A Single Step Update

A Single Step Chapter 10 on FFn

A Single Step Chapter 10 on AO3

A Single Step Chapter 10 on Stars

A Single Step Chapter 10 on Wattpad

A Single Step Chapter 10 on FicPad

Months went by. Edward became a regular fixture at the Swan household, spending the night frequently. So often, he had brought over a fair amount of clothing, most of which hung in Bella’s closet. He celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family, and was unofficially adopted by Renee and Charlie.

In addition to opening his heart to Bella, Edward also opened his heart to the boys. Jake accepted Edward easily and gained a new male role model and friend. Seth was still cautious, having been burned by his father, but he grew to like Edward and gobbled up his attention along with his knowledge about sports.

Bella’s recovery was slowly improving after a month-long stall. She still struggled with balance, but she was able to walk smoothly in the aquatic treadmill. Edward also had her work on a recumbent stepper to get her leg strength back. She could walk, but required the use of a walker for balance. Bella hated it, vowing to never use one when she reached the age of eighty. Regardless, she was walking more and using her wheelchair less and less.

During the boys’ spring break, Edward took Bella to visit his parents in Jacksonville. Jake and Seth wanted to spend time with Nana and Poppy, going fishing and camping. Bella was more than happy to have her sons go with her father to do their outdoorsy things. It had been a cold and wet winter. When Edward suggested the trip to Florida, Bella readily agreed, eager to get out of Seattle. She hadn’t had a vacation since she started working for the publishing  house.

As they flew over the country, Edward read Bella’s diary entries. She was watching a movie on her iPad while Edward read her inner-most thoughts on her laptop. She knew it was tough for him, reading about the pain she endured. He held her close, kissing her forehead and crying during her lowest parts of her recovery. At one point, Edward closed her laptop.

“What?” Bella asked, tugging out her ear buds.

“Your ex-husband is a douchebag,” Edward sneered.

“Keep in mind that I was writing these as if no one would read them,” Bella snickered. “Obviously, I need to do some major editing …”

“No, they need to know about how not to treat someone who had a life-altering medical event,” Edward huffed. “He’s so cold! What did you ever see in him?”

“When we met, he was good and kind, treating me with love and affection. We got married relatively quickly. I was pregnant with Jake. He was a drunken debacle baby, but we loved him from the moment we found out I was pregnant. Anyway, we were still in college. I had Jake in June between my junior and senior years of college and I was back, student teaching in August. Riley’s parents helped a lot,” Bella said.

“You don’t talk about them, in your diary,” Edward said.

“They both died, around our five-year anniversary. Car accident,” Bella frowned. “William, Riley’s dad, fell asleep at the wheel and crossed four lanes of traffic before wrapping his car around a telephone pole.” Bella sighed. “Riley was a mess after that, fell into a deep depression. He bounced back, returning to the sweet, affectionate man I married and Seth was conceived. After Seth’s birth, Riley just shut off. We lived together, but we weren’t together. It wasn’t a marriage. Then, I had my stroke and his true colors came out.”

Charlie and Seth fishing in La Push

Omni Hotel in Jacksonville

Dr. Carlisle Cullen

Esme Cullen

Cullens' home in Jacksonville

Kitchen

A Modern Day Fairy Tale Teaser

Alice

I was in my room.

No, wait.

I was in my prison cell with a queen-sized bed, a duvet cover, feather pillows and my dad’s girlfriend.

Ugh, Linda … can’t stand that bitch! If I have to smell her cloying, noxious perfume for another goddamned minute? I swear I’m going to cut a bitch.

While I was sitting in my room, I was being watched by my warden, Renata. She was barely taller than me, but she wielded a key, locking me inside and held the combination to the safe which held my cell phone. Ever since I was a ‘person of interest’ in that whole tabloid scam, I was not to be trusted.

I was shocked, to be honest.

I was stunned that I was given as much freedom as I’d received.

Suckers.

Though, I thought I was more careful. I’d played the ‘role’ of a loving, caring sister and doting daughter to the best of my ability upon my return from forced exile. Even though, I wanted to slit my wrists with how fake I was being. I hated my family. I abhorred my life. A sister who was ‘sainted’ and a father who was loser and was unable to provide for me. I’m the kid. My needs should be met, damn it! I shouldn’t be forced into indentured servitude because my dad’s hands shake uncontrollably and he could barely walk at times.

Regardless, I’d hoped that the ‘screen’ would hold true.

Yeah, that would be a no.

