A/N: In case you receive a new chapter notice I just wanted to let you know that this the same chapter that you already read. I have recently joined with Project Team Beta for story editing so I am going back and updating the posted chapters with the newly updated edits. Nothing has really changed plot wise, mostly correctly comma and typo errors. I am working on chapter 3 and hope to have it ready to go by the time I get chapter 2 back from PTB .
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
My Life Plan
Prologue
"Ugh!" I cannot sleep. "Little one, are you about ready to greet the world?" I absently rub my hand over my abdomen. I probably won't get anymore sleep after she arrives, but hopefully the few hours I do get will be more peaceful. Ha! Peaceful, who am I kidding, but at least this pain will be gone.
"Little one, the doctor says you will be here any day now." I guess I should go to the bathroom since I am awake. It seems that I am constantly in the bathroom these days. I will be glad when this pregnancy is over. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed being pregnant. It is indescribable the feeling I get thinking about a new life growing inside me. I have eagerly followed the growth on a website that describes my baby's development each week since I found out I was pregnant. However, the last few weeks I have been miserable: I am fat, tired, hot, achy... like I said, miserable.
I heave a sigh and scoot to the edge of the bed. "Ugh!" I rub my belly as I stand and shuffle to the bathroom. I only make it a few steps when "OH!" Oh my goodness, Oh my goodness! Of course it has to be a night I am alone! Why did I tell Alice I would be okay and send her home?! "Oh goodness!"
OK, calm down, think. We have a plan. Yeah, the plan was not to be alone! OK, not helping...
Deep breath. There is nothing I can do about that now. As my therapist has advised on several occasions, I need to let go and follow the flow. OK, I need to focus and not panic, everything is going to be okay. I need to find the phone!
"Where's the phone?" I frantically chant as I turn towards the nightstand. I quickly locate the phone and push the 2.
"Please pick up... Please pick up..." becomes my mantra.
After two rings "Bella?" the voice on the other end answers.
"I...I think my water just broke. Ugh!"
"OK. Stay calm. I will be there in a few minutes. Remember to breathe," the voice responds calmly with an air of authority before the line goes dead.
"Breathe, Bella." I mentally chant to myself as I head to the closet to get my bag and my "going to the hospital" outfit Alice laid out for me. As quickly as possible I change my clothes and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth. I cannot leave the house without clean teeth. As I hurriedly brush my teeth I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Is there anything else I need to do? No, of course not. The plan stated I only needed to make the one phone call, if I was alone. Everyone else would take care of the rest ... as long as they follow the plan.
"Ugh!" I hope for once everything goes according to the plan.
Chapter 1 – Graduation Day
"Bells! Are you about ready?" Charlie hollers from the kitchen. "Alice'll be here any minute."
"Yeah Dad. I'll be down in a minute," I answer back. I take a final look in the mirror and grab the cap and bag off my bed before heading down the stairs. Just as I make it to the bottom step, there is a knock at the door. Before Charlie or I can get the door, in bounds a 5 foot even bundle of energy, better known as my best friend Alice.
"Hey Charlie!" Alice waves to him as she turns to me, "So, Bella, are you ready?"
"Yeah, let me just grab my gown." I turn towards the living room where my graduation gown is hanging from the door frame.
"Where's Edward?" Charlie inquires.
"Oh, the Valedictorian and Salutatorian had to get to school early for last minute speech practice," Alice replies.
"I think it is more so they don't try to sneak in any inappropriate remarks at the last minute," I comment with a wink in Alice's direction. Alice immediately begins giggling as she remembers the graduation ceremony from two year ago.
Charlie cocks an eyebrow but does not comment on our giggle fit. "Bells, you two better get going. I'll see you at the ceremony."
"Ok, Dad," I give him a quick hug, "and you are coming to the party at the Cullens' house afterward, right?"
"Yes, I will be there."
Alice and I wave goodbye as we head out to her car.
Ten minutes later we pull into the parking lot of Forks High. Many of our fellow classmates are milling around, chatting with one another. We catch sight of Edward and wave. He starts towards us, but is intercepted by Jessica and Lauren. "You would think that after four years they would take the hint that he is not interested in them," I hiss to Alice as we head off to rescue Edward once again.
"You would think, but then again they are at the bottom of the class," Alice giggles.
