The One That Got Away

Chapter Twenty

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 ...

This is the beginning of the extension of the original contest entry. ALL NEW! Thank you for sticking with me and I hope you enjoy this!

Edward and his children, they played in the living room and watched some television after their brinner, as Lucy called it. Her logic was infallible. "Breakfast and lunch is called 'brunch,' so breakfast and dinner shall be called 'brinner,'" she said with a nod of her head.

Edward kept them up a little past their bedtime since he truly had missed them, their laughter and innocence. When he did tuck them into bed, he spent the time reading them a bedtime story. Lucy fell asleep, her face pressed against his arm. Liam was wide awake and stubbornly trying to wheedle more time with his dad. "Come on, bud. Your sister is drooling on me and you have school tomorrow. Not to mention, you're still recovering from that stomach thing."

"Can't I stay up with you, Dad?" Liam pleaded, pouting adorably.

"No, kid. Come on. I was a bad parent and kept you up a half hour past your bedtime," Edward said as he frog-marched Liam to his bedroom. Liam grumbled as he clambered into his bed. "I love you, Liam. Have sweet dreams." Edward kissed his forehead and ruffled his hair.

"Love you, too, Dad," Liam smiled crookedly.

Edward flipped on the nightlight and slipped out of the room. He checked on Lucy again, kissing her forehead and then went to his bedroom. Despite his nap, he was still bushed. He had every intention of using the time that the kids were at school to catch up sleep. Well, after he called Jenks and spoke to Charlie. But, first he had to call Bella. He hadn't talked to her since she had left. They'd exchanged texts, but he was so swamped at work that he couldn't call her. "I'm such a lousy fucking boyfriend," Edward sighed, scrubbing his hands through his messy hair. "No wonder Tanya dumped my ass. I'm never home."

Dialing Bella's number, he took off his shirt and settled into his rumpled bed.

"Hello?" Bella asked, sounding out of breath.

"Bella, it's Edward," he said, his face flaming. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No! I was just carrying up some groceries. I was being lazy and not using the cart in the garage. I lugged up six plastic bags of food and my arms are sore," she laughed. "Plus, I couldn't get untangled. Are you still at the hospital?"

"No. Thank God," Edward breathed. "I love my job, I do, but these hours are going to fucking kill me. I'm still surprised that I have hair."

"You have a lot of hair, Edward. Be grateful. One guy on my staff, he's nineteen and he's completely bald. Not by choice," Bella said. "Did you get some sleep?"

"I got a nap in this afternoon. I fell asleep alone and woke up with two seven-year old growths on me," he snorted. "It was cute. Lucy was trying to get into my body and Liam was cutting logs. That boy is going to have the worst sleep apnea or he needs his adenoids removed."

"I wish I had a picture," Bella breathed.

"I don't have a picture of that, but I can send you one of me and the kids. I also got the photo from that silly booth at the reunion of the two of us. I can send that as well," Edward said.