AN: Stephanie Owns ===Me NADA

BPOV Portland Present Day -Saturday

As I packed EJ's backpack and mine for the soccer game I was a little nervous and excited at meeting Edward's family. I didn't want to appear like I had too much time invested in my appearance so I threw on a pair of low rise acid washed jeans, a old Pogues concert t-shirt, a zip up hoodie, and some Chuck Taylors. At the last second I threw on a baseball cap after putting my hair into a ponytail, pulling it through the back.

I spent a half hour on my make up and worried that one of my parent friends who was also at the game might make a comment about it. I packed a snack cooler and called for EJ to hurry as we needed to leave to be there early to get a good spot.

"Mom! Does my hair look ok?" my child called as he walked out of the bathroom.

I smiled as I realized that he was trying to copy Edward's style by using gel.

I set my bag down by the door and folded him into a hug, "you look great, and did you remember your shin guards in your bag?"

"Un huh"

"Ok kiddo, let's go!" I kissed his cheek and of course he grimaced.

We were one of the first to arrive on the field except for Tyler's mom Jennifer and dad Jason. Jason sprinted over and took my cooler and folding chair, carried it over and set it up next to Jennifer's. I had called Jennifer last night after Edward left to give them a heads up about EJ's dad, dad's fiancé and family being at the game. I didn't want it to be awkward or have the "where has he been all this time" questions to happen in front of EJ. Confessing my sins was hard enough in private. Jen quickly came up and pulled me into a hug, then leaned back with a smile. "Here is a pep talk ok? You are an awesome mom, you are a beautiful, independent sexy woman, you made a mistake, and we all make mistakes. You can do this!" I pulled her back into a hug, "you rock ya know" I whispered as I fought not to tear up.

Suddenly I heard a woman call loudly across the field, "HALES BELLS!" I whirled around and there she was, Rosalie Hale. She was just as stunning and graceful as ever as she jogged toward me, leaving behind a large handsome guy who was carrying a little girl. I flew to her, tears flowing as we hugged and laughed. We both started talking at once then cracked up laughing. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye I saw Edward walking towards us holding hands with a stunning blonde. I ignored them and focused on Rose as she started peppering me with questions. I held my hand up and turned calling to EJ, who was standing with Tyler watching the spectacle that was his mother. He walked over looking from me to Rose. "EJ this is Mom's friend Rose, Rose this is EJ."

She squatted down and held out her hand. "Hi EJ, you are one very handsome young man."

"Thank you, its nice to meet you." he mumbled then looked to me for acknowledgement that he had done the right thing. We had been practicing what to say when you meet an adult. Suddenly he saw Edward and called "excuse me" over his shoulder as he ran straight to him. I saw Edward's face light up as EJ grabbed his hand and started to pull him toward Tyler and Jason. Rose and I both turned and watched with amusement as EJ introduced Edward to Jason and Tyler. Jennifer stood up and walked over extending her hand. I took the opportunity to check out Edward's fiancé, my stomach clenching at her obvious perfection. She looked like a supermodel, complete with designer clothes and shoes. Then I realized she was wearing some very expensive looking slacks and six inch heels that kept sinking in the mud. She was scowling at Edwards back and I felt Rose tug on my sleeve. She leaned near my ear and said in a conspiratorial whisper "I know, I had to laugh when I saw what she was wearing this morning. Who wears Jimmy Choos to a kid's soccer game on a grass field? Girlfriend, we have so much to dish on this afternoon" she broke off and called "There's Alice and Jasper! Alice over here" I looked over to see the woman who all those years ago I had mistaken for Edward's wife, my face instantly turning beet red.

She gave a big smile and headed towards us with a little boy about EJ's age and a man I recognized immediately. When they walked up Jasper pulled me into a hug and twirled me into a circle. "Hale's Bells, you look great!" he laughed. I smacked his arm, "So do you Jaz, and you must be Alice?" I said turning toward her secretly a little afraid of what she would do now that we were meeting face to face. I need not have worried as she pulled me in a hug and whispered in my ear "I don't care about the past Bella, I feel like we are sisters already" I couldn't keep the smile off my face. "Who do we have here?" I asked smiling down at their son who I knew to be Jackson. "Jackson" he mumbled then when he saw Edward standing with EJ and Tyler, he yelled "Uncle Edward" and took off running. We watched as Edward scooped him up and twisting him upside shaking him up and down a few times in an obvious game they seemed to play quite often from Jackson's laughter. I saw EJ and Tyler laugh, and then Edward flipped Jackson back onto his feet and then squatted down and appeared to be making introductions.