I give her a confused look before asking, "Alice you do know only the top 10 are seated by class standing, right? Everyone else is seated in alphabetical order."
"Yes, silly," she affirms. "Why else would I be sitting after Tyler Crowley?" She questions, wrinkling her nose. "I just might have been in the guidance office when they printed the graduation roster, which happened to be in order of class standing," she whispers conspiratorially.
I roll my eyes. Everyone thinks she is psychic, but I know she is just sneaky.
"...it will be a great party, especially if you stopped by, Eddie," we hear Lauren's falsely sweet voice saying as we approach Edward.
Jessica is the first to notice us. "Oh, my gosh! Can you believe we are finally graduating?" She squeaks as she hugs me tightly before hugging Alice.
Lauren glares at us briefly before turning back to Edward, "Hope to see you tonight!" She winks and walks haughtily away with Jessica, leaving the three of us gaping at her back. We turn to each other and burst into a fit of laughter.
After calming down slightly I ask, "So what was that all about?"
Edward pinches the bridge of his nose and groans, "The usual thing."
I laugh again, reaching up to hug him around the neck. "I know you are excited about graduating for no other reason than to get away from them."
He laughs briefly, hugging me back tightly and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before releasing me. "I guess Jacob isn't here yet," he states rather sourly.
"No," I reply dryly. "And even if he was, friends are allowed to greet one another, you know."
"Yeah," he retorts. "I think Jacob has a different opinion on what you are allowed to do."
I open my mouth to argue, but Alice cuts me off.
"So Edward, how did speech practice go? Did you pass inspection?"
"Ha Ha! We were given a lecture on what are appropriate remarks and how badly inappropriate comments reflect upon our reputation."
"I am sure the principal gives that speech every year," I attempt to placate him.
"Yeah, well I think it was directed more at me than Ben this year. I mean, really, he didn't even glance in Ben's direction during the entire lecture," whined Edward.
"You know what they say about the company one keeps," I tease.
There is an announcement over the PA system telling all the graduates to line up outside the gym; the ceremony is about to begin.
Alice squeals and helps me put on my cap and straightens my gown. While Alice proceeds to finish with her cap and gown, I scan the parking lot. I see Charlie's police cruiser and Jacob's Rabbit. I quickly scan again to see if there are any rental cars in the lot.
"Maybe they got a ride with Charlie," Edward whispers softy in my ear with a hand on my shoulder, guiding me toward the front of the line.
I shake my head whispering back, "Phil said mom isn't adjusting well to the new medication."
He gives me a small smile and looks like he is about to say something when we hear the first notes of the music indicating the ceremony is starting. We begin filing into the gym where all of our friends and family are standing in honor of us, the graduating class of Forks High.
I groan slightly when I glimpse the stairs heading to the stage.
"Don't worry, Bella, I'll be right in front of you to catch you should you fall," Edward smirks, probably remembering the disaster at graduation practice yesterday or any number of times that I attempted to make friends with the floor over the years.
The ceremony goes quickly. Edward and Ben give their speeches and our names are called to accept our diplomas. Luckily, I do not fall flat on my face while walking across the stage. Before I know it, we are throwing our caps into the air and friends and family are rushing to the gym floor to congratulate us.
Suddenly, I am in a vice like hold being swung around. "Jacob," I pant breathlessly as he releases me not so gently back to the floor. Charlie grabs my shoulder to steady me before pulling me into an awkward hug.
"Congratulations, kiddo! I'm so proud of you."
"For graduation or for walking across a flat surface without tripping?" I joke, pulling away from him.
As the red crept to his cheeks, he sheepishly answers, "Erm... both, I guess." Then we both burst into laughter.
I look around for Edward, Alice, and the rest of the Cullens. When I spot them across the gym, I wave. I start to head in their direction, but Jacob latches onto my hand tugging me back to him.
"You'll see them later at the party, Bella," he huffs. "Billy wants to congratulate you."
I nod and stumble after him as we weave through the crowd.
\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/
I hop out of Jacob's Rabbit and head to the front steps at the Cullen home. Even though I consider it my second home, I am still in awe of the beauty of it. Every time I come here I have to stop at least briefly to admire the home. While I am remembering the many wonderful times I have spent here, Jacob wraps his arm tightly around my waist. I swear he is grumbling something under his breath that sounds like "only wants to brag about their wealth."
