A Single Step Update

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Jake, with a broken hand because of his damned temper, Seth, Bella and Edward sat at a nearby park. The same park that Jake had lost his damned temper.

Talk about irony …

It was almost time for Riley to come and they were all incredibly anxious that he wouldn’t show up. It wouldn’t shock Bella, but she prayed for her boys that her douche of an ex-husband would be less douchey. Jake and Seth hid their anxiety by kicking a soccer ball back and forth. Bella was obsessively checking her phone for the time while Edward maintained a cool façade, but underneath, he was brimming with anger for the boys.

Bella’s phone vibrated and she looked down at it. “He’s here.”

A sleek BMW pulled into the parking lot. “Did he always drive that?” Edward asked.

“No. He bought that after our divorce,” Bella whispered. “I got that monstrosity with specialized controls for someone who couldn’t use her feet and he got a sleek, blue Beemer.”

“Well, you don’t drive that monstrosity anymore. Instead, you have a sleek Honda Pilot,” Edward quipped as he watched Riley, a tall, slender man walk out of the car. He had dark hair and pale skin, wearing a pair of dark wash jeans and a polo. He obviously took care of himself, but there was something about him that Edward didn’t trust.

Jake stopped kicking the ball, holding it to his hip while Seth turned around. He ran to Edward, sitting next to him. Jake stood behind his mother and her boyfriend. Riley sat down, looking at his boys. “You’ve both grown so much. You look so much like your mom.”

“It was almost like you weren’t involved, Riley,” Jake said coldly.

“Jacob William,” Bella snapped.

“Sorry,” Jake said.

“No, you’re not,” Riley said, looking at his older son. “But, I deserve it.”

A Single Step Update

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A Single Step Chapter 16 on FicPad

The move that Riley made had thrown Edward for a loop. Riley just took the boys’ decision away from them. That night, after he’d dropped that bombshell on Bella, as Seth was sleeping, he found Riley’s phone number and he programmed it into his own phone. The next day, he called it and was shocked when Riley picked up.

“Riley Biers,” he said curtly.

“Um, hello,” Edward mumbled.

“Who is this?”

“My name is Edward Cullen and I’ve been dating Bella for about a year now,” Edward answered.

“She told you about what I did,” Riley sighed.

“Yes, she did and it boggles my mind that you would give up so easily,” Edward muttered. “Bella was a mess after you told her and she was so upset for the boys. Do you think that they want me as their father?”

“You’re more of a father than me, Edward,” Riley answered. “I’ve seen you with them. My sons smile and they play.”

“I think you should see them,” Edward blurted. “You need to tell them. They need to understand why you’re walking away from them. Right now, they feel discarded. Seth is terrified that I’m going to leave him. A few months ago, Bella transferred therapists because I wasn’t pushing her far enough. Seth thought that I’d walk away from them, like you. They blame themselves.”

“It’s not their fault, Edward,” Riley said.

“They need to hear that from you,” Edward snapped. “You may be willing to give them up, but they need to know your decision and to hear from you. Not from me and certainly not from Bella. You need to be a man and explain to them why you’re doing this. You’re a coward to not want to see them.” Riley was quiet, obviously processing what Edward had said. “Give them a chance to say goodbye to you, if they accept what you have to say.”

“Does Bella know you’re calling me?” Riley asked

“No, and she would probably kick my ass,” Edward snorted.

“I still love her, Edward. I hate what I did to her,” Riley muttered. “What I did to my family.”

“Why did you?”

“I wasn’t strong enough to handle a woman in a wheelchair,” Riley replied. “I thought I could do it, but seeing her struggle for each movement … I just couldn’t watch her wither away.”

“As you saw yesterday, she did not wither,” Edward growled, barely able to control his temper. “She still struggles with low self-esteem and fear of rejection because your little stunt, Riley. I don’t let her dwell and I show her how much I adore her every moment of every day. She is the strongest woman I know. She refused to give up, even when her doctors and her husband did.”

“You’re a smart man, Mr. Cullen,” Riley chuckled humorlessly. “Are you going to tell Bella about this phone call?”

“As soon as I get off the phone, Riley.”