I watched as Edward's Fiancée Lauren finally made it to where Edward was with the boys. After a few seconds she tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his head looking up at her and introduced our son to the woman who in the near future would be his wife. The thought made me sick. I guess I didn't hide it fast enough because Rose pulled hard on my sleeve pulling me into a hug. She whispered in my ear "Its not over till the fat lady sings, and that little skinny thing over there can't carry a tune in a bucket" I had to laugh, all these years later she was still the one person in the world who really knew me. "He's looking over here so pretend to laugh really hard" she whispered. Following her directions I pulled back and pretended that she had said the funniest thing I had ever heard. Alice joined in the fake laughter then putting her arm around me with her back to Edward she pulled me over to where Jasper had just finished setting up some chairs next to mine. "So Bella?" she spoke in a louder than normal voice "You have to sit next to me so we can chat" the gleam in her eye letting me know she was up to something. We were interrupted as Rose's little girl Samantha suddenly arrived and crawled into Alice's lap, putting her head on Alice's shoulder. Rose took the seat between Jennifer and mine striking up a conversation easily with Jennifer. I always envied her the ease she had in social situations. When Rose's husband joined us, pulling a chair up behind Rose, he introduced himself. "So you're Bells? I am Emmett, Rose's husband" he said holding out his hand. I could see the attraction Rose had for him. His hair sweeping across his forehead and expressive big brown eyes were a sharp contrast to his muscular body. I took his hand and smiled "It's nice to finally meet you also."

I reached into my small cooler under my chair and pulled out a bottle of water, then leaning back in the chair I settled in making myself comfortable. I avoided looking at Lauren as much as I could but when the Coach arrived calling to the players to huddle up Edward grabbed her hand and started heading our way.

I knew what was going to happen so I mentally told myself to buck up. I stood up when they stopped in front of me and held out my hand putting on my best fake smile. "Hello, you must be Lauren, I'm Bella, it's so nice to meet you." I was calm, cool, collected looking her right in the eye. Oh, she was a good actress but I saw the flash of fire in her cold blue eyes before she gave me her best fake smile and grabbed my hand pulling me into a hug. "Oh, Bella I just know we are going to get along fabulously. Your son is so handsome" she let go of me and stepped back. "I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other after the wedding." She said this as she laid her hand on my arm in an obvious girl maneuver to make sure I saw her fat A$$ engagement ring. I looked over at Edward and he had the grace to look uncomfortable at her obvious marking of her perceived territory, she could have been peeing on his leg.

Two can play this game I thought and chuckled out loud. "I am over the moon that Edward plans on spending so much time with Edward Jr. I am so glad that you are so accepting of our son. He is a great kid and I just know that you are going to have so much fun with him." Ok so I was laying it on thick even using EJ's given name putting emphasis on the fact that EJ was Edward and my son. Her smile obviously forced she leaned into Edward's side putting her arm around him. "Yes, I think EJ is going to fit into Edward and my little family really well, who knows maybe we will give him a little brother or sister sooner rather than later." 'FUCK ME' I thought, point and match to her. Alice huffed behind me and when I looked up at Edward he was rubbing his hand behind his neck with a sad look on his face before he looked away.

"Edward!" we heard someone call and we all turned to see a handsome couple carrying chairs and a blanket heading toward us. When they were a little closer I realized that this was Alice and Edward's parents. His father put his load down near Alice and Jasper before coming over and asking "So where is our newest grandson?" as he scanned the little huddle of players not so far away. At that moment the coach had the kids spread out to start warm ups. As EJ and Tyler ran to get in one of the lines he stopped and waved to Edward a big crooked smile on his face. "Well Edward you don't need to point him out, you are right he is a twin to you at that age" I heard Carlisle murmur and saw him not -so-stealthily wipe under his eyes. He turned to his wife who had just set up her chair and called her over. "Esme!" he motioned with his hand.

