BPOV

Sometimes having a best friend sucked. Not really, I'm just confused on why I have to pack an extravagant wardrobe for a trip to meet her boyfriend's family, using my vacation time.

Alice and I have been best friends since kindergarten. To our peers, we came across as odd. I was always a little chubbier than girls my age and Alice was just strange. Sure, she was a girly girl and loved fashion, but she was also a bit of a hippy. Even at a young age, she claimed to be connected to nature and that she had a sixth sense about the world around us. It's easy to laugh it off until one of her "predictions" turns out right. Then, you get a creepy feeling and try to rationalize it. Being friends with her since kindergarten, I've done a lot of rationalization. In the end though, I know there is something special about her….and maybe that is why we connect so well. I respect her "gift", even if I don't understand it, while others fear it and subsequently her. That fear led to lots of name-calling: "freak", "witch", etc. I just got the brunt of the clichéd fat jokes. In the end, we stuck together and have made a life for ourselves at a young age.

Well, Alice met Jasper a year ago and things have been great between them. When he's not working, they are inseparable. The problem is he works…A LOT. Well, that's one problem…Most of the time he works late nights like us, but she has no real clue what he does. He says that he is a security consultant and he's signed a nondisclosure agreement. That means he can't tell her anything else. So, mostly they spend mornings and days together. The other problem is that he is 35 years old. Don't get me wrong, he is hella fine if you like that 6 ft 2, muscular swimmer's frame with chin length wavy dirty-blond hair, crystal blue eyes, and a killer smile. And there is something to be said about being with someone more mature, but we are both 20 years old. Sure, we may be more mature than the average 20 year olds. We graduated from high school as average students because we both worked part-time to help provide for ourselves. We both had a dream to leave behind the small town of Forks and create a better life for ourselves. We wanted a life away from the teasing so we worked the max hours as a teenager left not much time for studying, so we were B and C students. It was enough to get us into a 1 year CNA training program after graduation at the Port Angeles community college. We commuted from Forks until the program was finished and used our savings to move to Seattle after accepting positions at Seattle General Hospital. Now, we both work the night shift at Seattle General Hospital and this is how the mysterious Mr. Jasper Hale came into our lives.

Want to guess how he came to be a patient of Alice's. You got it, gunshot wound to the shoulder. Alice took one look into those blue eyes of her night patient and was a goner. He has a southern accent, a killer smile, and he wooed her relentlessly. The night shift was always so pleased with the baked goods that we dropped off from Edible Bouquets (didn't they close at 5p?). The canisters of the local coffee favorite, also helped. Not only did he woo the ER staff that treated him, but Alice was also showered with thoughtful trinkets. It really was a romantic courtship and they are in love.

Jasper seems to treat her like a queen, but there is so much about him that she doesn't know. Frankly, love has made her blind over the past few months.

Love…blindness…what would I know about it. I've never even been in love. I've never had a boyfriend. AT least before meeting Jasper, Alice had a few dates a kisses. As I said earlier, people just thought she was weird, not unattractive. I, on the other hand, never had a guy express interest in me.

I'm 5-7, 170 llbs. I wear a size 12-14…closer to 14. As I've moved away from Forks, I know that I'm not fat. My waist is cinched, I have hips and a nice ass. I also have a solid rack. I have the hour glass shape from the 60s, I just didn't have the confidence to embrace that shape in high school. I don't have much confidence now, but I know the clothes that accent my figure and make me look good. My long auburn hair always looks healthy and I use mascara and eyeliner to make my eyes pop. With a little blush and strawberry lip gloss, I'm not a bad looking woman. However, men don't ask me out.

In the ER, I've had some crude remarks from those who could use a night in the drunk tank versus taking up one of our hospital beds. Also, some of the male nurses hint at wanting a night out with me, but invites are always only to their apartments, not on a real date.

So, maybe I'm just jealous. It is hard not to like Jasper and she loves him so I have done my best and will continue to do my best to be supportive, even though it feels as though I'm slowly losing my best friend.