A Single Step Teaser

The move that Riley made had thrown Edward for a loop. Riley just took the boys’ decision away from them. That night, after he’d dropped that bombshell on Bella, as Seth was sleeping, he found Riley’s phone number and he programmed it into his own phone. The next day, he called it and was shocked when Riley picked up.

“Riley Biers,” he said curtly.

“Um, hello,” Edward mumbled.

“Who is this?”

“My name is Edward Cullen and I’ve been dating Bella for about a year now,” Edward answered.

“She told you about what I did,” Riley sighed.

“Yes, she did and it boggles my mind that you would give up so easily,” Edward muttered. “Bella was a mess after you told her and she was so upset for the boys. Do you think that they want me as their father?”

“You’re more of a father than me, Edward,” Riley answered. “I’ve seen you with them. My sons smile and they play.”

“I think you should see them,” Edward blurted. “You need to tell them. They need to understand why you’re walking away from them. Right now, they feel discarded. Seth is terrified that I’m going to leave him. A few months ago, Bella transferred therapists because I wasn’t pushing her far enough. Seth thought that I’d walk away from them, like you. They blame themselves.”

“It’s not their fault, Edward,” Riley said.

“They need to hear that from you,” Edward snapped. “You may be willing to give them up, but they need to know your decision and to hear from you. Not from me and certainly not from Bella. You need to be a man and explain to them why you’re doing this. You’re a coward to not want to see them.” Riley was quiet, obviously processing what Edward had said. “Give them a chance to say goodbye to you, if they accept what you have to say.”

“Does Bella know you’re calling me?” Riley asked

“No, and she would probably kick my ass,” Edward snorted.

“I still love her, Edward. I hate what I did to her,” Riley muttered. “What I did to my family.”

“Why did you?”

“I wasn’t strong enough to handle a woman in a wheelchair,” Riley replied. “I thought I could do it, but seeing her struggle for each movement … I just couldn’t watch her wither away.”

“As you saw yesterday, she did not wither,” Edward growled, barely able to control his temper. “She still struggles with low self-esteem and fear of rejection because your little stunt, Riley. I don’t let her dwell and I show her how much I adore her every moment of every day. She is the strongest woman I know. She refused to give up, even when her doctors and her husband did.”

“You’re a smart man, Mr. Cullen,” Riley chuckled humorlessly. “Are you going to tell Bella about this phone call?”

“As soon as I get off the phone, Riley.”

A Single Step Update

A Single Step Chapter 15 on FFn

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A Single Step Chapter 15 on Wattpad

A Single Step Chapter 15 on Stars

A Single Step Chapter 15 on FicPad

Carlisle, Esme and Elizabeth came to Seattle and they fell in love with Seth and Jake. Fourth of July weekend was spent barbequing, talking, laughing and having fun. Renee and Charlie came to Seattle on the Independence Day. They got along very well with Edward’s family. While they were visiting, Esme, Renee and Elizabeth began plotting to get Edward and Bella married.

Bella was embarrassed at her mother’s plans with Edward’s family. She never really considered getting married again. After Riley had thrown their vows in her face, the whole idea of being married made her an anxious mess. She loved Edward. He was everything that she ever needed.

Smart.

Funny.

Loyal.

Stubborn.

Patient

Sexy.

Down to earth.

Loving.

Accepting of her children.

Protective.

Assertive in the bedroom – though, they never progressed past oral sex, even though Bella got the go-ahead from Dr. Whitlock. Edward could definitely make her quake with his mouth and his long fingers. They were not unsatisfied.

Bella and Edward continued to train and Bella’s form and stamina improved. She still saw Marcus twice a week, but only to work out the kinks and for strength training.

One day, in early August, Bella was walking to her office. She had a meeting to discuss publishing her diary about while she recuperated from her spinal stroke. She’d gone from the darkest part of her life, wishing for death to training for a 5K. Riding up the elevator, she held the hard copy of her diary that she’d printed out, along with a memory stick with a digital file.

Bella did not want to use her connection to the publishing house to get her story in print, but Edward, Rosalie and Jasper all insisted she try. Her boss remembered the entries she’d read and she asked Bella to bring it in. Arriving at the publishing company, Bella smiled at the receptionist and she was ushered into her boss’s office.

