Still In Bloom ↠ Twilight ✓

43 ; denali

Here's the thing: When Alice and Jasper left, it was hard to keep up spirits. More so given that their pair of eyes, which could see any potential danger and fallout, was gone. 

Wallace tried not to be bitter.

"Wallace, are you listening?" This was Bella's voice, and Wallace looked away from the snow falling against the window of Edward's old bedroom. When he turned his head, he caught sight of Bella standing beside the bed, where Veran was jumping up and down, bronze hair wild atop his head.

"I wasn't," Wallace confesses and looks at Bella with the best smile he can muster. "Did you need something?"

Bella's eyebrows soften on her forehead, a look she only truly gives Wallace. Then she's stepping away from the side of the bed, where Veran is still happily jumping and interlaces her hand with Wallace's. Their fingers, like always, fit perfectly together like a key in a lock.

Instead of answering, Bella leans forward so her forehead is resting against Wallace's temple, and then she's whispering. "I need you to stay here with me,"

The words are a reminder and an order, and Wallace finds himself swallowing. "I know,"

"Everything will be okay," Bella states, and her voice holds an edge to it that tells Wallace she's saying not only to soothe him but he doesn't call her out on it. Pointing out the weaknesses in his partners has never been something Wallace found joy in doing.

"Edwards said the Denali's, out of everyone, will understand," Wallace begins, just to broach another topic even if it's one they've spoken about before. Hushed together, three pairs of legs intertwined as they tried to lock away their worry from Veran, and kept it tucked into the corners of their bedroom inside of the cottage.

 "They are the most trusted allies," Bella echoes Edward's words back. "Nothing will happen to Veran. We won't allow it, and I don't think Carlisle would send us alone if he thought the Denali's would even be capable of such a thing."

Despite having heard the words before, Wallace finds himself relaxing. This is only increased tenfold when he hears Edward saying his last goodbyes to Carlisle over the phone where the patriarch of the Cullen coven is heading to the airport to board a plane to Eygpt with Esme. As if sensing their need for him, Edward enters his old bedroom and at once Veran stops jumping in order to great his other father.

"Daddy, we're going on a snow trip now?" Veran asks, and it's a question he's been asking since the moment Bella had informed him that they were going to be getting on a private plane to a place where snow was on the ground year-round.

"We are," Edward muses, stepping towards the bed so Veran can slink from its confines and onto Edward's body like a koala. Veran tucks his head underneath Edward's chin, pudgy arms wrapped tightly around his father's neck, as well as his legs wound around Edward's waist. He's so big now that it makes Wallace's heart ache.

"He's dressed to go," Bella motions towards Veran with one hand before she's leaving Wallace's side and reaching for the packed bag she had brought in with her while Wallace had been the one originally supervising Veran on the bed. "And I'm all packed."

When Bella meant all packed, she meant that she had packed one outfit for herself, then the rest of the bag catered to Veran's needs. Snacks, toys, extra clothing, and blankets. All things that Veran would need to be provided for him in order to avoid a meltdown. 

Wallace motioned towards the sleek black bag he had packed, which held his laptop, and a few stacks of clothing and added, "Me as well,"

"The plane is fueling, but it should be done by the time we get there," Edward spoke, then pressed a kiss to the top of Veran's head. "We should get moving if we want to be on schedule."