tough | b.swan

17 - After: Part Four

"Don't you think your dad's suffered enough?" Embry says.

Blake gasps and glares over her shoulder at him. "I am not that bad of a cook! I used to cook all the time, I'm just trying something new." She sticks her tongue out as she stirs the sauce.

Embry laughs and wraps his arms around her, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "And he'll love it... Except the fact its healthy."

"He's going to try. He promised. And since Sue lives here now, I feel I ought to pull my weight some." She says, leaning against him.

"You know you can always come live with me. It'd only be for a couple months." He says gently.

She smiles, leaning back to kiss his cheek. "You've got a life time of being stuck with me, don't worry."

Embry laughs. "They're here, I can hear the car turning down the street."

Blake quickly dishes the food up into containers, finished meal prepping for now. She washes her hands, dries them and runs to open the door for them. She smiles wide as she sees Bella and Sue helping Charlie out of the car, said man not happy about it.

"Im fine!" He snaps, pulling his arms away.

Blake giggles. "Awh, you can't be grumpy, dad, you're home!"

He glares playfully, taking slow steps up the path. "Don't you laugh at me, Blake Helen. And your stuff best be in your room."

"It is. Poor you, stuck with me."

"Don't. You know I'm glad you're here." He smiles, kissing her cheek as he heads in. Sue smiles as she passes and it leaves Bella and Blake staring at each other. Blake rolls her eyes and heads in, Bella sighing before she follows.

Charlie pulls a face as he looks at the meals laid out. "Nothing natural is that green..."

"It's pesto sauce and pasta. Its healthy." Sue says. "Blake and I have planned you some health meals, remember you promised."

He pulls a face and sulks off to the kitchen, Sue and Embry rolling their eyes. "He'll get used to it." Sue says.

Blake smiles small. "How is he? Apart from hating the world."

Sue smiles. "He's really good, Blake, don't you worry. He's really happy you're home and decided to stay here."

"I'm glad to be here. Don't worry, I'll pull my weight and I'll help you."

Sue smiles and goes to Charlie in the living room. Bella isn't anywhere insight, so Blake relaxes in to Embrys arms for a moment, her back against his chest. He moves his hands around her, rubbing her tummy gently.

She gives a small smile. "He or she would be here by now..." She whispers.

Embry kisses her cheek gently. "I know. But who knows what would have happen to them... Or you... Or me even. When were ready, when were in that beautiful house of ours and there's nothing else to worry about, I'll make sure we do everything we can to have a beautiful, healthy baby." He whispers.

Blake smiles.  "You're too good for me."

"I know." He winks playfully.

Someone clears their throat and both look over to see Bella in the kitchen doorway. "You were..."

"Was." Blake says, pushing Embry away gently to busy herself with washing dishes.

"Why didn't you say?"

"We've not exactly come to terms with it ourselves, Bella." Embry says quietly. "Why burden others with that?"

"We could have helped. I could've-"