When she walked up he put his arm around her and leaned in and pointed out where EJ was. I saw her put her fingers to her lips as she held back a smile, her eyes filling with tears. She looked at me and her smile lit up her face. "He is beautiful! You must be Bella?" she let go of her husband, walking over reached down taking my hands into hers. "Welcome to the family" she warmly smiled then leaning in kissed my cheek. I couldn't help it I felt my eyes tear up and I gave her a watery smile. "Thank you, that means so very much to me."

Carlisle came up behind her putting his hands on her shoulders "We mean it too; you and EJ are now our family and are expected to be at as many family gatherings as you can, our door is ALWAYS open."

I just happened to look over at Lauren who was staring daggers at me. "Thank you we will." I acknowledged his kindness with a big smile.

The Coach blew his whistle and we all took our seats as the players took their positions. Jackson walked up and stood next to his mother for a moment, when he decided that since her lap was full with Sammy that he had no where to sit he turned to me. "Auntie Bella, can I sit with you?" he asked with a nervous voice. "Of course Jackson!" I said and pulled him onto my lap where he promptly leaned back and started to chatter about EJ, sports, video games and school. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lauren pull a pack of tissues out of her purse, pulling a few out to work on getting some of the mud off her expensive shoes. Alice caught my eye and rolled hers in exaggeration, whispering "Who wears slacks and heels to a kid's soccer game? Someone who is clueless, that's who" she answered her own question. I couldn't help it when my face turned into a smirk. I jumped when suddenly the men around me jumped to their feet yelling "GO! GO! GO!" as EJ ran by pushing the ball with his feet and then kicked it toward the goal. The goalie caught it and threw it back out to one of the opposing team players. Tyler swooped in and took the ball, passed it back to EJ who kicked it again and this time he scored.

You would have thought he won the super bowl with the way our new family reacted, jumping up and down and screaming. EJ turned to look at me wide eyed in shock that he had made a goal. Tyler was next to him jumping up and down patting him on the back. His face broke into a smile then he looked toward where Edward was sitting. I chanced a look and the pride on Edward's face was brighter than the morning sun beaming back at EJ. EJ looked down at the ground then back at me and gave an embarrassed smirk before running back to his position.

The rest of the game didn't go as well but it was obvious that every player out there was trying as hard as they could. EJ's team ended up losing by two points. With his little head down he walked over to me as the team would take a short break before playing one more game against another local team.

Jackson climbed down out of my lap when EJ shrugged and headed for me.

I pulled him up on my lap and gave him a squeeze. "You were amazing out there E" I whispered. "We lost though" he mumbled. "Did you play your hardest?' I asked. He nodded slowly. "That's all that matters, you play the best you can play, and sometimes you win sometimes you lose but as long as you did your best you walk off that field with your head up." I pulled his chin up so he was looking into my eyes. I leaned in and kissed him on his nose. Suddenly, Edward was there. He leaned down and scooped EJ off my lap and pulled him into a hug. "I was so proud of you out there! You worked with your team and played a good game" he said as he rubbed EJ's back. The rest of the family except Lauren gathered around encouraging EJ reinforcing Edward's words. "Hey, how about we all go out to lunch and celebrate your game when you are done?" Carlisle suggested. "But he didn't win" we all heard Lauren say.

I saw the disbelief on Edward's face as he looked at her dumbfounded. When she looked at him and realization dawned, she sputtered "I mean good job EJ."

Edward just shook his head and closed his eyes.

Suddenly Lauren's became very interested in her lap. I almost felt bad for her, knowing that she had obviously just humiliated herself. OK not quite, but the little part of me that knew what it felt like to put your foot in your mouth felt bad. The rest of me told that little part of me to shut the heck up!

EJ pulled away from Edwards shoulder; leaning back he asked "Can we have Chinese food?"

"Whatever you want buddy." Edward said putting EJ back on his feet. I handed EJ a Gatorade and a hand full of trail mix, then shared some with Sammy and Jackson also.

The kids sat together on the grass as we waited for the next game to start.

The coach walked up and told us that the next game was on the other side of the field.

