Friday, May 6, 2011

CBWR? Chapter 74

Author’s notes:
Get out your Kleenex.
“Bath?”
_________________________________________
Chapter 74:
Sunday is my favorite day.
On Sundays, I get a bath.  Mommy picks me up and carries me into the bathroom and runs the water, and then she uses the little blue washcloth to wash me.  I have two cups I can use in the tub to pour water back and forth, and I like watching the water stream from one to the other.  When I dump a cup over my head, she uses her hand to push the water off of my face and away from my eyes.
I pull open the cabinet underneath the bathroom sink and get the cups and washcloth before I go into the living room where Mommy is on the couch.  I go to her and hold out the items in my hand.
“Bath?” I ask.  She hums, but doesn’t look away from the television.  I ask again, and she stabs her cigarette into the little glass tray on the coffee table.  It’s already full, and some of the stinky leftovers have fallen out.  She turns to me.
“What?”
“Bath!” I say again with a smile.  She told me once I had a pretty smile.  I hold the cups and the washcloth out again.
“Not now,” she says as she turns back to the television.
I sit down on the floor next to the coffee table and tilt the cups back and forth, pretending there is water in them to pour.  When the show is over, Mommy gets up and goes to the kitchen.  I follow.
“Bath?” I ask again.  She glances at me, but says nothing.  She pulls a loaf of bread off the counter and gets the jar of peanut butter from the cabinet.  She makes two sandwiches and hands one of them to me, and then she goes back to sitting on the couch.
I climb onto the chair in the kitchen and eat my sandwich.  It’s dry and sticky, but I am hungry so I don’t mind.  When I’m done, I go back to Mommy again.
“Bath?”
“Geez, Edward!” she snaps.  “Can’t I get a minute to myself?”
I look down at the ground for a minute and then back to her, but she’s watching another show.  I sit back down next to the table and push the washcloth into one of the cups.  I try to pour it, but it doesn’t work, not even when I shake it.
“That’s where you were fucking sitting when I left.”
Daddy’s voice startles me as much as the door to the trailer slamming against the wall.  He goes to the refrigerator and pulls out a bottle.  As he takes a swig, his eyes narrow at Mommy.
“I swear to God, Esme, you are so fucking useless.”
“Oh yeah,” Mommy says without looking up.  “And Carlisle Cullen is a great catch, that’s what you are.”
He laughs, but it doesn’t sound friendly.  I don’t like it when they talk like this, and I think if Mommy gave me my bath now, maybe they wouldn’t talk so loud anymore.  I stand up and hold out the cups again.
“Bath?”
“For God’s sakes, Edward!” Mommy yells, and I take a step backwards.  “Will you shut up for two minutes?”
She stands and grabs me by my arms, hauling me up.  At first, I’m happy, thinking she will give me my bath now, but she walks over to the open door and drops me down outside on the patio.  The door shuts as she goes back in, and I can hear them yelling again.
***
I woke up groggy, disoriented, and feeling a little…off.  My muscles were all tense, and I didn’t know why.  I shifted in the bed a little, and felt Bella’s hand against my neck.  I took a deep breath and relaxed back into the mattress a little.  It felt good just lying next to her, and even though I had to pee really badly, I didn’t want to get up.  I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take me again, but it didn’t.  I finally gave up and wiggled my way out from around her and went to the bathroom.
When I came back out, I just looked at her for a minute. 
Her long hair was all over the pillows, and her arms and legs were splayed out all over the bed.  I smiled a little, realizing if I tried to get back in bed now, there wasn’t going to be much room for me.  I glanced at the clock and saw it was just a little past two in the morning.  It wasn’t really a great time to start the day.
Today.
Bella’s birthday.
I had to make this day a good one, and I had no fucking idea how.
A new panic seized me when I realized I still had no fucking plan what-so-ever.  I didn’t know what to do, and though I might be able to ask the hotel staff to help me with preparations, I didn’t know what to ask them for, and I didn’t want to leave Bella alone very long while I got anything accomplished.
I needed help.
Advice.
I didn’t have anyone to turn to.
I thought about Alice or Rosalie, and quickly crossed them off the list.  It had to be a woman, but not either one of them.  If they knew what we were planning…well, I wouldn’t make it to this evening to execute any of it.  Execute being the optimum word.  I didn’t know any other women except those I dated.
Fuck.
I took a deep breath, grabbed my phone, and quietly walked out into the hallway.  I didn’t go too far down, so I could still see the door to the room.  I pulled up my contact list and took about five hundred more deep breaths.
This wasn’t going to be easy.
I was out of choices.
I listened to the phone ring a few times, and I was just about convinced she wouldn’t answer when there was a soft click.
“This ought to be interesting,” the dry voice on the other side of the Atlantic said.
“Ummm…yeah,” I stammered.  “I’m sorry, but I don’t have anyone else to turn to, and I really, really need your help, Kate.”
She would at least give me some ideas, right?
____________________________________________ 
Chapter end notes:
You have to give Doofus a little credit – at least he asks for help.  He might even ask for directions with a little prodding.
This is probably it for updates today.  This weekend is also completely insane, and I may be out of town during most of it.  No guarantees on any kind of update until Sunday night.  If you’re luck, or I find a place with wifi, I should have a bunch written at least.

