The One That Got Away

Chapter Thirty-Five

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!

Next chapter will be dinner with the kids, some lemony goodness back at the house and going to Busch Gardens.

"Miss Bella, what's your favorite cheesecake?" Lucy asked as they walked through the mall to The Cheesecake Factory. "Mine's Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake."

"That sounds good, but I love vanilla bean cheesecake," Bella smiled. Lucy's hand was in Bella's, skipping happily along with her. "But, we can split a piece of Reese's for dessert. I haven't had that one."

"Yay!" Lucy squealed.

Behind Bella and Lucy, Edward and Liam trailed slowly. Edward was waiting for Liam to talk to him about why he was being so rude to Bella. "Are you going to make good choices, Liam? I'm disappointed in how you're acting right now. You know that Miss Bella is special to me."

"I'll be good," Liam said, his voice flat.

Edward stopped him, calling to Bella. "Can you get a table for us, sweetness?" he asked Bella.

"Sure," Bella said, walking toward the restaurant.

"Liam, what's going on with you? I know that you are hesitant to trust people, especially women, but you've never been disrespectful. You may not like Miss Bella, but she's an adult and you need to respect her," Edward said, crouching down in front of his scowling son. "The way you are acting is not showing respect."

"I don't like her," Liam hissed.

"You don't know her to make that statement," Edward argued. He pinched his nose and blew out a breath. "Liam, I mean it that if you can't be respectful to Miss Bella, you won't be going to Busch Gardens with us."

"Dad!" Liam whined. "That's not fair. Why can't Lucy, you and me go to Busch Gardens? Leave Miss Bella at home."

Edward pursed his lips and glared at his son. "I'm not even going to dignify that with a response. You're on warning and Busch Gardens is completely up to you. Make good choices. Give Miss Bella a chance before you say you don't like her. Am I clear?" Liam mumbled under his breath. "I didn't hear you, Liam. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yes, sir," Liam said, his green eyes filling with tears. Edward took his son's hand and led him to the restaurant. Bella and Lucy were seated outside since it was a perfect evening. Liam sat next to his sister, pouting and huffing loudly. Edward sat next to Bella, kissing her temple.

"Everything okay?" Bella asked.

"We hope so. Right, bud?" Edward responded, poking Liam in his side.

"Yeah," Liam said, quietly. He picked up the kid's menu and crayons that Bella grabbed for the two kids, drawing on the paper.

"I ordered you some lemonade, Liam. Lucy said it was your favorite," Bella said, giving him a hopeful smile. Liam shrugged. The waitress came, delivering their drinks and taking their food order.