The One That Got Away

Chapter Two

For those of you who read the Get Your Southern On contest entries, this is my contribution. I am tickled at the results ... first place in public vote and third place for the judge's choice. I've decided to break this up into smaller, drabblish chapters and it will be continued. The contest contribution is the first six or so chapters, roughly. I don't know how long it will be, but I do have it planned. Thank you to Bridget for betaing this for me and for Clo, who created the banner.

Thank you for those of you who have read this! I hope you continue to do so! Without further ado ...

Tampa, Florida ~ February 2nd, 2016

"I'm off, Ellie," Edward said as he signed off on his last chart. He was in his final year of residency at St. Joseph's Children Hospital in Tampa. He was anxious to get home to his family, his reason for smiling. He packed up his belongings and drove back to the large home in Parkland Estates that he still shared with his parents. It wasn't how he pictured his life at twenty-eight, but he was grateful for their love and support. He needed it.

The past ten years had been difficult for Edward. He'd gone to college on a full-ride at Dartmouth for pre-med. His long-time girlfriend, Tanya, followed him to Dartmouth and they got married the summer between their junior and senior year when Tanya told him that she was pregnant. Just before his graduation in December, Tanya gave birth to twins - a boy and girl named Liam and Lucy.

Shortly after graduation, Edward, Tanya, and their babies moved to Maryland so he could attend Johns Hopkins for his medical training. It was a point of contention for Edward and Tanya. She didn't want her husband to be absent while she raised his children. Edward did all that he could, but when he was hospitalized for a severe case of mono because he was barely getting any sleep and working his fingers to the bone, his parents intervened. Tanya was acting like a princess while Edward was pulling insane shifts. Carlisle and Esme moved up to Maryland to help Edward.

Their disdain for Tanya was barely hidden. However, Tanya saw this opportunity to finally get back into real life. Her first affair started when the twins turned two. Edward was too involved with his schooling and with raising his children to see that his wife was screwing around. When Edward found out that he had been matched to St. Joe's and was moving back to his home town of Tampa, Tanya dropped the bombshell that she wanted a divorce and to have her parental rights terminated.

Edward wasn't surprised. He granted her the divorce, but wouldn't give her the insane amount of alimony she wanted. He was from a well-off family, and Tanya wanted some of the Cullen fortune. His parents insisted that Tanya sign a pre-nuptial agreement. Edward was grateful for that. Her extramarital affairs had nullified her requests for alimony. Tanya gave up once her legal fees were mounting and she had no way to pay them. Her parental rights were terminated and Edward was free of his baggage.

He never loved Tanya, but was only with her all throughout high school because it was expected from his clique. He was the captain of the football team, Homecoming King, Prom King, and ruled the school with Tanya. He secretly longed for another, but he never acted on it.

Edward arrived home, parking behind his father's Mercedes. He walked out and slung his messenger bag over his body. Breezing into the kitchen, the tell-tale squeals of his two favorite little people came tearing around the corner. "DADDY!!"

He smiled crookedly, holding his arms wide open. "My little loves," he said, picking them both up. He snuggled his six, almost seven-year-old twins. "Were you good for Nana today? And what about school? Did you learn anything new?"

"Yes, Daddy," Liam said, patting his cheeks. "We had a speaker today. We learned all about lizards. I got to pet one! Can I get one? Please?"

"They were gross, Daddy," Lucy whimpered, squirming in Edward's arms. "No lizards, but can we get a puppy?"

"No animals. Papa is allergic," Edward snickered, kissing both of their heads and placing them on their feet. It was a lie. Edward could barely take care of himself and his children. Adding an animal into the mix was just not in the cards until he got his own place or until his scheduled normalized. Once he finished his residency, he was married to the hospital.

"Edward!" called his mother from the kitchen. "You've got some mail, sweetheart, from Hillsborough High School."

"Really?" he asked, taking the proffered letter. "I can't believe that it's been ten years since I graduated high school."

"Is it the reunion?" Esme asked. "I thought you already RSVP'd."

"I did," Edward replied, opening the letter. He chuckled. "It's the itinerary for the reunion."

"Do you think that Tanya will go?" Esme spat, her hazel eyes darkening with hatred for her former daughter-in-law.

"I don't know and I don't care," he shrugged. "If she shows up and tries to pull some insane bullshit, I've got Chief Swan's phone number on speed dial."

"Do you know if Bella will be there?" Esme asked, her face softening. She knew of her son's infatuation with the quiet police chief's daughter.

"I hope so," Edward murmured. He blinked and smiled crookedly at his mom. "If only I was able to ..."

"Be patient, sweetheart," Esme said, ruffling her son's hair. "Now, why don't you relax with your little cherubs while I make dinner? Take them to the park."

Edward nodded, kissing his mother's cheek before he went to the small pool house that had been converted to a home for Edward and his children. He still lived with his parents, but he had a small sense of privacy and freedom. He changed into a pair of shorts and then found his children playing on the playset in the backyard. They ran to him and he became super dad, slayer of dragons and teller of stories and being the most loving parent he could be for his children.

As he played, his mind drifted of what could have been if he had acted on his impulses and pursued Isabella Swan. How would his life be different? Would his children be hers, too? Shaking his head, he chased Liam and Lucy, reveling in their innocence and unconditional love.

But he still dreamed about Isabella Swan.

The one that got away.

A/N: Pictures of Edward's neighborhood, his kids and the hospital are on my blog. Link is in my profile. You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation and twitter: tufano79. Leave me some!