I cannot help smiling to myself as that is so far from the truth, but outwardly I scowl at Jacob. I do not know what his problem is, especially since Esme is practically my mother. Then maybe that is the problem. Whereas I readily accepted her as a mother figure to fill the void of my absent mother, perhaps Jacob sees her as trying to replace his mother who died when he was a young child. Maybe that is why he is so cold to the entire family. The Cullens are a tight knit family. Could he be jealous?
I am disrupted from my musings by the applause that erupts as we walk through the front door. Detesting the spotlight, I quickly glance around the room seeing Angela and Ben standing near the fireplace. I head toward them with Jacob attached to my hip. Angela and I hug awkwardly, what with Jacob not letting go of me. I quirk an eyebrow at him and squirm slightly in his grasp. Thankfully, he gets the hint and moves his hand to the small of my back. Angela, Ben and I chat a while about their summer plans.
Jacob begins to shift his weight from foot to foot. I glance up at him, noticing the bored, slightly agitated, expression on his face. I pat him on the shoulder whispering, "Let's get something to eat." Raising my voice slightly to address Angela and Ben once more, "You guys have a great trip and, Angela, when you get back we'll discuss what we will need for the apartment."
Angela nods, pulling me in for a quick hug before I take Jake's hand, leading him to the kitchen. If anything will lift Jacob's mood, food will do it.
Esme is refilling a chip bowl when we entered the kitchen.
"Esme, thank you so much for including me in the graduation party," I say as Jake starts piling food on his plate.
"Bella, of course, we would include you as a guest of honor. You know I think of you as my daughter," Esme replies as she walks around the kitchen island to engulf me in a warm hug. I blush a bright pink at her kind words. Truth be told, I was extremely touched when I saw my name alongside Alice's and Edward's names on the invitations. "I'm sorry your mom couldn't make it," she whispers before releasing me.
I am about to reply when two small hands wrap around my arm pulling me backwards toward the living room, causing me to stumble slightly.
"Alice!" I yelp. "That really isn't a wise thing to do to someone as balance challenged as I am."
Alice smirks at me. "But Bella, we didn't get to see you after the ceremony in the gym and everyone wants to talk to you," she whines as she plops on the couch pulling me down next to her.
Rose wraps her arms around me in a gente hug from beside me on the couch. "Congratulations! How does it feel to be a high school graduate?"
"Exciting," I answer. "Where are the guys?"
"They went to get food," Rose responds, looking around.
Alice giggles, "They got cornered by Great Aunt Bertha. I was looking for them when I found you in the kitchen." She giggles again before sighing, "I do feel bad for Jasper, though." She points towards the dining room where we can see Edward and Emmett getting their cheeks pinched by a small white-haired woman. We look at each other and burst out into laughter.
We are wiping our eyes when a plate of food appears in front of Alice and Jasper's southern drawl is heard saying, "What is so funny, ladies?"
We look up at him and try to suppress another round of giggles as we spy a red mark on his cheek. Alice shakes her head violently while accepting her plate of food.
We are still trying to catch our breath when Edward and Emmett approach. Emmett hands Rose a plate also inquiring about our outburst of laughter, which was getting harder to suppress seeing as they had matching marks on their cheeks.
"Well, it certainly isn't from remembering your speech," Jasper gives Edward a pointed look.
"I can't help it if your speech two years ago ruined it for the rest of us." Edward retorts before handing me a plate. "I hadn't seen you have anything to eat yet," he answers my quizzical expression.
I blush and immediately scan the room.
"He's talking to Billy and Charlie in the dining room," Edward whispers to me while handing me a soda.
I am about to ask him how he carried two plates and a soda when I see him pull another can from his pants' pocket before sitting down on the floor in front of the couch, facing us. A quick glance and I notice the other two guys sitting the same way. While we eat our food, we tease and joke with each other, just enjoying being together once again.
I am not sure how long we have been sitting here lost in our little bubble with Emmett telling story after ridiculous story about the kids in the class he was observing last semester, when I see Edward shift and tense slightly. I give him a curious look just as I feel two heavy hands on my shoulders. I jump, startled.
