On My Way
Chapter 6
Keeping to myself the day after our date wasn't an easy task.
Alice and Rose had knocked on my door several times, but I blew them off and told them I had a headache and just needed sleep.
In turn, that sent Esme and Carlisle upstairs in a flurry to make sure I was truly OK.
"Yes, just a bit under the weather, my head feels as if it might explode." I explained to Carlisle as I cracked the door.
"That's what Alice and Rose said, here's some Tylenol for you. Esme will bring you some soup at lunch time. Just get some sleep." He smiled at me. "You've been under lots of stress, it might be finally catching up with you."
"That it is." I sighed.
"Then sleep." He nodded.
I closed the door and laid back down.
A knock at the door awoke me sometime later.
"Bella, my mom sent up some soup." It was Jasper.
I got up and walked to the door opening it.
"You hungry?" he asked.
"A little."
"Mom made soup for lunch. It's good." He shared a lazy grin with me.
Taking the tray, I sat on the bed and started eating, finishing in record time.
"I guess you were hungry."
"Yeah, sleeping all day works up an appetite." I joked.
Jasper and I talked for a little while longer before he left and I went back to sleep, only to wake up and notice it was pitch black and my stomach was really growling, but my head wasn't hurting.
Walking down the back stairs, I walk into the kitchen intent on getting some more of that soup.
"Oh look, Sleeping Beauty." Jasper teased.
"What are you doing awake?" I grabbed at my chest and jump.
"Eating. I had a late work out."
He stood and pulled out the chair for me and fixed me a bowl of soup.
"You're looking better."
"I feel better."
We talked for a while and he asked if I was excited about the ball.
"I'm not one to really dress up and be paraded around."
"Is that what you think?" he laughed.
"That's what it will feel like."
"Just stick with us and you'll be fine. Safety in numbers."
I cleaned up my mess.
"I'm going back to bed."
"Bella, seriously. I would never parade you around."
"I know. But people will still be watching." I turned and walked away.
The next day I couldn't avoid the girls.
It was all primping and pampering getting ready for the ball.
Today was massages and nails, tomorrow would be make-up and hair, I did end up having a great time in the end, after I let myself relax and enjoy.
That night I helped Esme with dinner and she asked if I was really doing OK.
"Yeah, I'm doing better. Jasper told me what Carlisle said and it made me feel a little better; at first, I thought I was doing something wrong. Having a friendship with him, but I have these feelings for him too, you know? And he's older than me, which in a few years won't matter much, but now it does and he's Edward's brother and that bothers me. I feel like that is going to be weird all the way around." I sighed.
"Oh Bella. That's mostly my fault. I told Jasper to watch out for you while he was here, he's so observant and he's always cared for you, even when you bugged him as a little kid, he loved you as a little sister. He hated when you let. He was so happy to know you'd be spending the holidays with us, he told me after watching you for a couple of days that something really bad must have happened, you were strong, but have a deep sadness." Esme smiled and hugged me. "He said his mission was going to be to always make you smile, I encouraged it. Maybe I shouldn't have because of the Edward fiasco and they're brothers." She sat down at the table.
"Don't worry Esme. I've enjoyed Jasper's company. He's been respectful and made me smile."
"Good. So, no worries about tomorrow?" She asked.
"Oh, plenty of worries. There will be a lot of people there and people from school I'd rather not see, they'll want to ask about Edward and I's breakup and I'm sure we'll run into more of Jasper's ex's." I rolled my eyes.
"Don't worry about it if you do. Just do as Jasper and Carlisle said. You are friends. Leave it at that for now." She patted my hand before getting up and finishing dinner.
After dinner Alice, Rose and I went shopping for last minute gifts.
"So Riley backed out as my escort last minute." Alice announced out of nowhere.
"What?" Rose screeched.
"Yeah, he text me this morning. He's taking Jane." Alice said with a sneer.
"Jane?" we both started laughing.
Jane was one of the bitchest girls in our dorm. She tried to get everyone's man and because her father was some huge attorney, running for some political hot seat, she thought she deserved everything on a golden platter.
"Why the hell would he take her?" Rose asked.
"His dad must have political sights for his older brother." She shrugged.
"Well, you'll just join Jasper and me. I'll feel better now anyway."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I was getting twitchy."
"Twitchy?"
"Yes. I felt like backing out too. Just because."
"No, I'll be the third." Alice assured.
We finished shopping and stopped for coffee on the way home.
"OK, get a good night's sleep, big day tomorrow lady." Alice hugged me before I headed towards my room.
"Find anything good?" I jumped when I heard his voice, because I couldn't see him.
"Shit! You scared me."
