FYH Chapter 16

FYH Chapter 16

Family Ties

EPOV:
I could not believe that it was only one week to Thanksgiving. The days have been flying past since I met and married Bella. It was hard to believe that we've been together for four months now and married for three. It was mind boggling the changes that my life had been through over in such a short period of time, both the really good and the really bad. But there was so much that I still wanted to do with my life after this trip was over and we settled somewhere. I knew that I needed to tell my family and thought that I would bring this up during that damn therapy session that I was participating in this afternoon. I was not looking forward to this at all.
We had arrived at Myrtle Beach last night and found our way to the little house on the beach that we had found on the internet. When I woke this I was morning I was surprised to find Bella gone. I found a note on the nightstand from her saying that she ran to the store to get some food for the day which was really good as I was starving. I jumped into the shower hoping that by the time I was done she would be back. I just hoped that she thought to pick up some beer or something to calm my nerves.
By the time that I made it down the stairs I heard her pull up so I ran outside to help her carry the groceries in. It looked like she grabbed enough stuff for a couple of days but we were still attempting to narrow down the menu for our little Thanksgiving dinner that we were having by ourselves. I still felt bad that I hurt my mother's feelings, a little bit but I was getting over it. I really was really looking forward to a nice quiet intimate holiday alone with my wife.
Bella told me that she had picked up some stuff to make this breakfast casserole that her mother had made all the time and I followed her into the kitchen to help her put everything away. Then I sat on a bar stool at the breakfast bar and watched her cook. Just sitting there watching her move through the kitchen with such ease and grace and the easy conversation that we fell into discussing what she bought for dinner and then the menu for Thursday again and it was just…there were no words to describe the feelings that I felt as I watched her cook as I sat and watched her. It was domesticated but it was beyond perfect, it was wonderfully and completely just home.
It wasn't the location it was us. It was that our love for each other that made it home and I knew that no matter what happened this afternoon or in the near future for us and our travel I would be a happy man as long as she was with me. I suddenly realized that she was standing there looking at me like I was crazy and then she started laughing at me.
"What?"
"I asked you if you wanted to take a walk on the beach after we eat."
"Oh. Sorry. Yes, a walk on the beach sounds great."
"Are you ok?"
"Perfect. I am absolutely perfect."
"Ok. I am going to run up to take a shower while the casserole bakes. Will you set the table for me?"
I walked over, grabbed her into a hug, and then kissed her before she ran up the stairs laughing. It was a nice morning so I thought it would be nice to eat out on the deck. So after making sure that the table outside was clean and set, I walked back inside and my God, that casserole smelled good. However, one thing I had learned about my wife, she was an amazing cook.
She came back downstairs with her hair still wet and wear her comfortable stretch pants and one of my t-shirts that was more of a dress on her. She was thrilled with the idea of eating outside. I think that she really wanted me to remain calm and relaxed today.
As we walked along the beach an hour later, she was holding my hand when she suddenly stopped and said that she wanted to live on the beach.
"Like here in Myrtle Beach?" I asked.
"I don't know. Not necessarily here but as long as it's a beach house."
"ok. That rules out St. Louis then. You know that right?"
"Yes, but we can always visit St. Louis whenever we want to. But this is beautiful and so peaceful. I want a life like this for us and our future kids."
"Have you given any thought to when you want to start having those kids?"
"Not for a while Edward. We are still teenagers really and I really do want to go to college and become a teacher."
"That's fine. I'm in no hurry to share you just yet either."
We returned to the beach house when it started to rain and settled in to watch a movie while we waited for that call to come through. Bella had dozed off when the phone went off.
I took a deep breath in and out before answering it. It was not a number that I recognized so I figure that it must be the therapist's phone in her office. However, I did recognize my father's voice when I answered. I must have been on speakerphone because I could clearly the others in the background and my mother saying something about not wanting a repeat of the last time. I groaned because I had no idea what she was talking about and something told me that I was probably better off not knowing.
"Guys, knock it off," my father yelled, "I've got him on the phone." It was suddenly extremely quiet on the other end. In fact, I checked that I had not lost them. I contemplated whether to wake Bella but in the end, I decided to let her sleep. After I was introduced to the therapist, Bethany, she told me how it what was going to happen. There were apparently some new rules put into effect because of last time. First everyone was to remain seated and second that while it was alright to get angry everyone needed to remain respectful to each other at all times. That right there made me sure that I didn't want to know what had happened last time and even more nervous about what was about to happen.
