Love Incorporated Chapter 3: Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, a twilight fanfic

Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews. So this chapter is a lot longer like you guys requested. I know I haven't been doing any disclaimers so all characters belong to SM. The song used later in the story is from South Pacific, hence the title of the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Three

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair

They were on the road by seven and if the traffic wasn't bad they'd be in Seattle by two. Luckily Grace was in an extremely good mood so she didn't complain about getting up early. She was extremely good about picking up Waffle House and eating in the car. She most likely cooperated because Bella had put her in her favorite outfit, she got to watch Go Diego go! While she ate, and Bella had told her that they were going to go stay with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Emmie. Bella had put Gracie in the same jumper that Eloise from the Plaza in NYC wears along with the same blouse, socks, and Mary Jane's. And Bella didn't forget the adorable red bow.

"Are you excited to see your Aunt and Uncle?" Bella asked as she peaked in the rear view mirror to see her daughter.

"Mhmm." Gracie replied.

Bella couldn't help but chuckle. Rose and Emmett weren't really Grace's aunt and uncle but they were so close to family that Rose and Emmet had started referring to themselves in that manor ever since Grace was born. Bella couldn't help but be in a good mood today either. Something just felt so right about today. It was like she was starting a new chapter of her life. She didn't even mind the really rude drivers who refused to use turn signals when changing lanes. Today just felt like a really good day and she hoped that it stayed that way.

Another bottle of gin down and a major hang over to go. That was the condition that James was still in when the morning came. He came to work completely wasted. It scared the Hell out of Victoria that he had driven to work like this.

"Hello, baby." James greeted Victoria as she stumbled towards the door to his office.

"James! My God, how many drinks did you have?" Victoria panicked rushing to his side and helping him into his office.

"I don't know. Haha. Ten maybe more. I lost count. Haha! Bella didn't take the bottle away! She didn't take the fucking bottle away! I win!"

James was practically screaming as he pumped his fists in the air.

"James, I'm not sure you should be at work today. You can't drive home either."

"I'm fine. Bella will come get me like she always does."

Worry spread across her face. James was so drunk that he forgot that Bella left him.

"James, Bella isn't coming to pick you up." Her voice was soft in an attempt to soothe him.

"Well why not, she's my wife ain't she?" James laughed as he grabbed for his cell phone.

Victoria caught and stilled his hand.

"She's divorcing you. She left yesterday with Grace." She tried to be as gentle as possible. She knew he was unpredictable when he was drunk.

"Oh no." James groaned. "No!"

"Shhhh. Shhh. James, what shall be will be." She whispered as she got James to ease back in his chair.

"Will you take me home?" James asked looking at her with sad drunken eyes. "And stay for a while?"

"Of course. Come on, let's go."

Grace was anxious when the pulled into Rosalie and Emmett's driveway. Luckily they had arrived at the time they said they would so she knew that Rose and Emmett were waiting for them.

"Emmie's house!" Gracie squealed as she tried to squirm out of her car seat.

"Wait a second, baby. I have to get you out first." Bella laughed.

Bella turned off the car and then leapt out of the driver's seat. She opened the Gracie's door just as she heard the front door to the house open. After she undid the straps to the car seat she helped Gracie out, Lambie still clutched in her fist. Gracie took off at top speed towards the door. She ran up the pathway and almost tripped up the stairs. She launched herself into Emmett's arms and squealed with glee.

"Gracie-boo!" Emmett exclaimed as he lifted her up and spun her around.

"Emmie!" Gracie squealed.

It was quite a sight, those two together. That's what Bella wanted in a family for her and Gracie. She was glad that Emmett and Rose loved her and Gracie so much.

"Don't forget me." Rosalie chimed as she held out her arms for a hug.

Emmett kept a hold on Gracie as she reached out to hug and kiss Rosalie.

"That's my favorite girl." Rosalie giggled.

Emmet didn't put Gracie down but he did give Bella a hug when she came up the steps. Rosalie then took Bella into her arms and hugged her tightly and Bella did the same.

"I'm so glad you're here." Rosalie whispered in Bella's ear.

"I'm glad you guys are here for Gracie and I. I'm not sure I'd survive without you."

"You're my best friend, Bella, and have been since junior year of high school. That's what best friends are for. I'm just so happy you came to your senses and left him."