79 comments:

  1. Oh, I hope Kate is willing to help.

    And I may have sniffled at Edward's dream. Poor little guy. Bella might be his last good hope.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poor Edward having to go through that. Makes you sad. I guess I see why he went to Kate, but kind of awkward.

    ReplyDelete
  3. LMAO! He called Kate? the guy is crazy (and adorable) haha

    ReplyDelete
  4. Poor little Edward! Makes you feel bad for him. It was a nice insight. He is really trying hard for Bella. It really isn't that hard to please us! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. heartbreaking everytime he said Bath.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awww that glimpse of his younger life heartbreaking! Please let him make everything be alright he deserves it

    ReplyDelete
  7. isnt Kate an 'ex'? going to ex for help? well, ok. He gets scooby snacks for trying.
    poor guy, growing up like that is just beyond horrid.. how he turned out as good as he did is amazing

    ReplyDelete
  8. " Bath?" -- that was so heartbreaking. It always gets me when I read a child'sPOV. How innocent they are and so ignorant to the ugliness around them. This was a great chapter, I hope Edward is doing the right thing! lol

    ReplyDelete
  9. Edward's memories of his childhood want to make me run and hide. It's a wonder he survived in that environment. I can't believe he called his ex for advice on romance. I have a feeling that won't go over too well. But at least he is trying.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a nice surprise , I love this, he is so sweet.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh poor Doofus... *sighs*... so sad... I wanted to cry... 'bath?...'
    O.o ... he called Kate? .... I can't wait for more... thanks Savage... Have a nice weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Am I the only person who was actually surprised that his parents are Carlisle & Esme? I mean... it's logical... but whenever we read about Edward's deadbeat parents in fic they are typically Elizabeth & Edward Sr. Color me surprised!

    His childhood is just heartbreaking. Sounds like terrible depression for his mom and just... yeah... awful. I wonder why they just up and left him like that later on. Will we ever find out? It's awful, but I'm insanely curious what on earth would possess a parent (let alone 2) to leave their child alone like that. :(

    I give the guy props for at least asking for help... I was expecting him to call Angela, though Alice would've been funny (if you call getting a bullet through the head funny.)

    ReplyDelete
  13. His parents suck soooo bad! Geez I think he probably blocked out his childhood as a defense mechanisim. That boy really is clueless, asking his ex for advice with Bella? Yea I can see that going over well

    ReplyDelete
  14. :( hope she not a bitch and give him some bad help. Feeling sorry for him again, he need to see some one get some help

    ReplyDelete
  15. That was really sad.... the heads up helped. Thanks for that. Bella probably wouldn't like it if she finds out that Edward called his X for advise. She would probably think if he can call the States to talk to her then why can't she call her parents... even though there is more to it than that. I wonder would she be jealous? Edward if calling Kate doesn't pan out just call the concierge and I am sure s/he would have lots of ideas about how to spend your money on Bella for her birthday and wedding night... or should I say "consommation" night.
    Thanks for the update.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hey just wanted to say that I was kind of shocked that his parents were Esme and Carlisle too. I know his last name is Cullen and not Masen but still I just never thought his horrible parents could be them. Their usually depicted as being so nice.

    Anyway, I agree with everything else you wrote and just really hope he gets some good advise from Kate or the conceirge to make Bella's birthday and wedding day/night special.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Best story I've read in awhile.....Edward will get this right, right?

    ReplyDelete
  18. This glimpse in Edward's childhood is heartbreaking, you wrote it so well! How disappointed, rejected and insignificant he felt, as if he didn't exist for his mother! I am afraid that this phone call may reveal their location. Hope that the birthday will be as good as they want it to be.