Diane, Bella's boss

A Modern Day Fairy Tale Update

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AMDFT Chapter 41 on Stars

I was sitting next to Rosalie as she slept fitfully. She’d delivered her baby girl three days ago after a C-section. She refused to hold the baby, explicitly saying she was simply an incubator and that Lauren and her husband, Tyler, were the parents. Lauren, Tyler and baby Olivia left the hospital the day previous, after Rosalie signed the adoption paperwork, relinquishing her parental rights. The original adoptive parents had backed out when they got a baby closer to home who was willing to have a more open adoption, a woman who wanted to have some sort relationship with the baby she'd given up for adoption.

The baby was clearly not Emmett’s. One of her attackers had been an African American student who was the vice president of the fraternity and the baby had dark skin and black curls. The DNA had been sent out to the lab to verify paternity, but her baby had been conceived when she was attacked.

“Bella,” Rosalie whispered, blinking up at me.

“You need your rest, sweetie,” I smiled, taking her hand.

“So, do you,” she muttered. “I know I’m an awful person, a despicable friend. I feel so badly that I pulled you away from your boyfriend.” She looked down at the gorgeous ring that sparkled in the lights. “Sorry, your fiancé. You should be with him. Celebrating with him, going out for Valentine’s Day.”

“I’d forgotten about Valentine’s Day,” I snorted. “Masen proposed, giving me this gorgeous ring, but I’d neglected to get him anything for Valentine’s Day.”

“You can give him you,” she shrugged. “Spend time with him. I’m going into an in-patient program. I won’t be able to have visitors. Not anyone other than family, not for a while.” She sat up, grimacing as her stitches pulled. “You’ve  proven to be a valuable, loyal and amazing friend. You calmed me down in a situation that was …” she trailed off. “I want to be that type of friend for you. Now? I can barely stand the sight of my own body. I’m sick of who I am. I love you, Bella. As much love as I can give and that’s not a whole hell of a lot. The minute amount I have, it’s for you. Some is for my parents, but I …”

“They hover,” I chuckled. “That’s because they worry, Rose. They heard you, begging for death.”

“I still want to die,” she muttered. “No matter how much I shower, I can’t stop that feeling of being used.” She looked at me, drawing her legs up and wrinkling her nose. “Thank you, Bella. I will never forget what you did for me.”

“I hope you can get over this,” I murmured. “I hope you can get your happily ever after with Emmett.”

“Doubtful,” Rose snorted humorlessly. “If you could tell him that I still care for him. Maybe, when I’m … not on the verge ending it all, I might reach out to him. I don’t know. Right now, I just can’t look past tomorrow, an hour from now.”

“One day at a time, Rose,” I smiled, squeezing her hand. “Will you be okay? I’m going to step out and talk to my friend who’s been hanging with me.”

“I want to sleep. I’ll be fine,” she said, curling back up and tugging the blanket up to her chin.

“And Rose, regardless, you call me at any time. I’m here for you,” I said, standing up from my spot next to her bed. “So are your parents. Your friends.”

“I know,” she sighed. “I just feel closer to you than to my friends from university or even from home. They don’t understand why I can’t ‘bounce back’ from what happened.” Rosalie just rolled  her eyes, flipping off the lights and ending our conversation. I frowned, walking toward the doorway. “I may never ‘bounce back.’”

“You need to adjust to a new normal,” I suggested. “I’ll be back, Rose.”

The One That Got Away Update

TOTGA Chapter 75 on FicPad

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TOTGA Chapter 75 on Wattpad

“Mom, can you curl my hair?” Lucy asked Bella. “I want to look nice for the Christmas program tonight!”

“Let me help you, peanut,” Alice chirped. “I don’t know how your mother is doing with her physical therapy. Can you wield a curling iron yet?”

“That would be a no,” Bella snorted. “Put gel into a squirm’s hair? Yes. Stop moving, little man.” She finished with his hair and pointed to his math homework on the counter.

“I’m hungry, Mom,” Liam whined. “And that chili smells so good. I want some.”