She started with me since I was the new one and asked me how I felt about doing the therapy. Well, that was a loaded question wasn't it. I wasn't expecting that question and asked for a moment to get my thoughts together.
"I don't know really. I'm glad that mom wants to get help and all. On some level I want to know what she has to say to me but on the other hand part of me is terrified to find out what else she's done to screw up my life."
"What do you want to get out of these sessions Edward?"
"Why are you just picking on me here? Why aren't you asking the other's about these things?"
"I did the last time they were here."
"Oh." At that, I felt Bella's hand slip into mine and I looked down and found her awake and looking back at me.
"Edward can you answer my question?"
"I want peace. I want to be able to move on with my life and be happy with Bella. I want to be able to understand why my parents did the things that they did and find a way to forgive them."
"Very good. Emmett the last time that we were here we were talking about regrets and we never got a chance to discuss what you meant. Can you elaborate for us a bit today?" Emmett went on to talk about going into business for himself, how he was ready and wanted to own a shop that repaired and restored classic cars, and that he took his homework assignment seriously and was ready to put in his notice at work. There was only one little issue. They were not intending to open a new shop here in Phoenix. They knew a classic car owner that owned a shop and wanted to sell it to them so that he could retire.
"If the shop is not in Phoenix, where is it Emmett?" the therapist asked.
"Boston, Massachusetts. He needs an answer by the end of the month. And we are going to do it."
"You're moving away. First Edward and now you and Rose are leaving me. What am I going to do?"
"Jesus, Mom not everything is about you. Haven't you done enough damage to my life? Don't lay a guilt trip on Emmett and Rose about living their lives their way." Then I could hear her crying.
That was when Bethany broke in again. "You're going to survive this, Esme. It's not the end of the world. There can be visits."
"Frequent visits." Rose spoke up.
"Just don't plan to move in with them that way that you planned to with Tanya and me." I snapped.
"Edward!" Bella admonished me.
"Oh, is that your wife?" Bethany asked.
"Yes. I am. Hi everyone."
"There's Bella!" Emmett yelled.
"I was hoping that you'd be participating. I understand you've never actually met the family before?"
"I've met Emmett and Rose once."
"Very well. Feel free to jump in whenever you feel the need. I am going to let you have time to think about this until the next session, but I want you to think about what you want to get out of these sessions. Alright Carlisle let's go to you next and your regret that we spoke about last time." Dad talked about trying to force me into medicine and him stopping me from writing. He told me that that he was sorry and that no matter what I decided to do with my life he would stand behind me and be proud of me.
"That's good, Dad, because I've decided to get a degree in literature and become a writer no matter where we ended up settling down but you all know that it won't be Phoenix either, right? Just so that we are clear on that?"
"Yes, Edward. We know. But do you guys have any idea where you want to end up?" Alice spoke up this time.
"We were just talking about that today actually. I really want to live on the beach. We're at a beach house right now and I just adore the view and the peacefulness." Bella spoke up.
"That sounds lovely. Edward, it has come to my attention that your family is reluctant to push you by contacting you or even inquiring about where you are or where you are heading to next. What do you have to say to that?"
"Well, I don't know. I guess I feel bad that my family thinks that way. But to be honest I did cause that by leaving my phone and making sure that they had no way of contacting me. I guess I wouldn't mind if they called once in a while. I mean if I don't want to talk to them at the moment I don't have to answer right?"
"No, Edward, you don't have to answer. What about giving your family an itinerary?"
"We can't do that because we never really where we are headed until we are ready to take off. We are not planning anything out ahead of time."
"Oh, Edward. We absolutely love all the pictures that you've sent to us. We appreciate that you've let us know where you've been and that you two and fine and happy." Rose spoke up.
"You're welcome Rose."
"Ok. I think we are going to end it here, Edward do you have anything else you want to say before we let you go?"
"I just want to say that I do love all of you and I do miss you." Then I hung up the phone, put my face in my hands, and cried. My mother had not said anything since I snapped at her. I hoped that she was going to be alright. Bella held me until I got ahold of my emotions and calmed down. Then we got up and worked together to make our supper and went to bed holding one another. I knew that no matter what ever happened with my family as long I had Bella I had my peace and happiness.
A\N:
Ok. I know that this is a week late but auditing had to come first. And I know that if you saw the tease last week on fictionators you'd know that it was a Bella POV. Well, that got scrapped and I rewrote the whole thing. I won't guarantee an update on a regular schedule for the next few weeks but I will try my hardest. Watch my twitter and blog for status updates.