    ReplyDelete
  19. That was so sad! My heart is breaking! *sobs*

    Who is Kate?

    ReplyDelete
  20. austenbrontemeyerMay 6, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Poor kid, they are happy with the simplest of things we do for them, usually not costing much but time.
    Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.""Beautiful Boy"English singer & songwriter (1940 - 1980)
    I think Kate will be pleasantly surprised and want to help.

    ReplyDelete
  21. austenbrontemeyerMay 6, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Sorry, that was John Lennon.

    ReplyDelete
  22. omg chap 73 was all-kinds-a-hotness! This chapters dream was so fucking sad. What a useless mother! Pathetic excuses for "parents"! Man oh man, Ed must be hella desperate to call an ex for advice. Of course, who better than an ex to tell him what he should have done to be a good boyfriend, ya know?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Awww poor little Edward! :'( I didn't expect his parents to be Esme and Carlisle, I kinda thought it would be his "human" parents. Maybe he wasn't their child? Maybe that's why his mother was so cold to him?

    Calling Kate? Really? What happened to old good Google? I hope this decision of his won't bite him in the ass.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ok, if i were kate i would hang up.


    you just dont do that to you ex.



    but like you said, i least he is trying.




    and about Esme, i think she was depressed. i wonder what happened to them.

    ReplyDelete
  25. *sigh*...now I want to give Doofy a bath and then a cuddle...

    ReplyDelete
  26. Count me as another who visualized Elizabeth and Edward as his parents. I guess we should have known better knowing his last name, but they are who I pictured. *shrug*

    ReplyDelete
  27. "Bath?" :'(

    I love him even more now. He should show her around Paris for her birthday. That would be sweet. Eiffel Tower at night, no? And then take her back to the hotel and shag her randy! Yeah baby! :D

    ReplyDelete
  28. Poor Edward. Every child deserves to be loved. Maybe Esme was in such a deep depression that she was incapable of caring for Edward...but that does not make it right. And his dad was not doing anything to love or care for Edward either. Were they at least happy when he was born? So so sad. In large part because of Edward's childhood, I am really, really hoping for a happy ending for him, and because of Bella's recent traumatic experiences with Aro and his people, I am really hoping for a happy ending for her too. In the meantime, Bella's birthday and their wedding night? Not sure that Kate was good to ask...I think he might have been better served asking a complete stranger.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I almost cry with the "bath?", that is so sad and completely realistic.
    Asking Kate might be a good idea. Just don't let Bella know about it.

    ReplyDelete
  30. The boy had such an awful childhood. We keep saying this, but no wonder he's such a mess. As for calling Kate...that's an interesting move. It would not have been my advice, but I guess Doofus will be Doofus. Hopefully she's not feeling too vindictive, and won't purposefully mess him up with bad suggestions. I think it would crush him if he ended up hurting Bella on this of all days. But at least he knows how to be a good and generous lover—I have a feeling that's what she most wants out of her birthday/wedding night more than a cake or romantic dinner or whatever else he comes up with. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  31. So... apparently I'm the only person about to have a conniption fit about possibly not getting any more updates until Sunday. Not a bad 'I'm mad' fit, but more of an 'I can't believe I have to wait until next week for more nekkid times' kind of fit. So, as a consolation for myself, I will imagine that Edward is in the shower building up his endurance until then. Hope you have a great weekend Savage!

    ReplyDelete
  32. He seemed such a sweet child!
    It comes natural to wonder what would have happened if he had a normal, happy childhood; and where did that child go growing up? I can see a bit of him in the way he cares for Bella, but we're told this story in EPOV. I just hope Bella will see that child in him as well, and nurture him. He needs and deserves it.

    ReplyDelete
  33. bless his heart... he should have asked the concierge or the hotel manager. Hopefully Bella doesn't overhear anything. The last thing she needs is more doubt.


    Love this story so much!!!