A month ago, Jasper asked her to schedule this weekend to visit Mercer Island for a long weekend of sailing and finally meeting his family and friends. As Alice was nervous, she asked that I tag along. I remember that Jasper looked at me curiously for a long moment before insisting that I come. I tried to say no to her, but she and Jasper seemed to be adamant that I come. So, I'm packed up and ready to meet Jasper's mysterious family.

Later that evening….

The commute to Mercer Island was uneventful and we pulled up to the hugest piece of real estate I've ever seen. It was incredible.

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"Oh my gosh B, look at this"….Alice squealed.

" I am looking."

"Bella, I know you've been worried, but I have such a great feeling about this weekend. It's going to be life changing, for both of us. I feel it in my bones"

"Not another one of your feelings, Ally. Of course it will be life changing, if he's bringing you here, it has to be to propose."

Before we could ooh and aah much longer, a gentleman approached the taxi we'd taken from the ferry boat and helped us with our luggage.

The older gentleman stated: "Good afternoon Miss Alice and Miss Isabella. Please let me show you to your rooms and our staff will assist with your luggage. Mr. Maseno and Mr. Hale are away on business currently and hope that you will both join them for dinner in the main dining room for 7p.m. Please take that time to rest and I'll give you all the resources to access our staff, if you need anything".

I nervously cleared my throat and asked "Who is Mr. Maseno" before Alice nudged me in the ribs.

The older gentleman smiled and it reached his eyes. He seemed to be about 60 years old but in great shape. "Mr. Maseno owns the estate and is Mr. Hale's boss". He spoke with awe and pride about this new mystery man.

"Boss"… Alice and I questioned together while looking at each other with raised eyebrows.

"Yes, boss", the older man chuckled.

"I'm confused, I thought I was here to meet my boyfriend's family"….Alice exclaimed.

"Ah...yes, Miss Alice. You will be meeting the Hale family. The Hale family has been near and dear to Mr. Maseno, and for the staff, there is no distinction between two families" He clarified. "I can see you have questions, but those would be best answered by Mr. Hale himself Miss Alice".

Alice and I looked at each other again.

"Please follow me and to your rooms and rest. ..The Maseno dinners and a lively affair"he sresponeded.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Oh dear, forgive me, I'm Carlisle Cullen. My wife Esme and I have worked for Mr. Maseno and the Maseno family for nearly 40 years."

"It's nice to meet you Mr. Cullen." I smiled a shook his hand. He seemed so sweet and kind.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Miss Isabella and you also Miss Alice"….we both giggled at the formality.

"Please call me Bella"…Alice giggled and chimed in with a "call me Alice" as well.

Alice and I parted ways to our separate rooms. I was on the third floor, while Alice would be sharing a room with Jasper on the first floor. The room was exquisite.

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After looking through the window for a few minutes, someone knocked on the door. The staff person didn't wait for me to answer but my left my bag and a small basket with a sandwich, fresh fruit, water and juice. It was like staying at a resort. I decided to take the time to relax as suggested. When I opened to door to the en suite bathroom, it was another shock.

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Growing up poor, I had never been exposed to this type of luxury. Squealing like a 12 year old, I decided to put all my fears and worries aside for just once in my life and just enjoy. Even if the only enjoyment was the few hours prior to dinner, I chose to soak it all up and hop in the gorgeous tub.

Sneak Peek

The "Don"

She was stunning. It's been a long time since I've seen a woman that actually looks like woman and the sight of her was mouthwatering. When Jasper asked for permission to bring his women into the fold, I didn't hesitate because I know I can trust his judgment as well as my own. However, the next day when he asked to enlighten her roommate as well, I started to wonder if love made my closest friend and second-in-command less cautious than he should. However, he assured me that the reason for her inclusion would be revealed. I decided to give him a little leeway and that bit of trust landed the sexiest woman to my home, doors away from my bed. I should have waited to meet her formally, but I was too curious to see the woman that had captured Jasper's heart. And in the moment, curiosity led me to the image of the woman who would capture mine…