"Hey Rose, can we talk about that later when Grace isn't around?"

"Oh yeah, sorry."

"Don't worry." Bella said with a smile.

The four of them went inside the grand home that was extravagant as Bella remembered. Rosalie was a Cullen now and the Cullen's had money. After all, they were the head of James's rival company, Cullen Incorporated. Bella had been afraid when she went to Rose's wedding that the Cullen's wouldn't like her because of where she worked or who her husband was. None of them seemed to mind at all. Carlisle, Emmett's father, even found it amusing by saying, "Well it really is a small world after all." Bella liked the Cullens very much for they were good and kind people. They had a lot of money but they never flaunted it like the snobby asshats in LA. When Bella first met Emmett she was greatly intimidated by his size, but it turned out that he was nothing but a big teddy bear. He loved Rosalie and treated her well and that was all the convincing that Bella needed to like him.

"I'll unload your car." Emmett said as he put Gracie down.

"Oh, no, Emmett, I'll do it." Bella insisted.

"I won't allow that, Bella. You're family." Emmett had the most adorable smile that Bella couldn't resist to agree to. "I'll be back to play soon." He promised Gracie.

"Mommy, can I go swimming?" Gracie pleaded as she batted her eyelashes and looked at her with those doe eyes of hers.

Bella turned to look at Rose who was smiling. Of course one of the few things that Gracie would remember was that Rosalie and Emmett had a house with a pool. It seemed like perfect weather for swimming.

"Oh, I'm sure Emmett will go in with her. Then you and I can talk."

"Sounds like a plan."

Gracie looked so adorable splashing around in the pool with her water wings. Emmett stayed extremely close to her never taking his hands off her for very long. Bella and Rose sat at one of the tables by the pool, each with a glass of lemonade in their hand.

"I just couldn't take it anymore, Rose. It got to the point where I realized that it wasn't going to get better."

"I know it's hard, Bella. You don't have to hold anything back."

"I'm not holding back. I think I've felt like we've been divorced ever since he changed. I've been so emotionally detached from him for so long it's felt like we weren't married. I think that's why I can't cry about it. When I got in the car this morning I felt so good. It felt like I was heading on the right path. It feels like I can grow again and that I don't have to constantly walk around wondering what obscenity am I going to stumble upon next. I should have listened to my father. He knew that James I wanted to get married after I finished my undergraduate. Damn I did it in three years instead of four. I got married at twenty-one. I was ahead of my class and took summer courses and got my masters in three years! I'm a successful woman in my field. I know I got pregnant in my last year of graduate school but I still managed to get a high paying job at Martin & Co."

Rose put her hand on Bella's shoulder and then pulled her to her side. Bella rested her head on Rose's shoulder and sighed.

"You're a good person, Bella." Rosalie said in a soothing voice. "You didn't do anything wrong. You and James were in love. You truly were. He just changed when he got all that power. People change, Bella. The first step to getting better and moving on is accepting that there is a problem. The next is choosing whether you are going to do anything about it or not. You've done that. You took action and left. From everything you've told me and everything I've witnessed myself, what you did was for the best. Gracie didn't need to be in that kind of situation any more. She needs a family to love and care for her. You do such a great job with her and you did it all on your own. You know that Renee and Charlie would be really proud of you. They've always believed in you, Bella. They always knew that you were a smart girl."

That's when Bella's eyes began to water.

"Bells, don't cry. They wouldn't be mad at you. Charlie always knew that you had a good head on your shoulders. He would want you to have a better life. You deserve this, Bella. You deserve this second chance. You deserve a good life. You deserve love."

Bella wiped her eyes and then smiled at Rosalie.

"Thanks, Rose. You always know just what to say."

"You taught me that, Bells. And let me tell ya. You're not the same quiet reserved girl you were when you came to Forks that faithful year. You were so happy once we got to be friends. You were happy when you met James when he was in his senior year and you in your freshman taking mostly all two hundred level classes with some three and four hundred. You were on scholarship, too! I was so hard and stupid when we met, but you made me softer and gave me something to work for. You showed me that I could be better than I was if I wanted to be. You are one determined chick. So now it's time for a clean slate."

"Will you stay with me, Rose, right now while I call Alec?" Bella asked.

"Your lawyer?"

"The very one."