"Sorry." He smiled a small smile.
I opened my door and nodded for him to come in.
"Why the sad face?" I asked.
"I got my orders today." He sighed.
"Oh, when do you leave?" I didn't realize I'd be so sad.
"Two days after Christmas."
"Wow, that's quick."
"Not really. I pretty much knew I was only here through Thanksgiving and Christmas."
"Well, we'll have to make sure you've got a big care package to take with you." I assured him.
"That sounds good."
Waking the next morning us girls were a flurry again, back to the spa for hair and makeup.
The guys had it easy, a round of golf, shower and dress.
Being Christmas Eve, the spa was packed, but Esme and Alice were preferred customers so there was no waiting, we were ushered back and our pampering began.
I had a few inches cut off mine, some highlights, and left it down in soft natural waves. Alice had a light sheen of glitter sprayed in hers to make it festive, Rose wore hers in a French twist with a few loose pieces, Esme had an elegant up do to compliment her dress; after our hair was finished, they served us a light lunch and then it was makeup time.
By the time we were finished with makeup, I was ready for a nap, but Alice threatened me with bodily harm.
"We'll only have an hour to get home, freshen up and dress before we have to be at the hotel for pictures and dinner."
"Alice you're such a tyrant."
"Hey, I didn't make the schedule." She reminded me.
We finished dressing and then met the men downstairs.
"You ladies look fabulous!" Carlisle spoke up, seeing as though Emmett and Jasper had lost all train of thought and speech.
"Gorgeous." Jasper whispered.
I blushed but continued to walk with Alice towards him.
"Alright, I've got the two most beautiful dates tonight. Let's go." Jasper exclaimed.
The night was fun, we danced and I was introduced to lots of influential people. Esme talked me up several of her friends who were having upcoming events and needed cakes and such done and got me their business, letting them know of my future plans.
"That's wonderful Isabella, I've had the pastries at the shop in Forks, they're divine." The chairman of the board smiled widely and gushed about several he'd enjoyed.
"My grandmother taught me everything I know and then some."
"Well, if you're half the baker she is, I'd be delighted to have you bake my son's birthday cake."
"I love being creative. My grandmother always joked she missed that gene. She can barely frost a cake without ripping it to shreds."
"You'd never know by the delicate touches to her pastries." He shook his head.
"I know. She can make the tiniest chocolate curls, it always amazed me as a child."
We continued talking for a few more minutes until he was taken away on other business, Esme assured him we'd be in touch.
"Bella I'm so excited for you. This will open up a new world for you when you graduate."
"How so?" I questioned and Jasper laughed.
"Darlin' these are the people that run Seattle; all these doctors, lawyers and business men and women that are here tonight, these connections; can make or break a business." He informed me.
"Oh. I guess that cake better be the best then."
"No doubt it will be." Esme hugged me.
Going home that night, I showered and was wound up, I couldn't sleep.
Everyone seemed to be asleep, I went to the kitchen and started baking, next thing I know I've got several different cookie batters ready in the fridge to be rolled out after they're chilled and I've got muffins in the oven for breakfast, a breakfast casserole resting in the fridge ready to be cooked when everyone was ready to eat, coffee ready to be brewed and as I was finished my dishes, and getting ready to go upstairs, Carlisle was walking down.
"Bella are you OK?" he asked with concern.
"Yes. Just restless." I assured.
"It smells wonderful in here. I must run and check on a patient who took a turn for the worst, I'll be back before breakfast. Don't let them eat everything." I handed him a muffin for the road and he thanked me.
I showered and walked back down to lay on the couch as I was still half awake and stared into the Christmas tree lights, letting them lull me to sleep.
"Bella, Bella." I jumped at the sound of my name. "Hey sleepy head." Alice giggled.
"Oh, what time is it?" I stretched.
"6:00am, mom just put your casserole in and dad is on his way home."
"Oh, OK. Should I change?" I asked looking at my pajama's.
"No, we stay in our pajama's as long as possible today. Dad will change once he gets home today too. He's not on call today, unless something major happens."
"That's good."
"What's good?" Jasper came down stairs all rumpled with pillow lines on his face.
"That your dad isn't on call today."
"Yeah, the one day he always tries to keep free, unless some idiot decides to do cartwheels in their car."
Walking into the kitchen I decided to try and help Esme.
"Nonsense! Look at all these wonders you created last night." She shook her head.
"Yeah, it didn't seem like a lot then. There's also more in the fridge to be rolled out and baked." I shrugged.
"Oh my." She laughed. "We might just have to freeze those and send them with Jasper."
"We could." I agreed.