“Patience, son,” Edward snickered, making some pasta to go with his chili mac. It was a family secret and the twins were begging for it before their Christmas program. “Though, I’m not sure about you guys eating chili, filled with beans. You might be noxious with all that gas. My two little fart-monsters.”

“That’s Liam, Daddy,” Lucy giggled as Alice was smoothing her strawberry blonde curls.

“Oh, no, princess. When you were little, you were far more toxic than Liam,” Edward said, arching a brow. Lucy scowled, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s true. However, as you’ve gotten older, Liam is a bit more vocal with his gas.”

To prove a point, Liam burped.

“GROSS, LEE!” Lucy yelled. “You’re disgusting.”

“Okay, stop poking the bear,” Bella growled. “Liam, say excuse me. That was nasty.”

“Excuse me,” Liam grumbled.

“And Edward, you don’t call a girl toxic,” Bella said, arching a brow at him. “Apologize to your daughter.”

“Sorry, Luce,” Edward said, giving her a sympathetic grin. However, he pulled Bella to his side. He whispered in Bella’s ear. “It was the truth, though. That girl shit through more clothes than God.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she said, twisting his nipple. He yelped. “I’m going to change. Alice, thank you for helping with Lucy’s hair.” 

The One That Got Away Teaser

“I know you closed on your bungalow in the chief’s neighborhood, but when are you moving?” he asked Alice.

“After Christmas. We’re spending Christmas with my family in Seattle. Then, we’re packing up the truck and making the cross-country trip to Florida, stopping in Austin, to celebrate New Year’s with Jasper’s family,” Alice said. “I’m lucky. I can work from home and with Bella’s schedule, I have flexibility to unpack and set up our house.”

“Bella’s schedule?” Edward asked. “Isn’t she going back to the university?”

“She is, but she’s also going to be flying to and from LA for status checks on the production of Mafia Princess,” Alice explained. “The first one is at the end of February and the next one is just prior to start of filming in late March, while she’s on spring break. I just told Bella this while you were at your meeting with the hospital board this morning. How did that go?”

“I’m so lucky I have Dr. VanDuzor on my side. I’m not losing any time in my fellowship, nor will have to make it up. I am on FMLA and legally, they can’t force me to do that. Jenks, my attorney, fought for me, along with my mentor and boss,” Edward chuckled. “Though, I’m itching to get back in the game. I’ve received a few shifts at the hospital between now and when I go back full-time.”

“Good,” Alice nodded. She looked over to the twins, who were now playing in the family room. Alice skulked over to Edward, wrapping her arms around his. “And what about putting a ring on that girl’s finger?” she hissed. Alice waggled her brows, smirking conspiratorially.

“I have a plan,” Edward laughed. He quickly told Alice about what he was working on with the twins. He’d already found a ring for Bella and it was being made. This weekend, however, while Alice and Bella enjoyed some time a nearby spa with Edward’s mother and Sue, Edward was going to take the twins to choose some mother’s jewelry for Bella, using their birthstones. Alice approved and clapped her hands excitedly.

“When?”

“When what?” Edward asked, taking the pasta and emptying it into a colander before adding it to the chili.

“When are you going to put a ring on it?” Alice queried, smiling impishly. 

The One That Got Away Update

TOTGA Chapter 73 on FicPad

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TOTGA Chapter 73 on Stars

TOTGA Chapter 73 on FFn

TOTGA Chapter 73 on Wattpad

“Edward, it’s Thanksgiving,” Jenks grumbled. “It’s before dawn on Thanksgiving. What the fuck, man?”

Edward was down in the kitchen, trying to stay quiet. After they returned from court, they both crashed and slept. Edward stayed in bed as long as he could, but he was anxious to get ahold of Jenks to start the beginning of his plan for his happily ever after. “I need adoption papers.”

“Who are you adopting?” Jenks yawned.

“Not for me, you idiot,” Edward hissed. “For Bella. I want her to adopt the twins. I don’t know if you heard …”

“Yeah, I did. Perez is a good guy and he told me about the case when met up for our bowling league,” Jenks said. “Adoption papers. Got it. I’ll work on that on Monday.”