"Of course, I'm right here, girlie."

Bella whipped her phone out of her pocket and punched Alec's speed dial number.

"Hello, Bella, what can I do for you?" Alec's cheery voice poured through the speaker.

"Hi, Alec. I need your help on something. It's kind of a big thing."

"If it's about James getting another DUI I'm not sure I can save him again like I barely did last time."

"No, it's not about that mother fucker getting another DUI. I want to file for divorce."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Bella. I'll get right on it."

"Don't be. It's about time. I'll tell you this. I want the money I've made. I made an honest living, Alec. As for the house, he can have it I don't ever want to have to set foot in there again. All I want is the rest of Grace's toys and my books out of the house because I couldn't fit everything in the car. I want full custody of Gracie. It's not like he was ever there to raise her. He can have visiting rights if he gets his acts together."

"Well you certainly know what you want, Bella. I'm not surprised you want Grace to be Grace Marie Swan. You know that normally there is a six month waiting period, but after all that you've done for my family I think I can get that taken care of."

"Oh, thank you, Alec! The sooner the better, for I don't think I could last six more months of being Bella Martin."

"All right then, I'll fax you the forms that you need to fill out. Um, Bella, where are you by the way? I'm assuming that you've left because you referred to the house is there and you said something about fitting everything in the car."

"I'm in Seattle with Rosalie and Emmett Cullen. I went to high school back in Forks with Rosalie but she was a Hale back then." Bella then gave Alec the address.

"All right. Well tomorrow is Saturday. Why don't I fly out to Seattle and we can talk one on one and work on those forms so we can get you out of this mess as soon as we can?"

"Oh, that sounds wonderful. Thank you so much, Alec. Oh and if James contacts you please don't tell him where I am. I'm safe here. I don't need him to come ruin this."

"I won't tell him, Bella. Now you take care, ok."

"I will, and you too."

"Bye, Bella."

"Bye, Alec."

Alec then hung up and Bella collapsed in her chair. Just as she was about to say something Rosalie's phone rang.

"Hello, Esme." Rosalie said with a smile. "Yes, they're here safe and sound." Rosalie turned to smile at Bella. "Yes, I think she might like that. We can talk about that tomorrow. Just give me a sec to ask her." Rosalie moved the speaker away so that Esme couldn't hear her. "Bella, would you and Grace like to join us for a cook-out at Esme and Carlisle's house?"

"I don't want to be a burden. I know you guys do those as a family."

"Bella! You are family. Esme is dying to see you and Grace again."

"All right, if it will make Esme happy. She's an angel."

"Esme! She said yes. Make sure he comes. He has to learn that workingmen play, too. I mean look at Carlisle, he owns one of the fucking most powerful and successful companies in the world. He had time to find you and raise three kids. All right then, I'll let you go. See you at noon. Love you, too."

"Bella and Grace are coming!" Esme squealed when she ran into Carlisle's office.

He looked up and smiled at her. He loved his wife more than life itself. He put down his work and got up from his seat. He crossed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her waist. He leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her lips. Esme was a motherly woman and she had birthed his three lovely children. He loved her more than a man could anything. He needed her more than water or even air.

"That's great news, Honey." He chimed with a smile and then pressed another kiss to her lips.

"Oh, Yes. I can't wait to see what she thinks about the offer I'm going to make her tomorrow."

"I'm sure she'll be ecstatic. It's rare that we've seen Edward so quick to care about a stranger. Sure we all know her, but he's never met her."

"He just needs to put down his work and actually give love a chance. He hasn't since…"

"I know, Honey. You're such a giver. I'll never know why of all people you chose to marry me."

"You're a wonderful man, Carlisle." She said as she rested her forehead against his. "I love you. We've raised three amazing children, all of them strong and caring individuals. I don't regret marrying you. I'd be a fool if I did."

"I love you, too. We make a pretty good team, don't we?"

Esme replied by kissing her dashing husband. She loved Carlisle more than life itself. Then a knock came to the door, causing them to pull away. They turned to look and saw that Edward was standing in the doorway.

"Come in, Son." Carlisle said with a smile.

Edward nodded and then stepped inside.

"Have either of you seen Rosalie or Emmett?"

"They're at home, sweetheart." Esme chimed as she glanced at her husband. "Bella and Grace are at their house. They're coming to the barbeque tomorrow."