    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  34. Edward had such simple innocent requests as a child. His parents totally took his innocence and threw it away.. .. Not sure who Edward should have called, but somehow I would not have thought Kate a logical choice.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yeah... I had figured that he moved away from the name Masen and took Cullen because it was the name of someone he admired or something. Totally surprised me.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I like it when a man knows when to ask for help. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Child's POV is the hardest. Remember Edward's "Memmet" flashback from MOTU? I bawled reading that chapter.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Poor little boy Edward. So very, very sad. :(

    ReplyDelete
  39. omg u totally broke my heart and had me in tears reading this .. and u couldn't make her hold him or something .. Bella i mean

    that poor baby no baby deserves this .. it's heartbreaking ..

    whats he gnna do .. give them some piece and happiness plz they deserve it after all this .. specially Edward .. he needs love and compasion and affection .. he disperately needs affection and it's killing me

    ReplyDelete
  40. gosh..this little "bath" memory just broke my heart...I might not be able to look at my baby boo and refuse any of his requests anymore...you're to blame...yep

    ReplyDelete
  41. Baby Edward broke my heart - however, he also stunned me by calling Kate. What the hell was he thinking!!!

    ReplyDelete
  42. How incredibly heartbreaking for our little Edward. No wonder he is so clueless on how to treat people & behave appropriately. Who sticks a toddler out on the patio alone like that? Jesus.

    So yeah I'm thinking that the Kate phone call is not going to go well. How does he start that conversation? "Yeah hi - I'm hoping you can tell me how to romance my virgin bride that I bought as slave on her birthday?" How sad is it that he has absolutely no one to go to?

    Doofus is turning me into a sappy pile of mush. Quite an accomplishment for a guy who started the story as a total tool.

    ReplyDelete
  43. At least he's trying and he's not STUPID enough to ask Alice or Rose because they DEFINITELY would kick his ass!

    ReplyDelete
  44. No wonder Edward is so broken! How sad a childhood he had! He is trying so hard to make things right with Bella. I wonder how smart it is calling an old girlfriend for help? Hope it all works out OK....he's sure trying!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Poor little Edward : (
    Maybe Bella would give him a bath someday?

    I hope Kate would help!

    ReplyDelete
  46. not fair! you are not only cock-blocking now you are also makings us cry?! Baby E broke my heart and Carlisle & Esme as parents total fail :(

    ReplyDelete
  47. Oh, such a poignant little flashback - just imagining that beautiful green-eyed, copper-headed little boy asking his useless mother to bath him just about tears your heart out. And Edward probably loved it so much because it meant his mother touched him - which was likely to have been a very rare occurrence for him. And how odd to have Carlisle and Esme cast so against type - very weird!

    But now he has a very - for him - complicated task ahead; will Kate come up trumps or will she tell him to shove it up his arse .... which is probably what he deserves from her point of view. Let's hope Kate has a compassionate heart, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Thanks bb! Just read the last three...I love that Doofusward is asking his "ex" for help in the romance department! Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  49. OMG this story is owning my @ss these days. Wait breathlessly for updates. LMFAO at the Andrew Dice Clay in the last chapter!

    ReplyDelete
  50. My heart aches for Edward whenever I hear about his past. All he wanted was a bath! Darn you Carlisle and Esme!!

    I hope that Edward gets his answer for his special day with Bella. I'm sure she won't be happy when she finds out Edward called an ex. Although, the fact that Kate picked up and wanted to talk was kind of funny.

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  51. omg edwards childhood is so heartbreaking and reading this was sooo sad. all he wanted was a bath...geez was that too much to fucking ask?...stupid mother!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. This was heartbreaking...I can imagine a litte Edward asking his mother ...'bath ?' Owww...poor Doofus, no wonder why he is so fucked up !

    ReplyDelete
  53. poor Ed!! i can't be too mad at him any more. poor thing no love at all. it is funny to have esme and carlsile written as terrible parents!! nice twist!! yeah at least he is thinkging of someone other than himself an dasking for help!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I was shocked to find out that his parents were Carlisle and Esme. Thought for sure that it would be Elizabeth and Edward Sr. or something. But thats just you, Savage. You keep us on our toes. Great chapter. Very sad with Edward's dream.
    As for Doofy calling Kate? Shit, that was stupid according to me. He could've just asked a woman in the reception. But yes, he's trying. Thats good... I suppose.
    Can't wait for more. /CaraNo.

    ReplyDelete
  55. sad childhood story. hopefully he'll get some help from kate - not sure how angry she is

    ReplyDelete
  56. Whaaaa? He's calling his ex? Doofy, you really are earning your nickname here. And just when you were doing so good too...


    Methinks Bella won't appreciate him calling his old gf in the early hours of the morning.


    And I don't think Kate will be all too eager about giving him girl/romance advice.. just a hunch. But I'm usually wrong.



