Thank you to all who reviewed. It made me super happy and they were a great present. Here's the next chapter, so enjoy!
Alice POV
The rest of the night padded on without incident and Edward ended up leaving early. I knew he was still trying to process what I told him. Why did I tell him? Oh because I'm an idiot. I thought he would be happier to know, but I soon realized that, that wasn't the case. I knew I had to prepare Bella, but also keep Edward away. Not long after Edward left I asked Jasper if we could go. He knew something was wrong, but didn't press it in front of the family. After saying our goodbyes, we started to drive home. As soon as we got inside the house, Jasper decided he was going to force me to talk.
"Alice, are you ok?" He asked with concern.
"I don't know Jazz. I really don't know." I replied with tears in my eyes. Jazz came over to where I was sitting on the couch and pulled me close.
"Can you tell me what's the matter?" He asked while rubbing my back in an attempt to soothe me.
"No not really but you know how much I hate keeping secrets from you. But you have to promise not to tell anyone." I said in between hiccups. He held up his hand and I knew he was promising.
"Ok, yesterday when I was at class, I saw Bella." I said and he had a look of surprise on his face, but I continued. "After class we went for lunch and we talked. Nothing important, just casual. Around two she said she had to go do something, and since I had to pick up Jacob, we both left." I stopped for a moment before I went on. "When I got to the school I saw her there. I was surprised so I went up to her. At that moment Jake and his friend Nessie came up to us. That's when I found out that Nessie is her daughter."
Jasper looked at me confused and asked, "Is that why you're upset? Because Nessie is Bella's daughter?"
I shook my head. "It's not that. I'm just upset because I missed all of these things in her life. We we're best friends." I cried quietly as Jasper rubbed my back.
After a few moments I started to speak again. "Jazz, there's something else that's bothering me and it has to do with Nessie."
Jasper just looked at me confused and concerned. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. It's just," I said, "She looks so much like Bella, but has the most beautiful green eyes. And Edward has green eyes. I think Nessie is Edward's daughter."
"Well," Jasper replied, "That would explain a lot. But I don't know. Bella and Edward were never that irresponsible."
"That's true." I said, "But still I have this feeling."
"Whatever you say love." Jasper responded. "But how about we go to bed. You've had an exciting day. You need your rest."
"Ok." I whispered and we headed off to bed.
The Next Day
I woke up to the sound of the doorbell and glanced at the time. It was already 9:30, and I knew it was Edward here to plan the party. Rolling out of bed, I answered the door and told him to give me 30 minutes to get ready, because I don't do anything without looking nice. After showering and putting on clothes I headed downstairs to meet with my brother.
"Hey," Edward said, "Were you still sleeping when I arrived?"
I nodded my head and went to get coffee from the kitchen. Edward followed me and got a cup himself.
"Sorry about that." I said, "I didn't get much sleep last night."
Edward smirked and said, "Do I want to know why you weren't sleeping?"
I smacked the back of his head and glared at him. "It's not because of what you're thinking. I was just tired from….uh….doing work for my class. I stayed up pretty late."
Edward just laughed and we headed back into the living room to start planning Jake's party. He still hadn't mentioned Bella and that worried me a little but I wasn't ready to bring her up either so I didn't mention her. We worked until 11:05 at which point my phone rang. It was a number I didn't recognize. So I told Edward I was going to the kitchen to answer it.
As soon as I got to the kitchen I answered my phone. It was Bella.
"Hello?" I asked happily.
"Hey Alice," Bella replied.
"Oh hey Bella. I was about to call you and ask what you wanted to do for lunch." That was almost a lie I hadn't really remembered about our lunch date until just now, but I had been planning on calling her.
"About that. I have to cancel." She said almost sadly. I was a little afraid that maybe she had decided she didn't want to be my friend. I hesitated trying to think of a response.
Finally I just said, "That's ok. Is there something else?" I hoped she didn't catch the sadness and fear in my voice.
"Yeah, my dad's in town and he wants to have lunch." She said quickly with a sigh of relief.
"That's fine," I replied trying to sound un-phased, "As long as we make it up as soon as possible." I added as an afterthought.
"Of cou---" She started before I cut her off.
"I have the perfect idea. How about we go to dinner tonight?" I asked happily. I desperately hoped she would say yes.
"That sounds like a good idea, but what about Reneesme?" She asked, "It's a school night and she really can't be out late." She sounded like she wanted to see me, but I wasn't sure because it seemed like she was just trying to get out of it.
"I didn't forget about her silly Bella. Just bring her along." I said even though I had forgotten about her beautiful daughter. "Besides we won't stay out late."
"That sounds good Alice, but what is Reneesme supposed to do by herself." She said.
"I'll bring Jake with me." I said. It was brilliant I chastised myself for not thinking of it before.
"Ok deal. But I'll only go if you can get Jake." She replied almost…..sternly?
"I promise I'll get him Bella. It is me we're talking about." I said chuckling. I always got what I wanted.
"Alright. I guess I'll call you later and work out the details." She said.
"Actually," I said quickly, only now remembering Edwards's presence a few rooms away, "How about we talk about it at the school?"
"Um, ok?" She replied, "Are you picking up Jake?"
"Well, today Rose was actually supposed to pick up her own son, but I can do it." I said quickly.
She was quiet for too long and I was a little worried, "Bella? Earth to Bella? Are you ok?"