“Good. That’s good,” Edward murmured. “I want to propose to her … have the kids help me …” He blew out a breath. “I need something good to come out of all of this. Bella is the only thing keeping me sane.”

“I can imagine, Edward. Do the kids know?” Jenks asked.

“I’m going to talk to them today. We’re celebrating Thanksgiving at my parents’ house. Charlie, Sue, Seth and Leah, Sue’s kids, are spending it with us, too. I’m going to pull them aside and ask if they want Bella to officially be their mother and if they were okay with me marrying her,” Edward whispered.

“Excellent plan, Edward. I’ll get the paperwork started and it should be ready to go before the end of the year,” Jenks explained. “Now, let me go back to fucking sleep. It’s still before dawn, asshole.”

“Sorry,” Edward chuckled. “But, I am a paying client. You did give me your cell phone number to call you anytime.”

“I’m changing my fucking number, Cullen,” he grumbled. “I’m going back to bed, snuggling up with my hot wife. I’ll talk to you later. Happy Thanksgiving.” He ended the call abruptly, making Edward laugh.

He went to his to-do list and crossed off ‘calling Jenks.’ Next, Edward started looking for engagement rings. He had no idea what he wanted or what Bella wanted, but something unique, special was important. He perused rings until his eyes crossed and all the rings looked the same. When he heard Bella shuffle around upstairs, he closed his laptop and began making coffee and preparing breakfast for them. She walked down the stairs, looking bedraggled and sleepy. Her hair was a rat’s nest, but he never thought she looked more beautiful. “I missed my snuggle buddy,” she yawned, padding over to him and sliding her arm around his waist. 

The One That Got Away Teaser

“Edward, it’s Thanksgiving,” Jenks grumbled. “It’s before dawn on Thanksgiving. What the fuck, man?”

Edward was down in the kitchen, trying to stay quiet. After they returned from court, they both crashed and slept. Edward stayed in bed as long as he could, but he was anxious to get ahold of Jenks to start the beginning of his plan for his happily ever after. “I need adoption papers.”

“Who are you adopting?” Jenks yawned.

“Not for me, you idiot,” Edward hissed. “For Bella. I want her to adopt the twins. I don’t know if you heard …”

“Yeah, I did. Perez is a good guy and he told me about the case when met up for our bowling league,” Jenks said. “Adoption papers. Got it. I’ll work on that on Monday.”

“Good. That’s good,” Edward murmured. “I want to propose to her … have the kids help me …” He blew out a breath. “I need something good to come out of all of this. Bella is the only thing keeping me sane.”

“I can imagine, Edward. Do the kids know?” Jenks asked.

“I’m going to talk to them today. We’re celebrating Thanksgiving at my parents’ house. Charlie, Sue, Seth and Leah, Sue’s kids, are spending it with us, too. I’m going to pull them aside and ask if they want Bella to officially be their mother and if they were okay with me marrying her,” Edward whispered.

“Excellent plan, Edward. I’ll get the paperwork started and it should be ready to go before the end of the year,” Jenks explained. “Now, let me go back to fucking sleep. It’s still before dawn, asshole.”

“Sorry,” Edward chuckled. “But, I am a paying client. You did give me your cell phone number to call you anytime.”

“I’m changing my fucking number, Cullen,” he grumbled. “I’m going back to bed, snuggling up with my hot wife. I’ll talk to you later. Happy Thanksgiving.” He ended the call abruptly, making Edward laugh.

He went to his to-do list and crossed off ‘calling Jenks.’ Next, Edward started looking for engagement rings. He had no idea what he wanted or what Bella wanted, but something unique, special was important. He perused rings until his eyes crossed and all the rings looked the same. When he heard Bella shuffle around upstairs, he closed his laptop and began making coffee and preparing breakfast for them. She walked down the stairs, looking bedraggled and sleepy. Her hair was a rat’s nest, but he never thought she looked more beautiful. “I missed my snuggle buddy,” she yawned, padding over to him and sliding her arm around his waist.

“I restless and I didn’t want to disturb you, sweetness,” he said, kissing her forehead. She hummed, putting her head on his chest.