    Him as a little boy broke my heart again tho.


    Doofy, you confooze me, I want to slap you.. then cuddle you.

    ReplyDelete
  57. That is so sad I can't even imagine treating a child like that. I know it happens. I hope Kate will help him out there!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Nice one...having Esme and Carlisle as his parents. They are always portrayed as wholesome and good all the time so it is refreshing to have a little different prospective. Oh and I cannot wait to hear that Kate has to say to Edward!!! That ought to be interesting to say the very least!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I have to admit that although I am not a complete softy, just reading the word bath at the opening of his chapter can reduce me almost to tears. I have no problem with Edward and company killing 10 or 20 people, but the thought of someone mistreating a child Edward does me in. Perhaps it is the realization that something like that actually happens to children in real life. No wonder he is f*cked up.

    ReplyDelete
  60. aw how sad. so there was a time where they weren't horrible to him.

    ReplyDelete
  61. hmm i wonder what kate will say...
    by the way getting chapters before the Americans is AWESOME
    (hint hint)

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh little lost boy.. he just wanted his bath ... Oh that is it. I am officially crying for little lost boy Doofus. NO wonder he is fucked up...
    NOt sure the ex girlfriend is totally the right answer, but hey beggers can't be choosers can they....and at least he is trying.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I'm going to be SO glad when there is a new chapter...when I open the site and see that word: BATH

    It kills me!!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. Oh, God. The start to this chapter was HEARTBREAKING! Poor sweet , Edward. Bella really nailed it when she said he didn't even know what he was missing, though somewhere in his subconscience he knows where he was neglected. That is just so sad.


    I wonder how Kate will react. I actually think she might help just because it doesn't seem like there was much of an emotional invest on either end in their relationship, so maybe she could tell him something that will help. Though, admitedly, I have no idea what that might be.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Yeah. That was horribly sad, bath time. Jeez. I hate some people. They shouldn't have children. Bath time. Omg. I am crying

    ReplyDelete
  66. So sad...not only did his parents neglect him, they also
    treated him constantly like he wasn't there, like he never mattered....and now
    he has to ask the advice of an ex who meant nothing to him, because although
    he's in love for the first time, he has no clue about how to treat the woman he
    loves. All thanks to mommy dear! I guess he couldn't possibly take Bella out on
    the patio and just forget about her....

    ReplyDelete
  67. Okay I have to admit the beginning of this chapter nearly made me cry. I could just see this adorable little Edward sitting there. GAH. I wanted to just adopt him. At any rate another amazing chapter. Ha, I can't wait to see what is coming next.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Maybe he isn't getting smart. Calling an ex girlfriend? Yeah, right.  

    ReplyDelete
  69.  I kno u warned us about the tissues but i din tink dat the story behind them wud b soooooo fcukin SADDDDD!!!!! OMG............Poor Eddie.......i kno i was waitin 4 Carlisle & Esme 2 make their appearance but i din expac this in the least bit.....def was look in Elizabeth & Edward Snr. but waw viewin Carlisle & Esme this way took a wile 2 hit me!!!!!!!


    Poor Edward had 2 resort 2 callin his ex for help ina situation like this.....This is def nt gonna end well!!!!!!!!! oh well, i wont kno unless i read on now wil I?!?!?

    ReplyDelete
  70. There's nothing like a good cry before bed. I think I want to just hug Edward after every chapter. 

    ReplyDelete
  71. Oh, how is he going to explain things to his old girlfriend, eek.

    ReplyDelete
  72. OMG, his childhood is killing me!! Honestly, this is only the second fic I've read where Esme & Carlisle are completely disgusting.. :(

    I can't believe he called Kate. It's sweet on his part.. Wonder if she'll help.. 

    ReplyDelete
  73. He doesn't even realise that that's not normal parental behaviour does he?? Calling your ex for romance advice?? Not cool Cullen!!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Interesting person to ask.

    ReplyDelete
  75. "Bath?" :'(

    I love him even more now. He should show her around Paris for her birthday. That would be sweet. Eiffel Tower at night, no? And then take her back to the hotel and shag her randy! Yeah baby! :D

    ReplyDelete
  76. Poor Edward having to go through that. Makes you sad. I guess I see why he went to Kate, but kind of awkward.

    ReplyDelete
  77. He's cute when he's trying

    Thanks for the tissue warning * sniff sniff*

    ReplyDelete