All the adults started to pack up for the move and began the trek to where the new game was being held. I saw Lauren pull off her shoes after a few steps across the freshly water lawn. Her grimace had me turning my head away so she wouldn't see my quiet laughter. Edward caught my look though, then looking back at Lauren he smiled too.

My laughter stopped when he walked back and scooped her up bridal style and started carrying her across to where the other parents had started setting up before heading back to pick up their chairs.

I kept my head down as he passed so he wouldn't see the jealousy and longing in my eyes.

I arrived just in time to hear Lauren gush to Esme about 'what a gentleman Edward was' before giving me a satisfied look.

Jasper was walking by so he leaned in and whispered "she means what a moron my brother-in-law is!"

I couldn't help but giggle. "Thanks Jaz" I whispered back.

"Always Bells, I always have your back, you know that." He chuckled just as Edward jogged up with the rest of the stuff. I saw him give Jasper a dirty look after looking back and forth between us. I ignored Edward and started setting up my chair, placing EJ's bag and cooler underneath it.

"Momma" I heard Sammy call to Rose as she held her hands up to show the grass and mud that she must have gotten from playing with the boys.

"Hold on sweetheart" I called and grabbed EJ's bag pulling out some wet wipes before handing them to Rose.

Rose had just started cleaning Sammy's hands off when Jen walked up asking if I had any antibacterial cream as the team first aid kit was out and one of the kids had scraped an elbow.

"Sure" I laughed and again reaching into EJ's bag pulled out a mini first aid kit handing it to her.

When I looked up Edward was standing near my chair staring at EJ's bag.

"What else you got in there Mary Poppins?" he joked. I rolled my eyes before teasing back "Dessert" then walked over to where some of the parents were standing chatting. I didn't miss Edward's sharp intake of breath as I walked by.

Point and match to me bitch!

The referee blew his whistle and everyone took their seats with the team filtering back onto the field.

EJ's team did much better on the second game winning by three points.

As the team celebrated, we stood in a circle and decided where we were going to go for lunch. I suggested Peking Palace as it had good food and were family oriented. Since everyone had gps we started to pack up and head for the cars.

Jackson and EJ had their heads together talking about who knew what.

Suddenly EJ ran over to Edward and I couldn't hear what they were discussing but I saw Edward smile and nod his head yes.

EJ motioned for Jackson and they both ran over to where we had just finished getting everything together.

"Mom, EJ and I wanna ride with Uncle Edward is that ok?" Jackson asked Alice.

Alice glanced at me and I nodded yes. "Sure sweetheart, but we have to get your booster seat ok?" she called to the boys started hopping up and down in excitement. She just shook her head and laughed.

Once again Edward scooped Lauren up and her cackle drifted back to me as she looked back over Edward's shoulder and winked.

"She makes me sick!" Alice no longer whispering said looking toward her brother.

"Now Alice.." Esme cautioned.

When I got to the car I started to load my things into the trunk when Edward and EJ walked up to get his booster seat. I walked around to the passenger side and started to disconnecting it from the back seat leaning over to reach the seatbelt latch. When I leaned back out of the car pulling the now released booster out and turned around I caught that Edward had been staring at my ass.

I cocked a eyebrow and pushed the booster into his chest harder than I had meant too. He just smirked and shrugged his shoulders as if to say 'guys will be guys.'

"Mom can I have my ipod too?" EJ asked breaking the spell I was under when I looked at his father.

"Sure, its in my bag" I called over my shoulder as I slammed the door to vent my frustration. Stupid fiancée carrying clueless asshole looking at my ass! Ok so it turned me on a little bit that he even wanted to check out my ass but then reminded myself that boys will be boys.

Once EJ had his ipod he ran up and hugged me around the middle. When he pulled back I told him that I loved him and to be good for his father.

"See ya at the restaurant, Love ya Mom!" he called over his shoulder as he headed for Edward's car with Jackson.

As Edward followed he looked back over his shoulder at me and winked. Fudge bucket turtle knuckles! My hoo-hah clenched and reminded me that she was lonely. 'He is engaged' I reminded her then felt like an idiot standing in a parking lot talking to my lady parts.

Shaking my head I finished loading my car and headed off to meet them at the restaurant.

