A Single Step Update

A Single Step Chapter 16 on FFn

A Single Step Chapter 16 on AO3

A Single Step Chapter 16 on Wattpad

A Single Step Chapter 16 on Stars

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 Modern Day Fairy Tale Teaser

Upon our return from the hospital on Christmas Eve, we had a quiet meal in my parents’ private quarters. We also exchanged a few small gifts before we all went our separate ways. Bella called them ‘stocking stuffers.’ They were small trinkets, representative of Gevalia for each member of the Swan family. Charlie and Linda got a gift basket of various coffees that were popular in Gevalia. We also included a coffee liqueur, as well. The coffee baskets came from Emmett. Bella and Alice got smaller baskets with the coffees, along with a box of chocolate truffles. Mother gave Bella, Linda and Alice exquisite lace scarves, made  by the finest artisans in our tiny country. Charlie got a cashmere scarf.

We went back to Masen Manor. I spent the night making love to Bella, showing her how much I adored her. Seeing her with that little girl made my heart soar. I wanted nothing more than to start a family with her, after making her mine. Forever.

I wanted to make her my wife.

I knew it was too soon, but I could see a future with her. I could see her ruling by my side.

As I held her, after making love to her for the third time, I stared at her. Her naked body was pressed to mine, curled to my side. I ran my fingers through her hair, just watching her sleep comfortably.

My reverie, unfortunately, was broken as my cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. I picked up the phone, grimacing as I saw my mother’s private number pop up. I slid out of the bed. I looked at my girl, happy and loved for the first time since her dad’s diagnosis. I wanted to make sure she had that. For as long as possible.

Pulling on my sweats, I ducked into my private living quarters. “Mother? It’s three in the morning.”

“Go to a computer. I’ve sent you a link, Edward,” Mom said, her voice taking on a hard edge.

“Hold on,” I said, sitting down at my desk and waking up my laptop. I opened my email, I found the link my mom sent. It was a blog post from one of the nasty ‘reporters’, trashing my girlfriend. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“The inside source?” Mom snarled. “I have no doubt that it’s Bella’s sister.”

“Do you have proof?” I asked. “I know you have security cameras.”

“No proof. Her phone is still locked up in Renata’s room, along with Linda’s. The phones in the palace cannot make outside calls unless you put in the correct code,” Mom huffed. “Either she gained access through the palace phones, using a servant to make the call, or she met up with this … asshole … outside.”

“Charlie and Linda have enjoyed the capital, but Alice has stayed in the palace, holed up in her room,” I answered. “She must have called upon one of the servants. Befriended them and got access to the phone.” I pinched my nose. “Interview the staff.”

“Felix is already on it, Edward. You do need to … you have to tell Bella,” she muttered. “I know this will shatter her heart.”

Alice's Scarf

Truffles for Bella and Alice

Linda's Scarf

Truffles for Linda

Charlie's Scarf

Bella's Scarf

Gevalian Coffee for Charlie

The One That Got Away Teaser

Edward’s car had been towed. Apparently, he parked in a tow zone or in the chief of staff’s spot, or something. It was open and he didn’t honestly care. He called his parents and Carlisle arrived. “Edward, I’ll get the whole car thing situated,” his father said, flustered for his son. “Dr. Holt is a douchebag.”

“Whatever,” Edward said, shrugging sullenly. “I don’t care about the car. I don’t care about anything but seeing my kids and having Bella open her eyes.” He looked at his father. “How are they?”

“Asleep with your mother in our bedroom,” Carlisle said. “Liam is pissed and Lucy … she’s just lost, heartbroken.”

“I’m going to get them some help. This was a nightmare and it’s impacted their lives,” Edward sighed, leaning his head back in Carlisle’s Mercedes. “I’m also going to keep them home tomorrow. I don’t want them to be the butt of other kids’ jokes. And with their scantily clad, biological mother getting carted off in handcuffs … that would definitely make them a huge target.”

“I’d do it for the rest of the week. Send them back on Monday, after they’ve met with a counselor,” Carlisle said, squeezing his son’s shoulder. “Their birth mother tried to kidnap them. It’s going to take time for them to feel safe. They’re going to need their father and their mother.”

“Too bad their mother is in a hospital bed, in a medically-induced coma,” Edward scoffed, his emerald eyes hardening. “They won’t be okay until Bella’s home.”

“You may want to call her boss and explain the situation,” Carlisle said. “Bella’s belongings are in the backseat.” He gulped and slid a glance over to Edward as he found Bella’s cell phone. “The attack has been on television, too, Edward. Bella’s name or the children, they haven’t been mentioned, but Tanya’s face was splashed all over the newscasts.”

“Great,” Edward grumbled, opening Bella’s cell phone and finding her boss’s cell phone number. He pressed the button and waited. “Hello, Sarah?”

“Edward, why are you calling using Bella’s phone?” Sarah asked.

“Look, today, Bella was in an incident involving my ex-wife. Have you seen the news?” Edward asked.

“Tanya Denali is your wife? She tried to kidnap your kids?” Sarah breathed. “Are they okay?”

“Ex-wife, yes. And they’re physically unharmed, but emotionally, a mess. Bella, however, is hospitalized with a head injury and a fractured wrist,” Edward said. “I know that she’s new to the university, but she’s obviously going to need some time off.”

“Oh, my word! Yes!” Sarah said. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything. Tell Bella to get better soon and that I’m thinking about her.”

“Sarah, it’s serious,” Edward whispered. “I don’t …” His heart cracked, along with his voice.

“Edward, she’ll be okay,” Sarah replied. “And I’ll take care of everything.”

“Thank you,” Edward sighed. “I appreciate it.”