"Oh, then never mind." He grumbled and then turned to leave.

"Stop right there." Carlisle order. "What's wrong, Edward?"

"Nothing, Dad. Just I need Emmett he's one of the strongest members on my team."

"Relax, Son. You work too hard. Sometimes I feel like you work harder than me. Why don't you take a break?"

"But, Dad."

"Son, that's an order. You need to start treating yourself well."

Esme walked over to her son and took one of his large hands in both of her small ones.

"Edward, Dear." Her voice was so calm and soothing that Edward couldn't help but listen. "I know it's been hard ever since the incident with her. You've been working yourself to death more than you usually do ever since then."

"I know, Mom. And I'm over her. I guess I've just worked myself into a pattern."

"Well then, it's time to move forward. Today sounds like a pretty good start. You're a good boy, Edward. When you wake up tomorrow, smile. Start the day with a new attitude."

"Thanks, Mom. You always know what to say."

When James finally woke up he had the most killer headache. He sat up slowly, his head throbbing with pain.

"Shit." He groaned.

Everything flooded back to him and now he wanted to forget. He saw Bella's face as he hurt her. He heard Grace cry as Bella slammed into the wall.

"It's her fault." He murmured to himself.

Carefully he got up out of bed and walked into Bella and his walk in closet. All of her clothes were gone. Her side of the closet was bare, absolutely bare. He couldn't believe it. The next room that he walked into was Grace's. The majority of her things were gone. Only the big stuff was left. He knew that she would be back for it.

"I can convince her to come back." He lied to himself.

"James." A familiar voice called his name.

He turned around and there stood his beautiful Victoria.

"Here, I made this for you, it should help with the headache."

She handed him a disgusting looking drink. He held it to his nose and then stuck out his tongue in disgust.

"It tastes better than it smells. Just hold your nose while you drink it."

Victoria was defiantly happier when he drank it. There would be no more of James worshiping the porcelain god today.

"Man that's nasty, but thanks." He gave her an appreciative smile. "You really don't have to do all of this, Vicky. You're my secretary. That stops when we it leaves the realm of our work."

"I know, James. I do care about you, you know."

"You care too damn much. A nice girl like you, you're wasting your precious time on a guy like me."

"Don't say that, James! You're wonderful!"

James started to laugh.

"Wonderful, eh? Then why would Bella leave me and take our daughter with her?"

"She doesn't love you anymore, James. I've seen it in her eyes ever since you hired me. It's not my place to speak for her and say her reasons. But it was time James."

"Look, Vicky. What we have, I think we need to cool it for now. I'm not sure what I can handle. I'm going to be pretty unpredictable so…."

"I get it James. You're tired of me. You're not man enough to open up to a woman anymore. I should have known it. You're right, maybe I am wasting my time."

With that she walked away and slammed the door on the way out.

"Fuck." Was all he could say. "Fuck."

Rosalie could hear Bella singing in the shower when she walked into the bedroom. Gracie was lying on her tummy at the end of the bed as she watched TV. She was wearing the cutest pair of polka-dot pajamas that had ruffles on the bottom of her shorts and shirt.

"Mommy is in the shower." Gracie explained when she saw Rosalie walk in.

"That's her singing isn't it?" Rosalie said with a smile.

"Mhmm."

Rosalie walked over to her and sat down beside her on the bed.

"She has a pretty voice, doesn't she?"

Gracie nodded again. Then Rosalie listened to Bella.

"I'm gonna wash that man right out outa my hair,

I'm gonna wash that man right outa my hair,

And send him on his way.

I'm gonna wave that man right outa my arms,

And send him on his way.

Don't try to patch it

Tear it up, tear it up!

Wash him out, dry him out,

Push him out, fly him out,

Cancel him and let him go!

Yes, Sister!

I'm gonna wash that man right outa of my hair,

I'm gonna wash that man righ touta my hair,

I'm gonna wash that man right outa my hair,

And send him on his way.

If a man don't understand you,

If you fly on separate beams,

Waste no time, make a change,

Ride that man right off your range.

Run him out of the roll call

And drum him out of your dreams.

Oho! If you laugh at different comics,

If you root for different teams,

Waste no time, weep no more,

Show him what the door is for.