EPOV

I couldn't help chuckle to myself as I headed for my car following EJ and Jackson. Jasper was there holding Jackson's booster making conversation with Lauren when I walked up. I hit the fob on my keychain turning off the alarm and unlocked the doors. Jasper showed me how to make sure the boosters were in correctly before heading back to his own car and Alice.

Once I had programmed in the restaurant address into my GPS we set off toward the restaurant. I was so happy in my heart that EJ wanted to ride with me.

Maybe he would be ready to hang for the weekend sooner rather than later. I had already hired a decorator to start converting my spare room into a bedroom for him. I wanted him to have his own space and feel like he was at home when he came over.

"UM, do you have a dock in your car" I heard EJ ask from the back seat.

"Yeah, would you like to play your ipod?" I asked.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Lauren roll hers and whisper "Oh great we get to listen to Barney" I gave her a dirty look, maybe she wasn't accepting this as I had hoped she would. When she saw my face she smiled and said "sorry, I just hate that purple dinosaur."

I put my hand backward between the seats and EJ placed his Ipod into it. I didn't even look at the lists as I hooked it up at the next stop sign we stopped at. When I hit play Nat King Cole started to sing 'Smile' and I had to chuckle. Lauren looked at me confused. "He and his mother sing this every night" I explained watching her role her eyes and turn her attention to the window.

Before I knew it we were at the restaurant and I quickly helped unhook the boys and carried their boosters back to Alice and Bella.

Once inside the restaurant we had to wait for the staff to pull a few tables together to accommodate our large group.

I smiled when I looked over to the bench in the entry way to see EJ sitting on Esme's lap with Jackson snuggled up beside her the three of them whispering back and forth.

Alice and Bella stood to the side with big smiles on their faces as they took in the scene it making them just as happy as it did me.

"Cullen" the hostess called and EJ slid off Esme's lap and grabbed her hand with Jackson taking the other side.

At the table Samantha threw a fit until she could sit next to EJ. Once we were all seated I watched in amusement as EJ picked up his silverware and set it aside, then picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Bella. I watched her dig in her purse and pull out a change purse, removing a rubber band which she proceeded to wrap around the end of the chopsticks before handing them back.

She blushed when she caught me watching her "What" she asked.

"Miss Poppins that purse of yours is amazing" I teased.

"It helps him use them better and he refuses to use the silverware" she gestured toward EJ who was practicing opening and closing the chopsticks like a crab with pinchers.

We all decided to order family style and share rather than ordering individually.

EJ leaned over to Bella and whispered that he had to use the restroom. Bella started to scoot her chair back but I stopped her. "Sit, its ok I will take him" I offered. Standing up and excusing us as EJ and I headed towards the men's room.

BPOV

My heart swelled a little as I watched Edward and EJ head toward the restroom. I didn't miss the appreciative glances of a few of the females they passed on the way.

When I turned back around I realized that Lauren was watching me with her eyebrow cocked and a knowing look on her face.

I looked away quickly thankful when the waitress arrived with our drinks.

Edward and EJ returned laughing and chatting about a camping trip that Edward had taken, EJ laughing so hard he snorted.

"What?" Lauren asked.

Edward shook his head toward EJ and said "No telling!" and EJ nodded suddenly solemn then giggled again.

"Did I hear camping trip?" Alice laughed. Edward shook his head smiling and said "Don't Pixie!" in mock warning.

"WHAT?" Alice started laughing as she must have guessed what Edward had told EJ.

"Now I am dying to know" Lauren pouted.

"OK, so in high school we went on a camping trip" Alice started amongst Edwards loud protests and EJ's giggles.

"A ranger had stopped into camp and told us there had been a bear sighting and warned us about leaving food where a bear could get to it. Edward kinda freaked a little. He woke up in the middle of the middle of the night and was so afraid to leave the tent to use the restroom that he ended up peeing in a plastic soda pop bottle." by this time everyone was laughing and Edward was red faced. "The best part was the next day when he forgot that it was there and accidently knocked it over onto his sleeping bag when he got up, we teased him about peeing his bag for the rest of the trip" she finished actually holding her sides. "HA HA very funny. Payback's are a ….Alice" Edward said with a smile.

Alice just shrugged.

"Hey Bells? Remember that time in cheer camp when.." Rose began.

