our daughter had your phone? Jake I think got it away from her, but you may want to see if she still has it."

Bella gasped a little. "She called you?"

"Only by luck I believe. Our daughter wasn't happy that I left without saying goodbye."

"No she wasn't. Carlie cried when I told her you had to leave. I should go."

"Good Bye."

Bella started to say something before she hung up, leaving me to wonder and wait until I would be able to see them this evening.

~Bella~

With Carlie down for her nap, and most of my guests heading back to La Push, I went to the kitchen to help with the cleanup. Sue was there along with Emily. Sam had gone back with Seth and Billy.

"Thank you for doing all of this?" I grabbed a towel and began to help Emily with the drying.

"It was fun. I'm glad Carlie is feeling better," Emily said as she put a dish away for me. How she managed to reach up and get the dish into the cabinet with her very large pregnant belly was a mystery. I had never gotten that big before Carlie was on her way, and sometimes it made me sad.

"Bells?"

I turned around as Jake walked in scratching his head. He had been uncharacteristically quiet during dinner and it was evident he had something on his mind. Sue glanced over at him before returning to scrubbing with a little more force. Jacob and Leah weren't talking which was why she didn't come with him or at least one of the reasons she didn't come. It was tiring having to deal with this and a baby getting over an ear infection along with a cold.

After wiping my hands I walked with Jake back into the other room. "You were quiet."

He nodded as he sat down on the sofa patting the seat beside him, though I stayed where I was, folding my arms against my chest. "I don't know what I want Bella. I thought Leah and I had something, but now, I just don't know." Jake seemed frustrated, and that I could sympathize with. Even so, I wasn't going to sit beside him. It was hard knowing what I wanted, but after everything that had happened with Jake's relationship with Leah, sudden and abrupt, and Edward being back, the last thing I needed to do was let him cling to me.

"I know it's hard Jake. I'm trying to figure it out too. Edward coming back was the last thing I expected, but now that he's here everything is starting to feel right again."

Jake sighed, "I know I don't get a say in this, but how are you going to explain to Carlie when she's old enough, why he goes off all the time?" It was evident Jake wanted to say more and I was glad he didn't.

"It's something we will have to handle one day. He is her father Jake, and I know you all don't like that he is, but after losing Charlie the way I did, there are things I regret, most of all the time we never got while I was growing up."

"Bella?" Emily came into the room, and I was happy for the distraction. We had a while before evening and what Jake was saying were things I worried about.

"Are you leaving already?"

She smiled as Sue walked in as well. "My back is hurting again, and as much as I loved today, I need to get going."

We hugged as best we could with the bump blocking a full hug. After her hug, I gave one to Sue. "Thank you for everything."

"You are welcome."

I walked with them to the door seeing them out before shutting it, leaning my forehead there as I tried to figure out how to get Jake to leave.

His warm hand on my shoulder startled me. When I turned around he gave me the smile I used to love. "So what do you want to do?"

With just the two of us in the house and Carlie sleeping upstairs, it was suddenly very uncomfortable. "I'm ready to go upstairs and join Carlie in bed to be honest." That part wasn't a lie and I hoped he would get the hint that he needed to go and talk to Leah, or just leave.

His frown confirmed the need to get him out. "Jake, I can't."

"Can't what, talk? I'm not going to try anything," he defended.

Those were words he had spoken before, words we both had spoken at one time based on good intentions, only being with him in the past led to other things that did not need to be repeated.

"We can talk, just not while I'm here alone with my baby. It isn't like it used to be Jacob."

"Because of him," Jake stated, flatly.

I was tired, and not ready to go into battle over this. "Jake, go home."

When I opened the door he pushed past me and once he was outside Jake began to run toward the back of the house. After the door was shut my eyes closed and I swiped at the tears that were beginning to run down my face. There were a few times in the past, after Carlie came home, when it was just the two of us, when we did almost go over the boundaries I'd set up. That was a time in my life when I didn't have the hope that Edward was coming back and was facing the reality of moving on. My feelings of love for Jacob had been very real, and as I recalled them I slid to the floor leaning my head against my knees.

