Blockbuster Teaser

 “Thank you so much for picking us up, Esme,” I said. “We could have gotten a cab or arranged for a car service.”

“Nonsense, I’m more than happy to pick you up,” Esme replied, waving a hand airily. “Besides, it gives me a chance to talk to you and Seth. How was your musical?”

“It was good, Mrs. Cullen,” Seth answered. “I have a DVD of the performance, if you want to see it.”

“I would love that, Seth,” Esme grinned, blinking back to his spot in the backseat. “Are you happy that you’re on summer break?”

“I’m excited to sleep in. I hate getting up to an alarm,” Seth snickered.

“It was a nightmare to get him up at ten to get onto this flight,” I snorted, giving my son a wry grin.

“I’m not a morning person, Mom,” Seth laughed, scrubbing behind Bear’s ears. “So, a nap is in order when we get to Edward’s place. Do you think I can stay in that guest house he offered up the last time we were here?”

“We’ll ask Edward when he gets back home,” I suggested. “For now, put your bags in the same room you stayed in at Christmas. Okay?” He nodded and put his ear buds in, listening to some music. “I feel weird walking into Edward’s house without him there. I mean, it’s his house.”

“It may be his house, but you’re a part of the family. Reach in my purse, Bella,” Esme said. “There’s a keychain in there.” I picked up a Hermes Birkin bag. This purse cost more than my car. “In the inside pocket, you’ll find what you’re looking for.”

My fingers wrapped around a keychain. It had three keys on it. “Are these …?”

“The golden keys are for the house and the large black key is for the Range Rover,” Esme explained. “The larger key is for the main house and the smaller key is for the guest house.”

“Thank you,” I sputtered, looking at the set of keys in my hand.

“I can see that you’re confused, Bella. When my son goes all in, he goes all in,” Esme grinned. She exited off the freeway and navigated through Malibu to Edward’s home. “Bella, my son adores you and he’s like all Cullen men.”

“What do you mean?”

“When they fall, they fall hard and fall forever,” Esme breathed. “Carlisle was like that with me. Edward’s grandfather, Anthony, was like that with his wife, Elizabeth.”

I looked out the window, worried that Edward would eventually see me as a drain on him. I wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t give him any more children. What if he wanted more?

Esme was quiet until we pulled into the driveway of Edward’s home. “Seth, here are the keys. Can you take Bear out for a walk on the beach?” I asked.

“Let me get our bags, too,” Seth said, taking the keys and hooking the leash onto Bear’s collar.

“We’ve got it, Seth,” Esme murmured. My son nodded, taking Bear out of the car, and walking toward the beach with the keys in hand. “I can see the hamster going in your head.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I argued.

Esme looked at me. “Your brow furrowed, and you had the lost look in your eyes. My son may be an acclaimed director and a former actor, but he’s human like you, like me. He takes a shit like everybody else.”

“Oh my god!” I laughed, looking at her. “I can’t believe you said that.”

“Why do you think you’re not enough for Edward?” she pressed, arching a brow.

I twisted my hands. “What if he wants children? I can’t give him children,” I whispered.

“I can’t answer for him, but he’ll support and love you, no matter what you decide,” Esme said, reaching across to squeeze my fingers. “I know he loves Seth. He loves you.”

“What I feel for Edward is difficult to put into words,” I whispered. “And, I have a way with words. He’s my home. He’s my safe harbor. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, ever. The only person I love more than Edward is my son.”

“As it should be,” Esme breathed. “I adore my husband. Carlisle is my best friend, my port in the storm. My children are my life. I would do anything for my kids.” She smiled at me tenderly. “But, there’s a time where the parent needs to be selfish. From what I’ve heard about you and from you, you’ve never been selfish. You’ve given up so much. Let Edward and Seth spoil you.”

Esme Cullen