I cut her off "Yeah..save that story for later"

Alice popped up with "OH, this is something I want to hear" and Rose nodded.

"Speaking of which, if you are coming up next weekend for the big fishing trip I was thinking that maybe we can get some of the girls together from the old squad and catch up!" Rose suggested.

"Sure, that sounds like fun" I said thinking of some of the girls we had hung out with. It would be nice to see them again.

"You were a cheerleader?" Lauren asked with a hint of disbelief.

What was it with this chick.

"Damn straight! She was awesome. Most of the football players on our team wanted to get with Bells, especially when she did her double back flip." Jasper said with a smile.

"Um Ew" Bella giggled.

The food arrived and everyone dug in.

Jasper and Edward were talking about some house remodeling project at Jasper and Alice's house and as Edward was talking he was picking the snow peas out of his vegetables and would put them on my plate. I saw Lauren's face as she watched this knowing that he wasn't even conscious of what he was doing.

I couldn't keep the smile off my face, he remembered I loved the snow peas? I looked over and saw Rose, Esme and Alice were smiling too.

"Oh Bella, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind if EJ was in the wedding? I mean Jackson is the ring bearer but what if EJ stood up front with the groomsmen?" Lauren said sweetly and of course Edward's attention was back on her.

He looked at me and smiled, "I would like that if its ok with you?"

'Fake smile, Fake smile, Fake smile" I chanted in my head as my stomach rolled.

"Sure, I am sure EJ would like that" I pretended to cough, "Oh excuse me I need to use the ladies room"

I made it to the stall and promptly threw up. I heard someone enter the bathroom and then felt a hand start rubbing my back. I wiped the tears from my eyes and turned to see who was behind me. Esme smiled at me and then pulled me into a hug.

"You still love him?" she asked and when I nodded she smiled again. "Things have their way of working out, I have faith in my son. I know he doesn't love her and its only a matter of time before he realizes that. Now you fix your make up and come back out there with your head high and don't let her win ok baby?" She leaned in and kissed my cheek and walked back out of the bathroom.

I sat there stunned for a few minutes. I walked over to the sink and washed my hands then took her advice and fixed my make up. I gave myself a pep talk before squaring my shoulders and heading back out to the table. Once there I ignored Edward and Lauren getting drawn into a conversation with Carlisle and Esme.

We made plans for EJ and I to spend the weekend with them at their beach house next month.

While we were sitting there my cell phone went off. The ring tone of 'Isabelle' by Charles Aznavour instantly alerted EJ and I who it was. "Grandpere!!" EJ called reaching for the phone. I flipped open the phone and greeted my grandparents.

They wanted to speak to EJ and see how his game had gone. I handed EJ the phone and he quickly started recounting his day, from the soccer game to his new family being there. I smiled as he told my grandfather about his Grandpere and Grandmere Cullen and how we were going to the beach. I looked over to see Edward's proud face as EJ rattled on and on in fluent French.

Esme reached across the table grabbing my hand, a big smile on her face. "I love Charles Aznavour, Carlisle and I saw him once in Cannes on vacation."

"My grandfather has teased me with that song since I was baby. He loves to sing it to me when ever we are together so I made it his ring tone as it helps me feel a little closer to him." I explained feeling a little melancholy.

Once EJ was done he handed me the phone, I promised my grandfather I would call the next day and tell him all about our 'new' family before we said goodbye.

When I hung up Jasper asked about my Uncle Phillippe and if I thought when I came up if we could make a trip to the bakery. I laughed and promised that we would go get some 'Isabella's' a French pastry that my Uncle had made and named for me. This led into a conversation about old friends and his family and before I knew it everyone had eaten and it was time to go. Carlisle insisted on settling the check then he and Esme hugged us all making sure that I promised to call them at least once a week to check in.

Jasper and Emmett headed off to the gun show in Rose's vehicle while Rose, Alice and the kids headed to my home in Alice's vehicle. Edward hugged EJ and promised to call him that evening.

I hooked EJ's booster back into my car and we headed for home, my heart still squeezing in my chest as I realized this whole thing was going to be so much harder than I had originally thought.

PLEASE HIT THAT LITTLE BUTTON AND LEAVE ME SOME REVIEW LOVE! I NEED IT!