I picked a decent-looking servant who had a sob story and close to my age, losing his brother in some godforsaken, unnecessary war and an obvious bone to pick with the royal family. I led him on, had some really bad sex and gained access to the palace’s phone system with his personalized code. I said that I needed to call my best friend, but in reality, I was eager to spill the beans on my skank sister.

I had a phone number and email address of an owner of a tabloid blog. It had been texted to me by an unknown number prior to my departure to Gevalia, along with a name. I reached out to Laurent and told him all about how Isabella spread her whore legs to entrap Prince Edward Anthony Masen Cullen. She was not worthy of royalty. She was not worthy of anything. I couldn’t stand her and her sanctimonious, holier-than-thou martyr thing she had going on.

Boo hoo, you have to work seven days a week. It’s called being an adult, honey.

Bella made my life hell, forcing me to work her shifts at the bakery and now? It’s my turn to return the favor.

Alice's bedroom at the palace

Mary Alice Swan

Picking Up The Pieces Update

Picking up the Piece Chapter 22 on FicPad

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 22 on FFn

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 22 on Stars

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 22 on AO3

Picking up the Pieces Chapter 22 on Wattpad

I pinched my nose. Despite Grace’s well-written story of who she admired that made me cry like a baby last night, she was trying my last nerve this morning as we got ready for Thanksgiving weekend. “Grace, you need to pack a bag. Two outfits, pajamas, a pair of underwear and Wolfie. We’re not having costume changes on Thanksgiving, young lady.”

“But, what happens if something gets spilled on my dress, Mommy?” Grace asked.

“Then, we wipe you off and life goes on, baby girl,” I answered. I plucked out a pretty purple dress with some black leggings. “This with your booties, little one. We’re already running late. I told Nana Esme that we’d be at her house an hour ago. We’re still waiting for a mini fashionista to finish packing.” I shook my head, making my way up to my bedroom. I finished tossing in my clothes into a bag, along with my toiletry bag and a curling iron. “Edward?”

“Yes, sweetness?” he replied.

“Can you put our duffel into the car? I’m afraid I’ll fall down the stairs with it,” I snorted. I heard him jog up the stairs, a wry smirk on his face. “Admit it. It’s a distinct possibility.”

“This is true,” he chuckled, picking up the bag easily. “Did you put my uniform in there?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Yeah. It’s in there. You have to work tonight? An overnight?” 

“I do, baby,” he said, kissing my nose. “It gives me the rest of the weekend to spend with my family. I’m not going to be out in the field due to my rib injury, but I’m manning the phones and possibly doing a few speed traps.”

“Or, in cop speak, take a nap?” I teased.

“Bingo. I’ll probably catch a nap after dinner, before I go in at nine. I’ll be home by nine the next morning, on Thanksgiving,” he said, kissing me sweetly and making his way down the stairs, with our bag slung over his shoulder.

I threw on a pair of shoes, tossing my hair into a ponytail and made my way to Grace’s room. She still wasn’t packed. “I swear, Grace,” I huffed, tossing her stuff into her bag. She grumbled as I zipped up her bag. “Sloths are faster than you today, baby girl. We’ve got to go.” My cell phone vibrated in my pocket with a text from my mother. “Grandma and Nana are anxious to see you, munchkin. Go get your coat on and get into the car.” I slid her smaller bag over my arm and picked up Wolfie and her iPad from its charger, stuffing it into the front pocket. I carefully walked down the stairs. John took the bag, hugging my waist and he ducked out of the front door, putting the bag into Edward’s SUV. Pulling on my coat and picking up an envelope stuffed with Thanksgiving favorite recipes, I went outside. Grace was strapped into her booster seat and John was helping Edward with the bags.

“Can you start the car, sweetness?” Edward asked. I nodded, twisting the key in the ignition. He and John fumbled in the back for a few moments before they both got into the car. “Ready?”

“Always,” I snickered. Edward put the car into reverse, backing out the driveway and making our way to his parents’ home. It was decided that Rose, the kids and I would spend the night at the house since both of our significant others were working overnight. I think that after the work was done, it would turn into a wedding planning session. The only thing we had planned was the church, which was more for Edward’s side of the family, not mine and the location of the reception. From brief discussions I had with my mom and conversations with Esme while we got our pedicures, we needed to get our asses in gear.

My wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and tuxedos needed to be ordered.

We needed a color scheme, but nothing too clichéd or hokey. I refused to have a red wedding just because we’re getting married on Valentine’s Day.

Invitations needed to be ordered, flowers needed to be selected and …

The list went on and on. And to be honest, it was so freaking overwhelming.

Decor inspiration for Bella and Edward's wedding

Grace's bridesmaid dress

Alice's bridesmaid dress

Bella's wedding dress