"Hey, I won't argue." He grabbed a muffin and moaned as he ate it. "You've got to figure out how to send these."
We all laughed as Carlisle walked through the door.
"Glad there are still some muffins left. These need to be a staple in your shop Bella. I want to be an investor, if just for free muffins."
"Gladly." I agreed.
He ran upstairs to change into his pajamas and then we all sat down to eat.
"Thank goodness there was so much of everything else Bella. I thought Emmett was going to bite my hand off for trying for seconds on the casserole." Rose joked.
"That's why I made a little of everything, not sure what everyone liked."
After breakfast, Esme told us to leave everything, we'd clean up after presents.
We opened everything.
Us girls received a Spring Break trip from the Cullen's to Disney World in Orlando, FL. It was for the entire week, all expenses paid, including a food plan. They were going too, Carlisle had a medical conference, but they'd have a separate room and would be doing their own thing, we were beyond excited. Rose and I had never been.
Jasper, knowing what his parents had gotten us, bought us matching shirts with our names on them and Minnie Mouse head and all of us Minnie Mouse ears with 2018 on them. We all tackled him and hugged him to show our thanks.
All the kids had chipped in and got Esme and Carlisle a weekend away at a cabin resort on Orcas Island and whale watching trip. It was open ended so they could make it for whenever Carlisle had time off.
I'd got Alice and Rose 'Best Friend' bracelets. All three of ours connected together and made the word 'Best Friends'.
Rose got me an apron that said, "I'd tell you the recipe, but I'd have to kill you" written on it, along with a gift certificate for a sign shop, when I was ready for my own shop.
"Rose, this is too much. I can't even begin to thank you."
"It's from my parents too. You know they love you." She waved it off. I hugged her tight.
Next up was Alice's gift and I saw the little blue box and gave her a dirty look.
"Alice! It's adorable! I love it!"
Jasper was sitting next to me and helped me put it on.
"It's very you." He laughed.
"Here, I hope you like it." He handed me a long black box with a red bow on it.
Slowly I pulled the fancy bow off and opened it.
"Jasper!" I gasped. "It's beautiful, it's too much, I can't" I shook my head.
"No, really. It sustains and supports during times of stress, and brings tranquility and wholeness to oneself. I want you to have this." He placed it on my wrist.
"Thank you."
We enjoyed the rest of the evening eating and watching movies.
Around 8pm, Jasper excused himself to go upstairs and pack.
"Need some help?" I asked.
"No. Enjoy yourself." He nodded.
"It's been a long day. I'm going to bed soon anyway."
"OK."
I said goodnight to everyone and thanked them all for everything before heading up to help Jasper.
We were quiet for a while, before he spoke.
"Are you really going to write?" he asked.
"Of course. You said yourself you wanted to be friends."
"Yeah friends." He smiled. "Would you like to drive me there?"
"I don't have a car Jasper."
"You can use my dad's." he said matter of factly.
"No, no I can't. I'm not driving any of those." I shook my head.
"Well will you at least ride with my parents?"
"Yes. That I will."
"Ok. I'll see you in the morning. I'll knock to wake you."
He kissed my cheek as I walked out the door.
AN:
This was supposed to be short.
But… There was a lot that happened…
Next up College Graduation and Big Decisions!
A Couple of Flashbacks…
Reviews=Love
Oh… And if you want to read what our lovely GR left for us last time it's down here…
But this is the last time I'm indulging her…
No more time for narcissist… Unless I'm writing about them… :0)
Here she is… LOL
"That's a lot to take on at such a young age."
Says the TWENTY year old guy, who not only graduated from West Point, but also became a frickin' MAJOR! Lol!
And dude takes the girl he's trying to woo to a place his ex's family owns! Classic! Plus, nice cliché, one-dimensional character you've made Tanya! I wouldn't expect anything less.
And I don't care if this loosely happened in real life. You have a family pushing a relationship onto a young girl who was brutally raped. Brutally raped by a member of their own family. Less than a month before.
It's like they all want to gloss over it and pretend the rape never happened. The mentality seems that if they can distract her from one brother with a different brother, then they won't feel so guilty about what she went through.
I noticed that no one in that family was shocked or surprised that Edward did this to her.
And stop reading this story? Why? It's highly entertaining! Lol!
And don't think I haven't noticed you haven't put my reviews up. I've made valid points about your story, yet you only want to hear "OMG! Your story is TOTES AMAZE-BALLS!"
No, you have problems with your story. If I posted anonymously and said things you want to hear, you know damn well you'd post my reviews. But, you want to stick your head in the sand and convince yourself that the only reviews you have for this story are good ones.
Tell me one thing I've said in my reviews that is invalid.