**Disclaimer-SM owns them, I just like to play with them some.**
Chapter Eight
---EPOV---
"Ugh," I muttered. "What time is it?" Alice had pulled the blankets off of me to wake me up.
"It's 7:30. Jay is awake. He's downstairs," Alice said cheerfully. How is it possible to be that perky so early? "I changed him, dressed him, and Uncle Jazz is feeding him as we speak."
"Sounds like you have everything under control," I groaned and pulled the blankets back up over my head.
"Edward, I have plans today remember," Alice asked. "I need to go to the store. And Jasper is going to the country club with Dad and Emmett. Maybe you should go with them."
I groaned again and threw off the covers. "No, I'm not much of a golfer," I said running a hand through my disheveled hair. "I think I'll just stay here." Alice shot me a disbelieving look so I added, "I'll stay out of your little 'girl's lunch' party, I promise."
"That's all I ask," she smiled, and turned to leave. When she got to the door, she paused and looked back at me. "Why don't you have a quick shower before you come down, Ed? It might help you wake up."
"Um, okay, yeah. Thanks. I'll be down in a few." I answered.
I stayed in bed for a few minutes before getting up and taking my sister's advice. She was right; a good hot shower always makes me feel better in the morning. I started the shower to let it warm up and then looked in the mirror. "Damn, I look like hell," I said to myself, running both hands through my hair. Generally, I keep it cut shorter, but now it was continually falling into my eyes. "Time for a trim, Cullen." I took my shirt off and as I turned I noticed something else in the mirror. "Damn," I said again. "Time to start hitting the gym again too." My stomach, which used to be pretty firm, has started to look a little…less than firm. I gave up on my deteriorating appearance and got into the shower.
"Finally," Alice said, trying to sound annoyed.
"It's only been twenty minutes, Alice. Your little party is still hours away," I pointed out.
"That may be, but I have shopping to do. I told the girls to be here at one, so I'll have to hurry if I want to be back by noon," she smiled.
"Good luck with that, baby," Jasper spoke from the corner. He was still feeding Jay breakfast.
"Jazz?" I asked. "Did you manage to get any of that cereal into his mouth?"
He looked down at his shirt, which was spattered with baby cereal, and laughed. "Yeah, I think he ate a little bit of it. I think he just likes toying with me."
"Oh, Jazz," Alice said. "He's just a baby. It's not like he's doing it on purpose." She tossed him a wet cloth to clean up with. Jasper tried to feed the baby another bite, but Jay swiped his hand at the spoon before Jasper could even blink. Alice laughed at her cereal covered husband. "On second thought honey, maybe he is."
"Maybe," he agreed and wiped his face off. "So you gonna golf with us, Edward?"
"Actually, I thought I'd go to the store with Alice. I need to pick up a few things," I answered.
"Really?" she asked, turning to me. I nodded and a small smile spread across her lips. "Okay, well clean up Jay and lets go then. I've got to get a move on."
Three and a half hours and eight stores later, Alice and I were heading back to the house. She had gone nuts shopping. Things for herself, things for Jasper, a little baggie of girly stuff for the girls coming over today. A few new toys and some clothes she thought Jay couldn't live without. Even the items I was going to purchase, Alice paid for. Diapers, wipes, formula, shaving cream and razors, everything.
"Alice, you know you don't have to do all this? I do have money," I said.
"Oh, I know. But I wanted to. I just want to help Edward, it's nothing really. I'd do it for anyone." She did have a point. My sister was the most generous person I'd ever known.
"Regardless, you shouldn't have," I replied. "But since I know you can't help it, and that you wont hesitate to do it again, thank you," I said and winked at her. "I love you, sis."
"I love you, too," she said as she parked the car. "Now come on. I still have a lot to do, and Jay needs a nap anyway." She got out of the car and had Jay out of his seat almost before I could unbuckle my seatbelt.
Reluctantly, I grabbed a handful of bags and followed her inside. "You start putting this all away," I said pointing to the pile of bags. "And I'll change Jay and lay him down. Then I'll go get everything else for you, okay."
"Sounds good," she grinned. "Thanks."
Once I had the baby in bed and the car emptied, I met Alice in the kitchen. "Do you need help with anything, or should I go into hiding now?"
Alice laughed, "You don't have to hide out Edward. Mom will want to see you anyway."
"Yeah, probably," I replied. "So what are you making anyway?"
"Oh, just a chicken salad. And maybe some breadsticks. If you want to, you could start grilling the chicken," she answered.