"Huh. Oh yeah I'm fine. I just realized that I never asked who Jake belonged to that's it." She replied like she was embarrassed.
"It's ok," I said, "It never occurred to me to tell you that he was Rose and Emmett's. Ok, now that that's cleared up, I think we should talk at the school." I said chastising myself again for being so stupid.
"Yeah sure. I'll see you there." She said.
"See you there she replied. Oh, wait Bella I have another question for you." I said quietly, aware that Edward was looking for me. I could hear him walking down the long hallway to the kitchen.
"Go ahead." She said nervously.
"Is it ok if I tell Jasper about you?" I asked cautiously, "I mean he's my husband and I hate keeping things from him." I may have already told him but I just wanted to make sure she was okay with that.
"Sure." She replied quickly.
I was so happy I might have made a loud squealing noise. I was so happy that she was alright with it, "Thank you Bella. I know that he'll be excited to see you."
"I can't wait to see him either. But I have to go Alice. My dad's going to be here soon and I still have to make lunch." She said quickly. I was reluctant to let the conversation end but I knew Edward was getting impatient. So we said our goodbyes and hung up.
I spent the rest of the day with Edward planning Jacob's party. He was really distracted and off when I got back to the living room but I was still too cowardly to question him. So I just let it go. He left around one thirty so I called Rosalie and asked her if I could pick up Jacob. She was a little curious about why but I convinced her that I just wanted to make sure he was gonna like his party. She didn't question me after that and she gave me permission to have Jacob as long as I got him in bed by 8. She also asked if I could stay at the house until eleven so her and Emmett could have a date night. I agreed because I knew that would give me more time with Bella.
I met Bella at the school when I picked up Jake and we sorted everything out, so that Jasper, Jake and I would meet her at Applebee's at seven. I called Jasper and he jumped at the chance to see Bella again. She used to be like a little sister to him. I was glad that he could go with me.
We hit traffic on the way to the restaurant and I was afraid I was gonna be late but Bella arrived at the same time we did. She stopped at the door waiting for us to catch up.
"Hi Alice, Jake. How are you guys doing?" She asked as soon as we arrived.
"Good." I said happily.
"Me too." Jake said shyly. She smiled at him.
"Are you just going to ignore me?" Jasper asked from behind me I could tell he was a little hurt that he didn't get a hug or a wave or a smile. And not one to stand back and wait he walked right up and scooped Bella up into a hug.
She smiled when he let go and told him, "Of course not. I could never forget you."
"Ok, ok. Enough with all the mushy stuff. I think we should go inside and get dinner." I said, "I think the children would like to eat sometime soon." I was so happy that this was going so well but I was starving so I ushered us into the restaurant. We were seated immediately and we began our conversation immediately, as did Nessie and Jake.
We talked about everything, since there was a lot to tell. She recounted everything she had done in the past few years and I in turn told her about mine and Jasper's marriage. It didn't seem to surprise her but she did seem a little upset that she missed my wedding. I was ad at that too even at the time all I wished was that she could be there with me as my Maid of Honor. We talked about everything and anything until our food came, and then we had to help Jake and Reneesme eat. They seemed to get more on their clothes than in their mouths. We continued eating and talking happily until Jake yawned and Bella checked the time.
"Oh," she said sounding surprised, "It's already nine. I really need to get Reneesme to bed. She has to go to school tomorrow."
I was shocked at the late hour and realized I needed to get Jake home. "That's a good idea. Rose will kill me if she knew I didn't have Jake in bed by 8."
We paid our bill and gathered our belongings. As we walked out of the restaurant I came up with one of my brilliant ideas. "Oh Bella. Jake's birthday is on Sunday and we're going to have a party. He'll bring an invitation to Nessie tomorrow."
"Yeah, ok." She replied nervously. She seemed fidgety and looked like she wanted to ask me something but all she said was, "I'll talk to you soon."
I smiled and said, "You better." Jasper and I gave her big hugs and I told her, "It was good to see you Bella. I hope we can be friends again." All she did was nod.
As Jasper and I got in the car he tuned to me. "Was that really such a good idea?"
I had no idea what he was talking about so I didn't answer. He must've seen the blank look on my face and he sighed.
"Was it really such a good idea to invite Bella and Nessie to Jake's party?"
I was in shock. "Don't you want her to go? Don't you wanna still be friends with her?"
"Of course I do. But Edward is gonna be there. Isn't this gonna be extremely uncomfortable for everyone? Especially if you're right about Nessie."
I finally grasped what he meant and he was right. I had no idea what I was thinking when I asked Bella to come. "Shit, I didn't even think about that."
Jasper gave me a sympathetic smile and reminded me not to cuss because Jacob was still with us. I turned back to check on him but he was already fast asleep.
I had already invited Bella so there was nothing I could do. I just resolved to keep an eye on both of them.
The rest of the night passed without incident. We took Jake home, put him in bed and after Rose and Emmett came back, Jasper and I headed home. There was really nothing left for us to say we were both worried about the situation I had inadvertently caused and I wondered how all of this was gonna work out. I finally came to the decision that I needed to ask Bella about Nessie's father, and I was going to do it and the party on Sunday.
So here you go. Another chapter. I know there's a few people reading this that want a confrontation with Edward and Bella, and it'll happen in like 8 chapters. I know, I know. That's the a few chapters more, but there's so much I have to get out there. Review if you wish. Hopefully a new chapter will happen by next week!