Carlie's steady breath against my neck was a fairly good indication that she was in a deep enough sleep for me to put her in the crib without upsetting her. Once my baby was settled on her stomach, the only way she would sleep, and I was sure everything was out of her way, I headed back downstairs where I had left Jake when we came up here so she could go to sleep. The other reason for me coming up here was to get a handle on my feelings. Over the past few weeks, since coming home with Carlie, Jacob had been a constant visitor. Summer was on the way and for him school was out.

In the den, he was sitting on the sofa and patted the spot next to him. Without having to think about it, I went over and joined him as he draped an arm around my shoulder. "So what do you want to do?"

My homework was done for the day and we had the house to ourselves. Charlie had to work late even though he didn't like it. My father loved being Grandpa Charlie and now that Carlie was starting to smile at us he hated being away from her. "We could watch a movie."

"Which ones did you get?"

"Only one, Zodiac."

We ended up watching some of that, and as we did I relaxed in his arms feeling safe and wanted. The movie was good but my mind drifted to the fact that Jake's leg was shaking. It was a little annoying so I put my hand there feeling it warm instantly. Jacob was a great heater for me and for Carlie. His skin was soft beneath my hand, and I ran it down to his knee, thinking of Edward and the differences. Edward's skin was always like granite but so smooth, so perfect. Jacobs's skin was soft and gave to my touch. I trailed my fingers back up his thigh hearing his breathing change, but not daring to look at him.

After gathering my courage I pulled away a little and did look. Jake's eyes were on mine and a darker shade. He wanted more, and my heart began to beat a little faster. Before I could think too hard about what I was doing, I turned around completely getting on my knees. Jacob didn't move as I tilted my body closer to his. My lips brushed against his and they gave. I breathed in as I pressed another kiss to him. Jake had an earthy woodsy smell. It was like being in the forest after a rain on a warm summer day.

My stomach began to flutter as his hand reached out resting on my shoulder before it slid around to the back of my head. He began to kiss back as my heart raised faster. Was this really happening and was I going to let it, how far would we go? A thrill rushed through me as his other hand began to trail down my side.

Carlie's sudden cry over the baby monitor brought me back to reality. I hadn't even realized my eyes were closed and when I opened them Jake was watching me. Before I could get up he gently cupped my cheeks with his hands. "Don't you regret this, I didn't."

My baby cried out again and I left him, thankful that she was here to stop her mommy from doing something that I would regret later.

What hurt most about that was that I had willingly used him. Jacob had attempted to try again several times and there was only one other time that we got carried away, just a little more than that. Shortly afterward Leah happened and that was it for us.

The only one who had every known me completely was Edward and for that I was grateful. With a deep sigh I got to my feet deciding a nap with Carlie would do me some good.

~Edward~

Resting on my ottoman with my arms pillowed behind my head, I let the tunes from my stereo fill my mind. Music was one of my favorite means used to get away from the things I didn't want to think of. The beat of the drum and the flute playing in the back ground mixed with the notes of the lullaby I was composing in my mind for Carlie.

Carlisle was pleased with her marked improvement, and I was glad that the small doses of blood along with the ear drops were working to help my baby get better. Earlier today we had talked about the possibility that what Carlie may need to fight off colds and viruses was more blood in her diet. There was a concern that came with that, which was how to explain one day what it was she was taking and one day explain to her what I was.

Before my thoughts drifted to those worries, my phone began to vibrate. I felt relief when Bella's name showed up on the ID. "Hello?"

"Daddy, come see now. Mommy say so and me say too."

Before she could finish talking, I was already downstairs getting the donated blood from the kitchen as Esme and Carlisle smiled at me. "I'll be there soon."

"How soon?"

"Very soon."

"Mommy have it."

There was the sound of the phone being passed before Bella's voice was the one I heard. "Hey, we had a longer nap than I planned. I'm not sure how I'm going to get her down tonight."

"We will figure that out." Already I was on the main road going into Forks.

"We'll see you in a little bit. She's on her way upstairs. Carlie wait for me." Bella hung up and I couldn't help but grin, knowing that our daughter felt well enough to climb some stairs.