"You're going to make breadsticks?" I asked incredulously. "From scratch? Do you even know how?"
"Don't be silly. I don't have all day. There's some frozen ones in the freezer." She winked at me. "And yes, I do know how, if I wanted to."
I got a good laugh out of that. Alice just doesn't seem much like the 'Betty Crocker' type. She never baked or cooked when we were growing up. Then again, I'd never seen her care for a baby before either, but she is excellent with Jay.
"So, you cooking the chicken now, or waiting for New Year's?" she said, her voice all sassy.
"Outside on the grill," I asked. "Or in here."
"Outside would be good I think," she replied. "Thanks."
I went to the back yard and lit the gas grill. Luckily, they're ready faster than charcoal. Alice would never have enough patience to wait for charcoal to heat up. Once the grill was ready, I threw on the chicken and took a seat on the patio. Before it was time to turn it over, I heard voices from the house.
"Where's Edward," my mother asked.
"Out back, mom. He's cooking the chicken for me," Alice explained.
"How about I set the table out there for you?" mom suggested.
"Sure, mom. Everything is on the little table by the door," Alice said.
"Hi mom," I spoke from my chair, having heard her come outside.
"Edward," she said. "How are you?" Always the worried parent. "I haven't talked to you in days."
"I'm okay, I think," I answered getting up to give her a hug. "It's been a little better the last couple days. I think I'm getting there."
"Oh, that's good dear," she smiled. "I've been so worried about you."
"I'm doing alright. Alice has been great. A very big help," I returned her smile graciously.
At that pointed we were joined by Rosalie. "Where's Jay?" she asked. "I've missed him all week."
"He's napping," I laughed. It felt good to laugh again. "But you'll be the first to know when he's awake," I finished, giving her a light hug.
"Thanks," she smiled.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check the chicken," I said politely. "If I burn it, Alice will kill me."
Right on cue, Alice came out to join us. "I heard that!" she said.
The girls set the table while I finished the chicken. Alice brought out her little girlie stuff baggies and set them on the table. There were four of them.
"Alice?" I asked. "Who else is coming?"
"Just Bella," she said. "Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering who the fourth bag was for. Did you make yourself one?" I questioned.
"Oh, no. It's for Vanessa. I thought she might like something too" Alice stated.
"Vanessa?" I said puzzled.
"Oh, I didn't tell you. Sorry, Vanessa is Bella's daughter. She's two." Alice explained.
"Oh, nice. I wouldn't have guessed," I shrugged and removed the chicken from the grill. "In the kitchen, or out here?" I asked.
The doorbell rang just then. "Oh, that's Bella. I'll be right back." She hurried toward the door.
"Alice?" I groaned.
"Sorry, in the kitchen please. Thanks again, bro." she said as she walked away.
"Well ladies," I said to my mom and Rose. "This is my cue to leave. I'll be inside if you need me."
After taking the plate of chicken to the kitchen, I went to the media room. Of course, Alice couldn't just have a regular living room. She had what she called a sitting room, with big over-stuffed recliners and a matching couch and love seat. Then she had the media room, complete with a sectional couch, big screen TV, stereo system, and numerous gaming consoles. I hadn't been much of a gamer before, but Jasper liked to play so I joined him now and then. I turned on the TV and a Nintendo something or other and grabbed a controller. I didn't want to disturb anything Jasper had been playing recently, but I hadn't seen him play this particular game, so I decided it would be safe.
After about an hour of race car madness- which I really wasn't great at- I got up to get some lunch. I would've eaten sooner, but I wanted all the ladies to have their fill first. I fixed myself a big bowl of the chicken salad and then turned to the fridge to search for a drink. I opened the door and bent to look on the bottom shelf. Not finding what I wanted, I grabbed a glass from the cupboard and returned to the fridge. Alice had made a pitcher of tea earlier. I filled the glass with ice and then poured in the tea. I stood upright and took a drink, before shutting the door. Before I could grab the plate, my phone buzzed.
-Having fun with the girls?- The text from Emmett read. I quickly answered back.
-Nope, haven't seen them. Just eating lunch and playing Jasper's racing game.-
I grabbed my lunch in one hand and my phone and drink in the other and headed out of the kitchen. As I reached the doorway to the hall, the phone buzzed again. I stopped, carefully looked at the phone to see it was just Emmett, and just as I was about to take a step…..
"Aahhh," a girl screamed as she walked right into me. Bella, covered in salad and ice tea, just stood there, staring at me in disbelief.