Run him out of the roll call

And drum him out of your dreams.

You can't light a fire when the woods are wet,

No!

You can't make a butterfly strong,

Hmm, hmm!

You can't fix an egg when it ain't quite good,

And you can't fix a man when he's wrong!

You can't put back a petal when it falls from a flower,

Or sweeten up a fellow when he starts turnin' sour

Oh no! Oh no!

If his eyes get dull and fishy,

When you look for glints and gleams,

Waste no time,

Make a switch,

Drop him in the nearest ditch!

Rub him out of the roll call,

And drum him out of your dreams

Oho! Oho!

I went to wash that man right outa my hair,

I went to wash that man tight outa my hair,

And sent him on his way.

She went to wash that man right out of my hair,

And send him on his way!"

Rosalie sat with Gracie until Bella came out of the shower in a big t-shirt and panties, but looking refreshed as ever.

"Oh, Rose. I didn't expect to see you here." Bella laughed, still in shock.

"Sorry. I figured that you were in the shower since Emmett helped you give Gracie a bath already. We were just getting ready for bed and so I thought I'd come sit with Gracie until you were out of the shower."

"Thanks. Gracie doesn't like to be alone much. She isn't anything like I was growing up."

Bella came and sat down beside Rosalie and then the two girls laid back on the bed.

"Remember when we use to sleep over at each other's houses all the time?" Rose asked.

"Yeah. I think Charlie was pretty grateful for that. He was always worried that I wouldn't have any friends. But then you came along."

"Yeah. Me, Angela, Jessica, Lauren, Mike, and Eric. They never liked me much."

"It was because you were outgoing."

"Remember how Mike use to like you?"

"Ugggg. He just wouldn't take no for an answer. I can't believe I actually dated him in high school."

"I can't believe you went to Prom with him."

"I can't believe I kissed him."

"I can't believe that he took your virginity."

"It was junior year. You lost yours to Eric."

"Touché. I have trained you well, young Jedi warrior."

Gracie got bored and then crawled in between her mommy and aunt.

"Hey, pretty girl." Bella said with a smile as she ran her fingers through Gracie's hair.

"Mommy, are going to live here?" Gracie asked as she looked at her mother.

Bella had to think for a moment before responding.

"For a little while, baby, just until we find a place of our own. You like it here, with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Emmie, don't you?"

She nodded and then sighed.

"What's wrong, baby?" Bella asked as Rose began to rub circles on Gracie's back.

"Daddy isn't coming is he?"

"No, sweetie."

Gracie looked at her for a long while. "Daddy doesn't like me, does he?"

Grace was always mature for her age. She was born into a world where only so few people were looking out for her. She had to deal with her parents fighting from day one.

"He loves you, Grace." Bella took her daughter into her arms and sat up.

Rose sat up beside her and kept her hand on Grace's back.

"He just has a weird way of showing it."

Grace understood more than her mother thought she did.

"I don't want Daddy to come."

"He's not coming, sweetheart."

"I love you, Mommy."

Gracie hugged her mom the best that she could. She was so small yet she was full of so much love.

"Oh, baby, I love you, too. You and me, forever, right?" Bella chimed with a smile.

"Right!" Gracie cheered. "Gracie and Mommy forever!"

Rosalie laughed at how adorable the picture was. If there were a true picture of love it would this moment right here and now. When James stopped caring about Bella and more about his work Bella put all of her love, the love she already had for the baby, and the love she would be giving to James, to Gracie.

Emmett knocked on the door and covered his eyes.

"Permission to enter the girls' room?"

"Permission granted." Bella laughed.

"I came to say Goodnight to two of my favorite girls and take my number one girl back to bed with me."

Emmett walked over to the bed and hugged Bella goodnight. Then he picked up Gracie and hugged and kissed her.

"Nighty-night, Gracie-boo, my little munchkin."

"Nighty-night, Uncle Emmie." Grace gave him a big hug and a wet kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you both again for letting us stay." Bella said one Emmett gave Grace back.

"It's our pleasure, Bella. Goodnight."

"Night."

Bella got up and turned off all of the lights and the TV. Then she helped Gracie under the covers and cuddled up next to her. They slept facing each other and in between them was Lambie.

"Nighty-night, baby."

"Nighty-night, Mommy."

They were more out cold the moment their eyes closed.