Three minutes later my car was in front of the house. The second I got out, the front door opened and Carlie was in Bella's arms hiding her face against her momma's shoulder. I quickly made my way to them because it was chilly out. Once we were inside, Bella reached out with one arm and we hugged gently around our baby. As I eased away I glanced at our little girl before leaning in to kiss the back of her head. "Hello Carlie, what did you do today?"

Our baby didn't respond so I followed Bella into their family room, noticing that the house smelled like it had been aired out a little. It was also chilly which explained why both of them were in their coats. "Bella, you didn't have to leave the windows open," I told her, realizing she must have done it to be rid of the wolf smell.

"I left them open while we slept, like I said, I didn't mean to nap for so long, but we both needed the rest. As she sat down I grabbed a blanket and put it over them.

Bella reached out and turned the TV on and the DVD player. A moment later a cartoon began to play bringing Carlie out of hiding. She had her hood on and was transfixed to the TV instantly.

"This is why she doesn't get much TV. What did you spend your day doing?"

"I took a long run." Bella nodded understanding why I didn't go into detail. "Other than that I stayed around the house. Esme is doing some repair work on the inside. She still isn't ready to part with it."

"While you were gone, I went there once. The yard was getting over grown and it didn't look the same, just a shell." Bella drew in a shuttering breath as it began to warm up with the heat on and a fire going in the fire place. That analogy of the house was how it was for me. I was a shell while being away from her.

"How was your Thanksgiving?"

"Not bad. Jake did get the phone away. He said he didn't know she was really talking to someone. I left her under his care, but he got caught up in the game."

That was what I had guessed. For a little bit we didn't talk, watching the program on TV. It was a rat in a kitchen that could cook and Carlie's eyes were fixated on everything the rat and other characters were doing. "Is this new?"

"Yes, mom gave it to her before they left. There is a rat upstairs for her to sleep with and add to her stuffed animal collection."

Midway through the movie Bella paused it, getting instant protest from our baby as she got up cradling Carlie in her arms. "Shh, you still get to see it, but I need you to use the potty."

"Not go mommy."

"Then you won't be able to see the rest."

Carlie pouted as they left me alone, and I smiled. My Bella was a good mother, patient and understanding and also firm when she needed to be. Hopefully I would learn a lot from her and I would follow her lead with Carlie.

When they came back Carlie was sniffing, and struggled to be let down. She was wearing a one piece pajama outfit with feet attached and was cuddling her bunny and a blanket. After Bella put her down, our daughter walked over to me snuggling against my chest and the blankets as her mommy pushed the play button for the movie.

"Did you bring another bag?"

"Yes."

Bella nodded leaning against my left arm. "It seems to be helping."

"Yes it does."

We sat silent for a few minutes. "Maybe she needs that as part of her normal diet. I know I don't want her getting sick again."

"That is something Carlisle is still trying to determine. How many doses of the other one does she have?" We knew to speak in code when it came to the ear drops. Carlie hated them, and I couldn't blame her. Having drops in my ears wouldn't feel good, and I knew it had to be uncomfortable.

"Tonight and tomorrow night should be the last." That was a relief and I felt Bella sigh.

When the movie was over, it was a little past seven in the evening. Carlie slid down from my lap and ran to her hobby horse, climbing on its back before she began to rock while holding on to her bunny. "Who got her that?"

For a moment Bella didn't say anything and when I glanced at her she was biting her lip. "Jacob carved it for her while she was in the hospital in Seattle." Now I understood why she had waited to answer and put my arms around Bella. It wasn't easy to hear that, but I wanted Bella not to fear telling me things, even if it did concern the pup.

"Bella, you can talk about him."

Again Bella sighed, before shaking her head. "I'm tired of him. There are a few things…When you were gone we almost…We just need to get things settled with this place and get out."

My eyes followed Carlie for a few minutes while she played with her toys. My leaving had caused these uncertainties and a part of me was ready to move on and have a brighter future with Bella and our little girl, without everything seeming to shadow us from our past.

