Still In Bloom ↠ Twilight ✓

47 ; to love something death can touch

[i prolonged this chapter for a while because it is the second from last full chapter that i will be writing for wallace as his story draws to a close. so please, just make sure you comment and love on it. it hurt my heart to write but i also just couldn't resist. love you]

Here's the thing: Wallace never pegged himself as the best liar. He could, if he so desired, but in the last year he hadn't found it a necessity. Apparently, he was wrong to not strengthen those skills.

The following morning finds them in the bedroom of their home, with Wallace adjusting the tie that's tightly coiled around his throat. Dark gold eyes peer back at him, watching and waiting, and accusing even if they are his own.

Behind him, Edward has Veran perched in his arms. They're sprawled on the bed, Veran sucking lucidly on his sippy cup as he gently taps at the pictures in the book Edward is reading. Edward's arm is tucked underneath their son, knee bent to add support as he muses softly down at Veran's lisped questions.

He's handsome, and Wallace's chest aches. As if catching the thought, Edward lifts his gaze momentarily away from Veran and towards Wallace. An eyebrow raises on his forehead in question, but there's a pleased note on his lips. 

Wallace returns the gaze before looking away, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves before he pulls away from the bedroom altogether. In the kitchen, Bella is stuffing things into her small backpack as she refuses to carry a purse. As Wallace makes himself known, she lifts her gaze and there's the same moment of hauntedness in her amber eyes. The knowledge that they're lying isn't lost on them, even if it's necessary.

"I have everything ready," Bella states, not bothering to divulge in anything else. "Make sure to kiss them goodbye for me."

Before Wallace can react she's heading out of the home, going to place their belongings in the car. Wallace watches her retreating back for a few moments, and then he senses Edward's presence entering the room. Veran is perched on his hip, tugging on his father's earlobe as Edward steps into Wallace's space.

"Something is bothering her," Edward states, and Wallace meets his gaze.

"Nerves I think," Wallace muses, and then he's moving toward his partner and his son, letting his thoughts remain on every detail of Veran. "It'll only be a couple of hours. Olly didn't want to make a big deal about it."

"Getting into a division one school is worthy of celebration," Edward states, and he runs a hand gently through Wallace's hair. Like he can't help himself when they're this close. 

"Well yeah," Wallace grins, and then he meets Edward's eyes. They'd be pressed tighter together if Veran wasn't between them, but Wallace finds the audience of their son to be soothing. 

"You are acting weird as well," Edward states, and Wallace instantly shutters his mind, taking in the details of Edward's face to clog his thoughts. Edward's expression tightens but he doesn't mention the aversion but adds. "I hope you both have a lovely time."

Instead of answering, Wallace leans forward and connects his lips with Edward's. Like every time since the very first, electricity zings throughout Wallace's body, making his limbs twitch. He sighs into the contact and Edward does the same, their noses slightly smushed together as a hand lifts once more to ruffle his curls. 

As they pull away, Wallace gives a gentle smile. "Thanks for being on baby duty,"

"He's my son," Is Edward's flat reply, but his eyes glitter. "Now go before I keep you here."

Wallace does as told, but presses another kiss to Veran's forehead. The baby leans into the action but is too distracted to really accept the affection. That's fine enough for Wallace as he leaves the home, footsteps clicking on the loose dirt as he spots Bella.