"Bella, Charlie and Billy are ready to go," Jacob states firmly from behind me.
I stand up, looking around. The crowd has really thinned out with only a few people who I assume are relatives of the Cullens remaining. The others must have noticed as well since they, too, are standing up, picking up our empty plates and soda cans. The others head to the kitchen to throw away our trash while I turn towards Jacob.
"So, are you ready to go or should I have Charlie take Billy home?" Jacob asks as he steers me towards the front door.
"No, Jake. I'm spending the night with Alice. You should go ahead and take Billy home," I tell him.
He pulls me out the front door. "What do you mean you're spending the night?! You just want to be with him," Jacob sneers.
"Jacob! We are just going to hang out for a while, then I am sure Rose and Alice will drag me into Alice's room to discuss the wedding. Rose is spending the night, too. I can't believe it is only a little over a month away," I ramble on, trying to ease the tension that is building between us.
"Don't play dumb with me. I know what guys and girls do to mark graduation."
I gape at Jacob, "That sounds oddly similar to the tradition you mentioned on prom night." Jacob stares at me so I continue, "So, you think since I wouldn't do it on prom night with my boyfriend that I will suddenly decide to do it on graduation night with one of my best friends? Who I also happen to consider family? Not to mention in his house where his parents, sister, and brother are also sleeping?" I seethe.
"Like I don't know what Alice and Jasper, Rose and Emmett have planned for the night," he spats back.
"If I remember correctly, you stayed out all night at Paul's graduation bonfire last Friday and it took you two days to recover seeing how you didn't call me until Sunday afternoon."
"That's different!"
I balk at him, "Oh, really?! I am sure Leah, Kim, Emily, and Claire were all there."
"It's different," he states firmly for a second time.
"Yeah. The difference is I trust you and you don't trust me." I see Billy being pushed out the door and move to slide past Jacob. He grabs my wrist tightly, wrenching me towards him; I am sure to have a bruise later. We stand there glaring at each other when I hear Charlie clear his throat.
"Is everything okay out here?" Charlie asks, glancing between Jacob and me.
"I'll call you tomorrow, Jake," I seethe as I pull my arm from his grip. He must have been stunned by our sudden audience, as he easily lets me go.
I plaster a fake smile on my face, turning towards Charlie and Billy. "Billy, thank you for coming. I am sorry I didn't get to visit with you much."
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure I will be seeing you a lot over the summer. Anyways, I enjoyed myself; the Cullens have some interesting friends and relatives." Billy gives my hand a quick squeeze and I bend down to kiss his cheek. Billy really is great.
As I am straightening up, Charlie, who is still eyeing Jake, asks, "So Bells, I guess you'll be home some time tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Dad. I am not sure when, though. Alice will probably rope me into a shopping trip. She keeps going on about getting a new college wardrobe," I roll my eyes, laughing humorlessly.
"OK, kiddo, just don't spend your entire college fund." Charlie pats me on the back and starts wheeling Billy across the porch.
I shake my head with a small grin on my face before walking through the entry, shutting the door without a second look at Jake.
I slump against the closed door, shutting eyes and releasing a long sigh.
I sense movement to my right. Opening my eyes, I see Edward rise from the piano bench and turn towards me.
"Everything okay?" He nods towards my hand that is absently rubbing my wrist.
Quickly dropping my arms to my sides I reply, "Yeah, everything's great. Jake's just in a mood, you know?"
"If you say so, Bella," Edward shrugs and I notice his eyes seem sad, but maybe I am mistaken. He quickly flashes my favorite crooked smile before linking his arm with mine. "Come on," he says, leading me through the living room to the dining room.
Going through the living room, I notice the furniture has been moved back into place. "Where is everyone?" I question Edward.
"Those who are staying here have already turned in for the night and everyone else has left. The gang is helping Esme clean up the food while waiting for you to join them."
I blush and mumble, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You were saying goodnight to your father. Besides when I left, Jasper and Emmett were trying to see who could put the most cheese puffs in their mouth."
I giggle quietly at the image that conjured up.
Edward and I slide into chairs around the table and quickly we are all swapping stories and reminiscing while "helping clean up the food" by eating all the leftovers.
Soon Rose and Alice are dragging me to Alice's room, as I predicted, to discuss the wedding.