The second Carlie squatted down; Bella pulled out of my arms and ran to her lifting her from the floor as she carried her upstairs. I wasn't far behind them hearing Carlie as she began to cry.

"Oh baby don't cry, you just have to remember that you need to do that in the toilet, like you do with your potties."

In Carlie's room I easily found another pair of pajamas with the feet attached to them as I heard Bella running some water in the bath.

The door was partially open so I held the pajamas out feeling Bella take them as Carlie continued to cry. With my love taking care of our baby, I went outside and got the bag of donated blood from the car. It only took a little bit to get it ready for Carlie and when I got back upstairs they were sitting in the rocking chair snuggling again. Without any hesitation Carlie opened her mouth letting me squeeze the blood into her mouth, two doses before she took a drink of water, still sniffing.

Once that part was done, the next part was the more difficult of the two. Carlie seemed to know what was coming and covered her ears, crying again as she began to cough. Just as she had done since we started the ear drops Bella settled in bed on her side while Carlie lay beside Bella with her face pressed into her Mommy's chest coughing a little while I put the drops in her ears. The cries weren't as loud as they had been on the previous nights, though they still caused me to feel horrible for subjecting my baby to that.

After the other ear was taken care of, I knelt down on the side of the bed closest to Carlie and began to rub her back while I hummed the new Lullaby. Bella smiled at me and our daughter's cries began to soften

"Da…daddy in bed."

My eyes were on Bella as she nodded and after taking off my shoes I settled in next to Carlie, facing her mother. My eyes never left Bella's as I continued to hum and it wasn't long before our daughter went back to sleep.

A little later we went back to the den and Bella sat down next to me while I wrapped my arms around her. "She seems to be accepting you much more than she has."

"Yes."

"What does she think about when you hold her?"

Before telling Bella, I pulled a blanket around her. "She feels safe and loved, no longer confused. When I first arrived she would think of Jacob. That doesn't happen as often now."

Bella nodded. "You have been here during a hard time in her life. I'm in a way glad for that. I mean not for Charlie passing away or Carlie being sick, but just that there was a real need for you to be here, for me too Edward. I'm ready to get this place prepared to be rented. I need to find someone to help me."

"If you will allow it, I have someone in mind. The new firm that is handling the care of our home is very competent. They will listen to what you want and need."

"How long will it take to arrange all of that?"

"Most of the time, several weeks."

Bella sat up a little and turned, raising her brows. "With Money?"

"And the right influence a week at the most." I reached out brushing her hair from the left side of her face, tucking it behind her ear.

A frown formed on her lips.

"I will tell them you are interested. They normally take a percentage off the rent at a monthly cost before the rest will go to you."

"I've never managed anything like this. Will you set something up and teach me how to handle it, to know what to check for."

"Absolutely."

After that she smiled and we turned on a different movie sitting back to watch that while we enjoyed being in the company of one another.

Another sunny day left me at home again. Carlie was done with the ear drops and down to one dropper of donated blood a day while Bella kept an eye on her temperature and any other symptoms that might crop up. She was meeting with the attorney today who would be managing the house and I was anxious to see what she thought. Bella was planning on leaving Forks next week on Tuesday to go back to Brewster, and had asked me to go with them.

As I sat in the front room with my laptop, looking at rental possibilities, Esme was on her laptop looking at some new property in Hanover. It had been a quiet morning for us, which was normal.

Before I clicked on another picture my cell buzzed. "Good Morning."

"Good morning. I have a favor to ask."

"Anything."

Bella took a breath. "Sue can't keep Carlie and Mister Forester wants to look at the house. Do you think I could bring her over there?"

"Yes you can, do I need to get anything?"

"No, I'll bring enough to keep her busy, and I'll bring some left overs for her too. Listen if Carlisle and Esme want to stay there they can, or show up later even, I know this is last minute."

"Bella, I'm more than happy to watch her for you."

Once we got off the phone Esme was on her feet with a big smile on her face before she took a breath and sat down again. "Do I need to leave?"

"If you don't mind, just until Carlie adjusts."

"No I don't mind. Do you think Bella would mind if I got some things for her, just in case there are more visits? I promise nothing too over the top."

It was my turn to smile. "I think she would be alright with that."

An hour later I heard a car pulling into the driveway, not yet used to the sound. Bella had purchased a new car with some of the money she had gotten from Charlie, and had picked a Toyota Model for safety sake. I could hear Carlie talking about the big house, and was glad she seemed excited.

"Who live there?"

"That is where your daddy lives."

"Big house Mommy."

I walked to the door glancing out at the sunny day, wanting to help Bella even though I could not.

Once Carlie was on her feet she carried her bunny and her favorite blankets while Bella got several things from the trunk.

Slowly I opened the door finding my little girl hesitating at the bottom of the steps leading up to the door. I knelt down smiling at her, and it only took a moment before she climbed them and was in my arms.

I moved out of the way as Bella followed putting all of Carlie's things down in front of the door. After going to the kitchen to put the left overs away, Bella came back to us.

"Alright, I just need to get her seat…"

"You don't. I ordered one for my car just in case. It came in earlier this morning."

Bella smiled not seeming to mind that. "That makes it easier; getting them hooked in and unhooked is time consuming." She reached out rubbing Carlie's back. "She should be ready for that soon."

I nodded.

"Are you ready for this?"

My first time alone with our daughter left me excited and a little worried, though I had a feeling we would do fine. "I think we will manage."

Bella walked to my left side. "Be good for your daddy."

"Come back soon Mommy?"

"Just as soon as I can."

"Sad."

When Bella reached for her I let Carlie go. "Don't be baby, you will have a great time with your daddy, and did you see that he has a piano?"

Our daughter looked over Bella's shoulder. "Like Mimi have?"

"Just like Mimi."

Carlie wanted down after that, dropping her blanket and bunny before running toward the piano, not noticing Bella as she left.

There were only a few tears when Carlie found that her mommy had gone, but they vanished very quickly when I carried her back to the piano, holding her in one arm as I began to play with my free hand. Once that happened, Carlie wanted to try. She brought her hand crashing down once before I stilled it. "You have to play it gently, just like this."

I pressed down a key and Carlie followed my example. "Play Mary lamb."

My baby sat on my lap transfixed as I played the song for her, singing the words softly until the song came to an end.

"What else would you like me to play?"

"Song, last night sad, you hmmed."

Again I began to play for her as Carlie tried picking out the tune.

We were still playing when I heard Esme's car pulling up toward the house. "Would you like to have anything to eat?"

"No hungry, see my toys."

While Carlie went over to her toy pile, still by the door, Esme came in through the back of the house. I wanted to help her, but wasn't going to take my eyes off of Carlie.

"What did you and Mommy bring?"

"Big puzzle, no that now. Have make food."

Carlie sat on the floor with a small toy pot and plastic food along with a spoon that she used to stir it. Esme came in at that time leaving the things she had gotten out of sight for later. My baby glanced up as she walked over to the sofa I was sitting on, watching as Esme sat beside me before she got back to her toys.

"She has a wonderful imagination," Esme whispered while Carlie served food to her Bunny and to the rat that Renee had gotten for her.

"Very wonderful. Bella doesn't allow her to watch much TV."

A second later, Carlie walked over and put a plate with a plastic fish on my lap before she went back to her friends.

I pretended to eat it. "That was very good Carlie."

"Have a cookie?"

"Yes please."

My baby smiled as she came back with the cookie taking my plate and fish back to her little area. A second later Carlie was back again with another cookie and put it in Esme's lap trotting back to her mini kitchen.

Both of us nibbled on our cookies watching as Carlie looked up at us every now and again.

"All done now." Carlie came back and took her cookies away.

"Those cookies were wonderful Carlie."

"No talk me." Her tone toward Esme was grumpy, and when she couldn't get the chicken into the pan, Carlie tossed it a little away. Nap time seemed to have arrived at which time Esme left me to handle that.

"Carlie, will you pick out a book for me to read?"

"No nap, no books." She put her arms in front of her and huffed. Since naps were not an option I cleaned up her toys before getting her blankets along with Bunny and the Rat. With those secure in my arms, I picked my baby up

My daughter went from grump to tears in barely a second. "Mommy nap, have mommy."

I noticed the small toilet and carried that with me upstairs into my bathroom. Carlie didn't fight me as I helped her with her jeans and didn't ask me to leave while she did her business, coughing a little as she sniffed.

After she was done, I took Carlie into my room getting the remote and dimming the windows to a darker tent. Once that was done I walked over to my shelf of CD's finding a CD of soft instrumental music and put that in to play before I began a slow waltz with my baby in my arms.

"Mommy home?"

"Shh, she'll be here soon."

Carlie took in a deep breath and let it out as I continued to dance with her. While we were dancing, Esme came in with a small pillow and some blankets laying them out on my ottoman. After doing that, my mother walked over to us laying a gentle hand on Carlie's back as I swayed in place. "You are doing quite well."

"Daddy dance me." Esme gave Carlie a kiss on the back of her head, leaving us again and it wasn't long after when my baby went to sleep.

~Bella~

The meeting with Mister Forester lasted longer than I had wanted, and when I got to the car I noticed that there were no messages from Edward. It took all my will not to speed to his house; though I had a feeling anyone who pulled me over would give me a break. Twenty two minutes later I got out of my car and hurried up to the house as it began to drizzle. Before I could knock on the door it opened and Esme greeted me.

"How did she do?"

"She is doing well. She just woke up. They're in Edward's bathroom upstairs."

I remembered the way and as I got to the third level, they came out of the bathroom. Carlie was in her father's arms though when she saw me she reached out. I pulled her into my arms taking in a deep breath. "I missed you baby."

"Miss mommy. Daddy and play piano and dance had nap in daddy room."

"You did?"

She nodded. "Have eat, I hungry now."

Edward led the way back downstairs to the kitchen where Esme was heating up some leftover turkey from the other day. I sat with Carlie in my lap at the table and Edward joined us. "How was your meeting?"

"It went well. They really do know their stuff, and Mister Forester explained to me how they conduct interviews for possible renters. I like him."

Edward grinned. "He's very nice, and trustworthy."

Esme set the plate down in front of Carlie, before leaving us to talk.

"What do you have planned for the rest of the evening?"

That was something I had yet to plan. "I think pack a little and clean some clothes. Do you want to come back with us?"

He nodded, helping Carlie with her fork. "What did you and your daddy do today?"

"Make fish have cookie. Her no talk me."

I glanced at Edward.

"She didn't want Esme to talk to her, which prompted nap time."

"Ahh I see. Carlie, did you know Esme is Daddy's mommy?"

"No talk her."

After she ate, we went back to the front room and while Carlie sat down to play I took Edward's hand leading him to the sofa. "When she meets someone new, Carlie doesn't like them to talk to her at first. I'm still trying to figure out what to do when she gets grumpy. Most of the time I just change the subject."

"Esme wasn't offended by any means, and this is all very new to Carlie."

I was glad Edward understood. We played with Carlie for a little longer before it was time to go back to Charlie's to settle in for the evening. While Edward loaded the car, I got Carlie into her coat glad that he was going to come with us to Brewster. I wasn't sure how long we would stay, or even if I wanted to stay any longer than to pack up and move again, away from the west coast and all of this pain and confusion I was feeling.

AN: Thank you all for the fantastic Reviews and adds. So, this was a little longer with more content. Bella and Jake sort of had a thing going, though nothing more than just kissing and making out. I think of that time as the part in New Moon where they were in the truck and Bella was about to kiss him, about to tell him everything with the dives. Carlie prevented that one nicely. I also wanted to use this chapter to get into Edward's mind a little more. He's ready for Bella to be committed to him and waiting is difficult. I'm trying not to show Jake as the bad guy, he's not, but at the same time Bella isn't trying to encourage him with Edward back.

Also wanted more happy times with Carlie. Anyhoo, let me know what you think.

~Ella~

Back                         Home                              Twilight Main Page                              Next